The Temple Project is an initiative aimed at providing nursing students with valuable exposure to different health settings, including hospice care.
Through this project, students undertake one-day placements at Willow Wood Hospice, allowing them to observe and participate in the multidisciplinary approach to palliative care.
This hands-on experience is designed to enhance their understanding of holistic, patient-centred care in a real-world setting.
Willow Wood Hospice has been actively supporting the Temple Project by welcoming a select number of students for these placements. The feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the educational value and the compassionate environment at the Hospice.
The Hospice is committed to continuing its support for this initiative, aiming to inspire and educate future healthcare professionals in the field of palliative care.
Nicole Williams, a first-year Adult Nursing student at the University of Salford, recently completed her one-day placement at Willow Wood Hospice as part of the project. The experience exceeded her expectations and left a lasting impression.
Nicole, from Oldham, had never stepped inside a hospice before and understandably felt nervous.
Her only previous connection was through a friend whose mother had died at a different hospice. “I thought it would be a sad and heavy place,” she admitted. “But I was so wrong.”
From the moment she arrived, Nicole was struck by the calm, welcoming atmosphere and the warmth of the team.
Shadowing ward sister, Lauren, she took part in medication rounds, attended a doctors’ meeting, and observed the changing of a syringe driver – all under compassionate guidance. A workbook helped her explore the many services offered at Willow Wood, from patient support to The Sanctuary room.
What stood out most was the environment itself. “It’s so different from a hospital,” she reflected. “Every member of staff greeted me, the pace was calmer, and the care was deeply personal.”
She also noticed how the team interacted with patients and families: always speaking directly to them – even when a patient was unconscious – and keeping clinical paperwork unobtrusive to preserve a homely, respectful atmosphere.
Nicole’s understanding of hospice and palliative care transformed throughout the day. She learned the important distinction between palliative and end-of-life care and saw first-hand how hospices support quality of life, not just its end. “I used to think nothing could beat being at home at the end of life – but Willow Wood felt like home.”
Describing her day as awe-inspiring, serene, and stimulating, Nicole says the experience has sparked a strong interest in hospice care. “I’d love to return for a longer placement. It just felt right for me.”
To anyone who thinks hospices are just sad places, Nicole offers a different view: “It’s not a place of sadness – it’s a place of love, respect, and dignity.”
She’s already recommended Willow Wood to her peers – and will continue to do so. “Even if hospice care isn’t your chosen path, it’s an invaluable learning experience.”
Tony Elliott was 30 years old when he first discovered a lump on his face.
What seemed like something small turned out to be the beginning of a journey that would change his life.
“I went through about five years of trying to persuade the doctors that there was something there,” he said.
“They finally decided there was and did a scan. I went back for the results and they asked me to come in the following week for an operation. I was in surgery for eight hours and they found it was bigger than they anticipated.
“They took it out and then I was alright as I would go for a scan every year, get the results and they said I was fine.”
For nearly two decades, Tony carried on with life as normal – working, raising his family, and enjoying his hobbies. But then another shock came.
“We found a lesion on my lung which they operated on by keyhole surgery and got rid of that. Then nearly five years ago, I went for scan results and the doctor said my cancer is back in both lungs and it was too much to operate on. I was really well at this time and on that day, I’d just run my 5k on the Couch to 5k – I was healthier than I’ve ever been. It was quite a shock.
“My wife Catherine and I both took some time out from work because we needed to get our heads around it – we went from having years where everything was fine to suddenly it wasn’t.”
Tony, who is now 58, was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma – a rare, slow-growing cancer that forms in glandular tissues, most often in the head and neck.
“I went to see a consultant at the Christie who specialises in my cancer. I promised that if he could get me to live for five more years, I’d buy him a bottle of champagne so he’s getting closer to that!”
Catherine and Tony
‘I’m taking each day as it comes’
Despite the diagnosis, Tony says he has felt “really quite well” for most of the time. It has only been since the start of 2025 that things have changed.
“It’s very slow growing most of the time and then it can suddenly just have a spurt. It starts in my face then spores out into the body. It can just sit there quietly and then suddenly strike – it can come back in different places and all the doctors can do really is cut it out. It’s not like a normal cancer where it all mutates.
“I feel that I am lucky, though, because some people who are told they have an incurable cancer only have months to live and I’ve had over four years.”
Tony lives in Denton and spent 18 years working at Cormar Carpets in Bury, first as a Customer Service Manager and then as Merchandising Manager. Away from work, he is a huge Manchester United fan, and loves reading both fantasy and historical novels – a passion that stems from his days studying history at university.
Tony describes his health now as “a bit up and down”.
