June, 69, has lived in Clifton her whole life and has been attending Wellbeing sessions for over six months. We spoke to her about her time at our centre on Woodborough Road.

Being referred

June has COPD, arthritis and diabetes amongst other conditions. She said: “I once had to make a list of all my conditions and medications – there were 13 different illnesses there.

“The biggest impact on me is my breathing and not being able to get around. But I also do feel very depressed and feel a lot of loneliness. That’s why it’s brilliant here – I have lots of company.”

June already knew about Nottinghamshire Hospice – because we cared for her mum ten years ago, and also from regular visits to our Community Shop in Ruddington. She still found it a shock when she was referred to our services.

“My doctor said ‘I’m sending you to palliative care’ – I had a tantrum! I just did not want to go. But you don’t think of it when you’re actually here.”

Not just care at home

June had only ever known about the end-of-life we deliver in people’s homes. When talking about Wellbeing and or Bereavement Support, she explains: “I didn’t know the Hospice did all of this. It’s opened my eyes; you do all sorts of things – not just palliative care in the home”

Friendships and laughter

June has found that Wellbeing has helped her tackle her feelings of loneliness, and given her more chances to smile and laugh. “It’s a haven – definitely. If I didn’t come here, I don’t know what I’d do. I’d be sat at home welling and dwelling about all the things wrong with me”

“I have a couple of teary days – but I laugh more here. This is my space. My time.”

She tells us about the friends she’s made: “we’re really close. When we’re here, we don’t talk about what’s wrong with us – we talk about ‘normal’ things and have laugh. If anyone is upset – we cheer each other up, and if someone doesn’t come in, we will text them and check in”

June adds: “The staff and volunteers are special. They’re calm, will talk to you about anything. They’re honest, make us laugh… they’re daft, like us! And the sessions are brilliant.”

She also tells us how she’s enjoyed eating lunch in our garden, about our various craft sessions and the fact we’re always happy to give different activities a go. She’s even started following our relaxation practices at home, to help her take her mind off things and relax.

Support for the family

June has two daughters, and she lives with her husband. 

Unfortunately, her Husband isn’t very well either, but June says: “It’s nice when I’m here – he has his time, when he doesn’t have to worry. And I come back with new things to talk about and share with him.”

They both know about the at-home care we provide, and have prepared for things with the help of Wellbeing. June has also been able to prepare memory boxes and funeral plans with our support. “It wasn’t done in a morbid way. It was relaxed and they made it fun.”

Bereavement support

June and her husband also use our Bereavement Support services. She says: “counselling is good, and she [June’s counsellor] is lovely. She really listens. You’ll be chatting and suddenly something clicks. She puts up with me crying and makes me laugh after a rough patch.”

“Just give it a try”

June said she’d encourage people to just give the Hospice’s Wellbeing sessions a go. One of her daughters, a nurse, came with her for some of her first few sessions, and the team made them both feel incredibly welcome. “My daughter really enjoyed it and could see why I love coming here.”

Want to support the work we do through Wellbeing and Bereavement Support? It costs £20 for a counsellor to deliver a bereavement sessions, and £12 can pay for paints for a Wellbeing session. Please give today.