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Hospice stories

The remarkable people who support us and those we welcome through our doors are all part of our community. This section is dedicated to their inspiring stories - who they are, why they support us and how our care has helped them and their loved ones through life's most difficult time.

Showing 79 stories

Fahmeen‘s story

Fahmeen, one of our volunteers at the Langley store, talks about why he volunteers for Thames Hospice.

From Sirens to Sofas: Nigel’s Journey to the Hospice Team

“I know I’m making a difference. That’s what matters.”

Vici's Story

"Thames Hospice was the right decision for us. I hope you never need hospice care. However, if you do, this is the place.”

Finding peace in giving: Allison's story of support.

Allison won £1,000 back in January! Read her story and discover why she signed up to play!

Sarah's story

Sarah Williams, one of our volunteers, discusses why volunteering at Thames Hospice is so meaningful.

Elaine's Story

Local resident, Elaine, started volunteering at the Langley store in August 2019. That decision to volunteer has now become an important part of her world.

Herby's Story

“I couldn’t fault anyone at the Hospice – there was literally no limit to what they would do for us. The way the nurses spoke to us was so calming. I don’t know how they do that job.”

Gordon and Nicki’s Story

Nicki is a passionate supporter of our work and has generously included a gift in her Will to help ensure that the exceptional care we provided for her father Gordon continues for years to come to support other families. In her own words, here is their story.

Nisha's Story

Volunteering has not only helped me develop as a person but also allowed me to contribute to something larger than myself.

Caleb and Hok Ping’s Story

Caleb and Hok Ping, two of our volunteers at the Woodley store, talk about why they volunteer for Thames Hospice.

Jane’s Story

For Jane, a retired Spinal Physiotherapist who had always wanted to work for a hospice, volunteering became an opportunity to enrich her life in lots of different ways.

Natasha's Story

“Having a counsellor that my children could talk things through with, especially things that they can’t control, has been a huge relief for me as a parent”.

Courtney's Story

“I couldn’t have asked for anything better. The staff were amazing and it’s just so peaceful.”

Evie-mae's story

“I think Evie-mae was able to express her feelings and understand that it was okay to be sad sometimes and, even though she was very young, she understood that she was not isolated in these feelings and that other young people felt like this.”

Sandra and Michael's story

“I really hope we can help squash the myth that a hospice is a frightening place. It couldn’t be further from the truth”.

Kevin's story

“Volunteering brightens up my day and after a morning in the shop, I go home and feel good within myself. It certainly makes me feel a whole load better.”

Janette's story

“Staff are very caring, appreciative and incredibly grateful for any time you can give. I know I am a small part of the Hospice but I am made to feel that I am an essential part of running the shop."

Jan's story

“I would encourage everyone to volunteer, we have a lot of good fun. I just love it.”

Gemma's story

“There are so many positives to volunteering here. I also do paid work but the Hospice is really flexible and lets me fit my paid work around my volunteering."

Jess and Matt's Story

"Like us, one day you may find that Thames Hospice changes your lives forever."

The Thompson Family’s story

“The Hospice staff adapt so quickly to the needs of the patients. Their agility is amazing and the care was always offered at the right time - it was never intrusive."

Mindy's Story

“The Hospice at Home Team came whenever we needed them and were always available on the 24/7 telephone advice line which is such a fantastic resource. They were so lovely and so human."

Trish's Story

"The Hospice staff treated all of us with such respect. I thought it was extraordinary. I think that we all felt very held through the journey with Trish."

Pippa and Grace’s story

“I don’t think I’d be where I am, or as open if I didn’t have the support."

David and Esther’s story

“I’m so impressed with the care and the atmosphere. The atmosphere is relaxed, happy and very professional at the same time and you get on really well with the staff.”

Ryan's story

“I have made friends at the Hospice. I can share my experience with them and they can share theirs with me.”

Nicki's story

“This place is beyond phenomenal. It is supportive, but it’s really good fun at the same time and it’s the one place that we can all moan and share our fears because everyone in that room gets it.”

*Chris' Story

“I’m running out of words to use. Fantastic, fabulous, incredible. They are some of the most incredible, knowledgeable, friendliest people with huge empathy and who are also hugely brave.”

Pat's Story

“It makes my day, in fact it makes my week. It’s really nice to have something to do and everyone is very friendly here. I’ve always been one for company."

Claire & Alan's Story

“I don’t think he would have been with us for Chloe’s birthday without the care of the Hospice, I really don’t.”

Chris' Story

“I’ve received great care all the way through and was offered help when I really needed it."

Yvonne & Simone’s Story

"She loved that feeling of the sun on her private terrace in her bed or the chair. Everything was so accessible."

