Keighley Resident Finds New Lease on Life Through Hospice Support
A Keighley woman has publicly shared her transformative journey with the Day Services team at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, detailing how their support helped her rebuild confidence, manage debilitating symptoms, and reconnect with others after years of isolation.
Years of Struggle with Severe Lung Conditions
For three years, Jo Paul's life was dominated by the exhausting and breathless reality of living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and asthma. These progressive conditions left her increasingly isolated, rarely venturing from her home and watching her self-assurance steadily diminish. "They gave me four years at the time, and I have gradually gone downhill," Jo recounted, describing a period where she felt completely cut off from the world.
"I didn't really go out, and I didn't want to engage because my breathing was quite bad," she explained. "I'm on oxygen now, so I didn't leave the house much at all, and I didn't have much contact with people." This profound isolation persisted until her referral to Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in April 2025, a moment she now identifies as the beginning of a life-changing chapter.
Personalised Care That Exceeded Expectations
Despite initial anxiety about her first visit, Jo was immediately put at ease by the hospice team's meticulous and personalised approach. "They arranged a volunteer driver to pick me up, they called beforehand to introduce themselves, and they even checked my dietary requirements," she said. "I can't eat dairy, and when I arrived they offered me coffee with oat milk. Everything was so personalised. The staff were excellent – they couldn't do enough for me."
Jo began participating in the hospice's six-week Breathe Better programme and also joined the Creative Therapy Group, facilitated by the Occupational Therapy and Day Services teams. It was here that she received comprehensive support for multiple overlapping challenges. "I was having problems with my dad, who has dementia, and I was struggling with the menopause which was affecting my breathing," Jo revealed.
Holistic Support Addressing Multiple Needs
Sue Ryder Nurse Belinda provided dedicated, one-on-one attention that made a tangible difference. "Belinda sat with me for half an hour and told me to talk through everything that was affecting me," Jo recalled. "Over a few weeks she managed to sort it all out – she spoke to social services about my dad, arranged for a menopause clinic, and organised for the occupational therapist to visit me at home. I got a perching stool for the kitchen and a handrail in the bathroom."
The support extended beyond scheduled appointments. "One week I was really low, and Belinda arranged for someone to call me when I got home. It was just above and beyond," Jo emphasised, highlighting the team's commitment to emotional as well as physical wellbeing.
Educational and Social Benefits of Programme Participation
The Breathe Better programme equipped Jo with valuable knowledge about her conditions. "I learned so much about fatigue and COPD – things I didn't know," she said. "One week they did complementary therapy and I learned about massage, reiki, acupuncture and reflexology. It was really interesting."
Now attending the hospice's Living Well programme, Jo credits the support with fundamentally transforming her daily experience. She particularly values the social connections forged through the hospice. "I do miss the social side of work. I used to meet a lot of people through my job," she noted. "I've met quite a few people through the courses at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice and it's nice to talk about symptoms and situations with people in a similar position. It's about sharing experiences. Before I went to Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, I felt alone – but I don't now."
Hospice Philosophy: Early Support for Living Well
Bridget Robinson, Community Day Services Clinical Team Lead at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, says Jo's experience perfectly illustrates the service's core mission. "Our Day Services are here for anyone living with a progressive life-limiting condition who wants to feel more confident, connected and in control," Robinson stated. "It's about early support, not just end-of-life care. When people join us sooner, we often see a real shift in physical wellbeing, emotional resilience and independence."
The Community Day Services at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice operate three days each week from their Oxenhope location near Keighley, providing tailored, inclusive support delivered by specialist clinical teams and trained volunteers. This model of care focuses on enhancing quality of life through a combination of clinical management, practical assistance, therapeutic activities, and vital social connection.
