A new era of bringing care into the homes of those with life-limiting illnesses in Swanage and across Purbeck, is being piloted by Lewis-Manning Hospice Care.
As part of the fundraising push to pay for the service, which also includes a clinic at Swanage Hospital, the hospice charity has opened a shop full of preloved items in Station Road in Swanage.
Opening the shop (front row, left to right) Swanage Town deputy mayor Chris Moreton, trustee of the Talbot Village Trust Sir Christopher Lees, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care CEO Clare Gallie and Swanage Town Crier Andrew Fleming
Revenue from the shop will support the hospice services
The new charity shop was opened on Wednesday 13th July 2022 by Sir Christopher Lees, a trustee of the Talbot Village Trust, supported by Swanage Town deputy mayor Chris Moreton and chief executive officer of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, Clare Gallie.
The revenue from the shop will support the new hospice services that the charity is providing within the Swanage community. This is in addition to its hospice in Poole.
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care CEO Clare Gallie at the launch of the new shop
“It makes sense for us to go to them”
Clare Gallie explained how the idea for the new strategy came about:
“A few years ago I came over to Purbeck to visit the great fundraising team we have in Studland and Swanage. At the time, the Sandbanks Ferry wasn’t working and I realised that for some, especially those who are ill, it must make them feel so cut off.
“I was told that our services were really needed in the local community. Our nurses are healthy but our patients aren’t, so it makes sense for us to go to them.
“As a charity we can’t do it all by ourselves but we can start bringing our services ‘closer to home’ in partnership with others. Together we can provide a better service for people in Swanage.”
The Lewis-Manning clinical team delivering care in Swanage (left to right) complementary therapist Yewande Akinlade, health care associate Jo Foster, senior staff nurse Nicky Cherrett, clinical director Hayley Bonner, clinical team manager Debbie Tallick-Wyatt and respiratory specialist physiotherapist Louise Hopley
Breathlessness service at Swanage Hospital
Lewis Manning Hospice Care started its breathlessness service at Swanage Hospital in August 2021 for those with life-limiting respiratory conditions, such as COPD and lung cancer.
It began as a clinic one day a month but was so well subscribed that it’s now two days a month. There’s also a plan to open a similar clinic at Wareham Hospital as soon as it can be organised.
Alongside the clinics, the team has been piloting a scheme in Swanage to help those who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.
Clare said:
“We hope to extend the pilot soon, so we can help all those in Swanage who would benefit from our support, from when they receive a diagnosis, to providing palliative care, and then continuing to hold their hand through their journey.
“In all of this, we are working with the local GPs, as well as supporting the families and providing bereavement services.”
Shop manager Heidi Stearn and assistant manager Kate Gwilliam, who both live in Swanage
Hub of information
Opening a shop in Swanage is part of the charity’s commitment to the community, providing a way of funding the new services for the long term. It will also be a hub of information and provide a focus for the local fundraising group.
Making the refurbishment of the Swanage shop possible, the Talbot Village Trust provided £20,000 for the premises to be newly fitted out.
Sir Christopher Lees, trustee of the Talbot Village Trust said:
“Lewis-Manning is a wonderful charity and we are very lucky to have it here in Dorset to bring palliative care to people in their homes – it’s something that I wish I’d had for my parents.
“Swanage is a very community focused area and the shop is a fantastic addition to the town.”
The opening attracted a crowd at the new shop at 31 Station Road, in between Nationwide Building Society and The Swanage Bookshop
“We look forward to welcoming Swanage shoppers”
Director of retail for Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, Susan Newcombe added:
“We look forward to welcoming Swanage shoppers over the coming weeks and would urge for donations to be made too. Every bag that’s donated is worth about £30!
“Lewis-Manning is enjoying a surge in charity shopping as there’s so much more awareness around sustainability nowadays.
“We are seeing a lot more people actively seeking out ways to shop sustainably, which is fantastic for the environment and our fundraising, so that we can keep providing extraordinary care to people who really need it.
“We also need to say special thanks to Karndean Flooring and Saxby Lighting who have provided the flooring and lighting free of charge. Their support towards the charity has been huge and incredibly generous and it’s thanks to them that the shop looks super stylish.
“Other thanks go to Bradlea Builders, Plumblink, Morplan and Talis Surveying who have all shown amazing generosity to the hospice and supporting our shop refurbishment.”
Sunflowers – the symbol for Lewis-Manning Hospice Care
Further information
- More about the work of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is on its website
