Tracy Tuffs has worked in the St Barnabas Hospice Wellbeing team since 2015 and has worked her way up from Family Support Services Administrator to Counselling Service Team Lead.
As it is #GriefAwarenessDay, Tracy has decided to share an insight into how she supports patients and their families at one of the most difficult times of their lives, as well as how she had to turn to St Barnabas for support herself after her dad sadly died in the care of the Hospice.
Tracy said, “In my role, I support 35 volunteer counsellors and 12 supportive listeners, without whom we would be unable to provide this service to people in the community. We are also starting to develop a service to deliver bereavement support to children and young people, which I’m really excited about.
“My world was rocked in 2016 when my dad was diagnosed with cancer age 65. It was such a shock as he still had so much he wanted to achieve in his life. When I initially suggested him coming to the Hospice, he was scared that it would mean admitting that there was no future. However, he did use the Hospice services for two years and said it was the best decision he made. It enabled us all to prepare and live life to the fullest for the time he had left. We made some lovely memories which will stay with me always. The support I received from my colleagues at St Barnabas was amazing as they look after people in my situation all the time.
“I love everything about my job and feel very humbled and privileged to be able to talk to people and share their stories to help them find some peace. Working for St Barnabas is more than a job. It’s a vocation and a passion, and everyone is so welcoming and friendly. I have some very good friends and have been fortunate enough to have been encouraged to grow and develop as a person and within my career.”
St Barnabas provides bereavement support to anyone, whether their loved one has been cared for by our Hospice or not. People can access bereavement and counselling services at all stages of a diagnosis, either through individual or group support. To find out about the support on offer, visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/bereavement or call 0300 020 0694.