Lucy’s mum was cared for by Barnsley Hospice in the final weeks of her life, following a diagnosis of stomach cancer two years earlier. During these weeks, Lucy saw and experienced first-hand the impact hospice care has on patients and their loved ones.
“I’d known about Barnsley Hospice for many years and like many others, had a common misconception – that it was simply a place you went to die. I imagined a bleak, sorrowful environment filled with pain and loss. But I couldn’t have been more wrong.”
The hospice was first suggested by her mum’s Macmillan nurse, following issues with her medication and being constantly unwell.
“At first, I resisted. I was holding onto my own negative perceptions, and I wanted Mum to stay at home where I could care for her in familiar surroundings. But, I thank my lucky stars that I changed my mind. It’s what my mum wanted, and she spent her final weeks in the hands of truly remarkable people.”
“Much of that time is now a blur, grief has a way of protecting you like that, but the memories that remain are positive. I remember how peaceful it was. Mum had her own bright, airy room with patio doors that opened onto a garden full of flowers, where birds sang throughout the day. She always loved the sound of birds. From the moment she arrived, I knew she was in the right place.”
“I was by her side every day, and family were free to visit whenever they wanted. If I hadn’t had my daughter at home, I wouldn’t have left her side at all. During that time, I met so many members of the hospice team, including receptionists, doctors, nurses, catering staff, housekeepers, and other supportive staff. Every single one of them was warm, kind, and positive. They were the kind of people my mum was. It felt so right that she was being cared for by people who radiated the same compassion and light she did.”
During her mum’s time in the hospice, Lucy’s daughter, Lily, celebrated her 10th birthday.
“The staff kindly offered to host a small birthday party in the visitors’ lounge. They decorated it, prepared a little buffet, and even sang Happy Birthday to Lily. That was the last time my mum and my daughter saw each other, and I will be forever grateful for how they made that moment so special. It was exactly what they both deserved, a final memory filled with joy. Sadly, Mum passed away four days later.”
“I had asked the staff to let me know if anything changed with Mum, and when that moment came, a medical staff member took me aside into a private room and gently told me Mum was dying. She delivered the news with such compassion and understanding it felt as though, in that moment, I was the only person in the world. I will never forget her kindness.”
“Those last days were the hardest of my life. My mum was my safety, my guardian angel, my best friend. She devoted her life to me, to my brother, and later to Lily. Looking back, I know that if she had stayed at home, I wouldn’t have been able to give her the care she truly needed and deserved. At the hospice, everything she needed was there – pain relief, comfort, dignity. And when I needed support, they were there for me, too.”
Since her experience with the hospice, Lucy has been a dedicated supporter and fundraiser, even taking on a 100-foot abseil down the side of Barnsley College!
“I’ll continue to support the hospice for the rest of my life. Even then, it won’t feel like enough to repay them for what they gave us.”
“It broke my heart to learn that Barnsley Hospice is not fully funded and must raise £3.5 million on average every year. I couldn’t believe that such a vital service that supports people and families in their most vulnerable moments, doesn’t receive more support. This is why I’m sharing my story; to raise awareness and hopefully, to help raise funds they so desperately need.”
“To anyone considering hospice care for themselves or a loved one I would say, without hesitation, you will be in the best hands and cared for like royalty.”
“Thank you, from the bottom of my heart to every single person at Barnsley Hospice. You’ll never truly know the difference you made to my mum, to me, and to our family, at a time when we needed you the most.”
If you’d like to find out more about our care and services, please visit our services page.
