Lighting up memories for those we miss.

Light up a Life is an opportunity for you to remember those who are sadly no longer with us at Christmas, by dedicating a light in their memory. You can also join us to remember them at services that take place across Dorset.

The festive season can be challenging when you’re facing it without a loved one.

This year, celebrate their life by dedicating a light on one of our special trees across Dorset.

Your generosity does more than remember them. The donation from your dedication will directly help our doctors, nurses, therapists, counsellors and others continue to provide specialist care and support for adults in Dorset with a life limiting illness and their loved ones. All loved ones can be remembered, regardless of whether they received care from us.

By dedicating a light, you’ll receive a special wooden star to hang on your own tree, or on your local Light up a Life tree, as well as an order of service.

Every name that is dedicated will be recorded in our Book of Remembrance.

Dedicate a light to a loved one

Lyme Regis – Thursday 26th November

We’re delighted to return to Lyme Regis for a second year for our Light up a Life service, at The Town Mill on Thursday 26th November from 6pm.

Bridport – Friday 27th November

Our Bridport Light up a Life service is at Groves Garden Centre on Friday 27th November at 6:30pm.

Wareham – Sunday 29th November

Our Wareham Light up a Life service is once again at Holme For Gardens, on Sunday 29th November at 4pm.

Blandford – Monday 30th November

Our Blandford Light up a Life service is at the Crown Hotel at 6:30pm on Monday 30th November.

Dorchester – Tuesday 1st December

You are very welcome to join us at our hospice in Herringston Road in Dorchester on Tuesday 1st December at 6:30pm.

Sherborne – Wednesday 2nd December

We’re delighted to return to Castle Gardens for our Sherborne service, on Wednesday 2nd December at 6:30pm.

Gillingham – Thursday 3rd December

Our Gillingham Light up a Life service takes place at Orchard Park Garden Centre at 6:30pm on Thursday 3rd December.

Weymouth – Monday 7th December

Our Weymouth service takes place at Weymouth Pavilion on Monday 7th December, at 6:30pm.

Online service – Wednesday 9th December

If you are unable to attend any of our services in person, you can watch a special online Light up a Life service. This will be broadcast on the Weldmar Hospicecare Facebook and YouTube channels on Wednesday 9th December at 7:30pm.

Check back here for the links to watch these services nearer the time.

“It’s a real feeling of togetherness” – Mel’s Light up a Life Story

For Mel King, Light up a Life is an opportunity to ‘reconnect’ with loved ones she has lost.

Mel has been attending our Dorchester service, at the hospice, for the past fourteen years. She says that when the lights are lit on the tree, she’ll look towards the top and pick a light for each person: “I focus on those throughout the service and try to have good memories. For me, it’s about happy times and the memories I have of them.”

Mel first attended Light up a Life shortly after losing her friend, Ruth. She now also dedicates lights to others, including her mum and sister Helen who, sadly, have both died more recently. “It’s not just those who have been with Weldmar that I remember with Light up a Life,” says Mel. “I’ll do it for everyone I want to remember. It’s very special.

“The service is lovely, especially as it’s in the grounds of the hospice. It’s comforting to be around people that feel like you do. I’m not a religious person but I do get emotional, especially when Jenny Wood performs her song. She has a lovely voice and her words always feel very personal.”

Once Mel has sent in her dedications for lights, she’ll receive the Light up a Life pack in the post, which includes the order of service, a handwritten card, and a special wooden star. “I keep the ones that come in the pack,” says Mel, “and I hang them around my house each year. I’ll buy extra ones at the service to hang on the tree. I like it that they get recycled with the tree afterwards.”

The actual giving of a light and taking a moment to focus on that light is a meaningful and poignant part of the service for me. It’s a real feeling of togetherness. It brings you a little peace and a little bit of healing. Christmas is a difficult time if you’ve lost someone, which is why Light up a Life is so good.”

Thank you to our sponsors and partners

We couldn’t hold Light up a Life services across Dorset every year if it wasn’t for the generous support of a number of local venues and businesses.

Thank you to Wessex Internet, whom we welcome as our headline sponsor this year.

Thank you to supporting sponsor, Dream Cottages, for their continued support, and to all of our Community Partners who provide venues and their services.