“I’m trying to get used to some new tablets so I’m taking each day as it comes and I’m not feeling as great as I was. If I’m having a good day, Catherine and I will go out somewhere – we recently went to the National Portrait Gallery and the Titanic exhibition in Manchester.
“If I’m having a bad day, we will just stay at home and chill out.”
Tony’s wife Catherine, aged 56, has been by his side throughout. The couple have two daughters and recently became grandparents to an 18-month-old grandson.
It was through his Specialist Palliative Care Nurse that Tony first heard about Willow Wood Hospice.
“Genine thought it would be good for me if I used the services here and asked if I’d be interested, so I thought I’d give it a try. I came in and the first thing I tried was some counselling, which was really helpful.
“I’ve been to the Be Active group run by the Wellbeing team which is fantastic. Catherine and I have also had complementary therapy with Sharon which is so relaxing.
“I don’t like to think of not having something at Willow Wood to come to because it’s just really comforting. I told the Wellbeing team that coming here is like having a great big hug.
“No matter how you feel when you come in, you always feel better when you leave.”
Catherine and Tony with their grandson
‘Everything disappears for an hour’
Catherine has also seen the difference the Hospice has made to both of their lives. Working locally in adult social care, she already knew of Willow Wood but didn’t realise just how much the Hospice offered.
“It’s good having the support mechanism that Willow Wood provides and to talk to people who may be suffering with the same sort of pain,” she said.
“I’ve known about Willow Wood through my role in adult social care at Tameside Council and I have referred people to the Hospice but I didn’t know the full extent of the services it provides until now – I was surprised about how much there is to do.
“Julie suggested I come in and have some art therapy along with other carers, so that’s when I started to come to the Hospice with Tony and I really enjoyed it. I’ve kept in touch with the other carers and we are informally supporting each other.
“I agree with Tony that you always feel lighter or in a different place when you leave compared to how you arrive at Willow Wood. It’s a really positive thing for us and means a lot. Sometimes we just come and sit in the gardens, which are massive and really lovely.
“I’ve really liked the reiki and reflexology – which has been good for helping me to switch off, as I often struggle with that when lots of things are going on. Everything disappears for an hour.
“Willow Wood has always been here for us. It’s that fluidity and consistency of care that we find really good. It’s good that we both can come together at times for the Be Together session but equally it’s good that we can both come separately too.”
Sharon Herod, Complementary Therapy Co-ordinator, commented: “Tony finds a new level of relaxation and leaves feeling more refreshed and calmer. Those effects can last for several days and Tony sleeps a lot better as a result.”
Julie Moran, our Wellbeing Team Lead, said: “Our Wellbeing service is here for all Tameside and Glossop patients and carers by providing a safe, compassionate space where they can connect with others facing life-limiting illnesses. These shared experiences help reduce isolation, offer emotional support, and foster a sense of community.
“The service is designed to be flexible and responsive, adapting to the unique needs, preferences, and circumstances of each individual. Whether through group sessions, one-to-one support, or tailored activities, the aim is always to provide comfort, empowerment and holistic care at every stage of the journey.
“By reading Tony’s and Catherine’s stories, I hope that it encourages other patients and their families to get in touch and let us support you to live well with life-limiting illnesses.”
Tony having a session of Reiki with Sharon
‘I’d be completely lost without Willow Wood’
Tony and Catherine describe the care they have received at Willow Wood as excellent and faultless. They find it reassuring that support is always at hand.
“The team do care about you and I think that’s a great thing,” explained Tony. “If I wasn’t here for one of my sessions, someone would be ringing me up to find out if I was okay – that’s brilliant.
“The Wellbeing team helped by fitting my sessions around my work and treatment initially, so having that flexibility was important.”
Like many of the patients and families who come to Willow Wood, Tony and Catherine were surprised to learn that it costs around £10,000 a day to keep the Hospice running – and that only 24 per cent of this comes from government funding.
Tony said: “The services at Willow Wood are so important. Just being around people with a similar illness or diagnosis to you who understand where you’re at is so important – I don’t think you’d get that anywhere else.
“The counselling, the complementary therapies, the wellbeing sessions – all of them are so vital. It’s wrong that the government don’t fund it more and it relies on people to raise money to keep it going. We’ve made donations and follow the Hospice on social media.
“I’d be completely lost without Willow Wood Hospice. I sleep so much better once I’ve been here and it makes the world of difference. I always look forward to coming in.”
Tony says his perception of a hospice has changed massively since arriving at Willow Wood and he has one final message to anyone who may be nervous about coming.
