How struggling Staffordshire hospice provides crucial support
Those who have been unfortunate enough to have to rely on the services offered by Katharine House Hospice couldn't be clearer about how much it means and the difference it makes.
Like hospices up and down the country, the Stafford facility provides invaluable support at a terribly difficult time for patients and their families.
As patient Jeffrey Bennett says, you hope you never need them but if you do you'll be glad they are there.
The 63-year-old was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the end of last year and the incurable illness has begun to take its toll on him. He attends Katharine House once a week, when possible given the Covid restrictions.
Mr Bennett said he could not comprehend a world where the hospice no longer existed. Without it, he says, he would have nothing.
Earlier this month bosses launched an urgent public appeal to raise £1 million in order to secure its long-term future due to the impact of the pandemic.
They need the cash by January in order to develop a more sustainable business model for next year and say the hospice cannot continue to operate as it is.
Coronavirus means numbers using its shops around the region have plummeted, while fundraising events have also been axed, denying the charity crucial cash.
It's clear when Mr Bennett is asked what is so special about Katharine House that camaraderie is key - a feeling of being amongst others who are in the same boat, as well as being able to call on a dedicated team offering focused support.
The former advertising manager, from Stoke, said: "You can go somewhere to talk to people who understand you, who don't have any preconceptions about illness.
"Some people just don't like talking to people who have got an illness. Here, there isn't a problem. You can talk to a wide range of people and you can get support.
"You get to see people. I very rarely go out any more, because it's difficult, so getting to meet people..."
Mr Bennett becomes more animated when asked his views on how hospices should be funded. Like many others, he believes hospices should be Government funded to ensure they never find themselves in the position Katharine House does.
He said: "If this was to go for me now I'd have nothing. Nothing at all. And that's sad. When you need the service the most it's not going to be there.
"This is an essential service for people who are terminally ill or very ill and can get together and see somebody when you need it most, not the end of the phone or doing a Zoom meeting with a doctor.
"You need someone to talk to you, spend some time with you, give you some guidance on how you overcome some of these things.
"It's like when you got to a football match. You don't necessarily go for the football, you go to meet your mates, have a chat and have a drink afterwards which is more important than the match. Same as here. Forget about the illness, look at the support you get while you're there."
It's a view shared Penny Hubbard, from Stafford, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2017.
The 73-year-old grandmother-of-six said: "They were my saviours, they were absolutely amazing, it's the most wonderful place and we can't let it go.
"I had major surgery and about 24 hours after I went into deep shock, the anxiety and shock caused me to have PTSD, I'd never suffered with it before.
"My lovely daughter rang Katharine House to see if they could give her an idea of where to go for counselling, they immediately stepped in and asked me if I'd like to go in so give me and my husband some respite.
"I've got so many friends there, the nurses and doctors are my friends, I walked out of there sane after two weeks.
"I've been back at least four times over 18 months because when I have chemo I can pick up any infection, but they rescue me and get my temperature down.
"There's a misconception that hospices are just for dying people, that is not true, they take care of people who are very poorly but have a chance of survival."
To donate, visit justgiving.com/campaign/savekhhospice or log on to khhospice.org.uk and click the link
