How Wellbeing Services Facilitator Maureen helps people find connection, comfort and confidence at St Raphael’s Hospice
When Maureen’s mother was admitted to St Raphael’s Hospice, she never imagined it would change the course of her own life.
Her mother, in her nineties and full of energy, had always embraced life.
“She was dancing to Stevie Wonder and keeping active while many of her friends were using walking frames,” Maureen recalls with a smile. “Then, very suddenly, she became ill. She was admitted to the hospice in September and died in October.”
During that time, Maureen chose to stay by her mother’s side, sleeping in her room and spending her days getting to know the hospice community.
What she discovered challenged everything she thought she knew about hospice care.
“It didn’t feel like a scary place,” she says. “People were talking, families were gathering in the gardens, and there was life everywhere. Everything around us felt alive. It was warm, welcoming and full of kindness.”
Today, Maureen has come full circle. As a Wellbeing Services Facilitator at St Raphael’s Hospice, she now helps others experience that same sense of comfort, connection and belonging.
Creating Spaces Where People Can Simply Be Themselves
Maureen is part of the Wellbeing Centre team, which runs three days a week, offering activities, talks and support that help people live well despite the challenges they may be facing.
Her days are varied, from coordinating speakers and preparing sessions to supporting attendees and creating welcoming spaces where people feel safe and valued.
On Tuesdays, patients and carers can take part in music appreciation and art activities. Wednesdays focus on “Living Well Talks”, with guest speakers covering a range of topics that support wellbeing.
“We’ve welcomed people from Sutton Community Farm, financial advisers, stroke survivors and complementary therapists,” Maureen explains. “It’s about reminding people that support exists in many different forms and helping them connect with the world around them.”
The Wellbeing Centre also offers gardening activities, walks and occasional outings, recognising that wellbeing looks different for everyone.
“For some people, just coming here allows them to be themselves,” she says. “Many are isolated or living with health conditions, and having somewhere safe and welcoming can make all the difference.”
Supporting the Whole Family
For Maureen, hospice care is never just about the patient.
Drawing on her own experience as a carer for her mother, she understands how important it is to support families and loved ones too.
“Sometimes people forget about the carers,” she says. “The patient is being looked after, but the people around them need support as well.”
Whether it’s offering a complementary therapy session, a listening ear or simply a cup of tea in a familiar environment, the Wellbeing Centre provides a place where people can take a moment for themselves.
“You don’t have to explain anything here,” Maureen explains. “You can come in, sit quietly and know that your loved one is safe, and that you’re safe too.”
Making the Invisible Visible
One of Maureen’s greatest passions is helping people find their voice.
“I’m always advocating for the invisible to become visible,” she says.
She has seen people arrive feeling quiet, withdrawn or uncertain, only to gradually gain confidence through regular visits and shared conversations.
Recently, during an informal group session with no planned speaker, attendees simply sat together and talked.
Some shared stories of loss and trauma. Others laughed about memories and everyday life.
“I’ve watched people who would usually sit quietly in the corner begin to open up,” Maureen says. “The space gives them the confidence to tell their stories and be seen as whole people.”
For Maureen, patience and acceptance are key.
“It might take time, but everyone deserves the chance to feel heard.”
“The Wellbeing Centre Saved My Life”
The impact of the service is something Maureen witnesses every day.
Some attendees describe the Wellbeing Centre as an extension of their home. Others say it has given them a lifeline during periods of grief and isolation.
One piece of feedback, however, has stayed with her above all others.
“Someone told us that this place saved their life,” she says.
Another regular attendee once told her:
“‘This is my home. Where else would I be?'”
For many people, the Wellbeing Centre offers something unique – a place outside family and everyday responsibilities where they can express whatever they are feeling without fear of judgement.
“You can cry, shout or just sit quietly,” Maureen says. “Every emotion is welcome here, and people still feel safe and supported.”
Learning to Live Fully
While the role brings many rewards, Maureen acknowledges that it can also be challenging.
Watching people experience rapid physical decline is never easy.
Yet, even in those moments, she finds inspiration.
“I remember someone coming to the Wellbeing Centre on a Thursday who sadly died that Sunday,” she recalls. “But he was determined to keep living right until the very end.”
That determination has become one of her greatest motivations.
“People may be physically unwell, but their spirit and desire to live are still incredibly strong. It reminds you to appreciate the gift of life and to make the most of every moment.”
What Makes St Raphael’s Special
For Maureen, St Raphael’s Hospice will always hold a deeply personal meaning.
“My mum introduced me to this space,” she says. “But what I’ve found here has gone far beyond that.”
Her background in bereavement support, funeral mentoring and community work has always centred on helping others, particularly within diverse and faith communities.
At St Raphael’s, she feels she has found a place where those values can flourish.
“I’ve always wanted to make a positive difference in people’s lives,” she reflects. “This space has allowed me to do that.”
What began as a personal connection has grown into something much bigger.
“Everybody I meet here becomes personal to me. They become part of the family.”
At St Raphael’s Hospice, Maureen’s story is a powerful reminder that wellbeing is about far more than activities or services. It’s about creating spaces where people feel seen, supported and able to live well, whatever challenges they may be facing.
Find out more about our Wellbeing Centre and the support available: www.straphaels.org.uk