Colin's Story

The Hospice holds a very special place in Colin and his families’ hearts. Having been born at Pembury Hospital just five minutes down the road and living in the area until him and his brother were 12 years old, the family felt at home when they returned in 2016, as Colin’s mother Anne was cared for on the In-Patient Ward.

“To have a place like Hospice in the Weald on your doorstep is amazing and we are so lucky”

“So to come back to Pembury where Mum was in a room overlooking Downingbury farm, a place where she took us when we were children to visit and to pick the raspberries and strawberries. There is such an atmosphere here, full of love and care.

Mum was the kind of person that didn’t like to make a fuss and she didn’t want to be a burden on the family when she became unwell. So I sensed that she felt quite relaxed to know that professional people were there to look after her and take care of her needs and her family too. I took away the stress of the family having to try and cope with her symptoms and could focus on spending time and precious moments together. She was delighted that she didn’t have to go home because she felt very comfortable. 16 weeks is one of the longest stays had here. It was a long but, comfortable journey, even to the final hours with Mum. Some of those moments will stay with me for the rest of my life. She was in the right place.”