Jo's story: The 'hospice hug' meant so much

Jo’s mum, Jenny, died peacefully on our in-patient ward, surrounded by loved ones. Here, Jo shares her story, explaining how she was able to make precious memories with her mum whilst experiencing joy and laughter, what supporting our Meadow of Memories meant to her, and why she’ll be doing it again this year by dedicating a handcrafted Daisy…

“Within 24 hours of Mum arriving on the ward, I knew the Hospice was a special place. I remember saying to one of the nurses that it felt magical, calm and safe. She smiled and said they call it a ‘Hospice Hug’. That’s exactly what it was.

“You are enveloped in this hug, and that, along with the care Mum received, was the most precious gift we could have been given.”

“One sunny afternoon, the nurses helped us wheel Mum’s bed outside so she could see the sky and hear the birds one last time. She couldn’t do anything for herself by then, but she was treated with dignity and tenderness throughout.

“There was space for laughter, too. One afternoon, we laughed so hard we both cried – I hadn’t heard her laugh like that for months. We filled her room with fairy lights, photos, blankets and cushions. It felt like home. Better than home, because we knew her medical care was taken care of, and we could focus on cherishing those last four weeks together. This is just one of many moments that stands out and underlines how wonderful the care at the Hospice is.