Hospice in the Weald announces development plans

Hospice in the Weald: Planning for the Future                                  

Hospice in the Weald is developing plans to improve services and facilities to benefit patients now and in the future.

The charity provides free care and support for adults and children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions across East Sussex and Kent.

Services resume and areas to be refurbishes and upgraded

In Five Ashes, inpatient services will resume at Cottage Hospice, and a new centre for children and young people will be created. In Pembury, the Hospice will be refurbished and upgraded.

Nick Farthing, Hospice in the Weald’s Chief Executive, said: “This transformation programme will help us continue to provide the compassionate care everyone deserves as they come to the end of their life, in the best possible environment, now and in the future.

“In the short term, there will be some changes, but we are working hard to ensure transitions are smooth and will keep everyone updated. We expect most of the work to be complete by next summer. We’ll then have more flexibility in what we offer to patients and their loved ones, an even better environment for our wonderful staff and volunteers and be in an even stronger position to support our community and those who support us.”

Five Ashes

Following a pause in inpatient admissions, Cottage Hospice in Five Ashes is preparing to admit patients again this autumn. In-patients will be welcomed to Cottage Hospice instead of the Hospice in Pembury, to enable necessary refurbishment work. Once this is complete, inpatient care will continue at both sites.

In addition, the charity is planning a new children and young people’s centre in Five Ashes. The Hospice already supports children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, through home visits, outreach and special events. To further meet the needs of families, it is looking to redevelop a property next to Cottage Hospice, to create a place where children can take part in arts and crafts, sensory play and music, and watch films in an accessible cinema room.

Pembury

The Hospice in Pembury opened in 1998. The in-patient ward, reception area, chaplaincy and spiritual care rooms, and Living Well centre will be given a fresh look, informed by feedback from patients and loved ones. They will be modernised and upgraded to provide a calm and uplifting environment, enabling the Hospice to offer a greater range of support in the future.

Detailed planning is underway. Cottage Hospice in Five Ashes will start welcoming in-patients in the autumn. By next summer, the transformation at Pembury will be complete, and the centre for children and young people will be up and running later next year.

Funding still remains a concern and fundraising as essential as ever

While the work will be covered by funds previously raised by the charity and recent government funding, Hospice in the Weald has highlighted the importance of ongoing fundraising support.

Nick added: “With money set aside to cover these costs, every pound from our fundraising and charity shop income can continue to go where it is needed most – to deliver our services, to be there for our community, and to raise the next pound. This year, we need to raise £9 million to be there for everyone who needs us, which is why the continued support of our incredible community has never been more valued.”