A new awareness campaign from Hospice in the Weald is celebrating the individuality of the incredible people it supports, emphasising that a diagnosis doesn’t need to define who you are.
Showcasing the unique stories and voices of real people who access the Hospice’s support, the ‘I’m Still Me’ campaign highlights how a personalised approach to hospice care can help individuals to live well, stay connected and remain themselves.
Among those featured is Ella, who was cared for at the Hospice before her death in 2024, aged just 39. Sharing her experience at the time, Ella said: “The support of the Hospice has allowed me to do the things I enjoy again. My husband, Stewart, and I have been able to spend quality time together and do normal things that you take for granted. I have always enjoyed exercise, and even though I am at the Hospice now, I can still do yoga.”
Ella knew she wouldn’t get to celebrate her 40th birthday but thanks to pain management and symptom control support from the Hospice’s dedicated team, she was even able to plan her own festival, ‘Ella Fest’, which she enjoyed with family and friends. A striking image of Ella taken at the special celebrations is used in the campaign.
“The team at the Hospice really listened to Ella and made time to understand what she liked,” said Maurice, Ella’s father. “We are grateful to the Hospice for all they did for our wonderful daughter and for us as a family. We know she would be so proud to raise awareness through this campaign so that others can benefit from the same compassionate care and celebrate what’s important to them, no matter the diagnosis.”
Other stars of the campaign include Sarah, who has discovered a passion for pottery through the Hospice’s Living Well programme, and Emma, with her four-year-old daughter Ophelia, who says the support received from the Hospice’s specialist Children’s team has been ‘life changing’.
The campaign is being promoted on billboards, in local media and as part of a digital campaign, throughout west Kent and East Sussex until the end of August.
Dr Steve Beaumont, Chief Clinical Officer at Hospice in the Weald, said:
“‘I’m Still Me’ celebrates the uniqueness of every individual who accesses the Hospice’s support. Too many people still associate hospices with only the very end of life, so this campaign aims to help our community understand that our personalised care starts long before then.
There’s no better way to convey this by hearing it from those who access our services, and we are indebted to the incredible individuals and their families who have so generously shared their experiences to help others.”
Find out more about the campaign at the I’m Still Me page on the Hospice’s website.
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Hospice in the Weald provides free care and support across west Kent and East Sussex for adults and children facing life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. For more information visitwww.hospiceintheweald.org.uk
Images:
Ella is among those featured in the Hospice’s ‘I’m Still Me’ campaign – billboard at Tonbridge Station
Happy memories: Ella with her parents
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