The Brigitte Trust – supporting people facing life-threatening illness
A diagnosis of cancer or Motor Neurone
Disease can be a terrible shock to the whole family, and it can
sometimes be hard to share feelings - even with closest
relatives.
For over 25 years, the Brigitte Trust, an independent registered
Surrey charity, has been offering help to people suffering the
effects of cancer and other late-stage illness, with a free service
of emotional support and help with practical needs at home.
It is preferable for most patients to stay at home, with pets and
familiar possessions around them, with family and friends nearby.
With the help of The Brigitte Trust, it is often possible for a
family member to stay at home for much longer. Volunteers
offer an initial 3 hours per week and referrals come from District
Nurses, Hospice personnel, via Social care teams or by
self-referral. Average length of involvement is 4 - 6 months
and our 70 volunteers, working throughout a wide
area of Surrey, can offer up to 12 weeks of bereavement
support.
208 families were supported last year, and referrals are
increasing. The Trust receives around 23% of
its funding from Surrey PCT as a supplier of palliative care
services, and the rest is raised by donations, legacies and
fundraising which in the current economic downturn is becoming much
harder for a local charity such as ours to achieve.
Our nine week training course, plus a weekend workshop, prepares
our volunteers with essential listening and coping skills as they
prepare to visit families facing the challenges of a
life-threatening illness.
Brigitte Trust volunteers offer support to the wider family too,
by listening to carers and supporting them as they share their
feelings. The most important part of their work is often to listen,
without judgment.
Training courses for volunteers take place twice each year
- please call today for more information. Potential volunteers are
invited to call Sharon Sillitoe on 01306 881816 or visit the
Volunteer section of our website www.brigittetrust.org
Vanessa Smith
Promotions Manager
The Brigitte Trust
316 High Street
Dorking
Surrey RH4 1QX
Telephone 01306 880862 brigittetrust@btinternet.com