Get support locally
Hope in Herefordshire
Hope supports children and young people aged 5-25 when a loved one has been diagnosed with a serious or life-threatening illness.
Support is available across the UK via Hope Online, and in Herefordshire we also offer a face-to-face service.
If you’re a parent or professional looking to refer a young person for our support, head to our referral form.
ONE-TO-ONES
Chat to our Wellbeing Advisors at school or in community venues across Herefordshire.
TRIPS
From our annual residential to day trips and projects, there’s always something to do!
PEER SUPPORT
Meet others going through the same thing at our regular youth sessions.
Hope in Herefordshire Support FAQs
Where are the youth sessions?
We run fortnightly sessions for 11-17 year olds in Ross on Wye, Hereford and Leominster. We also attend the Ledbury Leaf drop in group every two weeks, where young people can take part in their activities and chat to our team if they need to.
5-11 year olds can access our monthly bereavement group at St Michael’s Hospice, or our pre/non-bereavement group in Hereford.
Last but not least, we have an 18-25 group which meets monthly, alternating between in-person in Hereford and online.
As well as our youth sessions, we run trips and residentials throughout the year for all of our young people, as well as targeted small group activities.
What do you talk about in one-to-ones?
Just like no two young people are the same, no two Hope sessions are the same!
We could be looking at coping strategies to help a teenager concentrate in school, drawing a worry monster with a younger child, or listening to a young adult that can’t decide whether to go to university and leave an ill family member at home.
We do not provide counselling or therapy, but a listening ear to help young people talk about their worries or struggles.
Can you support a young person who has a loved one experiencing a mental health issue, or physical health condition?
Our support is available to young people who have a loved one with a serious illness such as cancer, MND, organ failure, heart condition, or dementia. Unfortunately, we cannot provide support when a loved one has a mental health condition, addiction, or physical disability that is unrelated to a serious illness.
If you are unsure as to whether a condition would fit our remit, please get in touch.
Can you help neurodivergent children, or those with disabilities?
We have supported many children who are neurodivergent, as well as those with disabilities or learning difficulties.
Whilst we acknowledge that not every trip or activity will suit everyone, we will always try and do what we can to support a young person who needs us and ensure our service is as inclusive as possible.
Please get in touch if you would like to chat about any adjustments that may be needed for a young person, or to see how we can help.
Can you support young people who have mental health conditions, or suicidal thoughts?
Hope is a low-level service, and our Wellbeing Advisors provide a listening ear and basic coping strategies. We recognise that having a loved one with a serious illness can lead to lots of emotions, and we can support young people experiencing things like stress, anger or confusion – as well as issues with friendships, school struggles and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
If any of these emotions are having a severe impact on a child’s day to day life, or they are experiencing separation anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders or OCD symptoms, we would instead recommend a GP appointment for a referral to a higher level support service such as counselling, therapy or CAMHS.
I’m unable to fill in the referral form – is this something you can help me with?
Of course! Just give us a ring on 01989 566317 during office hours and we can fill it out over the phone.
Hope at St Michael’s
Hope is working at St Michael’s Hospice, Herefordshire to provide support to young family members of patients accessing any of the Hospice’s services.
At St Michael’s we offer youth sessions and activities where children and young people can chat to our professional team, and meet others going through a similar situation.
