'People hear the word hospice and think it’s where you go to die – our Walsall hospice is where we go to live'

Both Nicki Titley, 43, and Karen Kelly, 70, who currently attend the Living Well Programme at Fair Oaks Day Hospice in Walsall, have been sharing their experiences of the 'kind, warm and supportive' environment it offers them.

Nicki Titley, 43, has stage 4 secondary breast cancer, while mother-of-four Karen Kelly, 70, has terminal bowel cancer, and the program's focus is to help patients live well and improve their quality of life, in any way staff can. 

Sessions run by the care team give the patients opportunities to express their worries and concerns, educate them about their illnesses and learn new skills.

For Nicki it's a place where she has found two new best friends, while Karen - who was hesitant at first - has found it gives her a chance to be social or have some quiet time when she needs it. 

Nicki explained: “I really look forward to coming here because I don’t have to keep telling my story and whatever my mood  – which ebbs and flows – it doesn’t matter. We all just get each other and understand each other.

“The staff are here for you – for good and bad times – and they’re our reassurance if we have any health concerns or worries due to our conditions. They are kind and supportive.”

Nicki said she had also found two new best friends as a result of attending Fair Oaks.

“People do think the worst when they hear about hospices. I did myself in the beginning, but they couldn’t be more wrong.

“Here, we laugh and have fun, and the Christmas events were great for us. I love that Santa made a visit - although I could not promise to be good because I’ve got a wicked sense of humour!”

Karen, whose cancer was diagnosed in August this year and has only been coming to Fair Oaks for a few weeks, said: “You do associate hospices with dying but it’s actually all about living here.

“What I like about Fair Oaks is the fact you can choose to be with others, or you can sit back and 'people watch' if you prefer – it’s set up so there’s the option to do whatever suits you.

“Sometimes, it’s not good to be alone with your thoughts and it’s lovely to see the same people each week, but there are times when I like my own company too, so there’s a good balance.

“I also like having the opportunity to try different activities.

“The staff are lovely – I call them my backup! If you’ve got a problem they support you and that’s so important when you’re dealing with cancer or other conditions.

“I had such a warm welcome here and I’d say to anyone worried about coming here that they are sure to feel the same way as me if they try it.”

Charlotte Morris, clinical team leader, added: “When palliative patients attend the Living Well Programme at Fair Oaks Day Hospice, our focus is for them to live well and improve their quality of life, in any way we can.

“We run sessions to give the patients opportunities to express their worries and concerns, educate them about their illnesses and learn new skills.

“The nurses are here for regular reviews of physical or emotional needs, and the patients are encouraged to get to know each other by taking part in diversional therapies.

“It has been such a privilege for us to celebrate Christmas with our patients this year. There has been a lot of laughing, singing and dancing – helping to lift spirits through what can be a difficult time for some.”