Category: Stories
I hope that by leaving a gift in my Will, St Barnabas will be around long after I’m gone, providing care across Lincolnshire – and to those I love should they need it. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d want them to be cared for.
Every day for the last 17 years, I’ve witnessed the level of care given by St Barnabas. I always say we employ compassionate people who happen to have healthcare skills. But it doesn’t matter what job we do at the hospice, patients and their families are the number one priority for every one of us.
We’re always thinking about how we can help make care even better through our role. From me in the finance team making our money and skills go further, to the cleaners going the extra mile to keep everything sterile, to the chief executive talking to the government about funding.
Although my role has changed quite a bit over the years, helping our care team provide even better support has stayed at the heart. Today, my job is about the processes and systems that make us more efficient – tweaking out every last penny to provide a better service, and reallocating funds to where they’re needed to give the very best care.
It’s not how you’d imagine a traditional accountant role, and I think that shows how forward-thinking St Barnabas is. Extending the Hospice at Home service, introducing Admiral nurse support for people with dementia and delivering end-of-life educational services to healthcare professionals outside of the hospice – they all demonstrate our determination to keep improving care.
That’s how I know my gift will be put to the best use for patients and families across our county. I also know that if St Barnabas weren’t around, this kind of support wouldn’t be either.
Being privy to the hospice’s finances, I know how hard funding cuts have hit. A dependable income is more important than ever, and leaving a gift in my Will is my way of giving St Barnabas something to rely on. Also, because I’ve chosen to let the hospice decide how the money is used, I know it’ll be spent on what’s most important for patient care at the time.
It doesn’t matter how much each of us leaves – or if we leave items like jewellery that can be sold in our shops, I know firsthand it’ll all be used to make a big difference, and that’s what matters.
Thank you to Sue, and all our legators. Your legacy will continue through the care you’ll make possible in years to come.
To find out more about leaving A Gift For Generations, please visit: Make a Will with St Barnabas Hospice
I see what St Barnabas gives people at the end of life – peace, dignity and time with loved ones. I’m leaving a gift in my Will because one day, it could be any of us or our families who need hospice care, and I want to help make sure it’s still there.
Giving someone a dignified death is the most important thing anyone can do, and that’s what St Barnabas does. I work in one of the St Barnabas Hospice shops, and every day, I feel so proud to be helping put money where it needs to go – to hospice care. If you cut me in half like a stick of rock, you’d see ‘St Barnabas’ running right through me! The hospice means everything to me.
Customers often tell me how wonderful the care team were looking after their loved ones. And I remind everyone I work with that we’re not just selling clothes or books, we’re helping take care of local families. But it’s not just the staff and volunteers – we’re all in this together.
When someone buys a £5 jumper, it’s £5 towards pain relief to help someone be comfortable at home or a home-cooked meal for a patient in the hospice. No matter how you support St Barnabas, it’s something to be extremely proud of.
I’ll never forget a friend telling me how lovely it was visiting her son in the hospice. She told me he was so well looked after, and it gave her such comfort to see him happy before he passed. And I think that says it all. If your loved one is peaceful at the end of their life, what more can you ask for?
To be cared for with kindness. To be as free from pain as possible. To be somewhere that feels like home, with your family beside you. That’s the kind of care I’d want for my family, and for me too. And that’s what the hospice gives people. Without St Barnabas, we’d lose it all. We can’t let that happen.
That’s why I think it’s up to us all to help keep St Barnabas going. One way we can do that is by leaving a gift in our Will. If all of us leave something – even something small – we’ll help local families like ours get the care they need when they need it most.
Knowing I’ll still be helping the hospice even when I’m not here anymore feels amazing. And I’ll live on through my gift too.
Thank you to Debbie, and all our legators. Your legacy will continue through the care you’ll make possible in years to come.
To find out more about leaving A Gift For Generations, please visit: Make a Will with St Barnabas Hospice
The day after my husband, Richard, went to St Barnabas, I got my husband back – the Richard I knew and still love. Everyone at the hospice made the worst time bearable. And that’s why before Richard died, we decided to change our Wills to leave a gift to St Barnabas.
Before St Barnabas, Richard’s pain was unbearable. And the only respite he got was with powerful pain medication. But that meant he wasn’t with it for much of the time. It was so upsetting to see him in such pain and then in less pain, but not himself.
Emotionally, it was incredibly difficult. Physically, it was starting to take its toll too. Because Richard needed help moving around, everyday things like getting him to the bathroom were becoming impossible. And I wasn’t managing very well.
