Those helped by Waterlooville hospice say '˜what the Rowans means to me'

- John's wife Rosemary was initially admitted to the Rowans Hospice in March 2017 '“ she died in June 2017, with her family by her side.

John said: '˜The whole atmosphere and attitude is open and friendly, you feel as though you were among friends and a positive and reassuring ethos prevails throughout.

'˜My family and I are so grateful to the brilliant staff and volunteers who together make up the Rowans, for their expertise and caring professionalism.

'˜It is a very special place '“ we must look after it and be aware of the wonderful work they do. A huge thank you goes to each and every one.'

 

- Gill McQuillan's husband was cared for by the Rowans both within the hospice and at home.

She said: '˜When I think about the support that we had from the Rowans, I can only describe it as a Godsend.

'˜They made the last two weeks of John's life more bearable, and their compassion and constant care allowed us to be a family again, and the memories of that time are very special.

'˜John had two main fears '“ one being in pain and the second being a burden.

'˜The Hospice at Home team took those fears away and I will always be grateful to them for that.'

 

- Skye Daniels is a member of the Rowans Meerkat Service. Here she talks about her grandmother, who died in 2016.

'˜I first came to the Rowans when my nanny Vicki was diagnosed with her fourth cancer in her lifetime '“ pancreatic cancer.

'˜This was devastating but what was even more devastating was being told by the hospital it had spread too far, and there was nothing they could do.

'˜She was brought into the Rowans Hospice to have a comfortable end of her life and this is when I started to have counselling sessions with a super-kind lady called Sarah.

'˜She really helped me and now I am doing everything I can do in return to help everyone at the hospice.

'˜I now go to sponsored walks to raise money, parties, photoshoots, everything that is to do with the Rowans Hospice.'

 

- Nicki Flemming has started fundraising for the Rowans.

She says: '˜Me and my family are walking in memory of someone who was a dad, granddad, great-granddad and husband. 

'˜My granddad suddenly passed away in December 2017, so we did a sponsored walk in memory of him and for the fantastic care he received from the Rowans. He was an in-patient and the care was marvellous, from all the doctors, nurses and everyone there.

'˜It is not just the support they all give to the patients, it's the support they give to the families as well.

'˜It is just amazing. Unless you have experienced it you have no idea how good it is.

'˜We all slept there and felt so welcome to do so. We were able to be a family again and not carers.

'˜My granddad knew he was in the best hands and being cared for by the best people until the end.'