New café opens at hospice’s Community Care Unit

Staff at St Elizabeth Hospice have officially marked the opening of the hospice’s new Ridley’s Café at the hospice Community Care Unit in Ipswich.

Opening on 5 September, the café is named in memory of one of St Elizabeth Hospice’s founding fathers, Nick Ridley OBE, and will provide a welcoming, relaxing and social space for patients.

Hanna McDowell, Head of Therapy & Community Care Units, said: “We are so pleased to be able to unveil Ridley’s Café and welcome our patients to the new space which will provide a relaxing environment for them to enjoy food and refreshments in.

“It is a fantastic addition to our Community Care Unit services in Ipswich which provide valuable support to so many patients and their families, in one convenient location.”

The Community Care Unit, which launched in 2021 to replace the former Day Care services, operates from the hospice site in Ipswich, Beccles Hospital, Martham Medical Centre and Sole Bay Health Centre in Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

It offers the opportunity for patients’ wellbeing and social needs to be met, while also enabling the convenience of all necessary healthcare appointments to be organised and completed in one location on the same day.

Margaret Coles, a patient who uses the Community Care Unit services, said: “It’s a lovely service that has made me feel very welcome. It’s good to be able to talk to others in my position and know that I’m not the only one.

“I would like to say how I appreciate the Thursday clinic, from the welcome of the nurses, to the hand and foot massages provided, the time spent with each patient, to feeding and looking after their general welfare and meeting other patients.”

If you are interested in volunteering at Ridley’s Café, please contact volunteer@stelizabethhospice.org.uk or call 01473 707939.

For more information about the Community Care Unit visit: www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/how-we-can-help/hospice-care/community-care-unit.