Still, when a nurse told us there was a place for him at the hospice if we wanted it, I didn’t think we were at that stage yet. We weren’t ready for end-of-life care.
Then she explained how the hospice team are expert at managing pain, and I didn’t need any more convincing. I drove Richard to the hospice that afternoon. And thank goodness I did.
The morning after arriving at St Barnabas, and for the first time in weeks, Richard was alert, calm and comfortable. He’d not eaten properly for days, and he’d finally had some food. He was even sitting up, having a laugh with the nurses!
For the entire five weeks Richard was in the hospice, the nurses couldn’t do enough for him. They’d sit and chat whenever he wanted. And he loved telling them about the places we’d been – showing them the photo albums I’d brought in for him to reminisce.
The team are amazing, and so accommodating. They made visiting so easy – friends could pop in whenever they wanted, and I spent every day with Richard, even taking our dog along to visit.
Still, it was reassuring to know he had other company too. Because there were days I found harder than others, and I’d just sit quietly with him. On those days, the nurses would always make time for a chat with me if I wanted to talk. And I’d leave feeling that bit better.
The relationship Richard struck with the staff meant a lot to both of us. And unbeknown to me, Richard asked them all to sign his favourite grumpy old man t-shirt! It was incredibly emotional discovering it on Christmas Day when I collected his things. Everyone had taken the time to write on it, and it was covered in the most wonderful messages. While I still find it hard to look at, it’s something I’ll always treasure.
We met the warmest and most caring people at the hospice, who treated us like family. The care St Barnabas gives should be the gold standard for end-of-life care everywhere.
St Barnabas is vital to our community – a safety net for us all. Yet it’s only through the kindness of local people that it can carry on. I feel happy knowing that Richard and I are doing some good with our money.
Thank you to Gill, and all our legators. Your legacy will continue through the care you’ll make possible in years to come.
To find out more about leaving A Gift For Generations, please visit: Make a Will with St Barnabas Hospice
St Barnabas was there for John – and for me too, when no one else could be. Leaving the hospice a gift in my Will is my way of saying thank you for what it did for us both.
It was thanks to the wonderful team at St Barnabas that my partner John was able to spend his final weeks at home, just as we wanted. No matter what needed sorting, they’d say, “Don’t worry” – and I didn’t have to.
From the first time John stayed at St Barnabas to the team’s support at home during the last three months of his life, it was obvious just how much everyone at the hospice truly cares. They took care of so many practical things I didn’t have the time or headspace to deal with, like arranging the right equipment to keep John comfortable and helping me with paperwork so we could have help from carers.
In those last few months, John could no longer get out of bed. Fortunately, I was fit enough to still care for him at home, and I feel incredibly thankful. But the prostate cancer had spread to his bones, including his skull, and the pressure on his brain caused symptoms similar to dementia. It meant I couldn’t leave his side without him becoming distressed – not even when the carers popped in for 15 minutes.
Friends were supportive, but there was little they could do. Without any family for help, day-to-day things like showering and shopping became increasingly difficult. And there was no way I could meet up with a friend for some respite. So I never left the house and rarely saw anyone. It was emotionally and physically exhausting – and incredibly isolating.
Over time, I lost myself and felt like I was just John’s carer. But for a few times a week, the St Barnabas team made me feel like more than that.
Of course, their care for John was always the priority, making sure he was comfortable and not in pain. But they never forgot about me either. Because John felt safe with them, they gave me precious time to myself so I could call a friend or take a shower.
Sometimes I just rested. If I got two hours of uninterrupted sleep through the night, I was doing well, and tiredness took its toll. Sometimes, when John was sleeping during their visits, they’d sit and talk to me. It was nice to have a normal conversation, one that wasn’t about medication or how the night had gone.
The end of John’s life would have been so much harder for both of us if St Barnabas hadn’t been there. The team didn’t just care for John’s health – they looked after every detail. I still can’t believe they arranged for the fire service to check our house was safe before John came home.
St Barnabas gave us the support we couldn’t get anywhere else. It’s the kind of care I’m sure everyone would hope for at the end of their life or a loved one’s.
So it’s sad that something as necessary must be run as a charity – especially as costs are always rising. The thought that someone might miss out on such care in their final weeks or days because the hospice isn’t there is horrifying.
That’s why leaving a gift in my Will gives me great comfort, knowing I can help someone else benefit the way we did. A little bit really does go a long way, and if we all leave what we can, it will add up.
Thank you to Margaret, and all our legators. Your legacy will continue through the care you’ll make possible in years to come.
