IN times of vulnerability and pain, hospices become beacons of solace for patients and their families.
One such hospice, nestled within our community, has stood as a testament to the strength of human compassion.
And in the last year, the demand for its services has been greater than ever before.
Last year, a record-breaking 4,460 people were supported by St Helena Hospice.
Vital support was provided in the community in people’s homes, over the phone via its SinglePoint 24/7 advice line, and at the hospice, in Barncroft Close, Highwoods, Colchester.
More than 90 per cent of the charity’s work happens in people’s homes in towns and villages across Colchester and Tendring, while care is also provided at the 18-bed site in Highwoods.
Last week, the St Helena team marked Hospice Care Week by celebrating its workforce, who are there when people living with incurable illness and bereavement need them the most.
Staff nurse Beth Swallow said her job is “incredibly rewarding”.
“It is a privilege to spend time with people and get to know them and their families, hear their stories and hopefully make some difference in their lives,” she added.
Debbie Vincent, a clinical nurse specialist who provides home care, feels it is an “honour” to be invited into her patients’ homes.
“The nicest part of my job is making a difference, especially when people are going through one of the worst times of their lives,” she said.
“It's about bringing a smile to their face, listening to them, and making sure we can make their journey as fluid as we can, giving them as much support as we can throughout.”
But it’s not just healthcare staff making a real difference to the lives of the people supported by St Helena.
Maintenance technician Simon Vick is one of the many team members working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the charity running.
“When we go into patient rooms to do jobs, we get to have a little conversation, which is very pleasant,” he explained.
“I find sometimes that some people haven't got any family around and they like that little opportunity to see someone's face and have a little chat, and I enjoy talking with them too.”
As the ward clerk, Debbie Miller is the friendly face of the hospice for people arriving at the inpatient unit.
Her varied role sees her arranging transport, making follow-up calls, and getting medications delivered.
She said: “It's nice to be able to help people when they come in to visit their loved ones them, even if it's just giving them a Wi-Fi code, making sure they have everything they need for their visit, or where to get a cup of tea from.”
Over the next ten years, St Helena wants to double the number of people it supports at the most difficult time of their lives.
But with only 27 per cent of its funding coming from the NHS, the charity needs the public’s help to make sure it can continue to be here and maintain its high-quality care now and for future generations.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here