Our Wellbeing Centre offers supportive groups for people living with life-limiting illnesses, with sessions for families and carers also. Our focus is about wellbeing, our environment is welcoming and the groups we offer enable those who attend to share experiences and connect with others on similar journeys.
Wellbeing Centre
Our Wellbeing Centre Team
We have a team of volunteers working alongside our dedicated staff to support our Wellbeing Centre patients with varying specialisms, including our Dementia Champion, Hospice Counsellors and our Complementary Therapist. The focus of our care is about wellbeing, our environment is welcoming and supportive and our varied service offer enables many different participants to access support.
Our Wellbeing Centre patients
Our Wellbeing Centre Services are available from the point of diagnosis. Our team facilitate several drop-in sessions and also have groups that require a health professional or self-referral. All referrals are reviewed and triaged by the Therapist/Nurse facilitating the group or one-to-one sessions.
If you feel that you or a family member may require support from our Wellbeing Centre Team, the service is available to Oldham residents who are registered with an Oldham GP. For referrals, or more information please contact our Wellbeing Centre Manager on 0161 624 2727.
Guided relaxation
Listen to our guided relaxation exercises below that focus the mind and senses on a place where you can feel safe, peaceful and calm. These exercises will also use the mind to help with reducing any stress or tension in the body as well as feelings of worry or anxiety.
Please note the recordings are on YouTube and unaffiliated Hospice adverts may be shown.
Our Wellbeing Centre services
Our Wellbeing Centre services include a range of activities and treatments and provide a great way of meeting others within a supported environment:
A group exclusively for men living with life-limiting illness. Expect a friendly and warm atmosphere, with time for supportive peer-led conversations about all things life and health. After the session, the group will get together for lunch in our Café K. Each session is facilitated by a qualified Therapist. Sessions run fortnightly from 10:45am–12:45pm. A self-referral or referral via a healthcare professional is essential for this group. To enquire about making a referral please email Senior Counsellor, Lisa.Hoctor@drkh.org.uk or call the Hospice on 0161 624 2727.
This group is open to the bereaved community of Dr Kershaw’s Hospice patients, and runs from Winter through to Spring. Expect a mixture of facilitated time and space for understanding and normalising grief and loss, alongside peer-lead discussions and group support, delivered by our in-house Counsellor and Volunteers. We welcome tears, laughter, questions, honesty and empathy. A referral is essential for this group. Please email drkh.bereavement@nhs.net or call 0161 624 2727 for more information.
A regular group, meeting on the last Friday of each month, promoting overall wellbeing for those affected by loss. This is a wellbeing initiative open to the bereaved community of Dr Kershaw’s Hospice. We walk at a gentle pace, enjoying a different local park each month. Group members are responsible for their own health and safety, and must arrive in appropriate attire. The group meets at 10.45am, and the walk starts promptly at 11am for approximately 1 hour. Members stay for brews and conversation afterwards in the park café.
Dementia Clinical Session
Clinical sessions where you can book an appointment to see a nurse from the Memory Assessment Team, a nurse from the Hospice, or a representative from Age UK.
Carers, people living with dementia, or people living with dementia alongside their carer/supporter can access our clinic appointments. Contact the Memory Assessment Service (0161 716 2792; pcn-tr.oldhammas@nhs.net), the Hospice (0161 624 2727; drkh.wellbeing@nhs.net) or Age UK (auko.dementia@ageukoldham.org.uk) to make an appointment.
Dementia Therapeutic Group
A small, therapeutic group for people experiencing complex dementia symptoms and their carers/supporters. Activities will be tailored to individual needs and geared towards communication, engagement and wellbeing. People living with dementia must be accompanied; we are unable to offer respite care in this setting.
You will need a referral from the Memory Assessment Service or the Hospice team to access our therapeutic group.
Our Dementia Clinic and Therapeutic Group take place weekly on a Wednesday; we have a morning session (10am-12pm) then an afternoon session (1-3pm) on alternate weeks.
Watch our video to find out more. *Please note the video features interviews from service users of our previous Dementia Hub, our services has recently changed but we still have the same support available.*
A 2 hour session offering social connection and community, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and lots of brews and biscuits! Hospice staff and volunteers will be on hand to support, and a representative from Age UK will attend one session per month.
