My name is Sarah Morrin and I am new to the family support team at Hospice of the Valleys in the role of social worker. Having worked in mental health for 30 years, 18 of that has been in social work. I became aware of the Hospice due to a close friend whose family had been referred to the team. When I came across the job vacancy I decided that it was the right time for a new challenge and change of direction in my career. I work within a multi-disciplinary team and have the pleasure of working with other social workers and nurses and a wider team who are all dedicated to providing the best possible care and service to families.
My current role has many similarities to that of my last, however I now have the autonomy to focus upon psycho social emotional support for patients and their families who are facing diagnosis of life limiting illnesses/bereavement. An example of a referral would be to provide emotional support to the patient and or family members at a time of need. This could be a very short term intervention or ongoing, depending on their presenting individual needs.
Many people have preconceived ideas of the role of social worker within palliative care. I enjoy building relationships and trust with those who initially do not see the need for social work input. However by building trust and providing empowerment and identifying informed choices this ensures a willingness to engage and accept assistance. Therefore I can practice within a provision of care that is holistic, always ensuring the best possible outcomes for those involved in our care.
To learn more about our Family Support Team please visit https://www.hospiceofthevalleys.org.uk/…/family-support/
