Alan Twitchett – a husband’s story

“St Elizabeth Hospice gave Tina and me great care and comfort, reassuring us that she would not be in pain during a very distressing time.

“We were supported immediately and treated with compassion as individuals, which made such a difference to us,” said Alan Twitchett, whose wife, Tina Twitchett received support from the St Elizabeth Hospice and East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH) healthcare partnership, at Beccles Hospital, until her death aged 68, in June 2022.

Since launching in April 2019, more than 7,000 patients and their families in Great Yarmouth and Waveney have been supported by the free specialist palliative care provided by the partnership of St Elizabeth Hospice and ECCH.

Typically living with conditions such as cancer, heart failure, chronic lung diseases – such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – and neurological disorders, these patients have received free care through the partnership’s varied, specialist palliative care provision available at Beccles Hospital, in the community and through the service’s 24-hour advice line, OneCall

“Tina was everyone’s friend and was loved by so many people,” explained Alan, who lives in Beccles. “We first met at the Colville Arms pub in Worlingham, where I was DJing one night. From that moment on, we never looked back.

“We got together and were married in Beccles a few years later, going on to have two sons and, later, three grandchildren, whom Tina adored. Family meant so much to Tina.

“In 2021, after a number of years of poor health, she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer affecting her liver, lungs and bones. We received support from James Paget University Hospital for a period of time.

“In April 2022, the hospital recommended contacting St Elizabeth Hospice for Inpatient support at their beds in Beccles Hospital.

“The staff were like family to us, and over the four to six weeks she was there, she received exceptional care and pain management support.

“The hospice team gave us a real sense of security, like a safety net. We went from feeling completely distraught about the situation we were facing to feeling comforted and supported. I cannot speak highly enough of them.

“Every member of the team was so welcoming. Even our little dog was made to feel included and was allowed to visit Tina, which meant the world to us.

“Tina’s room was superb, just spacious and comfortable. It didn’t feel clinical at all, more like a home from home and the kind of place you would want to be at the end of life.

“On the day she died, the staff were absolutely lovely to me. The care never stopped.

“I don’t know how I would have coped without St Elizabeth Hospice and their compassionate care. All of this inspired me to fundraise for the hospice as a way of showing my gratitude.

“The care Tina received was amazing and comes at no cost. The staff devote their time so fully to patients and families, and now I want to devote my time to giving back to the charity so others can received this vital care too.

“After Tina died, friends encouraged me to join The Rogues Shanty Chorus (pictured above), a group that performs traditional shanty songs and has a strong social element. I have been singing with them for about two and a half years now.

“They are a wonderful group of people who look out for me, and we keep in regular contact, which has been a great source of support. After a while, I thought hosting some concerts with the choir would be a great way to fundraise for the hospice.

“Since then, we have held a number of concerts, raising over £9,000. I am so grateful to the local community and Beccles Public Hall for their support with these concerts.

“Also, a big thank you to the Black Deek Band, who feature Tina’s cousin Malcolm and his wife Sue, for helping organise and fundraise alongside The Rogues Shanty Chorus. It has a been a real community effort.

“I feel really proud of this, and I am so grateful to everyone who has been generous in supporting us, as well as to The Rogues Shanty Chorus for their help too. I always say, give to the hospice, as you never know when you or someone you love may need their care.

“Hearing that St Elizabeth Hospice is planning to develop a purpose-built hospice facility in Gorleston is fantastic news for the local community.

“It will make an enormous difference, allowing more people to receive their invaluable care. The additional support will benefit not only patients but also their wider families, providing a safe environment where people can be cared for with love and comfort.”