Month: February 2025

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College students get creative to support hospice care

We’re thrilled that the Aspirations group at Tameside College has chosen Willow Wood Hospice as their charity for an exciting enterprise competition.

Using offcuts from the college woodshop, they have made stamps from scratch and used them to print unique designs on tote bags, pencil cases and badges.

Their goal is to raise at least £200 for our Hospice while showcasing their creativity and business skills – as part of their entry into a Manchester wide business challenge.

They kicked off their fundraising with a fantastic hands-on workshop at the Beaufort Road Food Hub, where people could buy pre-made items or print their own designs—it was so much fun!

We also hosted a pop-up shop in our reception, selling their amazing creations, with all proceeds going directly to Willow Wood.

The competition runs until Friday 28th February. They will present their idea to the judging panel and the winner will be announced on 11th March.

A huge thank you to Becky Holmes, the teacher leading this project, and to the students for their incredible effort.

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LISTEN: Sam Duncan on BBC Radio Manchester

Our Director of Fundraising and Communications, Sam Duncan, appeared on BBC Radio Manchester on Thursday morning (20th February). 

Sam spoke to Breakfast show host Joe McGrath about Willow Wood Hospice and our Creme Egg Appeal as part of our Bunny Hop campaign.

Listen to the interview in full by clicking the play button below:

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New bereavement support for people who have lost loved ones at Willow Wood

Willow Wood is launching two new groups aimed at bereaved people grieving for loved ones who have received care at the Hospice.

The Sunflowers Support Group is designed specifically for children aged eight to 13 years old, offering age-appropriate activities and gentle guidance to help them understand and express their grief.

They must be comfortable in a small group with other young people; be demonstrating a struggle in their grief where a parent/guardian/carer is noticing adverse changes to their behaviours or usual routines; be able to attend all six proposed dates.

The group – led by a qualified Counsellor – will run for six weekly sessions on Mondays at the Hospice, from 4pm to 5.30pm, starting on 24th February and ending on 31st March.

To express interest in a child attending the group, visit https://willowwood.org.uk/sunflowers-support-group/ to fill out a simple form and the Hospice’s Family Support team will be in touch with more details.

A new drop-in is also starting to support bereaved family members and those closest to someone who was cared for through any service at Willow Wood.

The Bereavement Support Hub gives people the opportunity to connect with the Hospice’s Family Support team for reassurance, guidance, information and signposting, as well as to self-refer to Counselling, future groups or spiritual support.

There will be quarterly drop-in sessions at the Hospice from 9.30am to 11am on the following Tuesdays this year: 25th February, 27th May, 26th August, and 2nd December.

Anyone interested in attending can express their interest by going to https://willowwood.org.uk/bereavement-support-hub/

The Hospice is based on Willow Wood Close, off Mellor Road, in Ashton-under-Lyne (postcode OL6 6SL).

Bethan Creighton, Family Support Lead and Senior Family Support Counsellor at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “Grief can be an overwhelming and isolating experience, especially for children and families who have lost a loved one.

“At Willow Wood, we want to provide a safe and supportive space where people can express their emotions, connect with others who understand, and find the guidance they need.

“Our new bereavement support offers that opportunity to those whose loved one was cared for at the Hospice, ensuring nobody has to navigate their grief alone.”

PICTURED: Bethan Creighton, Family Support Lead and Senior Family Support Counsellor, in the Hospice gardens.

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Help Willow Wood crack Creme Egg target

Willow Wood Hospice is appealing for donations of Creme Eggs to reward local children taking part in its Bunny Hop Easter fundraiser.

Last year, a w-hopping 7,000 bunnies took a leap of love, raising nearly £49,000 by donning bunny ears to hop, skip and jump around playgrounds, halls and parks across Tameside and Glossop.

The Hospice is looking for individuals, groups and companies who can donate as many Creme Eggs as they can, to help reach the target of 8,000.

The chocolate treats can be dropped off at the Hospice reception on Willow Wood Close, off Mellor Road in Ashton-under-Lyne (postcode OL6 6SL), or at any of the Hospice’s charity shops. A full list of locations can be found at https://willowwood.org.uk/shop-locations/

There is also the option of purchasing Creme Eggs online, such as via Amazon, and having them delivered directly to the Hospice, via the address above, for the attention of Tracey Schofield.

To ensure they reach the children once they have completed the challenge, the Hospice needs the eggs by Friday 14th March 2025.

Anyone who is unable to physically donate items but still wants to get involved can make a cash donation, which will sponsor the children taking part in the Bunny Hop, through a simple online form at https://willowwood.org.uk/events/bunny-hop/

The Hospice’s very own Easter Bunny, Tracey Schofield, said: “Last year, we raised a record amount for our Bunny Hop since it first launched in 2021 and we would love to top that this year.

“If you have not signed up yet, there’s still time and it’s free to join in. Every child taking part will receive an Easter activity pack, a cute snap wristband, a sweet treat and, of course, the all-important bunny ears. All we ask in return is that every bunny hops to raise funds for Willow Wood Hospice.

“We need as many Creme Eggs as possible and every contribution, however small, will make a difference to children who are raising funds to support patients from the local community with a life-limiting illness. We appreciate your generosity.”

Any school, nursery or children’s group that wishes to take part in the Willow Wood Bunny Hop can still sign up, by emailing tracey.schofield@willowwood.org.uk or calling 0161 330 7788.