The Division of Social Work at Brunel University London are delighted to announce a new placement partnership with Princess Alice Hospice in Esher. Several first year students shadowed at the hospice last year, and the mutually positive experiences led us to consider how we could further enhance our partnership leading to this agreement.
Princess Alice Hospice has been delivering hospice services in the area for 30 years, and is dedicated to providing free, high quality care and support for adults with cancer and other life limiting illnesses. The hospice in Esher is more than a building; it is the heart of a huge multi-professional network delivering care and support to a community of more than a million people. The Social Work team provides emotional support and practical advice both within the hospice itself and in the community. Activities include welfare rights advice, a carers’ cafe, discussion groups, and working with hospice neighbours and the chaplaincy team. The team also has a Children in Need funded social worker, who works with parents and children pre and post bereavement, as well as running a monthly Dovetail group for parents/children and young people. There is a long tradition of education within the hospice and team, and there is an education centre and library on site. There are also several practice education trained social workers on staff, meaning any student attending there for placement will have a breadth of experience to draw on.
Our students will now have the opportunity to learn from and make a contribution to this amazing and inspirational team. Ria Neptune, one of the students who shadowed there last year described the experience as “a fantastic opportunity to truly engage with service users and their families in a holistic manner which actually makes a difference”.