“Come and give it a go because you’ll be amazed at what’s on offer and it will do you the world of good. They’re always thinking about you, always caring about you. Don’t be worried – you’ll be amazed at how much it will help you.”
To find out more about Willow Wood Hospice’s services, visit www.willowwood.org.uk or call 0161 330 1100.
Our sixth Fashion Show was a night to remember, bringing together glamour, generosity and community spirit.
Held once again at The Lock on Castle Street in Stalybridge, the stylish venue welcomed over 140 people last Friday (7th November).
The evening sparkled from start to finish, raising a fantastic £4,000 in support of patient care at the Hospice.
Guests enjoyed a glass of fizz on arrival before settling in to watch the runway show, featuring our fabulous volunteer models showcasing winter collections.
After the show, the downstairs was transformed into a boutique-style pop-up shop, full of stylish clothes, shoes and accessories – all at a fraction of retail prices.
There was hot and cold food, plus a wide range of drinks from the bar, to keep everyone refreshed throughout the evening.
Guests could also enter a raffle, with some fantastic prizes on offer.
Pauline Lunt, Head of Retail at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “We’re so grateful to everyone who came along and made it another fantastic night.
“A huge thank you goes to Wendy and all of the team at The Lock for their incredible support and kind donation; to the students from Tameside College for all of their help; to our wonderful models; and to our amazing retail teams whom we couldn’t do it without.
“Our six Fashion Shows combined have raised £20,000, which has really made a difference to patients with a life-limiting illness in our care.”
Our Fashion Show will return next year – keep your eyes peeled for more details!
We’d like to shine a spotlight on one of our wonderful volunteers – Rita Evans, from Hyde, who has received her badge for volunteering for an incredible 10 years at our Waterloo shop in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Rita, who is 79 years old, has brought kindness, laughter and friendship to everyone she meets.
She first joined the shop after moving to the area – she could see it from her flat window and thought volunteering there would be a lovely way to support Willow Wood, meet people and make new friends.
And that’s exactly what she did! As shop manager Kellie Moulton says: “Rita has made the most amazing friends whilst volunteering at our shop, enjoying nights out and holidays with them for which she’s forever grateful. She’s loved all the laughs and chats with our fantastic customers, and every minute of her time helping and supporting the Hospice as it’s such a special place.”
Recently, Rita has been undergoing treatment for lung cancer, but her positivity and dedication to supporting Willow Wood have never wavered.
Rita raised a fantastic £924.42 towards patient care at the Hospice.
In fact, she decided to turn a difficult moment into something inspiring. After being told her hair would fall out during chemotherapy, Rita chose to have her head shaved in the shop – surrounded by her friends, family, and loyal customers – to raise funds for the Hospice she loves so dearly.
One Saturday afternoon in October, Kellie took up the clippers and carried out the head shave. It was an emotional moment, but one filled with warmth, laughter and pride as Rita raised a fantastic £924.42 towards patient care at the Hospice.
“When Rita joined us, she quickly became my sidekick,” Kellie added. “She came in most days at the start and learned sorting, pricing and till work but then soon learned how to open up and close the shop, cashing up and banking, so she was able to cover my days off and my holidays.
“Without Rita by my side, I would have been lost some days. She has a heart of gold and is always willing to help no matter what. She has played a massive part in the shop from supporting me and other volunteers.”
Rita says she felt emotional but happy to do something good out of a horrible situation. She’s loved her role in the shop but, more than anything, she treasures the wonderful friendships she’s made along the way.
Thank you, Rita, for everything you’ve done and continue to do for Willow Wood Hospice.
Our teams have been reaching out to the local community to spread the word about the wide range of services and support we can offer.
Our Wellbeing Team Lead, Julie Moran, has been out sharing information about the Hospice, answering questions, and connecting with people who may not otherwise be aware of the help available.
Julie recently paid a visit to the Shree Ram Mandir, an Indian temple in Ashton-under-Lyne. Every Thursday, the temple runs a session called Krupa Mandal, where people come together for hymns, prayer, talks, games, and lunch.
Julie was warmly welcomed by around 35 people, many of whom spoke about their own positive experiences of Willow Wood.
Julie (right), our Wellbeing Team Lead, visited the Shree Ram Mandir temple in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Among them was Pravina Mistry, one of the temple’s secretaries, who also supported as a translator for those whose first language is Gujarati and aren’t as fluent in English.
Pravina shared: “I think Willow Wood is becoming more familiar to people who come here. I know some whose partners were looked after at the Hospice. My mother-in-law received care there when she was diagnosed with cancer.