To find out more about leaving A Gift For Generations, please visit: Make a Will with St Barnabas Hospice
We need to keep St Barnabas going, because there are people who really need its care.
St Barnabas gives its care for free, but I don’t think people realise how much it costs to run the hospice. It’s not run by the government like the NHS. So it’s down to St Barnabas charity shops, fundraising and donations to keep it going.
I’ve been volunteering in the hospice charity shops for over 12 years. The experience and people I’ve worked with have taught me so much – St Barnabas has played an important role in my life. I was especially pleased when the team gave me the chance to teach staff sign language so they could communicate more easily with patients. It felt good knowing I was helping people at the end of their lives.
So I really wanted to give back for all the charity has done for me and help the hospice at the same time. Leaving a gift in my Will to St Barnabas is me saying thank you for all the help.
The hospice hasn’t only helped me either. The team were there for my dad too when he was terminally ill. Whenever I’d visit, he’d tell me that someone from St Barnabas had been to see him. And I’d get a warm feeling knowing I’d contributed to his care through the things I sell in the shop. I just knew the hospice would be there for him no matter what.
I’m proud to be a volunteer with the hospice. It’s a special place and so important to Lincolnshire. The fact St Barnabas is there for people in my community means a lot to me. It’s another reason I chose to leave something after I’ve gone. My mum is doing the same.
Knowing I’ll still be helping the hospice when I’m no longer here feels like a great achievement. And it really doesn’t matter how much we leave. It all makes a difference.
I always remember a friend saying to me, “You might not know anyone yet who’s needed St Barnabas’ care, but you may do, and one day you might need it too, so it’s important it’s always there.” And she was right.
Thank you to Jane, and all our legators. Your legacy will continue through the care you’ll make possible in years to come.
To find out more about leaving A Gift For Generations, please visit: Make a Will with St Barnabas Hospice
St Barnabas gives a special kind of care, free of charge to the patient, that you won’t find anywhere else in Lincolnshire. The hospice will always be needed. And gifts in Wills are material to its future. That’s why I’m remembering St Barnabas in my Will.
St Barnabas has been part of my life since 1998. Over the years, I’ve seen the hospice grow and adapt. But one thing that has remained constant is the incredible care. My time working alongside the hospice – first as an NHS commissioner for hospice services, then as Chair of Trustees, and now as Honorary Lifetime President – has shown me just how vital that care is.
Patients and families always say the same thing – it feels different at the hospice. It’s a place where everyone is seen for who they are, not just as a patient but as a person, right to the end. I remember once being asked by the care team if I had a compass, which I did. They were trying to find Mecca for a patient of Muslim faith, so they could face their bed in its direction. It was a simple thing, but it brought the person immense comfort and peace.
I’m always struck by how relaxed and positive patients are when we chat. The team treats everyone like members of their own family, whether at the hospice, in the community, or a patient’s home. The hospice truly adds life to days, and often, days to life.
I’ve known patients who expected to spend their final days in the hospice regain strength and be comfortable enough to return home with loved ones. It’s a testament to the entire team, who combine expert end-of-life care and clinical excellence with genuine compassion.
I take great pride in being part of the hospice and what it achieves. We’re incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated expertise in Lincolnshire. And it’s all down to the support of the community. St Barnabas is only part-funded and therefore relies on fundraising, donations, and gifts in Wills to keep going.
By joining others and leaving a gift in my Will to the hospice, together, we’ll carry St Barnabas forward so it stays part of our community long into the future.
Thank you to Bob, and all our legators. Your legacy will continue through the care you’ll make possible in years to come.
To find out more about leaving A Gift For Generations, please visit: Make a Will with St Barnabas Hospice
St Barnabas made me feel like I mattered. For once, it felt like someone was interested in me – how my husband’s illness and everything that came with it impacted me.
Ron was diagnosed with a rare lung condition in 2014. And since the day we were told he likely had just three to five years left without a double lung transplant, we’ve been on a rollercoaster journey. And complications during surgery meant it didn’t stop despite Ron receiving two new lungs.
Post-transplant, Ron was struggling to come to terms with what had happened. And he was so fragile physically and mentally. I was exhausted from the trauma of the operation and his ongoing care, and still trying to be calm and patient despite us both coping with so much. I wasn’t in a good place.
That’s when Ron got in touch with St Barnabas again – we’ve always felt like part of the hospice since they supported us a couple of years after Ron’s diagnosis.
I’m not sure where we’d be now if it weren’t for the hospice. Sue, Ron’s nurse, saved him from severe depression. And she saved our marriage too. When everyone around us could only see the amazing gift Ron had been given, Sue saw the reality of what we were still living through.
