Nick’s story

Nick is a Widower from Hampton and a 25th Anniversary Volunteer.

 We as a family gained so much and I want to give back as much as I can.

Nick shared his experience with us:

‘The Hospice is more than just a place to end your days in dignity, its support goes much wider and helps in all aspects of your life and the life of a patient. My wife Annie had her condition diagnosed in February 2006; soon after her GP referred her to Princess Alice Hospice. For the next three years the Hospice team was a vital support system for us all.

‘From the start the Hospice was there to provide advice on things we had never had to consider before; benefits and carers allowance, applications suddenly entered our world and it was great to have someone on hand to help us through the swamp of paperwork. Our community Princess Alice Nurse and Hospice counsellor were invaluable in terms of providing information and together they worked with the district nurses supporting us, they all worked together ensuring Annie had consistency in her care.

‘As my wife's condition changed, her needs changed and so our Community Princess Alice Nurse suggested that she attend the Day Hospice, here she met a great group of people who quickly became her friends. Her visits gave her the opportunity to talk to others in a similar situation and to be able to discuss fears, anxieties and be able to off load. Art therapy, music, craft classes, entertainment, celebrity visits, complementary therapies and makeovers were on offer.  We had not anticipated the Hospice providing such amazing opportunities. The Hospice is a place that is out of the ordinary, people need to reconsider any preconceived ideas they might have about it simply being a place to die. It is so much more than that. It is valuable not just for those who are dying but the ones who are left behind to live.

‘As a family we benefited from Annie having respite on the In-Patient Ward, Annie spent a considerable amount of time on the Ward, she had a several two-week periods there and overall she spent over three months on the Ward. It was a place that she enjoyed going to, the staff were amazing and she felt completely comfortable and relaxed there. We were able to make an informed decision of where Annie was to spend her final days, the Hospice was incredible, offering advice and support and ensuring that Annie's final wishes were of the utmost importance and that she died in the manner she wanted to die.

‘The care and support offered by the Hospice continues after the death of a loved one, the counselling offered to me and my son has been wonderful and of huge benefit to us. We attend the parent and children group, this is particularly beneficial for my son; it is one of the few places, he can come to and not feel special. He speaks with other children and young people going through similar experiences, he feels normal rather than being someone people treat differently because his mum has died.

‘The Hospice is here for people for as long as they need and in whatever way they need. Caring when it matters is such a great way of describing the Hospice, care comes in a variety of forms and the Hospice appreciates that everyone has different needs and respects the wishes of all individuals.

‘Over time I decided that I wanted to support the Hospice, the opportunity of volunteering for the 25th anniversary projects came along at the right time.  We as a family gained so much and I want to give back as much as I can, because I know how well everything works and how well the money raised is used for the benefit of patients and their loved ones.’