"Our family has been restored!"

Mum received a terminal cancer diagnosis in September 2025. We were devastated, particularly because even at 83 Mum has always been very well and fit and active. She wanted to be cared for at home as long as possible and we had been doing our best to respect her wishes. Eventually however we didn’t feel we could safely look after her and she was going downhill very quickly. We were so relieved when St Margaret’s Hospice offered her a space!  The Community Team visited us at home and assessed Mum, saying that they thought they would be able to help her. She hadn’t been out of bed for several days when she was admitted, but within 4 days the wonderful staff had her sitting up in a wheelchair and we were able to take her round to the lovely Garden Room restaurant for a cuppa!  That wasn’t something we thought we would be able to experience with her again. 

When you are caring for someone with a terminal illness, all the small things become the really important things. What St Margaret’s has been able to do is give us back precious time with Mum where we are not worrying about her next meds or helping her get to the bathroom and instead we are able to just enjoy time with her: talking, reminiscing and helping her through difficult days. The weight that has been lifted from us is indescribable. The care she is receiving is specialist and second to none. It’s so clear to us that the staff have specialist knowledge, and that the whole team is focused on what’s best for Mum. We also feel supported and cared for as a whole family. They remember small details, they care about getting things right for Mum and is been such a refreshing and reassuring experience. It’s a debt we will never be able to repay.