Patients and clients visiting Treetops Hospice last week were welcomed with a home-cooked three-course Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, and special screenings of the virtual staff pantomime.
With the hospice unable to welcome patients on site last Christmas due to the pandemic, Treetops staff and volunteers are keen to make this year extra special. Visitors to the Risley-based hospice will be greeted with festive decorations and lights and will hear Christmas tunes playing softly in the background.
The hospice kitchen is cooking over 50 Christmas dinners throughout the week – with turkey, roast potatoes and all the trimmings – to serve to those who have received care and support over the last twelve months.
Staff have also spent several months planning and pre-recording their annual pantomime, Peter Pan, ready to screen to guests. The show includes a comedy cameo by Tim Pollard, the Official Robin Hood of Nottinghamshire.
Ali Jordan, Deputy Wellbeing Manager at Treetops, said: “After another tough year, we’re so pleased to be able to welcome small groups of patients back onto our site to enjoy Christmas with us.
“Christmas has always been a special time in the Treetops calendar and it’s wonderful to be able to treat everyone to a delicious meal, festive crackers and to screen our pantomime.
“Last year’s virtual pantomime brought a lot of joy and laughter to our patients, volunteers and staff. Once again, we had to film everything in front of our handmade blue screen and under rather chilly conditions at the hospice – with the doors and windows to our Wellbeing Space being wide open – but the show must go on!
“For those who can’t come here due to their vulnerable conditions, we are making sure they can watch the pantomime from the comfort of their own homes.
“We are really looking forward to greeting people once again and wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy New Year.”
About Treetops Hospice
Treetops Hospice, the leading end-of-life care charity in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, and their families.
The charity provides support from diagnosis onwards for patients with conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease and heart and respiratory conditions.
Founded in 1983, Treetops supports thousands of local people – and their families – through the most difficult time of their lives. Our team of over 40 Hospice at Home nurses provided over 23,800 hours of care to terminally-ill patients last year, working day and night to give much-needed support.
We have a team of bereavement counsellors who provide over 4,000 counselling sessions – over 900 of them to children and young people. Wellbeing team members provide valuable information and support to those who need it, while our experts in end-of life care and bereavement support dedicate many hours to training NHS staff about death and dying.
Treetops are lucky to have over 450 amazing volunteers who help to keep the hospice running smoothly.
It costs £4.2m each year to run the hospice. A counselling session for a bereaved child costs £34. An overnight Hospice at Home nursing shift for a patient at the end of life costs £108.
Treetops is doing all it can to continue to support those in most need and welcomes donations to ensure the future of the hospice and its services: www.treetopshospice.org.uk/donate
Treetops Hospice, Derby Road, Risley, Derbyshire, DE72 3SS
Registered Charity Number 519540
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