Peter and his wife Debbie are spending their afternoons side by side, working on a puzzle in their room on the ward. It’s become one of their favourite ways to spend time together. Nurses drop in to check on Peter’s comfort, for a chat, and sometimes to help find the next puzzle piece.
Just a few months ago, Peter had been well enough to paint his entire house. Since then, he’s become unwell due to an asbestos-related illness, and things have changed quickly for them both.
“I want to go to the Hospice,” Peter said to Debbie during a long 10-hour wait in A&E. Debbie gently tried to manage his expectations, in case a bed at the hospice wouldn’t become available.
“St Raphael’s immediately reached out to us,” Debbie says. “They offered support at home and were always on the other end of the phone. We were so relieved when a bed became available.”
Since coming in, they’ve found their own rhythm. Peter sometimes feels a bit claustrophobic, so they make the most of the Orangery and, when he’s feeling up to it, the hospice gardens. Friends and family visit often, along with their two dogs, bringing plenty of familiar comfort.
They’ve also spent time in the Wellbeing Centre, where they discovered a shared love of puzzles – now an enjoyable and familiar part of their day.
For Peter and Debbie, it’s these small, steady moments – a puzzle, a chat, a visit – that are helping make each day feel a little easier.
“This Hospice is a joy,” Debbie says. “There is so much care, kindness and dignity from all corners.”