Lewis Manning Hospice Care is beginning a new day hospice service for people in Swanage and across Purbeck with life-limiting illnesses.
The charity, which also supports the families of those with life-limiting illnesses, is to start the day sessions from September 2022 at the Swanage and Wareham Rugby Club in Wareham and there’s plans to organise one in Swanage too.
New move for Lewis Manning Hospice Care to get out in the community
Services in the community
Lewis Manning Hospice Care runs a hospice in Poole but has recently been extending its services into the community, including providing a breathlessness service at Swanage Hospital for those with life-limiting respiratory conditions, such as COPD and lung cancer.
The aim of the day hospice service is to increase people’s physical and social wellbeing; reduce isolation and loneliness; support people to stay in their homes longer and alleviate the pressures on families and carers.
The shop opened in July 2022 in Station Road in Swanage
Complementary therapies
The team has already set up a similar service in the community in Poole and Wimborne offering nursing care and emotional support, creative art and wellbeing sessions to help patients express themselves and to encourage communication, complementary therapies like massage and aromatherapy, as well as bereavement support for families.
Last July, the charity opened a shop in Swanage’s Station Road to help raise funds for its services and on Thursday 25th August 2022 held a mini fete on the terrace area in Shore Road.
The Lewis Manning mini fete in Shore Road in Swanage to raise funds to support the new service
Still looking for a base in Swanage
After a long search for suitable premises with enough rooms, toilets and easy accessibility, the Lewis-Manning team has booked the clubhouse at the Swanage and Wareham Rugby Club in Wareham. However the team are also looking for a base in Swanage and are exploring all options.
While Swanage Hospital may be able to provide space in the future, it’s unable to do so at the moment and the team wants to get up and running now.
Part of the Lewis Manning team at the Swanage mini fete – left to right: health care assistant Jo Foster, Emma Logan complementary therapist and senior staff nurse Nicky Cherrett
“We can’t wait to get started”
Lewis Manning senior staff nurse Nicky Cherrett said:
“We want the day hospice to be a good experience with theme days and ice breaker sessions. It’s going to be positive and fun.
“I think it’s really nice to be able to do something like this for Purbeck and we can’t wait to get started and launch the service.”
With the new day hospice, Lewis Manning is recruiting for more staff including a staff nurse and health care assistants.
There’s also opportunities for volunteers to get involved who would be willing to drive patients up to Wareham and Swanage Rugby Club in Wareham or to help out at the day hospice sessions.
Sunflowers are the symbol for Lewis Manning
Further information
- Details about the service and recruitment opportunities are on the Lewis Manning website
