Staff at St Clare Hospice in Essex share how they will be working over the festive period to make Christmas as special as possible for patients and their families. The charity will be operating their vital care services as usual across the Christmas period, including their Inpatient Unit, Hospice at Home, and Community services.  Sonia Haigh, Hospice at Home Manager explains: “St Clare will continue to deliver all of its vital care services in the community over the festive period, supporting people and families to have the best Christmas possible in their own homes. It’s particularly busy for the Hospice at Home team at this time – as people are being discharged from hospitals and everybody wants to make sure that they are at home for Christmas. That’s where we step in to make sure people are comfortable and supported.” Inpatient Unit Manager Lynne Hooper will be working on-call on Christmas Day this year.  She says: “The atmosphere on the Inpatient Unit during Christmas is always so warm and festive – the feeling of love and togetherness that you get is just so moving. In the lead-up to Christmas, we serve mince pies and mulled wine to all our patients and their families, and even have a carol singing afternoon with the Bishop’s Stortford Woodwind Band. “The team is like one big family here on the Unit, so it’s lovely to spend Christmas with them when we come into work. It’s also so rewarding being there for those who are staying with us this Christmas, at a time when they need us most. Everyone is so grateful for our help all year round – but even more so at Christmas. It’s an honour!” Kim Oliver, Housekeeper within St Clare Hospice’s Facilities team, adds: “Our team works all over the Christmas period, whether they are on call or in the Hospice. There is such a lovely atmosphere at St Clare during Christmas – all the staff are excited, with lots of beautiful Christmas trees and decorations. My dad passed away at St Clare 14 years ago, so St Clare means the world to me, and I love working here. A lot of people I know often say that they don’t know how I could work here as it must be so sad – and it sometimes is, but it is also such a beautiful place to be, especially at Christmas!” For more information visit St Clare Hospice