Ron’s transplant was traumatic to say the least – I nearly lost him ten times. But I thought I had to just get on with it. So I kept going, kept pushing through. One of the most important things Sue did for me was to help me stop, to find space and get support to process it all.
Counselling, tai chi, relaxation and wellness classes – it was all there for me as well as Ron. And with the hospice’s help, I learnt to cope, to care for Ron better and to accept that life wasn’t going to be what we imagined. Of course, Ron got help too. And that made things easier for me, especially when the medication and depression changed his mood.
Knowing I’ll likely have to live through it all again one day – planning for the end, saying goodbye – is soul-destroying. But I know St Barnabas will be there for me, and I won’t have to go through it alone.
Everyone there understands. They know when to stand back, when to offer comfort, and when to be there to help you stay strong. They recognise what you need even if you don’t see it yourself, and this has been one of the most valuable things for me. When the time comes, I know I’ll be stronger with their help.
Ron and I realise just how critical the hospice has been, and still is, to our lives. St Barnabas not being there would take away my safety net. So while we both do what we can to support it now, we’re also showing how much we appreciate what Sue and the team have done for us by leaving a gift in both our Wills.
None of us knows what we’ll need in the future, but there’s a high chance we’ll all have something to do with a hospice at some stage in our lives. And I hope that by remembering St Barnabas in our Wills, someone years from now will be able to enjoy a better quality of life, just as we are, no matter how long they have left.
Thank you to Maxine, and all our legators. Your legacy will continue through the care you’ll make possible in years to come.
To find out more about leaving A Gift For Generations, please visit: Make a Will with St Barnabas Hospice
I never thought I’d need a hospice, but I did. And St Barnabas gave me so much more than I expected. That support changed everything for me and I want others to have the same chance.
When I was diagnosed with a rare lung condition in my early fifties, I was told I might have just five years left – at best. Eleven years later and with a new set of lungs, I’m still here. But without St Barnabas, I think it could have been a very different story.
Two years after my diagnosis, I was in a terrible place, struggling with low mood. Despite trying to find help through the usual channels, I wasn’t getting anywhere. Then, at a support group meeting, someone mentioned I could self-refer to St Barnabas.
That was a huge turning point for me. The hospice offered so much – tai chi, relaxation classes, wellness, sessions to help with sleep, even singing classes! And it wasn’t just for me, my wife, Maxine, was welcome too.
Sue, my hospice nurse, was absolutely fabulous. From the start, she made sure Maxine was fully involved – it was the first time since my diagnosis that someone acknowledged Maxine as part of my journey. She listened to us both and took the time to really get to know us individually and as a couple.
I’m not sure I would have made it to the transplant stage if it weren’t for Sue’s support. And there’s a good chance Maxine and I wouldn’t have made it either because there was such emotional strain on our relationship. But Sue relieved that pressure. She just knew what we both needed, even when we didn’t.
That’s one of the most important things the hospice gives you – time to become a couple again, rather than patient and carer.
Sue being there for us after my transplant too was such a relief. Often, it was the small things, like spotting subtle changes in me and new habits that might have gone unnoticed. But because she knew me so well, she recognised the signs that said I needed help and made sure I got it. Sue knew when I was expecting too much of myself too, and always told me! And I’d listen, because I trusted her implicitly.
Getting in touch with St Barnabas was the best thing I did during my diagnosis and treatment journey. Everyone is just so friendly. From the moment we walked through the door, we felt part of a very special community.
Sue and the team were always there and I can’t thank them enough for what they did for us both. Their help was invaluable. I don’t think people realise just what the hospice does – not only in those final days but long before that, helping people live well for as long as possible.
When I was doing triathlons, I thought I was super fit. Like many people, I never expected I’d need a hospice. That’s why I say don’t ever think it’s not going to happen to you. And it’s why the hospice’s care is incredibly important – it’s there for everyone.
We must keep it going, and so I’ve left a gift in my Will to St Barnabas. We all need to think of others, and it’s important that this amazing, brilliant, fantastic place is there forever.
Thank you to Ron, and all our legators. Your legacy will continue through the care you’ll make possible in years to come.
To find out more about leaving A Gift For Generations, please visit: Make a Will with St Barnabas Hospice
I could never do enough to give back to the hospice for what it did for me and my family. That’s why I’m leaving a gift in my Will to St Barnabas.
