Blythe House Hospice was founded in 1989 when Stan Blythe left a £1,000 legacy to Reverend Betty Packham.
Helen’s Trust was established in 2001 in memory of local Derbyshire woman Helen Louise Lyon.
In 2020 the two charities merged to provide more high-quality care and support to those affected by life-limiting illnesses across the whole of North Derbyshire.
In 2024 the merger was formalised with a new name – Blythe House Hospice – and a new clear identity which celebrates its past by keeping the historic colours of both charities, remembering both Stan Blythe and Helen Lyon and the founders of both Blythe House and Helen’s Trust.
Stan Blythe
Stan Blythe, a local secondary school teacher, keen birdwatcher and the longest serving president of Buxton Field Club, had retired early due to encroaching blindness. He lived alone in Fairfield and was on Reverand Betty Packham’s list of visiting parishioners.
Reverand Betty Packham, who set up Blythe House Hospice in memory of Stan said: ‘I changed parishes and sometime later received a request to visit Stan in hospital where he had just been told that he had cancer. He wanted to tell me that he was determined to die at home. My visits resumed and it was painful to watch this tall, erect, and gentle man gradually getting weaker and less able to cope. As it became obvious that he was unable to care for himself, I invited him to come and live with us.
‘Fiercely and stubbornly independent, he refused until the time came when he could admit his frailty and so for the last four months of his life he had a bedroom overlooking the garden, listening to and identifying the birds. He had the regular care of a supportive medical team and was waited on hand and foot by his many friends who came to prepare his meals and be with him during the day.
‘On the morning that he died a voice on his beloved radio sang “….the birds are singing and I don’t know how to say goodbye.” So Stan had a peaceful death enveloped in the loving care of his many, many friends.
‘Stan left me £1,000 and I knew immediately that I wanted to build a hospice in his name. Blythe House is a fulfillment of that dream – a memorial to a wonderfully warm and brave man.’
Reverend Packham was heavily involved at Blythe House for decades, serving as trustee, and providing volunteer support to patients and staff. She also served as the hospice’s first chaplain. Although in her final years, ill health curtailed her involvement, she remained a key supporter before she died in November 2022, aged 89.
Helen Lyon
Born on 27th December 1956 in the town of Marple on the edge of the Peak District; Helen went on to train as a beauty therapist and later became a teacher. Helen was totally dedicated to her students and would always go that extra mile to help them achieve success.
In 1997, Helen and her husband Rob settled in Froggatt, a hamlet situated along the banks of the River Derwent. Tragically, at the age of forty, Helen was diagnosed with breast cancer. From the very beginning, she faced this illness with fortitude and stoical humour. Throughout the very difficult period of treatment, Helen continued with her teaching, house renovations, and sharing good moments with her husband, family, and friends.
A few years later, the tumour returned with a vengeance but Helen was determined, within the constraints of her illness, to lead a normal life in her own home. Helen’s last few weeks at home were extremely important to her and on 6th October 2001, she died peacefully in the familiar surroundings of home, surrounded by the people that she loved. She was just 44 years of age.
Soon after Helen died, it was decided to launch a charity to enable others to be able to have the same choice that Helen had – helping others to be cared for and to die in their own home. Helen’s Trust was launched a week after her funeral in 2001 by family and friends.
Dr Louise Jordan, Helen’s highly respected GP at Baslow Health Centre, was instrumental in the founding of the charity. Dr Jordan led Helen’s Trust and was chair of Trustees until 2020. Following the merger with Blythe House Hospice, she remained a trustee until she was unable to continue due to her health. Dr Jordan died peacefully at home in December 2023 after being diagnosed with primary lateral sclerosis in 2021.