This group is for people living with dementia and one carer/supporter. People living with dementia must be accompanied; we are unable to offer respite care in this setting.
Our Dementia Café takes place fortnightly on a Wednesday; we will ask you to sign up for morning (10am-12pm) or afternoon (1pm-3pm) sessions. Please note you cannot attend both morning and afternoon sessions.
To enquire or book onto one of these sessions, contact drkh.wellbeing@nhs.net or call the Hospice on 0161 624 2727.
This is a weekly group bringing moments of joy, connection and true expression to people living with dementia, their carers, their family and friends. Group sessions are designed to provide support to all who attend, delivering genuine care through the power of music, delivered by our in-house trained Music Champions. The session takes place on Tuesdays, 2pm-3pm. No referral needed, but for more information contact our Wellbeing Centre Team on 0161 624 2727.
This group is specifically for carers of people living with dementia. Led by a Therapist, each session will include opportunities to share about the ways being a carer may impact on your wellbeing. There will be space for peer support and facilitated conversations. Please be aware there will be no support on hand to attend to people living with dementia. Sessions run fortnightly on Thursdays, 10am-12pm.
This is a 12-week group taking place each Thursday and is delivered by our in-house Complementary Therapist. The sessions will include tips and techniques to enhance self-care in areas of wellness, hydration, nutrition, sleep hygiene, exercise and mindfulness. Each session will end with a guided relaxation and the atmosphere will feel warm and nurturing. The aims of the sessions are to provide a space for tranquillity, rest and self-care. Spaces are limited. To enquire and book, please contact our Wellbeing Centre Team on 0161 624 2727.
This is a Creative Wellbeing initiative running from March – September specifically for people living with life-limiting illness. Each session explores a different art form alongside facilitated therapeutic discussion, and peer-lead support. A referral is essential for this group.
Find out more in our Nightbird Project Book featuring creative pieces from our 2023 participants.
Our Complementary Therapist offers a range of treatments to support our Wellbeing Centre patients including massages, pedicures and manicures.
Wellbeing Centre News
New Wellbeing Centre plans for Hospice!
Dr Kershaw’s Hospice’s plans for a new state-of-the-art Wellbeing Centre have taken two major steps forward with the granting of planning permission along with funding for the brand-new building which will not only house the new Wellbeing Centre but form the centre piece of our outdoor redevelopment project.
Music in Mind Dementia Sessions
It’s been hard work for us to come to terms with what has happened but since the first day we started attending the Dementia Hub, we’ve really enjoyed it.
DON
Carer for his wife Karen who has dementia
Wellbeing Centre: find out more
To find out more, please call our Wellbeing Centre on 0161 624 2727 , email drkh.wellbeing@nhs.net or complete the form below and we will contact you.
Our Wellbeing Centre offers supportive groups for people living with life-limiting illnesses from the point of diagnosis, with sessions for families and carers also. Our Wellbeing Centre Team facilitate several drop-in sessions and also have groups that require a health professional or self-referral.
All our Wellbeing Centre groups are listed on this page, we regularly review our groups and add in more sessions to support more people. To find out the up-to-date times and dates, and to see which group would suit yourself or your loved one best, please contact our Wellbeing Centre Team via the adjacent form or on 0161 624 2727.
For many of our groups, we offer complimentary hot drinks and biscuits. Our onsite café, Café K, is open 9am-2pm, Monday-Friday serving breakfast, lunch (sandwiches, soup, salads and hot dishes) and a variety of cakes and snacks. A small selection of freshly made sandwiches and salads are available from our Reception after Café K closes, Monday – Friday, 2.30pm – 7.30pm.
We also have a vending machine available to purchase from 24 hours a day.
Some of our Wellbeing Centre groups require a referral so it is always best to contact our team first to check.
Yes we do have on-site parking available but our car park does reach capacity during busy periods. If you do have to park off-site please ensure you are respectful to our neighbours. We also have designated disabled and visitor parking bays. There is no fee for parking at the Hospice.
You are welcome to use the gardens but please be respectful of patients in our Inpatient Unit to maintain their privacy in their rooms.
24-Hour Advice Line
The advice line is available seven days a week, 365 days a year and is manned by trained and experienced nursing staff.