“George and I were married for sixty-odd years and I loved him to bits. He knew me inside out and I knew him. After he developed heart, liver and kidney failure, I nursed him as best as I could. But when we needed help and guidance, the Hospice was there for us.

The carers from the Hospice started coming out to look after George, and they were brilliant. George developed special friendships with them. Julie, the heart nurse, kept a close eye on George and would check on him at home. We had support from the Hospice for around two years, which helped me a hundred percent and was so reassuring.

During this time, the Family Support Team offered me guidance and invited me to sessions to help me as a carer. If I had a problem, I knew I could ask Claire and Lucy. They were so straightforward and honest with me. When I came to the Hospice, it felt like coming home. I could relax and be myself. I attended the Hospice’s “End of Life” Course, which was superb, and I met other people who were in the same boat at the Carer’s Coffee Mornings. The calming atmosphere brought me back down to earth and reality.

George came to stay on the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit when his kidneys and liver weren’t working. The care, treatment and attention he received was brilliant. George was an engineer, and he remarked how the Hospice doctors would sit and explain what they were going to do and why. George really appreciated this. In his second week there, I could see a definite improvement in his health. Everybody was lovely with him, and you could see him lifting up – a smile on his face.

George was a keen gardener, and he would sit at the door of his room and see all the birds and snow drops and crocuses. Louise, from the Wellbeing Team, brought George a little seed tray. He loved talking to her; she was so lovely. The whole time George was there, he was happy. The food was excellent. The guy who brought his cup of tea knew exactly what George liked. Everybody was always happy to speak to him. They took their time – it was never a rush job.

George was able to return home with the support of the Hospice Community Team. But when he wouldn’t drink and stopped taking his medication, I rang the Hospice. The nurse was with us within a half hour. At the very end, George’s wishes were to be in the Hospice and he was. They kindly took George back to the room that he was originally in. There were so many thoughtful little touches: it was very emotional, but lovely.

I’m just so grateful for what the Hospice did for George. He was well-cared for, well looked after, and they gave us all the care and support we needed. If the Hospice wasn’t here for the community, it would break my heart. I don’t know what I would’ve done without them. They are all so dedicated to what they do.”