Volunteers give hospice quiet room a fresh new look

The team of three volunteers, including Sue Ryder Ampthill Road shop manager Jane Todd and assistant shop manager Emma Halasz, was inspired to help after a visit to the hospice to see the care that the shop’s income helps fund.

Jane and Emma, along with Emma’s husband Paul, decided to help out by decorating its quiet room, a comforting space for families to take time out from the wards.

A number of local businesses and individuals donated paint, furniture and textiles and the team carried out the redecoration over a weekend to give the room a fresh new look.

The redecoration of this important room has been well-received by families and staff alike, with several families making use of the space since.

Jane said: “After I visited the hospice back in November I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about how I could help, and so I thought it would be nice to offer to ‘do up’ the quiet room. I set out on a mission, and we set up an appeal. Everyone was so generous locally that very soon we had paint, chairs, pictures and curtains donated! I know how it feels to receive bad news, and I wanted to make sure that families using the hospice had somewhere nice to sit and reflect on what’s going on in their lives.”

Mike Coward, Sue Ryder, centre director said: “We’re immensely grateful at Sue Ryder, St John’s to Jane, Emma and Paul for their efforts to redecorate our quiet room, and to local businesses and individuals who kindly donated DIY goods and homewares to make this possible. The result is a wonderfully relaxing room that families will cherish, where they can come for a moment of privacy and quiet at what can be a difficult time.”

St John’s will hold its Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 15, and is calling for chocolate egg donations. Contact [email protected] for more information.