Stephen's Story

"I was wrapped in a blanket of care that was social, spiritual and holistic. It was exactly what I needed. There’s a lot of joy at the Hospice and I experienced an injection of positivity, it was a perfect fusion of care.”

Dennis’ Story

“Life without Thames Hospice would be horrible, because this is a safe haven, I know I can come here anytime and I can just call and speak to somebody.”

Maria's Story

"That’s my biggest experience of being at the Hospice – it’s about living with your illness not dying.”

Michelle's Story

“Without the Thames Hospice doctors treating me at home, I don’t know where I would have been. I was so scared but the Hospice at Home Team were there for me.”

Mark's Story

Thanks to our enhanced Hospice at Home service, as soon as Mark was referred to us we were able to arrange a rapid discharge from hospital.

Maureen's Story

“It’s the icing on the cake to know that I have the Hospice behind me.”

Pete's Story

"The Hospice makes a HUGE difference, and it has been truly eye opening."

Grace's Story

"My dad went from this world knowing that his girls were going to be well-looked after by these amazing workers at the Hospice."

Chesca & Donna's Story

"Knowing the Hospice's Response Team were there made so much difference, I wasn’t on my own trying to decide what to do next.”

Pat's Story

“I am treated as a person, not a patient, I can talk about anything and I don’t feel I have to put a smile on my face and pretend I’m fine."

Tahir’s Story

"We’ll never forget the kindness and care that we’ve received. The Hospice hasn’t just cared for Dad but the whole family.”

Linda & Lisette's Story

"We’ll never forget the incredible care our family received from Thames Hospice."

Carolyne & Guy's Story

“The Hospice gave Carolyne a calm, peaceful, loving death, which is so important and helped give me peace with her passing.”

Emily's Story

"Nothing can take away the pain of losing a loved one but giving something back to the charity that helped our family at the hardest time has been cathartic as well as very emotional."

Alix's Story

“I always feel that Alix was a person to the nursing team, not another patient. The idea that we wouldn’t have been able to get that space in the Hospice, or that others wouldn’t when they needed it, fills me with dread.”

James & Blanche's Story

"They really did do everything to make our last moments as a family so precious."

Derek's Story

“If it wasn’t for Thames Hospice, I don’t think I would be alive now.”

Simon's Story

“Counselling is a great way to let out your thoughts and worries so they don’t build up.”

Carmel's Story

“I’m so grateful to the team here, they brought me back to life, and they saved me."

Poppy's Story

"I love knowing that the work I am doing is going to help people; it makes every task seem very worthwhile."

Tom's Story

“The counselling support I received from the Hospice was very important, and I am not sure I would be in the place that I am now without it."

Genevieve & Nicholas' Story

"The Hospice supports not just the person receiving treatment but the whole family, that all-encompassing support is why we have chosen to leave gifts in our Will to the Hospice."

Penny's Story

"My husband Ivor was treated with the utmost care, compassion, respect and dignity. We as a family were so well supported and treated with the greatest kindness."

Drew's Story

"Whenever I walk around the lake at Bray now I feel a little bit of pride that I am contributing to such a worthy charity."

Roy's Story

“To sum up the Hospice, I can only say the way I have been treated is beyond excellent."

Angela's Story

“The Rehabilitation Centre at the new Hospice has been a life-saver for me."

John's Story

"That first step, it was euphoric."

The Barroso's Story

"The staff that looked after our family are absolute angels!"

Doris' Story

“I can’t thank the Day Therapies Team enough; every single person is an angel."

Binda's Story

“I can’t say enough to praise the way they helped us and our father."

Sue's Story

“There is a very strong feeling that we really are all in this together."

Rick & Sally's Story

“The care is marvellous, everything you could wish for and more.”

Graham & Jenny's Story

“It’s the love and affection above anything else that makes Thames Hospice so special.”

Gina's Story

"Here you have dignity and respect of life."

Craig's Story

"Knowing that your loved one feels comfortable is so important."

Mathewe & Estelle's Story

"The Hospice nurses and doctors were a godsend - they were always going the extra mile for Estelle and the whole family."

Lisa's Story

“I can’t imagine what life would be like without Thames Hospice."

Selina & Gary's Story

"We've got this!"

Chris' Story

"The staff are so kind and they make me laugh so much."

Ian's Story

“I count down the weeks until I can come to day therapy again."

Maggie's Story

"It’s the amazing care that gets you through this"

Mo's Story

"The emotional support I received has helped me find hope again"

Mary's Story

"Without the team I would have been lost"

Katharina's Story

"If I walked a million miles, it wouldn’t be enough to thank the Hospice for all the care and support they gave my parents and to us as a family."

Hatti's Story

"The Hospice was like a home from home"

Mark's Story

"You were a little shining light at a dark time"

Russell's Story

“If I hadn’t come here, I wouldn’t be alive”