Staff and volunteers at the hospice are celebrating Hospice Care Week from the 9th to 15th October 2023.
The special awareness week is facilitated by Hospice UK, the national charity for hospice and end of life care, and this year’s theme is ‘We are Hospice Care,’ commemorating hospice staff and volunteers.
Everyone is welcome to attend an open afternoon from 1 to 5pm on Wednesday 11th October at Blythe House Hospice on Eccles Fold, Chapel-en-le-Frith, to meet staff, enjoy a hot drink and find out more about care and services.
Louise Furmston, community engagement lead nurse at Blythe House and Helen’s Trust, said: ‘We are looking forward to opening up our doors to welcome members of the public from all walks of life, as well as local health and social care professionals. Anyone who wishes to find out more about what we do is so very welcome; we aim to help alleviate fears and improve perceptions of the hospice.
‘We are here to support patients right from diagnosis of a life-limiting illness every step of the way, including their families, children and loved ones. Please pop in, join us for some light refreshments, and see what a friendly, welcoming and caring environment it is; you won’t be disappointed.’
Teacher, Kelly Collinge accessed counselling and support at Blythe House in spring 2023 after her diagnosis with breast cancer in January.
The mum-of-two from New Mills explained: ‘I met a friend and former colleague for a catch up who’d retired from my school. She’d had breast cancer previously and she asked me if I’d been in touch with Blythe House. I queried her question; I thought hospices were places that people go to die. She told me absolutely not; that the hospice provided so many different services, and levels of support.
‘When you’re first diagnosed with cancer, you feel so isolated. Despite the adverts that we all see, about one in two of us being diagnosed in a lifetime, I didn’t know anyone that I was really close to, and there was no one in my family. I felt totally on my own and plunged into a whole new world; one that I did not want to be a part of, but I had no choice. The hospice gave me the opportunity to be with people in similar situations, who understand a little more about this world. The hospice made me feel a little bit less scared and worried.’
If you have any questions or would like to find out more about the hospice or open afternoon, call: 01298 815 388, or visit the event page.
