A renewed sense of community and friendship are just two of the reasons why Rita Hopper loves attending Birmingham Hospice’s Living Well Centre (LWC).
Our LWCs provide a vital service for patients living with terminal conditions who can often feel isolated if they don’t receive the support they need.
Rita has been going to the centre for two years since being diagnosed with ovarian cancer and looks forward to her weekly visits, where she has forged firm friendships with fellow patients, can ask for advice from the LWC Team and take part in a host of activities.
When first attending, Rita was initially reluctant but quickly changed her mind: “After a couple of weeks of going to the centre I started looking forward it.
“We’re all there for each other, so when people are having a bad day, they have someone to talk to.
“It’s good to talk to people in similar circumstances and the staff are so wonderful.”
Socialising was particularly important to Rita, who had to give up her job as a catering supervisor because of her condition.
Doctors discovered her illness in 2022 and after undergoing chemotherapy she was told her condition was currently stable.
She was referred to the hospice for palliative care and began to be visited by one of the hospice’s Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS), who helped with pain relief and symptom control and also recommended the centre.
Rita said: “I was so relieved that they were coming out; it put my mind to rest.
“The nurses were so good and talked me through what was happening, which gave me peace of mind. You don’t feel like you’re on your own because it can be very scary.”
One of Rita’s highlights at the LWC is lunch time, where everyone sits together and chats while eating tasty food provided by the hospice.
“It’s just nice that we’re all together eating lunch, having a conversation and just enjoying it,” she added.
“A lot of people after lunch will play a game or dominoes so there’s a real fun factor as well.”
Importantly, Rita knows she can ask for advice from the nurses in the centre and has also spoken to a counsellor in the Wellbeing Team to help her come to terms with her illness.
She said: “If you have a medical problem or just want to speak to someone about your emotions, they’re always there for you.
“The Living Well Centre means everything to me, and I look forward to going every week.”
People living in their community with a life-limiting condition or who feel lonely, isolated or frail can refer themselves to Birmingham Hospice’s Living Well Centres, which are based at our Selly Park and Erdington sites. Learn more by visiting our dedicated Living Well Centre page.
