Looking good in our newly renovated Wellbeing Centre lounge

Hospice volunteer of over 42 years, Jane Mansell, was delighted to cut the ribbon at the opening of our recently refreshed and refurbished Wellbeing Centre lounge.

The first group of patients to test drive the new furnishings and fittings were from our Friday coffee morning, baking and craft groups and they were all mightily impressed.

Of course, the atmosphere in the room, except when relaxation sessions are taking place, is always lively and it’s the people in attendance, patients and our brilliant staff and volunteers, that make it so, but it had been mooted for some time that the lounge was ready for modernisation.

So, the timing of the award of extra government funding at the end of last year for hospices to help with various projects including revitalising buildings, equipment, and infrastructure was very welcome.

Previously the room had looked a little clinical with oxygen adaptors being visible around the room. Now these vital connections are hidden behind easily detachable photographs depicting calming scenes from around our Wirral peninsular.

The walls have floor to ceiling panelling and are covered with a relaxing blue paint, DeNimes its official name, which is described as ‘a quietly elegant blue which feels wonderfully down to earth.’ Perfect!

The ceiling has two wonderful skylight effect panels in which the lighting can be dimmed or lightened to reflect the mood that may be necessary for various wellbeing course sessions.

There are also integral ceiling lights, all the colours of the rainbow are possible, which can also be changed to match the required ambience.

A totally new kitchen area which can double as a space for occupational therapists to work with patients while also, most importantly, a place where a nice cuppa can be made and where there’s plenty of room to display cakes and biscuits.

Everything, including the wood effect vinyl flooring, is designed so that it can be easily wiped down every session, helping our diligent domestic team to maintain the very highest standards of cleanliness.

Wirral Hospice’s Wellbeing Centre upgrade is the first in a number of developments that will see works completed over the next several months on inpatients ward visiting facilities, main reception, the community Hub Café as well as the fitting of money saving solar panels on roof space.

On declaring the new Wellbeing Centre lounge officially opened, long standing volunteer, Jane, joined by our community services manager, Joanne Guerrero, was able to reflect on over 40 years of changes she had seen taking place at Wirral Hospice St John’s,

“This wonderfully refurbished Wellbeing Centre is just the latest of many developments I’ve seen taking place at our cherished hospice over my long time here.

What I’m always struck by is how much the comfort and welfare of patients is central to the planning of all the infrastructure.

It’s an honour to represent the more than 400 volunteers who support the hospice here and around our Wirral community and I’m looking forward personally to helping out in the space for many more years ahead.”

Joanne added,

“We must thank the government for the extra funding which has made such a project possible and also Keystone Contracts who have brought the vision to reality.

The new furniture and welcoming surroundings were chosen and designed wholly with our patients in mind and those who have attended today have given us their full endorsement for a job well done.

We can now operate all of our wellbeing courses in an even more welcoming and comfortable environment.

We’re also always extremely grateful to our whole Wirral community, individuals and organisations, for the support they give year round, to maintaining our hospice services.”