Sarah has been part of Isabel Hospice for over 20 years and has worked as a Senior Nurse at the Living Well Hub for the past five. With a deep passion for palliative care, she focuses on advance care planning and supporting patients early in their diagnosis, to live well.
“I feel very passionate about my role,” she says. “It’s a real privilege to be a part of someone’s living well journey and to know that the small things really can make such a difference!”
Her day begins at 8 a.m. at Hall Grove, where she reviews patient tasks for the week before preparing for the Wellbeing Course. This six-week program, held in Welwyn Garden City, Bishops Stortford, and Waltham Cross, educates patients on symptom management, advance care planning, and physical wellness through activities like seated Tai Chi and relaxation techniques.
“The course is a bit of a taster for other sessions and a good introduction to the services that we offer, giving them an idea of other things that they can get involved in,” Sarah explains. Each session is tailored to individual needs, ensuring a safe space for open conversations. “The most powerful thing is the support they all give each other. They share their experiences and have conversations about their families,” she adds. “We also make an effort to not discuss their diagnosis; we leave it to them to open up.”
Afternoons are dedicated to face-to-face or phone appointments with new and referred patients, conducting holistic assessments and developing care plans. “I’ll usually start by showing them around [the Living Well Hub] if they have never been, and then I’ll do an assessment, which helps evaluate their psychological and clinical needs,” Sarah says. “It’s all about setting people up to be independent after a certain number of sessions, whether that’s six weeks on the Wellbeing Course or eight weeks at the Gardening Group.”
In addition to her Wellbeing Course duties, Sarah also leads Horticulture (gardening) Groups, Ageing Well sessions, and a monthly Neurological Group. “The gardening group helps patients to feel grounded, allowing time for themselves in a supportive, safe space surrounded by nature,” she explains. “Similarly, the Neurological group is a welcoming space for both patients and carers—a place where they can be surrounded by familiar faces, knowing we will always be there to provide continuous support.”
As the day winds down, Sarah writes up care plans, files paperwork, and makes follow-up calls to check on patients’ progress. “When people aren’t ready to commit yet, I check in and make a supportive call to follow up on where they are and if their needs are changing,” she says. “I’m constantly reviewing caseloads to see where people are in their journey, so we know what they want to do and what they need.”
Reflecting on her role, Sarah says, “I really enjoy my job because it allows me the opportunity to really get to know each patient, understanding what their individual needs are. I enjoy meeting people that are new to our services and love watching the expression of relief on their faces when they hear about the support that the Living Well team can offer them and their families. I love watching each patient grow in confidence and ultimately enjoy a better quality of life!”
You can self-refer into our Living Well with Isabel service! To find out more please visit our website here or call our Living Well team on 07593137359. You can also email livingwell@isabelhospice.org.uk
