Ten Years of Zest!

The young adults, parents and staff at St Elizabeth Hospice’s young adult service, Zest, have marked the service’s tenth anniversary in style this November.

Two special parties were held for staff, volunteers, Zest young adults and their families to come together and celebrate the milestone.

Held on 14 and 22 November, as part of Zest Days and Zest Drop-in, the celebrations featured plenty of inclusive games such as sensory pass the parcel, tombola, disco and chocolate pizza making, along with the all-important cake cutting and an opportunity for families supported by Zest over the past decade to remember loved ones.

Gemma Harris, Zest Developmental Advanced Clinical Practitioner, said: “We’ve had a wonderful time celebrating ten years of Zest over the past week or so. It’s been lovely for the Zest family to come together to mark this milestone.

“On behalf of the team, I’d like to say thank you to all the families, supporters and volunteers who have contributed to Zest and helped make it the supportive and fun place we know and love.”

Part of the St Elizabeth Hospice Group, since 2015, Zest was created by the hospice alongside the families it supports, with former Head of Zest, Helen Finlinson, being the driving force behind Zest’s development.

Zest provides specialist medical and social support services to young adults, aged 14 and upwards, living with progressive and life-limiting illnesses, while also ensuring the smooth transition from children’s hospice into adult care.

From its unique Short Breaks, which allows young adults to escape their daily routine, through to parent support groups and X-Change evening social groups, Zest allows young people to enjoy life to the full and fulfil their aspirations

One family who use Zest’s services is the Docker family, from Rendlesham, whose son George regularly enjoys Zest’s care and opportunities.

“Zest means everything to us,” explained George’s mum, Andrea. “Without the care and support we receive, we would not know where or who to turn to. Zest’s support has been fantastic to us as a family and we can never thank them enough.

“George absolutely loves his time at Zest Short Breaks with his friends. It gives us a chance to recharge, while George enjoys a break from us too.

“Without the public’s support for Zest, some of our young people wouldn’t receive the vital help they need. Every donation to Zest is greatly appreciated and makes a real difference.”