Wellbeing and social prescribing
St Luke’s social prescribing service offers a variety of non-clinical activities across six core areas, helping patients and their loved ones stay connected, supported and engaged during this difficult time of change and uncertainty.
Creative
Knitting, crafts, painting, sketching, creative writing and more.
Exercise
Pilates, yoga, and boxercise (with chair-based options available).
Wellbeing
Mindfulness sessions, massage, Reiki, and Confidence in You.
Practical
Cookery DIY, social work support, and carer drop-in sessions.
Nature
Gardening, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities.
Social
Board games, quizzes, indoor bowls / kurling, chat groups, and singing groups.
Health and wellbeing activities, groups and services
If you’re living with a palliative condition or you care for someone who is, our social prescribing service is here for you. We offer a range of wellbeing, social, spiritual and practical sessions from the point of diagnosis and beyond, including bereavement support.
Primarily based at our Ecclesall Road South site, our social prescribing services provide a welcoming space for patients and the people close to them. Watch our virtual tour to explore our building and get a feel for the surroundings.
Weekly carer drop-in sessions
If you care for someone known to our services, we’d love for you join our relaxed and friendly weekly carer drop-in for a drink and a chat. Run in partnership with the Carers Centre, these sessions offer valuable information about support services, financial guidance, practical skills and more, with the chance to take a break and connect with other carers.
How to access our social prescribing services
St Luke’s social prescribing services are available for adults aged 18 and over in Sheffield who have been diagnosed with a palliative condition, and those close to them. This includes adults and children recently bereaved by someone who was in our care.
1. Self-refer for social prescribing
Patients, family members, friends and carers can self-refer for our social prescribing services using the forms on this page. You can also email pafss@hospicesheffield.co.uk or call 0114 235 7650.
2. Talk with our team
Once we receive your referral, we will contact you to arrange a short triage call. We’ll ask a few introductory questions to understand who you are, your situation, and any support needs.
3. Sign up for an activity
A member of our team will explain the activities available and invite you to visit the building to see the space. You can then sign up for your chosen activities during your visit or over the phone.
4. Attend your chosen sessions
Most of our activities take place at our Ecclesall Road South site (S11 9PX). Our Reception Team will welcome you and show you where to go. Lunch is available to purchase, and the kettle is always on!
Singing group – a song written together
One of the most popular activities at the St Luke’s Ecclesall Road South site – home of the charity’s patient and family support services – is the weekly singing group.
A special grant from the Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation funded special sessions of creative musical support from musician and composer Julia Waldron, who helped the Wednesday singing group to compose their own song reflecting what our support means to them.
Your stories
St Luke’s is a remarkable place. There is an atmosphere of calm, peacefulness, courtesy, caring and efficiency felt from all members of staff and volunteers. A wonderful place to come to terms with the end of life, both for the patient and for the relatives. I hope your work goes from strength to strength – thank you to all.
St Luke’s is like being in the middle of a loving and caring family
The care and attention my mum had in St Luke's was faultless. She was kept comfortable and clean, and the care from the doctors and all of the staff was perfect. The surroundings were first class, and during our time visiting my mum, we were made to feel at home. We felt privileged that my mum to spend her last days at St Luke's. Thank you for all you did.
Our experience with St Luke's is very positive, even though Dad died. We could not fault the service or the quality of staff who attended to my dad. We look upon my dad's three-day stay at St Luke's as going on a mini break at a 5-star hotel. He was happy to be there and knew that he was in safe hands and that he would have all his needs met.
My daughter has been a qualified nurse for 40 years and says she has never seen such professionalism and caring as we experienced at St Luke’s. All the staff – cleaners, hospitality, receptionists, day care, nursing, medical and anyone else I may have missed were all kind, caring and professional.
Very happy to have a place like this to rely on - they have knowledge and time to help you.
Everyone should have St Luke's end of life care. All the staff, doctors, nurses, HCAs, hospitality, cleaners and receptionists are without a doubt very special. I am in awe of them all; nothing is too much trouble, you never feel that they are too busy to give you their time, although I know they often are. For the rest of our lives, my family will think of you with great affection.
Other ways St Luke’s is here for you
Bereavement counselling
Self-refer for St Luke’s bereavement counselling service – open to families, friends, carers and children aged 5-16 after the loss of a loved one in our care.
Eligibility: For patients, loved ones and carers
Bereavement counselling servicesPalliative counselling
Talk openly and be heard without judgement. We’re here to support and advise, and above all to listen, following the diagnosis of a palliative condition.
Eligibility: For patients
Palliative counselling servicesTherapies and treatments
Work towards goals that matter to you with our professional therapies and treatments. Regain confidence and a sense of control during palliative care.
Eligibility: For patients
Therapies and treatmentsArt therapy
Explore creative self-expression with St Luke’s art therapy. Use colour, shape and symbolism to express thoughts and feelings that are hard to put into words.
Eligibility: For patients, loved ones and carers
Art therapy servicesSpiritual care
Access specialist pastoral and spiritual care for you and your loved ones. Whatever your beliefs, we’re here to support your spiritual needs through illness or loss.
Eligibility: For patients, loved ones and carers
Spiritual care servicesSocial work support
Get help with the non-medical aspects of palliative care, including support with care planning, financial and legal matters, and housing insecurity.
Eligibility: For patients
Social work support
FAQs about hospice day care services
Social prescribing is an NHS-backed approach that connects people to activities, groups and support that help with everyday wellbeing alongside medical care. Your healthcare professional, such as your GP, can refer you, or you can self-refer to suitable services. It focuses on what matters most to you, such as staying connected to others, building self-confidence or maintaining a sense of control during palliative care.
St Luke’s social prescribing service is primarily based at our Ecclesall Road South site (S11 9PX), next to the main Hospice on Little Common Lane. These premises were previously known as Clifford House. We also have free, monthly wellbeing sessions about our social prescribing service that you can find out more about here.
Our social prescribing service is available for adults aged 18 and over in Sheffield who are living with a palliative condition. You can access the service whether you are already registered with St Luke’s or not – simply get in touch with us to talk about your situation and needs.
Family members, friends and carers of patients known to our services can also take part in social prescribing activities. We also offer bereavement support, including for children, for those who have lost someone who was cared for by St Luke’s at home or at our In Patient Centre.
To access our social prescribing activities, you’ll need to complete a referral form first. Once we receive and review your referral, our team will contact you to discuss your needs and next steps. Please check that you meet the eligibility criteria before applying. To find out about upcoming sessions, please email pafss@hospicesheffield.co.uk or call 0114 235 7650.
After we receive your referral, we’ll contact you to discuss your situation and needs, including transport. We encourage people to make their own way to our Ecclesall Road South site where possible, but we may be able to arrange transport to and from some activities. Please note that this is a limited service and cannot always be guaranteed.
Timetabled activities can be booked through the Mindbody app once your referral has been received and approved. Please note that you won’t be able to book sessions until you have completed the referral form and been contacted by our team. This helps us make sure activities are safe and suitable for you.
Confidence in You supports people with the visible and emotional effects of their illness and/or treatment. Sessions are volunteer-led by Karen Smith, an experienced Beauty Consultant, and offer a safe and welcoming space to learn new techniques and feel more confident.
Each session includes a skincare and makeup demonstration, with the opportunity to try products yourself, and lasts around two hours. You can access Confidence in You by speaking to your St Luke’s healthcare provider or the Reception Team at our Ecclesall Road South site.
Patient and Family Support Service Self Referral form for Patients
Please be aware we may need to liaise with your GP for further information
When you submit this form, it will not automatically collect your details like name and email address unless you provide it yourself.