Community Life Magazine - Bedford Issue 1

With 12 staff members and over 75 volunteers, they
work tirelessly to raise funds so they can continue
to provide excellent standards of specialist care
and continue to help the patient to feel valued and
worthwhile. Th e events are varied and many include
fancy dress and lots of fun!. From bungee jumps to
Pamper evenings, reading groups to Italian theme
nights, they are forever creating new ways to raise
money and everyone gives their time happily. Th ey
are supported well by local businesses who give their
goods and services to assist these fabulous events..
Teamwork and dedication
Fundraising & Facilities Manager Babs Astle explains
the personal commitment they hold to the patients
and families ‘When people come to us, we provide
a real home from home environment and have
a highly skilled multi-disciplinary team to off er
support. We are with them for their whole journey.
Th e families can also gain support from us -we are
here to help them cope too. Th e volunteers are our
life blood and we just could not function without
them- their contribution is priceless. We all work as
a team and are dedicated to our patients and
families’
Taking care of people’s physical needs
is just as essential as looking after
their emotional, spiritual and social needs.
‘Ways Ahead’ Salon off ers a consultation
and advice service for those experiencing
hair loss while the complementary therapy
rooms include Massage, Refl exology, Indian Head
Massage and Reiki treatments.
Tuesday’s are ‘pop in’ time for people who have
been newly diagnosed. Sam Edhouse who attends
says ‘I receive support from fellow patients through
good and bad
times. Th e staff
and volunteers are
wonderful and give
us the opportunity
to share experiences
and meet new
friends. Everything
that is available
here really has made
such a diff erence
to my wellbeing.
Th ey always have
Sam and Phil Edhouse time for you, seeing
Bab Astle with Daycare volunteers
To advertise please call 01234 310521 or email: teresa@communitylifemag.co.uk
CHARITY
past the illness to the person you are and make you
feel important and valued. I treasure the friends I
have made here and the support has made such a
diff erence to myself, my husband and my family.’
Th e hospice itself is warm and welcoming with an
incredible spirit of unity.
Bob who also attends the hospice says
‘For me it has been a great support over the
last couple of years, providing practical
help with unconditional kindness,
friendship and love’
Lorraine Womack, partner of a patient,
says sa ‘It is an irony that this service is
probably the only thing a terminally ill patient
won’t have to pay for and yet one of the most
valuable. Th ey rely on donations, fundraising and
volunteers to provide such invaluable support to
our loved ones. Please support the fantastic work
here as they provide a lifeline to people and with
their care, compassion and skills make life a little
easier at a time that is so diffi cult to cope with.’
You can make a diff erence
At a time when charities have felt the eff ect of
funding cuts, it is more important than
ever to continue to work hard to keep
their services going. If you could
make the diff erence and would like
to volunteer or even arrange your
own fundraising event, please
contact Babs on 01234 352015.
www.bedforddaycarehospice.co.uk
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