Keeping my promise to be by her side

Terminal illness has a far reaching impact, and if someone close to you is dying, looking out for your wellbeing is important too.

Kevin spent time at the hospice with his wife Patricia last year. As Patricia’s health declined, Kevin promised to stay with her until the end and he was amazed that he was able to do so – even staying overnight – during her final three weeks at the hospice. “I vowed to be by her side, and the hospice staff made sure I could keep that promise.”

Kevin was struck by the care and dedication of the hospice staff. “They were like angels,” he says. “I’d never seen such kindness and dedication before. They understood how important it was for both of us to be together.” He told us it was in the little things too, “every small gesture mattered, from the smiles at reception to the comforting meals on offer.”

And we’re not just there when your loved one is a patient, our support continues even after they have died. “Lesley, the bereavement counsellor, helped me through a difficult time,” Kevin says. “Her support meant the world to me.” He’s also found comfort in our Memory Tree – a tribute to those who have died at the hospice. “It provided me with a sense of peace to see Patricia’s name etched among the leaves, surrounded by the names of others who had been touched by the hospice’s care.”

Looking back on his experience with the hospice, Kevin emphasises the importance of compassion for everyone involved in end-of-life care. “It’s not just about what you do, but how you do it,” he reflects. “I like to think of it as a 3D approach. The staff at the hospice treated both of us with dedication, diligence, and dignity every step of the way.” Now Kevin is keen to get the word out about the hospice’s work and help with fundraising. “Many in our community don’t know that the hospice relies heavily on donations. Without the support of generous donors, they couldn’t provide the highquality care they do.”