Complementary therapies:

Through its volunteer program, Fernlea is very proud to be able to offer a range of complementary therapies to guests, carers, staff and volunteers. Therapists are professionally trained and belong to relevant professional bodies, and offer their skills free of charge.

Currently, Reiki, Hand and foot massages and Bowen therapy are offered.
Fernlea is always open to welcoming more therapists who may be interested in offering a few hours at Fernlea.

This is an exceptionally valuable addition to Fernlea other services.

Counselling

Fernlea offers low cost (or free) grief and bereavement counselling for carers and their families, through professionals who have special training in this area.

Counselling for staff and volunteers (and their families) is offered through the EAP (Employment Assistance Program), by an external agency, on a confidential basis.

Memoirs program

It is recognised that for many people, an opportunity to tell the stories of their life never comes around. Therefore, specially trained volunteers offer their time and expertise to go over a persons life memories with them, write them up, often with photos and mementos, into a document. It is then up to the person concerned to decide what they would like to do with the document.

For example, just keep a copy at Fernlea, shred it, or make copies to give to their family. Whatever they would like. The process of doing the memoirs is as important as the product.

Community education

Although not funded for this program, Fernlea takes every opportunity to promote Fernlea House and raise community awareness about end of life experiences, so they can be better understood and respected.

The Grants sub-committee has tried several times to attract funding, but has not been successful in recent years. (See ‘How can you help’ section of website.)