Spiritual Care

The pastoral, spiritual and religious care team are here to support patients, families, friends as carers as you need us to. Whether this is to explore the answers to questions you may have, or to help you find the beginnings of your own answers. Or more simply to sit alongside you where you are.

We welcome and support people of all philosophies, faiths, beliefs, world views as well as those who would not identify with any of these.

We come from a wide range of faith and non-faith communities, this enables us to be open and inclusive in all we do.

The hospice provides a Quiet Room/Sanctuary available for reflection and/or prayer.

Meet the Team

Lucyann Ashdown – Team Lead

Lucyann joined Weldmar in April 2019, from Farleigh Hospice in Mid Essex. She has spent most of her career in health care, initially as a nurse, followed by three decades as a midwife; practising as a home birth specialist, senior lecturer, clinical supervisor, as well facilitating groups for parents and professionals. She is also a mediator. Involuntary childlessness caused her to reflect deeply on the meaning and purpose of her life. In 2008 she was ordained as a minister in the Church of England. Soon after taking up her post here, she was appointed Bishop’s Advisor for health and healing in the Salisbury Diocese. Lucyann has always been drawn to supporting people in transitions; whether birth, key points in life or death. She relishes the privilege of being a compassionate presence at these pivotal moments. She enjoys being alone in nature, singing, running, growing vegetables and knitting.

Anna Biley

Anna has spent many years working in clinical nursing and in the voluntary sector. In all her work she has been inspired by the principle that we are here to ‘love, serve and remember’ who we are and why we are here. In 2017 she completed a Doctorate in Caring Science in Colorado, USA. Anna finds stillness in walking everyday with her little dog Dot, enjoying the hills, woodland, and coast of Dorset.

Wendy Millar

My name is Wendy. I have a background in nursing, teaching young children and counselling. I love to grow vegetables, flowers and shrubs. Walking in nature and by the sea is my favourite time during the day. I am a different person in every relationship I encounter, and this is at the heart of who I am. It creates a uniqueness of relationship. When we are seen and heard; that for me creates a holy space between us. I hope to meet with you sometime soon.

Dave Mullett

I was born and brought up in Dorchester and surrounding areas. I worked as a dairy herdsman for twenty years. I have had various jobs since but am proud to have served as a special constable with the Dorset police force for ten years. I have worked for the last eighteen years both full and part time in the funeral service and continue to do so now on a part time basis. I gain love and joy from helping others who are coming to the end of their lives. My experience comes from the ‘University of Life’ and I am a believer in God and have a strong faith. Gardening is a passion and I also enjoy walking and playing the 5 string banjo.

Pauline Wilcox

Pauline has background in psychotherapy, university lecturing, clinical supervision and best of all face to face therapy. Pauline is grateful for the courage and trust of clients to allow me to walk alongside them and for a finite time. Pauline finds contentment in walking by the sea, woods, coastal paths – nature, loving relationships, singing, reading, meditating and a glass of wine with friends.

Veronica Antram

Having always had a passion for animals, especially farm animals, I qualified as a vet in 1996 and worked in both large and small animal practice. I was diagnosed with a neurological condition in 2004 mainly affecting my vision and balance, resulting in being unable to work or drive. I threw myself into family life and now have 3 teenage children. My journey over the past few years has involved much self-evaluation, counselling, a valuable personal faith and support from family and friends with whom I love having the opportunity to spend quality time with. My passion for animals has not diminished and can frequently be found walking our family dog, or just watching the frogs in our pond! Having experienced a loss of health, mobility and identity, coupled with experience in end of life situations, albeit veterinary, lead me to volunteering with the spiritual care team at Weldmar. I hope that I can be a presence alongside others on their journey in a way they need me to be.

Carol Lewis

Carol’s professional background was in social work: as a practitioner, manager and latterly an academic and researcher. In 2013, after intensive training she was ordained as Interfaith Minister, serving people of all faiths and none. She offers spiritual counselling, meditation classes and development workshops, as well as volunteering in the Spiritual Care team at Weldmar. In her spare time she can usually be found ruminating in her garden, walking and reading. She continues to study and is a member of the British Association for the Study of Spirituality. She also loves singing and with her sister-in-law, has set up a small group (Serenity Singers) who sing peaceful, harmonious songs to bring comfort to those at the end of life and their families.