Brain Tumour Support offers free support for anyone receiving palliative care, as well as their family, friends and caregivers. We offer one-to-one emotional support by telephone, video call and sometimes in person, as well as specialist counselling that can be paused and returned to when needed. We also run in-person and virtual support groups. Please contact our support team for further information.
Palliative care is a holistic approach that looks after the whole person, not just their medical needs. It focuses on comfort, dignity and quality of life, helping people feel as supported as possible.
Palliative care can be offered at any stage after a life-limiting or terminal diagnosis, not only at the end of life. It may be provided at home, in a hospice or in a hospital.
Support may include:
Palliative care can also be provided alongside treatment intended to control the illness, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
While you are receiving palliative care, a Palliative Care Team will work closely with your GP, hospital doctors and community nursing team to help keep you comfortable and manage any pain or other symptoms.
You may be prescribed medication to keep at home for symptoms such as pain, anxiety or nausea. A healthcare professional will advise on when this is needed and how it should be given.
Palliative Care Teams may include nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, dietitians, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, psychologists, counsellors and support workers.
Visit the NHS website for more information on medication for controlling pain.
Planning ahead can help you feel more in control and make things easier for the people around you. It can be difficult to think about, but sorting important matters in advance can bring clarity and reassurance.
A Will sets out what should happen to your money, possessions and property after you die. It is especially important if you have children or people who depend on you. Without a Will, your estate will be shared according to the law rather than your personal wishes.
A solicitor can help you write a Will and may also act as an executor, helping with probate. Before going ahead, check how they charge and whether a fixed fee or a percentage of the estate is right for you.
Some charities also take part in Free Wills Month, where participating solicitors help people write a Will, often in the hope that they may choose to leave a gift in their Will.
Brain Tumour Support runs online sessions on writing a Will and Lasting Power of Attorney. Please contact your Support Professional for further information.
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more people to make decisions for you, or help you make decisions, if you become unable to do so yourself.
This can give you more control over what happens if illness or injury affects your ability to make decisions.
There are two types of LPA:
The process is different in Scotland and Northern Ireland:
You can make an LPA online or using paper forms. Either way, the forms must be signed by the attorneys and witnesses. Someone else, such as a family member, friend or solicitor, can help you complete them.
Your LPA must be registered before your attorney can act on your behalf.
It can take up to 20 weeks to register an LPA if there are no mistakes in the application. It is often quicker to apply online.
You can find Lasting Power of Attorney forms on the Government website. There is usually a registration fee, although this may be reduced if you receive certain benefits.
Some people choose to complete the forms themselves, while others prefer support from a solicitor. If you use a solicitor, check the fees before starting.
Ask the Office of the Public Guardian if you need help and:
Brain Tumour Support also runs online sessions on writing a Will and Lasting Power of Attorney. Please contact your Support Professional for more information.
An Advance Care Plan (ACP) sets out your wishes and preferences for future care, including medical treatment and social care. It can help healthcare professionals and those close to you understand what matters most to you if you become too unwell to communicate your wishes.
Many people find that making an Advance Care Plan brings reassurance, knowing that future care and treatment are more likely to reflect their wishes, values and beliefs.
Your plan can include anything that feels important to you, for example:
We know that thinking about a Will can feel like a big step, particularly when you are already navigating so much.
We've partnered with Legal for Life to offer a free online Will writing service that you can work through quietly, at home, at whatever pace feels right for you.
There's no pressure and no cost. Just a simple, guided process to help you put your wishes in place — for the people who matter most.
Find out about our free Will writing service
Bereavement is the experience of losing someone close to us, and grief is the natural response to that loss. Grief can bring a wide range of emotions and experiences as we try to adjust.
Everyone’s bereavement is different. How long grief lasts, and how it feels, can depend on many things, including the relationship you had, the circumstances of the death and the time you had to prepare.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and no set timescale for bereavement.
Anticipatory grief is the sadness, worry or grief people may feel before someone dies, when they know a loss is coming. These feelings can be intense and may include low mood, fear, anxiety and deep concern for the person who is ill.
For some people, anticipatory grief can help them begin to prepare emotionally for what lies ahead. For others, it may feel overwhelming. It does not necessarily make grief after a death easier or shorter.
Reaching out for support during this time is just as valid as seeking support after someone has died.
If you’re unsure where to begin, our Support Team is here to listen and help you explore the support available for you or someone close to you.
01454 422 701 (Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm)
Email our support team
Our services are free and confidential. If you’d prefer, you can complete our request support form at any time and a member of the team will be in touch.
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