Our Summer Appeal to help fund life-changing Rehab & Wellbeing services

We have just launched our Summer Appeal, with an aim to raise £50,000 to help fund our life-changing Rehab and Wellbeing service.

Our Rehab and Wellbeing team offer a friendly and relaxed environment to support people with symptom management, maintaining skills, confidence and optimising quality of life – enabling them to live well with their diagnosis and to do the things in life that bring them joy.

Patients will initially meet with an experienced team member to explain how their condition impacts on their day-to-day life, and to discuss the things that are important to them. A holistic assessment of their current emotional, mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing is then completed, all of which feeds into an individualised treatment plan, focussing on personal goals, priorities and future wishes. From there, the team will recommend the most suitable sessions to meet their needs.

The team go above and beyond to lift spirits and give patients and their families something to smile about. Patients might see one of them pop their head around the door with a little kit to create their own cards, or delivering a pot just starting to sprout for patients to care for in their room. It is these little things that help to ease fears and create calm.

Lucy Heaps, Rehab & Wellbeing Manager, said:

"It is a privilege to support and guide the small team of therapists to deliver the palliative rehabilitation services we offer today. 

Our work gives patients and their families practical strategies to manage symptoms and the confidence to live as fully as possible. Above all, we provide the space for people to feel understood, supported, and empowered. Walking alongside members of our community at their most vulnerable moments is an honour that we never take for granted.” 
 

Gillian took part in the 'Movement Monday' classes and quickly felt the benefit

“It was a little bit scary, not knowing what I was coming into, what they were going to do with me, but that was completely quashed when I came in. It was totally different, it's very friendly. You're treated as an individual and they cater for your needs, not for your condition. They see you as a person, and you can see the progression. It's helped me learn how to move with the condition that I have, and how to stretch, how to relax after exercise, what limits I've got, and just being able to find my level of fitness.

“You also meet lots of the people during the exercises. We all have our individual exercises to do because we've all got different reasons that we're here, but we get talking to each other. It's more of a social group than “You’re doing this exercise. You're doing that exercise”. We talk about all sorts of things, it’s been great. So have a look, talk to them first if you're worried - but definitely go for it.”

The team welcomes outpatients onto their courses, with referrals made from a GP or other health practitioner. Many people also self-refer once they have a diagnosis of a life-limiting condition. There are five sessions a week, with a maximum group of six to ensure everyone feels personally seen and supported:

• Movement Monday: Offering individualised exercise programmes, including exercises that can be done at home.
• Wellbeing through Nature: A seasonal group designed to promote quality of life and wellbeing through nature related activities. These might include planting seeds, potting on plants or simply taking a walk in the beautiful Hospice garden. People benefit from the social interaction, improved strength and balance and increased dexterity.
• Education on Falls Prevention, Breathlessness and Fatigue: Self-management education sessions run by our Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists, providing advice and guidance on falls prevention, techniques on managing symptoms such as fatigue and breathlessness.
• Strength and Balance: Focusses on lower limb muscle strength along with exercises to enhance balance.
• Neuro Support Group: Space and time designated to our community members living with advanced neurological conditions, such as Motor Neurone Disease. It includes a range of bespoke exercises designed to help maintain strength and range of movement. 

In 2025 the Rehab and Wellbeing team welcomed 2279 people through their sessions, and 96% were discharged having successfully completed their course.

It costs £162,726 to run the Rehab and Wellbeing service for a year. Specific costs include:

• £57 for a session with the team 

• £129 for a Physiotherapist for a day  

• £445 to run the Rehab and Wellbeing service for a day. 

Donate to our Summer Appeal today

If you would like to support the Rehab and Wellbeing Team with helping people live well, please donate to our Summer Appeal.