I’m so excited that we can finally welcome patients back into our newly refurbished Day Services at Ashgate Hospice! After months of planning, hard work, and a few setbacks along the way, we’ve created a space that not only meets the growing needs of our community but also feels welcoming, comfortable and homely. 

The project was always about one thing: improving the care and experience we provide to patients. Our aim was clear from the start – by improving the physical space, we wanted to offer specialist palliative care to more people, all while improving their overall experience. One of our top priorities was creating an environment that feels warm, welcoming, and far removed from any clinical setting, and we’re delighted with how it’s turned out. 

‘Activity and quiet time’

One of the biggest changes we’ve made is to the layout. The large, open room that used to house all our activities has now been divided into separate spaces. This means we can run multiple sessions and activities at the same time – whether it’s Tai Chi, therapeutic crafts, or support groups – without worrying about noise or distractions. The new design also helps us accommodate more people, ensuring that everyone has the space to engage in whatever activity or treatment might work for them. 

We’ve also added a quiet room for those who need a peaceful, private space. It’s already proving to be really valuable, giving people a balance between activity and quiet time.  Accessibility was another big focus for us – the kitchen is now fully accessible, allowing service users to help themselves to a drink or snack, and we’ve made sure there are more food options for those who can’t easily get to the café.  We’ve also improved toilet facilities to better support wheelchair users, including installing hoist equipment to ensure everyone can use the space with dignity and comfort. 

While we don’t have any high-tech gadgets to shout about, we’ve made some small but meaningful changes – one of the biggest hits so far is the new coffee machine! It might seem like a little thing, but being able to help yourself to a hot drink whenever you fancy makes such a difference. It adds to the homely feel and encourages a bit of independence, which is exactly what we wanted. 

Like any big project, this one didn’t come without its challenges. The hardest part was managing expectations, especially when we had to deal with delays. But our team has been incredible throughout it all, continuing to provide the best care possible even when things weren’t ideal. Their dedication and resilience have made all the difference, and we’re so grateful for their support. 

Now that the unit is open, we’re looking forward to the new opportunities it brings. The new space is more flexible, more functional and full of potential for us to develop new services and activities. I’m really looking forward to working with other teams across the hospice to create an even more holistic, service user-led experience. There’s so much we can do with this space, and this is just the beginning!