The Life & Loss Podcast

Welcome to another episode of the "Life and Loss" podcast, brought to you by Forest Holme Hospice in Poole, Dorset. In this episode, Natalie shares her journey of love, loss, and resilience following the tragic loss of her husband, Nick, to Head and Neck Cancer in 2021 at the young age of 43. In this deeply personal conversation, she opens up about the challenges of finding love again after loss,...

Welcome to another episode of the "Life and Loss" podcast, brought to you by Forest Holme Hospice in Poole, Dorset. In this episode, Kathy, a counsellor at Forest Holme Hospice, discusses the emotional impact of receiving a terminal diagnosis, or palliative prognosis and shares some coping strategies. She explains the meaning of a ‘terminal diagnosis’, how people react to the news and also how the...

Welcome to another episode of the "Life and Loss" podcast, brought to you by Forest Holme Hospice in Poole, Dorset. In this episode, Caroline talks about navigating grief within stoic families that uphold the "stiff upper lip" mentality, particularly focusing on the challenge of being unable to cry when someone dies. She discusses her personal grieving journey after losing her husband Des and the...

Tory and Sarah, two experienced community specialist palliative care nurses at Forest Holme, offer invaluable insights into their profession and share their personal journeys into palliative care, shedding light on the complexities of their roles within the community. The pair talk about how they entered their profession and explain the differences between hospice and community care, describe what...

Dania, a bereavement counsellor at Forest Holme Hospice, explains the diverse ways individuals experience grief and how it can affect people both emotionally and physically. She also discusses the ‘wheel’ used by many professionals to illustrate the grieving journey and offers advice and signposting to resources for anyone seeking additional support following the death of a loved one. 📰 About For...

Sue discusses the death of her son Karl in 2019, aged just 39, following a 9-year battle with Melanoma, the subsequent grief and how she keeps his memory alive. She talks about experiencing a parent’s worst nightmare of losing a child, the significance of a grasshopper in the family and how hosting a special event with Karl’s best friends had a cathartic effect on her grief. 📰  About Forest Holme...

🎙️ Talking to children about a life-limiting or terminal illness - Leo Welcome to another episode of the "Life and Loss" podcast, brought to you by Forest Holme Hospice in Poole, Dorset. In this episode, Leo, a Social Worker based at Forest Holme Hospice, discusses when and how to begin discussing a terminal diagnosis with a child, sharing advice on age-appropriate language and communication strat...

Grieving As a Young Adult - with Jasmine Wall Dive into the complex journey of grief with Jasmine as she shares her story.  Everyone's grieving process is unique, and Jasmine's perspective sheds light on navigating grief as a young adult. 

From Strangers to Soulmates: A Journey Through Love and Loss - with Christine Cross Join Christine as she fondly reminisces about her beloved husband Des. With honesty and courage, she openly discusses the journey from his cancer diagnosis to his final moments at Forest Holme Hospice. She also reflects on her own journey, finding strength amidst her grief.

 How Complementary Therapies Enhance Hospice Care" - with Dr. Kate Smeaton Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Kate Smeaton as we explore the invaluable benefits of complementary therapies and their importance within traditional healthcare settings. Listen in as we delve into the challenges of communicating difficult news to both patients and their families.

 "Living With A Brain Tumour" - with Mark Hayward Mark discusses his journey from diagnosis through to cancer treatment and the impact that had on him and his young family and how illness has shaped his future. He reflects on life before and after his diagnosis, the treatment he’s received and offered advice for those who may have received a similar diagnosis. Mark also reveals why he gave his tum...

What Does Dying Look Like?" - with Dr. Amy Pharaoh  Welcome to the first episode of the Life & Loss Podcast. We're joined by Dr Amy Pharaoh, Consultant in Palliative Medicine and Clinical Lead at Forest Holme Hospice. Dr. Pharaoh delves into the profound role of palliative care in enhancing quality of life, offering invaluable insights into the end-of-life stages. With compassion and expertise...