A new opportunity for those with life limiting illnesses is being offered by the charity Lewis Manning Hospice Care at Swanage Cricket Club in Dorset.
A day hospice service is now available providing many of the benefits of a hospice but within the local community.
The Swanage day hospice launch at Swanage Cricket Club is an informal affair
Closer to home
Lewis Manning Hospice Care already runs a day hospice at Swanage and Wareham Rugby Club in Wareham but the new hub will mean less travelling for those living in Swanage and the surrounding villages.
Ellie Southers, who is one of the senior nurses from Lewis Manning who will be organising the sessions said:
“The whole aim is to provide those with life limiting illnesses some time to have fun, where they don’t have to think about their illness and a place to relax within a supportive environment.
“There’s also complementary therapies available including Reiki which helps to reduce stress and promotes healing.
“I’ve been a nurse for 40 years and one of the things that I feel has been driven out of nursing over that period, is the amount of time we can spend with patients, but here we have time to talk and reflect. We’re never in a rush or off to the next task, which gives everyone space to relax.”
Forming a new mutually beneficial partnership (left to right) Tim Ives and Craig Wells from Swanage Cricket Club, with Vicky Endersby and Ellie Southers from Lewis Manning
Olivia Girling from Lewis Manning experiences some of the healing therapy on offer
No need to be referred by a GP
The day hospice is open to anyone who feels in need of the service and they can just get in touch with Lewis Manning by phone or by attending a session, without being referred by a GP.
As well as the day hospice hubs in Wareham and now Swanage, the charity also offers the service in Poole and Wimborne, plus there’s a new day hospice planned for Lulworth later in 2024.
Supporting the launch (left to right) Health professional Maggie Hardy, Swanage deputy mayor Chris Moreton, chair of Lewis Manning trustees Jeremy Allin, health care assistant Vicky Endersby, senior nurse Ellie Southers, Lewis Manning director of services Hayley Bonner, Swanage Cricket Club chair Craig Wells and Swanage Cricket Club secretary Tim Ives
Always plenty of cake and refreshments at the cricket club
“Such a valuable service”
Swanage Cricket Club is located in Day’s Park with lovely views of Ballard Down, and a south facing veranda, which is an ideal spot to relax.
Tim Ives from Swanage Cricket Club said:
“It’s brilliant that the cricket club is able to offer the use of the clubhouse to Lewis Manning. We are very much a community based club and it’s great to see more people making good use of the facilities.
“It’s such a valuable service that’s being offered and the cricket club is very pleased to be able to help out and get involved.”
Swanage Cricket clubhouse is in an idylic location in the middle of Day’s Park
Chair of Lewis Manning trustees Jeremy Allin (left) with health professional Maggie Hardy (centre) and Swanage deputy mayor Chris Moreton (right)
“Fantastic location”
Attending the opening of the Swanage hub, chair of the Lewis Manning trustees Jeremy Allin said:
“We’ve always had the residential hospice in Poole but it’s a great thing to have moved so many of our services out to places where people live like Purbeck. It makes such a difference to be able to offer what we do, closer to people’s homes.
“Swanage Cricket Club is a fantastic location and a really lovely place to meet up – a fabulous venue. It’s great to see Lewis Manning so integrated into the local community.”
The Swanage day hospice is from 10 am to 3 pm every Friday at the Swanage Cricket Club in Day’s Park.
Katie Gwilliam (left) and Morgan MacKay (right) from the Lewis Manning shop in Station Road in Swanage popped in to say hello and remind everyone that there are always grateful for donations of clothing and bric a brac
Further information
- More about Lewis Manning Hospice Care is on its website or phone 01202 708470
