Wayne & Margaret's beautiful friendship

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.