Training placements for healthcare students and professionals
Training places at Harlington Hospice & Michael Sobell House
At Harlington Hospice and Michael Sobell House we are committed to the future of palliative care and end of life care.
Professionals and residents across the United Kingdom understand the essential role that hospice care provides.Â
We provide a variety of placements for professionals, healthcare students (e.g. nursing, medical, physiotherapy, psychotherapy) and for those working in other specialties such as general practice or older people’s care.
If you would like to apply or have any questions about our placements please email education@harlingtonhospice.org
Annalies Hogan's story
I am in my final year of my Art Psychotherapy training at Roehampton University. I started working with the Child and Adolescent Bereavement Service at the beginning of October. I am very happy to be part of such an important and inclusive service which is providing invaluable support to the local community.
My background working with children and young people has made me very aware of how important it is that children and young people have opportunities to process challenging experiences using their own voice, and our work as therapists is to be reflective and help them to find space to do this.
I am learning so much from the many different experienced professionals and the opportunities for growth through training and sharing of skills. I have gained more understanding of models of grief as well as using frameworks such as ‘Social Graces’ to inform thinking and practices.
Death is a part of life, and life limiting illness may affect us and our families at some stage in our lives; for me, being able to be part of such a supportive and knowledgeable team of people trained to support these difficult times is invaluable.
Leonie Claffey's story
Hi, I’m Leonie, a second-year Master’s trainee at Roehampton University, working within Adult Services for the Psychological and Emotional Support (PES) team. I’ve been on placement at the hospice since August, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone at Lansdowne House and Harlington Hospice for helping me settle in and feel so well supported as I take the big step forward into client work.
My background is in accounting, and it felt like a natural fit to volunteer for Cruse as an Area Treasurer, to begin making the transition from finance into more meaningful work (although I didn’t realise that this was the path I was embarking on at the time!). Since then, I have studied counselling skills at Kingston and Guildford colleges, and I continue to volunteer as a mentor for young people with The Surrey Care Trust, as a Compassionate Neighbour at Princess Alice Hospice, and as a listening volunteer at The Listening Place – an organisation that provides face-to-face support to people with suicidal thoughts. I hope to graduate from Roehampton in the summer of 2027, the same year that my son will graduate from Leeds!
It has been such a rewarding few months, being able to put my training into practice and experience the difference that can be made by providing the space and care for people to unburden themselves through our counselling provision. I am under no illusion that clients walk out of our counselling rooms ‘fixed’, but I hope that we can ease their load and that they feel listened to, valued and understood, with the opportunity to explore their feelings or find new ways of looking at things.
Angelina Viagem's story
“I am student of the BSc (Hons) in Humanistic Counselling at the Metanoia Institute, and I integrate three modalities: Person-Centred Approach, Transactional Analysis and Gestalt Therapy. It is my goal to learn how to work with a diversity of clients, for example in terms of age group, gender, sexuality, religion, ethnicity and race, and practice in a non-oppressive way. It is particularly relevant to me to integrate bereavement theories and models with humanistic modalities, so I can support clients through their challenging journeys and encourage their autonomy and resilience.
Bereavement work has been particularly rewarding, as it allows me to develop compassionate counselling skills and to integrate the clients’ individual experiences with the different theoretical models. Also, I am learning to work effectively in a team and understand what it means to be a part of a charity that provides such a valuable service to the community.
My supervisor and line manager have been pivotal in my journey, by providing a caring and supportive environment in which I feel seen, heard and held. They model acceptance and empathy, while challenging me to grow in a sustainable way. My colleagues are also a source of inspiration and knowledge, as the working environment allows us to spontaneously share our experiences and grow together. I am grateful for this opportunity and hope to continue supporting our clients with enthusiasm, passion and commitment.”
Dr Mariam Koronfel's story'
Dr Mariam Koronfel was a trainee GP who undertook a placement at Michael Sobell House. To read an interview with Mariam titled ‘Behind the Stethoscope: A Journey of Compassion – Insights from a GP Trainee’ click on the button below.
If you would like to apply or have any questions about our placements please email education@harlingtonhospice.org
