Paul’s wife, Sharon, was cared for in the Inpatient Unit at the hospice in October 2021, after being diagnosed with gallbladder cancer. Paul now accesses our bereavement support services to help him navigate through life without Sharon. Here, Paul shares their story.
The right place, at the right time
“Sharon was a wonderful person, very caring and always had time for everyone. She was initially being cared for at The Christie, when the decision was made that it was best for her to be moved to the Inpatient Unit at the hospice. It was the best decision at the time, because if she had moved back home at that point, I wouldn’t have been able to give her the treatment she needed.
“We felt incredibly supported throughout the week Sharon was at the hospice, and nothing was ever too much trouble. All the staff were fantastic, and I was even able to bring our dog in and stay with Sharon overnight.”
Accessing support
“A year after Sharon passed away, I began one-to-one counselling sessions with Lindsey at the hospice. They were incredibly helpful, and she encouraged me to start attending some of the group bereavement support sessions – in particular the Bereavement Coffee Morning.
“I still attend these sessions to this day. A lot of people are able to get on with their lives after losing a loved one, but that wasn’t possible for me. The sessions feel like an outlet; spending time with and speaking to individuals who have been through similar situations has been very useful and valuable to me.”
Giving back
“I have been a shop volunteer at the hospice shop in Shevington for three years and it is a role I absolutely love. I started volunteering to give something back to the hospice after the care and support they gave to me and Sharon.
“We have so many regular customers, and the team at the shop is brilliant. I really look forward to my weekly shift.”
The first step is the challenge
“The Bereavement Coffee Mornings may not appeal to people initially because they might think you need to stand up and say a speech about your experience and how you are feeling. People are afraid of the unknown, but that’s simply not the case.
“Some people attend and don’t speak throughout the entire session. But it’s very enabling to hear others discuss their thoughts and feelings after going through a similar situation to your own.
“The first step is always the challenge – but I would recommend the sessions to anyone.”
Published October 2025