Social work support
A terminal diagnosis can bring challenges beyond medical care, including care planning, financial worries and housing insecurity, and our Social Work Team is here to help you navigate these with clear advice and support.
Support with the non-medical aspects of palliative care
St Luke’s Hospice Social Work Team supports patients with the non-medical aspects of palliative care. Our aim is to help you feel empowered to make informed decisions as you adjust to illness and treatment, so you can maintain a sense of control and dignity throughout your journey.
We can help with care planning, transitions between hospice, home or other care settings, and making sure the right support is in place as your needs change. This includes guidance on welfare benefits, financial and legal matters, and liaising with other agencies and services on your behalf.
Our role is diverse and person-centred, working alongside doctors, nurses, psychologists, therapists and chaplains to coordinate your care at St Luke’s. You and your loved ones are welcome to come to us with any difficulties or concerns, and we’ll offer the practical, emotional and social support you need.
Our team is here to…
Make sure all the support you need is in place, and that arrangements for your care go as smoothly as possible – whether in the Hospice, at home, or in another setting.
Be there as you plan and make decisions for now and for the future. We can offer emotional and practical support as you adjust to illness, treatment and change.
Liaise with other services on your behalf, including health, social care and local housing organisations, night sitting services, City Wide Care Alarms, and key safe providers.
Give clear advice and practical support with financial and legal matters, including benefits and allowances, grants, making a Will and arranging power of attorney.
St Luke’s Hospice - homelessness support
People experiencing homelessness suffer from poor health disproportionately. They face many barriers to healthcare, which can mean care is often crisis-led, and access to palliative and end of life care is limited or sporadic.
As a result, people experiencing homelessness often die 30 years younger than those who are securely housed. At St Luke’s, we work to reach people earlier in their illness and improve the quality of care available for those with advanced ill health.
Our service can support homeless hospice patients in a range of ways, including:
Providing information to help people make informed decisions
Case management, advocacy and social support
Access to specialist symptom management and end of life care
We also want to support anyone working with a person experiencing homelessness who has advanced ill health, offering tailored advice and training for teams.
Training may include:
How to identify clients whose health may be deteriorating
Understanding palliative and end of life care and how it can help
Care planning in temporary or insecure accommodation
Bereavement support, self-care and resilience
If you are concerned about someone whose health is getting worse and are unsure whether a referral is appropriate, please contact us to discuss their needs. You can also get in touch if you have any questions about training for healthcare professionals.
Contact: Helen Smith, Nurse Consultant at St Luke’s – Sheffield’s Hospice
Access our social work support
St Luke’s is here for patients and families facing terminal illness so they don’t feel alone, and receive the care and support they need to make the most of precious time, live well, and experience a good death.
If you’d like to access social work support at St Luke’s or discuss whether a referral is appropriate, please contact our Social Work Team at socialwork@hospicesheffield.co.uk or call 0114 236 9911.
Other ways St Luke’s is here for you
How to become a patient at St Luke’s
To access our care, you will need a referral from a healthcare professional and a diagnosis of a progressive illness with no known cure. Once you’re under the care of St Luke’s, whether in the Hospice, at home or in another setting, you can access a range of services, including support from our Social Work Team.
FAQs about St Luke’s Hospice social work
St Luke’s Hospice Social Work Team supports people living with a terminal illness and those close to them. We provide guidance on non-medical aspects of care, including care planning, decision-making, coordination with other services, and advice on financial or legal matters. To get in touch, please email socialwork@hospicesheffield.co.uk or call 0114 236 9911.
Homelessness does not only refer to people living on the street. It also refers to anyone without a safe, stable or permanent place to call home. This may include people who are sofa-surfing (temporarily staying with friends or relatives), as well as those insecurely or vulnerably housed in temporary settings, such as hostels, B&Bs, shelters, refuges, or squatting.
Start by listening, building trust and understanding the person’s individual circumstances, including their housing situation, support network and any barriers to accessing homeless hospice services. Involve people they trust to help provide person-centred support.
Help them access services where possible, such as registering with a GP, and work with health, social care and homelessness services to plan coordinated, joined-up care. Start conversations about future and end of life care early, and review care as their health needs change.
Offer ongoing support to the people around them, including family, friends, carers and community staff who may also need guidance and reassurance. You might also consider peer advocacy services to link the person with volunteers who have experience of homelessness.
Key safes are small, secure boxes fixed to an outside wall of your home that safely store a door key. They allow family members, carers and emergency services to access your home if you’re unable to get to the door, ensuring care and support can continue safely.
City Wide Care Alarms is a service provided through Sheffield City Council by Care4you. They provide simple devices, such as personal alarms, fall detectors and medication reminders, to help people stay safe and independent at home. The service offers a 24-hour emergency response, giving reassurance to people who live alone or care for someone else.