Barbara Kelly, a dedicated volunteer at the Moya Cole Hospice in Heald Green, recently toured the new facility and was immediately struck by its thoughtful design. "Clean, warm, everything being so well thought out," she remarked, expressing her initial impressions. Barbara has been volunteering in the hospice's coffee shop since her husband Brian passed away there, and she experienced firsthand the care he received. While grateful for that support, she believes the new environment will make a "great deal" of difference for future patients and their families.
Enhanced Features and Privacy
One of Barbara's favorite aspects is the garden access. "I like the gardens," she said. "My main reason for liking the new hospice is the fact that you can wheel the beds out, in the summer, onto the patio. Fantastic, they're not just sitting in a room. They can walk out, they can go in a wheelchair, it's absolutely fantastic." She also noted the increased privacy the building offers, stating, "This building offers so much privacy... I think it is fantastic, now that I have seen it."
Attention to Detail
Barbara was impressed by even the minor details, such as oxygen being piped directly into rooms instead of requiring staff to wheel in barrels. She joked about the number of toilets, saying she had never seen so many in her life. The hospice has been conducting orientation tours for staff and volunteers as they approach the opening date, which is set for the end of spring this year.
Volunteer Motivation and Community Impact
Having volunteered for ten years, Barbara shared her deep connection to the hospice. "From my own experience, when Brian was in, I would go in there and have a coffee and talk to the volunteer. It was somebody to talk to," she explained. "That's what myself and my friend Pauling who also worked in there felt, a place to relax. Relatives who come to the hospice love that coffee shop. You could go and give the relatives a hug if they wanted it. I loved working in there."
Her drive to volunteer stems from the exceptional care Brian received. "My drive for wanting to work in there was how the staff were for Brian. They were absolutely fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble. This building will be so much easier for the staff. I wanted to volunteer almost the day after he died... Purely to give back for what the staff had given to Brian, and to me. They don't just look after the patient, you're looked after as well," Barbara emphasized.
Hospice Services and Outreach
Moya Cole Hospice provides holistic care to patients with life-limiting illnesses, including inpatient care, day therapy, and supportive outpatient services from its sites in Heald Green, Stockport, and Little Hulton, Salford. The teams also offer community and outreach services, such as Hospice at Home in Salford and Trafford, a Community Specialist Palliative Care Team in Salford, and a homelessness palliative care service in Manchester. A 24-hour telephone advice line is available for patients, carers, and healthcare professionals across Salford, Manchester, Trafford, and Stockport.
Work on the new hospice is still underway but remains on track for its scheduled opening, promising enhanced facilities and continued compassionate care for the community.
