Hospice Hub
Access our specialist compassionate care and support via our new Hospice Hub service.
A safe and welcoming space for patients, families and carers
Our Hospice Hub is a safe and welcoming space where patients, family members and carers can access specialist care, peer support and professional advice.
A range of healthcare professionals work together to provide a weekly programme of care, education and support drop-in sessions covering topics such as managing fatigue, relaxation, coping with anxiety, dementia care and planning for the future.
You don’t need a referral and there’s no need to book for most of our sessions. The “drop-in” structure of the Hub means it’s very flexible.
If you or someone you love will benefit from dropping into one of our Hospice Hub sessions, please feel free to come along.
All of our drop-in sessions are held in the hospice at Magnolia Place, located beside our cafe. Our cafe serves a delicious selection of cakes, drinks, and light bites.
Read more about our cafe
All our services are free of charge and we kindly request that you make your own way to the Hospice Hub wherever possible.
If you need assistance to get to the drop-in sessions, there are transport services available in the local community (charges may apply). Please contact the Hub co-ordinator on 01622 792200 ext 260 for more information.
The Drop-in Team:
We have a team of specialists who are here to provide you with clinical advice and support during every drop-in session. Each session is run by our colleagues who specialise in the relevant areas, ensuring that you receive the best advice and support.
- Welfare advisors who can advise and signpost you on financial matters, including helping with any claims you may be entitled to.
- Spiritual care colleagues who provide spiritual care to sensitively explore your changing experiences.
- Palliative care nurse specialists who provide advice and support with symptom management and future care planning.
- Social workers and counsellors who provide social, emotional and pre and post-bereavement support.
- Clinical therapists (occupational therapists and physiotherapists) who can help improve your confidence with balance and mobility and share strategies for managing fatigue and breathlessness.
- Complementary therapists who offer short treatments to soothe your body and offer guided relaxation
- Pet therapy dogs also pay our hub sessions a visit from time to time
These team members are supported by amazing volunteers who receive additional training and guidance to help support you.
The Hospice Hub weekly schedule
Below you will find details about our weekly schedule of activities, and some additional services which operate on a monthly basis. We have also created a guide which you can download and print at home.
Download our Hospice Hub guideHub drop-in session
Monday and Thursday 10:00am to 1:00pm
All patients and carers are welcome to this Hub drop-in session, there is no need to pre-book. Our weekly Hub drop-in sessions provide an opportunity for patients and carers to meet our Drop-in Team in a relaxed and informal environment.
Led by our Hub Co-ordinator, our Drop-in Team are on hand to listen, answer questions and provide support and advice. This is a sociable event where you will have the opportunity to meet other people who may be facing similar things. You’ll also have the choice to join the weekly relaxation session, and any other sessions that are running.
Bereavement drop-in
Wednesday - 10:00am to 12:00pm
This session is for the family and close friendships of patients who have died whilst under the care of the hospice. There is no need to pre-book. Come and speak with someone about our grief, whether you are newly bereaved, or it’s been several months. The service is available to you up to two years after your loss.
More about bereavement supportMotor Neurone Disease (MND) Group
1st and 3rd Friday of each month - 10:00am to 2:00pm
A social support group held twice a month for individuals living with MND where complimentary therapy, advice and support from both hospice colleagues and members of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDa) are available. This group is currently led and attendance is managed by the MNDa.
Dementia (ADSS) Cafe
1st Saturday of the month - 10:30am to 12:30pm
Our Dementia café drop-in offers a safe space to meet others in a similar situation and find out what support is available. You can also ask advice from our dedicated volunteers, colleagues from our Hospice Community Service, and members from Alzheimer's and Dementia Support Services (ADSS). You don’t need to book in advance, you can just come along.
Family Sessions
Last Saturday of the month - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Heart of Kent Hospice is hosting a free monthly drop-in for all children and families under our care and those living with a life limiting illness in Kent. We focus fun activities for children and young people such as crafts and games, with snacks and drinks provided.
Alzheimer's and Dementia Support Services (ADSS) Dementia Cafe
10:30am - 12:30pm (The first Saturday of every month)
It is open to everyone. You do not need to be a patient of Heart of Kent Hospice to come along. This Hub service is also available to family members coping with the challenges of dementia and those who might not have been diagnosed yet.
There is no need to book or pre-register, just turn up.
ADSS's team of dementia trained volunteers will welcome you to the Hospice with free tea, coffee and biscuits. ADSS will be available to provide support, information and advice. There is also the opportunity for a person with dementia to speak with other people with a diagnosis for peer support and likewise for carers to gain peer support also.
You can find out more information by contacting ADSS on 0800 035 2221 or by submitting a contact form.
More about our Dementia cafe
Free Family drop-in Sessions
10:30am - 12:30pm (The first Saturday of every month)
We host a free monthly support session for all families under our care and those living with a life-limiting illness in Kent.
Our sessions focus on fun activities for children and young people with snacks and drinks provided. There is no need to book, but if you have any questions please contact our Family Support Team by calling 01622 792200 or emailing fst@hokh.co.uk.
Sessions take place on a Saturday once a month at Heart of Kent Hospice, Preston Hall, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7PU.
Family drop-in sessionsSpecialist welfare advice for patients, families and carers
Our Welfare Advisers can help you to claim any benefits you are entitled to and advise and signpost you on matters such as welfare benefits, grants, tax and insurance, pensions, council tax discounts, help with your utility bills, immigration and employment rights.
We can also help support a patient's loved ones with advice on carers rights, nursing home fees and funeral costs.
Welfare advice
Through the Hospice Hub we aim to build confidence by helping people living with a terminal illness to live as well as possible. This includes talking about their needs in the future and sharing their thoughts about how they want to be treated and cared for. The drop-in structure creates a flexible approach and a greater understanding of the support we can provide, encouraging more people to come and talk to us much earlier in their illness.
The family sessions offer an informal environment for the Family Support Team to build relationships with younger patients and their families before crisis intervention is needed. By having toys and activities like these, help the children relax and play while accessing Important support
