In the words of those we care for: How hospice care is more than you think
6th October 2025
< BACK TO NEWSHospice Care Week ’25
When you think about hospice care, what do you immediately think about?
It would be quite common to picture Weldmar’s Inpatient Unit in Dorchester, and imagine the care for a patient at the very end of life from our wonderful nurses. That is, of course, a very important aspect of what we do, but there is so much more to hospice care.
To mark Hospice Care Week, we’re sharing the words of people who have been in our care – perhaps as patients, or as their loved ones, to help give you an insight into aspects of hospice care that you might not realise occur.
From weddings to weekly arts and crafts, from support for carers to providing comfort and dignity for those facing the very end of life in their own home, there’s a lot to hospice care.
Providing care in the comfort of patients’ own homes
More people are choosing to spend their final days in the comfort of their own home, in familiar surroundings, and alongside those they love.
Weldmar’s Specialist Hospice at Home Service has localised hubs in the north, south, and west of Dorset, with a dedicated team of nurses and carers for those in the communities they serve.
Did you know that more than 80% of the care provided by Weldmar is in the community, in patients’ own homes? They will most often be the first contact a new patient has with our team.
“They all arrived with smiles on their faces. You felt that they were always there for you. They provided comfort and reassurance, even remembering the names of Josh’s girlfriend Emily, and friend David. This kindness sounds silly but it meant a lot. No one knows what it’s like until you’re in this dreadful situation. The care – to get you from where you are to what you know is going to come – is where Weldmar have been fantastic.” – From Toni and Marks’s Story.
“Outstanding service from beginning to end and even after my husband’s death. Kind and compassionate. Always at the end of the phone for anything from just a chat, sorting any problems that I wasn’t sure about and to my husband’s quality of life right to the end.”
A safe space for those experiencing life’s most difficult journey
Our Wellbeing Support Sessions offer patients, their carers, and bereaved relatives the opportunity to take part in various activities, such as arts and crafts. As well as the activity itself, these sessions facilitate important conversations for those taking part.
“Thanks to all you lovely ladies whom have made Friday afternoons arts sessions such a joy, and the rest of my life worth living with my newly found ability, that without your help would have remained dormant.”
“The team here are so empathetic, but only when they need to be. A couple of weeks ago I was feeling really low. Since my husband passed away I hadn’t really cried. But that day, I felt safe enough that when asked if I was okay, I burst into tears. I don’t know why, but I knew I was there with people I could be safe with. I think that’s what these sessions are for, to make you feel comfortable and share your own feelings.”
It’s not just cancer
One very common misconception is that Weldmar is a ‘cancer charity’, but in actual fact, there are a number of reasons why someone might be referred into our care.
Care and support is provided to patients with a range of life limiting illnesses, including Motor Neurone Disease.
Geoff (pictured visiting our Inpatient Unit to meet Patrick, who belongs to Martin Clunes) attends our Motor Neurone Disease clinic, and says: “Weldmar’s support means an awful lot to me. I can get quite negative sometimes, but there’s so much support it’s difficult to stay negative. My journey isn’t frightening. There’s always someone to talk to, and always an answer.”
Clare has PSP – Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and her husband Nigel told us: “They are friendly, they are respectful, and also very helpful. The nursing from Weldmar has been exactly what Claire needs. They’ve also provided physiotherapy for Claire … We’re very fortunate in having Weldmar, it gives us a certain soundness of mind.”
It’s not just care ‘at the end’
“Don’t count the days. Make the days count.” A quote from Muhammad Ali. Hospice care is not just about ensuring a ‘good death’. It’s about making every moment matter. The local Specialist Hospice at Home Service hub will usually be the first contact for someone referred into our care, and our team includes complementary therapists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. They aim to ensure that quality of life and independence is as good as it possibly can be for patients and their loved ones.
Did you know that Weldmar starts looking after people with a life limiting illness who have up to twelve months to live?
“Anneliese provided me with neck, shoulder and Reflexology treatment. She was sensitive and gentle. She made me feel special which has helped me considerably after the death of my husband. She gave my husband a massage before he died. He loved it and found the experience calming. I felt the whole experience showed great integrity, was helpful and just lovely to have.”
Graeme was able to attend his beloved Download Festival thanks to our support: “Weldmar gave me the positive attitude, the positive vibes that told me I could still do it. A feeling that it’s not going to be an issue, you can go and we’ll do everything we can to help you. I think I had just as much fun this time around as I had previously, and if it wasn’t for the help and encouragement it wouldn’t have happened.”
Supporting the carers of patients
When a person is experiencing a life limiting illness, very often a loved one will need to spend a significant amount of time being their carer. This can be a very difficult and stressful. Weldmar has a dedicated member of staff, as well as volunteers, who provide both practical and emotional support especially for carers.
“When my husband passed away last October, I was his full time carer. I was so low, but pleased I could talk to someone which was Chloe, she was great. I couldn’t of wished for such a caring person. I had Chloe for a while, and she said if ever I needed a chat she would always be there. Bless you Chloe, keep up the good work, you do such an amazing job and I’ve appreciated every time I’ve spoken to you.”
“Chloe helped me with paying bills and transferring accounts into my name, because Derek had done all of that – I didn’t know the difference between a standing order and a direct debit. She even helped me to get my emails on my new phone, and to put Zoom on my laptop.It was brilliant because we were not on our own. We didn’t have to fight the big world on our own and there was someone who could explain.”
Making every moment matter
Some moments are just special. From arranging a wedding at our Inpatient Unit with just 24 hours notice, to the visit of Martin Clunes and one of his horses, or facilitating a patient’s visit to his favourite music festival, we do what we can to meet the wishes of those in our care.
We are proud to have made some special memories. Even if that’s just being around your large family, as in the case of Gary.
Lynette and Darren (pictured) were married at our hospice this year, and told us: “If Weldmar didn’t do this for us, we don’t think there would have been a wedding. It’s been really, really good. They’ve put in so much effort and so much work into it. We’d like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts for helping us and supporting us through this.”
“The personal care they gave him was excellent. He would be washed every day. He always liked to be clean shaven, and so they would shave him each morning, which just made him happier. Everyone was so welcoming. I would visit with Evie, our youngest, who could play with toys outside. The staff were all lovely and nothing was too much trouble. One nurse gave Bella ice cream, and another even brought in a fairy costume for her to wear. Dad was really impressed that the chefs visited him every day. He wasn’t eating a lot, but the food he fancied, he really fancied. They went above and beyond to give him what he wanted.” – From Gary’s Story.
Outstanding care at our Inpatient Unit
Whilst this blog posts intends to highlight all the wonderful aspects of hospice care you may be unaware of, as you will know the hospice itself provides outstanding care from a team of doctors, nurses, carers, and therapists.
“I recently spent 6 weeks at the hospice. Its not an exaggeration to say I was a ball of pain and anger when I was admitted for symptom control. I recall a consultant telling me to ‘fall into the arms of the hospice’ which is exactly what I did. You all have completely restored my faith in humanity … Thank you to Dr Paul & Helen, you both may be the two kindest people I’ve ever met. There are no words to express how I feel towards each & every member of staff.”
“We really can not thank you enough for the care you gave our daughter in her final weeks. The love, kindness, compassion and dignity she was treated with was beyond compare and this was extended to the whole family (and there were a lot of us) you gave us time to spend with her and took the pressure from us. Our time spend with you at the hospice in those weeks were so special and we will be forever grateful to you all.”
Related Reading
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