Hospice care is more than you think – it’s love, kindness and friendship. Ahead of this year’s Hospice Care Week, we spoke to Margaret and Wayne, who formed a bond while both staying on our In-Patient Unit.
Despite never having met before, the pair got chatting in our gardens and found they had a lot of similar interests. This led to meeting up every day for a chat, sharing gifts like blankets, cupcakes and flowers, going to our Wellbeing relaxation group together, and becoming close friends.
Wayne even has the name Margaret tattooed – though that’s purely a coincidence, rather than a lasting impact of their friendship!
Wayne said: “It’s nice to share with someone. I was in a bad way with depression before coming here, but Margaret has really helped me, she’s brought me out of it.”
Margaret said: “He’s so easy to talk to and so friendly. I can tell him anything, and I know he says the same. We’re friends, we really get along and it’s made our stay more pleasant.”
At Teesside Hospice, we hope to help our patients make memories - Wayne and Margaret’s special friendship is just one example of how we can offer so much than end of life care.
We're changing lives across Teesside by supporting people and families who've been affected by a terminal illness.
We’re so lucky to be supported by amazing volunteers over the festive season, who help us provide care, offer a friendly welcome for visitors, and much more. This includes Dawn, who has been volunteering with Teesside Hospice for 4 years and gives up her time on Christmas Day to help patients and visitors feel as special as possible.
"In November 2023, life was going to plan. As a family, we’d had a lovely summer, we’d moved into our family forever home, and everything just felt perfect. Little did we know that 2 weeks later, our lives would be torn apart..."
We’d like to say a huge thank you to corporate supporter Ramsdens for funding a whole day of care at Teesside Hospice – a remarkable contribution of £18,500!
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