Big 30th anniversary plans for Severn Hospice

It will be 30 years since the hospice began caring for people with incurable illnesses, and more than 34,000 people have been helped at its sites in Telford and Shrewsbury as well as in the community.

The charity is set to expand its site in Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury, with a communal space, a cafe, clinical rooms and a gym.

Alongside the expansion, the hospice has a commitment to being more accessible in the community in 2019, with a number of new coffee mornings planned in towns across the county.

Kate Clark, the lead nurse for day services at the charity, said: "People are living longer lives than ever and with more complex needs, and we need to look at how to reach them most effectively.

"We're looking to expand our reach into the community with these pop-up style events.

"Something that might surprise people is that we look after four out of five patients at home. It is not just about coming into the hospice and staying there. There are all kinds of support we can offer."

Therapists

The coffee morning events will come to Ludlow, Bridgnorth, Market Drayton, Oswestry and Newtown in 2019, with arrangements still to be determined.

The hospice's army of 1,600 volunteers and 350 staff has continued working as normal in the festive period.

Ruth Stivey of the hospice said: "Nurses out in the community come rain or snow supporting people at home, as well as those working on our wards 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"We have had complementary therapists giving massages with tailored aromatherapy recipes, running make up days and singing carols in their time off to raise money for the charity.

"There are social workers providing practical and emotional support to families when they need it the most, including one to one guidance or fun family group days and events.

"There are also volunteers stocking shelves, dressing our windows and manning the tills across our 26 award-winning shops.

"They have been selling our Christmas cards – one volunteer has given her spare time for 11 years, selling our cards at Shrewsbury’s St Mary’s Church, making around £7,000 each year, providing a listening ear, making cups of tea and holding hands of patients and families on our wards."