St Barnabas was one of the best things that happened to dad – and to me. It was like a weight had been lifted. It allowed me to be his daughter again, not his carer. And we got to spend our final weeks together without the worry.
At first, it was scary thinking about going to the hospice, especially for my dad. He was so stubborn, and it was a mission to get him there! But it was nothing like either of us imagined. And when dad thought he might be moved because of the hospice refurbishment, he was adamant he wasn’t going anywhere. That’s how special it is.
I believe dad would have died sooner, in more pain, agitated and angry, if St Barnabas wasn’t part of our community. Instead, he spent his last few weeks doing the things he enjoyed. They might not have been ideal for his health, but they made him happy, and the hospice nurses respected that. They never judged. They just did whatever they could to make dad’s last weeks count.
Because I was the only one there for dad, St Barnabas also gave me peace of mind knowing that he was being well looked after when I couldn’t be with him. If it weren’t for the hospice, dad would’ve spent most of his last weeks alone at home or in hospital.
The care team are angels in nurse uniforms.
Dad’s condition meant he had broken legs and needed an air mattress. So whenever he wanted to go outside, the team would lift him onto another bed before wheeling him out. And they just did it – several times a day, without hesitating. Just like they made sure an egg custard tart was waiting for him whenever he asked, which was often!
St Barnabas made everything so much easier. The nurses even made his passing a positive experience. They gently explained what was happening when they sensed the end was near. Afterwards, they dimmed the lights, played soft music, and brought me tea and biscuits. Then they left me to be with dad one last time.
Nothing I could do would ever be enough to repay St Barnabas.
I’ll give back what I can while I’m here. And when I’m gone, a gift in my Will will be my final thank you. Knowing the support I got and the weight it lifted off me can go to someone else makes it so worthwhile.
I feel incredibly proud that St Barnabas is part of our Lincolnshire community. And I feel a sense of ownership – whenever I see a collection tin, I always say, ‘That’s my dad’s hospice.’
That’s why it matters so much to me and why I believe it’s up to all of us to make sure it’s still here for generations to come.
Experiencing the hospice first-hand opened my eyes to what it does, and I know that no matter how much someone is able to leave St Barnabas in their Will, it’ll make a world of difference.
Thank you to Sophie, and all our legators. Your legacy will continue through the care you’ll make possible in years to come.
To find out more about leaving A Gift For Generations, please visit: Make a Will with St Barnabas Hospice
Celebrating our Hidden Teams at St Barnabas: Estates
St Barnabas has over 300 members of clinical and non-clinical staff working to support our vision – a world where dying with dignity, compassion and having choices is a fundamental part of a life.
The hard work and dedication of all our staff ensures we can continue providing vital end-of-life care, across Lincolnshire. This year we’re shining spotlights on hidden teams and highlighting the incredible work they do to support St Barnabas.
St Barnabas’ Estates Team plays a crucial role in maintaining a comfortable, safe, and functional environment for patients, their families, staff, and volunteers. Their responsibilities often include a wide range of tasks, from maintenance and repairs to overseeing project management.
Led by Nicky, Head of Estates, and Steve, Estates Team Leader, the team ensure hospice buildings are in excellent condition, through conducting repairs, upkeep, and preventative maintenance.
Scott, Estates Technician & Systems Lead, explains: “This involves everything from roof repairs to plumbing and electrical systems. Through gardening and snow removal, we also keep the grounds tidy, safe, and aesthetically pleasing.
“Essentially, the Estates Team is responsible for creating and maintaining a supportive environment that contributes to the overall wellbeing of patients, staff, and volunteers. While our work is often behind the scenes, it’s essential to St Barnabas’ smooth operation.”
Alongside David, Senior Estates Technician, and Philip, Estates Technician, the team oversee the day-to-day operations of the hospice, including cleaning, laundry, and waste management. They ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations and implement energy-saving measures to reduce costs and environmental impact.
When needed, the Estates Team oversees renovation projects, including the recently announced essential refurbishment of Lincoln’s Wellbeing Centre. The team has been working closely with contractors throughout the project, overseeing the work and minimising disruption to patients, staff, and the wider healthcare community.
To ensure the refurbishment is completed as cost-effectively as possible, some elements of the work are being carried out in-house. As part of the project, the team has installed a new kitchen for use by St Barnabas staff and volunteers.
Scott continues: “We work really closely with other departments within the hospice, and it fosters a strong sense of teamwork and collaboration.
“Seeing the positive impact of our efforts on the hospice environment can be very rewarding. It is extremely satisfying to know our work contributes to a compassionate and supportive environment for patients and their families.”