St Elizabeth Hospice patients were joined by their families and local health professionals at the Hospice’s Day Centre in Gorleston this week at an Easter Tea Party.
A colourful and tasty tea was laid on for patients and their families to enjoy and spring was well and truly sprung!
Biscuits and cakes, prepared by the patients, were accompanied by tea and savouries and enjoyed by all.
In the weeks leading up to the party, patients were kept busy preparing for the occasion by decorating hats and turning them into stunning Easter bonnets. They also enjoyed modelling them for the occasion.
The Hospice has been providing care and support to people living with a progressive illness in Great Yarmouth and Waveney for four years, and currently runs day services in Gorleston, Ditchingham, and Beccles.
Patient, Florence Webster, who has been benefitting from St Elizabeth Hospice care and support for two years, said: “Coming here means company. Sometimes at home, I don’t get dressed for days. At Day Care we get our moans off our chests and go home feeling lighter.”
These sentiments are echoed by another patient, David Hills. He said: “My Mondays in Day Care are a matter of getting out and socialising, even though it is difficult to get ready in time.
“I don’t get out and about much now, since I stopped driving. The food here is good and the staff are lovely.”
Not only do patients benefit from socialising every Monday with quizzes, conversation and activities but they also see specialist clinicians who can help with pain relief and assist with medication.
In addition, patients can access the Skills groups which take place in the afternoons.
These two-hour sessions cover work on self-management of symptoms through providing information and teaching successful techniques to help cope with difficulties such as: breathlessness, fatigue, movement. These informative sessions are designed to give patients the skills they need to live everyday life to the full.
The Hospice currently provides day services in Ditchingham, Gorleston and Beccles as well as specialist support at the Louise Hamilton Centre, Gorleston.