‘You can forget about your illness and live again’
ANYONE dropping in on City Hospice last Tuesday might have been surprised to see a tea party in full swing – with The Twelve Days of Christmas, Little Donkey and other Christmas favourites being sung with great enthusiasm.
In fact, one of the many ways the Whitchurch centre supports patients diagnosed with terminal illness is by inviting them to attend the day centre which takes place twice a week at the charity’s Hospice Centre, Tŷ Hosbis.
It provides patients with a range of social activities, and a chance to meet new friends suffering from similar conditions.
For patients who are frail, don’t have access to transport, or live on their own, the day centre may be the only time they get to meet anyone other than family members and visiting clinicians.
The day centre sessions are supervised by Clare Jones, one of the Hospice’s clinical nurse specialists.
Assisted by trained volunteers, Clare clinically reviews every patient who attends, ensuring everyone’s needs are cared for.
She follows up any matters of concern, and refers them to other City Hospice or external services if necessary.
But patients can often become concerned about things other than their health, such as financial matters.
Andrew Wade, City Hospice’s social worker, will often be seen talking to patients or advising someone with no living relatives about funeral arrangements.
Christine Seaman, from Heath, said: “My husband David attends the City Hospice afternoon sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and loves the teas, the interesting talks, the musical sessions and the chance to talk to people with a similar condition as his own.
“David is a pianist and used to love playing for the group whenever there was an opportunity.”
David, 71, had a stroke in February this year. Since September, Christine has been coming with him.
“I’ve been so impressed by the warmth of the welcome and the level of care shown both by the clinical staff and the volunteers who make the tea, hand out the biscuits and cakes, and generally help make the sessions go with a swing as well as giving patients a lift to the centre,” she added.
“These afternoons are always full of fun and laughter.
“As we know, living with a serious illness can feel very frightening and lonely for both the patient and their carer, and I have come to realise that City Hospice is an oasis of calm, compassionate care for so many people during difficult times.”
Jean Harris, 86, from Leckwith, has also been visiting the day centre with her husband Eric for more than a year following his diagnosis with bowel cancer.
Eric, 92, also suffers from memory loss, and they both look forward to their weekly sessions. “We look on it as our lifeline,” said Jean. “Everyone is so friendly and jolly and we just never seem to stop laughing.
“The volunteers are wonderful – they are so kind and generous with their time and they look after us so well.”
Sally Morgan and her husband Ceri have only been visiting the centre for six weeks, but already it’s become an essential part of their lives.
Ceri, 86, from Whitchurch, was diagnosed with leukaemia 15 months ago.
They both love the atmosphere, and have nothing but praise for the volunteers who arrange the entertainment.
Sally, 85, said: “It’s all about meeting people in the same situation as you – and you realise you’re not the only one when you’re surrounded by people in a similar – or worse – condition than you.
“A terminal illness can take over your whole life. Here, just for an afternoon, you can forget about it and live again.”
Light up a Life is an annual initiative by City Hospice which invites families and friends to commemorate the lives of loved ones in a Book of Remembrance which is on display at St John the Baptist in the city centre. Visit www.city hospice.org.uk for more information. to the day centre