“I think everyone was really engaged and has taken a lot from Julie’s talk about how they can access the services at Willow Wood. I don’t think it’s a taboo anymore – having a life-limiting illness can be talked about openly. I had ovarian cancer 14 years ago and I’m still here. It’s beneficial having people from Willow Wood coming into the temple to make that connection and raise awareness.”
Julie’s visit is part of our Community Services team’s engagement strategy – aiming to increase referrals, build new relationships, increase our profile and identify opportunities for community partnerships.
She has also been to the Shree Bharatiya Mandal Indian Temple in Ashton, and The Together Centre in Dukinfield for an event hosted by the Advanced Cancer Team. As a direct result of these visits, we’ve already received new referrals, meaning more local people are now receiving the care and support they need from us.
Julie told those in attendance about Willow Wood Hospice services
“Our Wellbeing team are keen to actively visit community faith groups to introduce our services and ensure they are accessible, inclusive, and respectful of all cultural and spiritual needs,” said Julie.
“By engaging directly with diverse communities, our aim is to build trust, listen to their perspectives, and raise awareness about the support we offer. It was a privilege to be welcomed into the Shree Bharatiya Mandal temple and enjoy fellowship with such lovely people.
“This outreach helps bridge gaps in understanding, fosters meaningful relationships, and ensures our care is truly person-centred and respectful of all cultures and backgrounds.”
By meeting people in a familiar environment, we’re able to provide vital education, break down barriers, and show how our Hospice can support not only patients but also their families.
We are so grateful to everyone who has welcomed us into their communities – and we look forward to continuing these important conversations across Tameside and Glossop.
If you’re part of a community group that would benefit from hearing from our Hospice team, give us a call on 0161 330 1100 and ask for Callie Harrop, our Head of Community Services.
Willow Wood Hospice is kicking off its Christmas fundraising fun with a return to Hyde Town Hall for its popular Christmas Fair on Saturday 15th November.
From 11am to 3pm, step straight into the festive spirit by meeting Santa; picking up unique gifts, crafts and decorations; and treating yourself to tasty festive goodies, candles, cards and more.
There will also be the opportunity to enjoy some delicious festive refreshments and soak up the seasonal cheer.
Entry will be £1.50 per person and Under-12s are free.
Another must-see Christmas event for the community is the Garden of Lights celebrations evenings at the Hospice, where the gardens are transformed into a winter wonderland of over 11,000 lights.
Kindly sponsored by Brother International, each of the seven nights in December will feature a different local choir bringing seasonal cheer, along with refreshments and festive stalls to explore.
Doors are open from 5pm to 8pm on Tuesday 2nd, Thursday 4th, Tuesday 9th, Thursday 11th, Saturday 13th, Tuesday 16th and Thursday 18th.
Entry is free and you can just turn up with no need to book, for what promises to be a magical evening for all.
On Thursday 4th, there’s the added bonus of a Festive Wreath-making Workshop, where you can unleash your creativity by creating a stunning wreath from scratch to take home and enjoy.
It will be a relaxed, creative evening in a cosy atmosphere in the Hospice’s dining room, guided by floral expert Zoe Smith, from The Flower House in Marple.
Tickets are £35 per person, which includes all materials for your wreath and a festive drink and nibbles.
As this time of year often brings memories of those we love, the Hospice’s Light up a Life appeal is a beautiful way to remember someone special, while also helping to care for local patients and families.
By making a donation in their memory, your loved one’s name will be included in a Book of Remembrance, you can hang a personalised ornament on a Tree of Dedication in the reception area at the Hospice, and you will be invited to one of two dedication events in December.
Generously sponsored by Anthony Barton Independent Family Funeral Services in Mossley, the events include moments of reflection and music, followed by the symbolic lighting of the Light up a Life tree.
They are taking place on Saturday 6th December at 2pm at Old Glossop Parish Church and Sunday 14th December at 2pm at Albion Church in Ashton-under-Lyne.
The Hospice is also supported by the generosity of the communities of Tameside and Glossop, who organise their own events to raise vital funds for patient care.
These include the Festival of Christmas Music at Albion Church on 30th November and the Willow Wood Hospice Choir Christmas Concert at Holy Trinity Church in Stalybridge on 13th December.
Sam Duncan, Director of Fundraising and Communications, said: “Christmas is such a special time for our community, and we’re very excited to welcome you to our festive events this year.
“Throughout the season, there are so many wonderful ways for people to come together, make memories and support local hospice care.
“Last year’s Christmas Fair raised £8,000 and this year we’re hoping for an even bigger success. It costs around £10,000 to run the Hospice for a day, so every pound raised really helps us to continue providing specialist, compassionate and dignified care for patients and those closest to them.”
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