We offer dependable, confidential and caring home support and companionship to persons of any age and background who are living at home with an advanced life-limiting illness, as well as to any carers and family members who are living with them.

We offer all that we do free of any charge. To be able to do so, we welcome donations from individuals and groups who wish to support us in the work we do.

Depending on what is requested from us, and what is appropriate for each situation, we are able to provide assistance in any or all of the following ways:

We provide practical home help of whatever kind that is most helpful and most appropriate to assist patients who are approaching the end of life to be able to do so in their own home surroundings.

Where appropriate we try to provide regular respite to caregivers, as well as help to complement the support from other community services with whatever work that may need doing around the house.

This usually includes that we help with everyday household tasks, such as cleaning, washing, shopping, and/or cooking of meals.

As indicated by our name, we offer spiritual support based on Zen Buddhist teachings and practice. Using compassion and mindfulness, we mutually support one another's capacity to be present and open to our life at this moment.

This support is made available to both patients and caregivers by volunteers who are trained and able to continue to provide it through all stages of illness and bereavement.

We offer support to patients of any religious orientation. Patients who happen to have a special interest in Zen Buddhism are welcome to share in meditation practice, as well as to have relevant Zen Buddhist rituals and/or dedications performed for them.

Some of our volunteers are trained to be able to offer reiki treatments to patients for therapy and relaxation. These treatments involve just a gentle placing of hands on a clothed patient, without any use of massage techniques or other active methods.

Patients with interest in traditional Chinese medicine may also arrange to have regular free acupuncture treatments provided by Seikan, who is a qualified and registered acupuncturist.

Please note that we can only provide complementary therapies on the basis that they be used to complement, rather than replace, any medical support and prescribed medication that may be required.

We are able to assist persons of any age with a diagnosed terminal medical condition who are living at home and would like to receive additional support.

We are able to accept referrals in relation to most terminal medical conditions, including advanced stages of AIDS, cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, etc, where outreach palliative medical care is already being provided for the patient at home.

New patient referrals are always welcome from any of the following sources: medical services, community services, individual healthcare workers such as doctors, nurses, and social workers, as well as patient carers, family members, and self-referrals from patients themselves.

To make a referral, please use our patient referral form where possible.