St Barnabas Hospice is currently building their flagship Wellbeing Hub in Boston, thanks to a generous legacy gift left by a supporter. They are appealing for support from the public to help finish the build this year.
Before the pandemic, the Boston Clinical team at St Barnabas Hospice operated from an aging bungalow which was much loved but had become increasingly run down and didn’t offer the environment needed for staff and patients.
In 2019 a local philanthropist, Stefan Novak, left a legacy gift to be spent on caring for those in the south of Lincolnshire, and this money has been able to fund around half of the build. After receiving additional funding, St Barnabas Hospice now needs help to raise the final 25% of costs, totaling £234,250.
Stefan Novak’s friend, Helen Anastassiou said, “Stefan met his wife Lynn when she was working as an air hostess – and they immediately became inseparable, the most loving couple you could ever have met. When she was diagnosed with cancer in the early 2000s it was devastating – but Stefan remained by her side until her final moments, spent in their local hospice located a few miles from Gatwick airport.
“After Lynn’s death Stefan returned home to Lincolnshire and I knew from long hours talking to him how moved he had been by the exceptional hospice care Lynn had received. I was proud to remain his friend through to Stefan’s final days – but I was amazed to learn of the incredible gift he left in his will to St Barnabas. Stefan wanted as many others as possible to know the same compassionate care Lynn and he received when they really needed it – and I am so proud that his gift has made this new Hospice Wellbeing Hub possible. It is a fitting tribute to such a wonderful man.”
The new building will be named Novak House in honour of Stefan and will be a safe and welcoming space where the people of South Lincolnshire can receive the best care and support from specialists. The final 25% of funds raised will go towards the following rooms:
Treatment and therapy rooms
These dedicated rooms will allow us to provide a range of treatments and therapies in a private, well-equipped space.
Garden room
This multi-functional space will overlook a beautiful garden and can be used for a range of activities including therapy groups, exercise sessions, counselling, social events and more.
Rosie’s: our new lounge and kitchen
Rosie’s will be the vibrant heart of our new building, named in memory of our cherished colleague, Rosie Wood who sadly died from coronavirus. Her memory will live on in our lounge and kitchen, making it a social space for staff, volunteers, patients and family members.
Sheena Ambler, Senior Clinical Services Manager at St Barnabas Hospice said, “Last year we were involved in the care of 1,232 patients in the Boston and Spalding area, which shows a real need for more support locally. The money raised to finish building Novak House really will make a huge difference to so many lives locally, and we can’t wait to welcome people from the community inside to see it finished.”
To find out more information or make a donation towards the build, visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/bostonappeal