A SUPPORT service for young people who have a close family member with a life-threatening illness will provide its services at St Michael's Hospice.

Hope Support Services, a charity which is based in Ross-on-Wye, now provide support for children of St Michael’s patients.

The change means that some of the St Michael’s team are now employed by Hope Support Services.

Mike Keel, CEO of St Michael’s Hospice, said: "I’m thrilled that Hope has agreed to deliver our children and young people’s support service.

"These children and young people and their families will be able to benefit from Hope’s expertise and services they have and are planning in Herefordshire.

"By pooling our resources and knowledge with Hope we can secure the service’s future and ensure that is it able to meet the growing need.

“Some of the St Michael’s staff who have developed our service have successfully applied for roles at Hope and will now have an organisation behind them solely set up, resourced and dedicated to supporting children and young people facing loss and bereavement."

All referrals to Hope at St Michael’s should be made to Hope by calling 01989 566317.