Category: Community Services

Posted on by

‘Willow Wood is totally the opposite of what I expected’

Jai Mistry in the Hospice gardens

When Jai Mistry left her job in October 2024 to care full-time for her husband, Balu, she had no idea that decision would also lead her to discover the support and compassion of Willow Wood Hospice.

Jai, 57, stepped away from her accounting career to look after Balu, who had been diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) – a neurological condition. She cared for him until he died on 19th May 2025.

That’s how Jai first came across Willow Wood Hospice.

She learned about the Hospice’s services when Julie Moran, our Wellbeing Team Lead, gave a talk at a group held at the Shree Bharatiya Mandal temple on Union Street in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Jai said she was immediately curious to find out more.

“I got in contact with Julie and we got lots of help and information. Both my husband and I were able to access therapies, which were amazing. We’ve got to know several members of staff really well.

“We didn’t realise these services were available because you think a hospice is just for end of life. It’s been really eye-opening.

“The staff at Willow Wood are so reassuring and told me I can call with any issues and if there’s anything they can help with to alleviate any pressure from me or my husband. It just felt like a sigh of relief that somebody’s listened to us.”

Jai and Balu attended the Hospice’s wellbeing sessions together and accessed therapies separately.

“While my husband was having physio, I could have a massage or Reiki or reflexology which was really nice because it just reassured me that Balu was safe, being looked after and I could have some time out which was important as well. We also received regular phone calls from the team checking on how we were doing.”

Jai Mistry receiving Reiki from Colin
Jai receiving Reiki from Colin.

‘Comforting to know people care and want to help’

Following Balu’s death, Jai continued to receive therapies, as well as counselling through our Family Support team.

“It doesn’t solve anything,” she said, “but it’s good to talk to get things off your shoulders and it’s nice to hear that someone’s listening too. They help you see things in a different way from a different aspect. On the whole, it’s just been really comforting to know there are people out there who actually care and want to help.”

Like many people, Jai had once thought hospices only provided end-of-life care.

“I was pleasantly surprised when I first came. I thought it was going to be all doom and gloom and not very nice but it was totally the opposite of what I expected. I’ve met different people on Reception and they’re always very welcoming, which is really nice.”

Now, Jai is determined to spread the word about the help and support Willow Wood offers, especially within the Asian community in Tameside.

“I have been talking about the services here to everybody. One of my uncles runs a local Asian group and I keep pushing him about the importance of people knowing what help is out there. The Asian community is quite a close community and they are quite private people as well. People can almost feel shameful about asking for help but there’s no shame at all.”

She even encouraged her uncle-in-law, Chandrakant Mistry, who has a rare form of motor neurone disease (MND), to access the Hospice’s services and attend our recently-launched MND Support Group.

“People’s mentality can be that something has happened and they have to just get on with it, but they can reach out for support that’s there without being afraid to ask for it. You need people who understand what you’re going through – you think you can deal with it on your own but you can’t.”

Jai Mistry with Balu
Jai and Balu

‘You never know when you might need Willow Wood’  

Jai’s experience caring for loved ones spans several years – she and Balu had previously cared for his mother at home for almost three years after she suffered a stroke, before she died in 2019.

When Balu began showing symptoms in 2020, Jai initially thought he may have had a mini stroke. After visiting their GP and being referred to a neurologist, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and later PSP.

“I had never heard of PSP but I’d compare it very much to MND. It’s neurological and affects your muscles, eyesight and everything – it’s quite debilitating. After that, I noticed he was progressively getting worse, especially after I finished work and was seeing him more often. He deteriorated quite quickly which I was shocked at and he couldn’t do anything for himself, which was hard to see.”

Jai also says she was surprised to learn how much the Hospice relies on volunteers and would love to give the gift of her time in the future.

“The groups like the ones at the Hospice are so important for people from a social, mental and physical point of view. I think I could help in that capacity as someone who has been through a similar experience and support those who come along.

“It’s a wonderful place, including the lovely gardens which are nice and peaceful. I don’t think anyone should be nervous about coming here. You’ll come through the doors and be pleasantly surprised – it won’t be what you expect.

“There’s definitely a need for the hospice to be here – it’s helped me and so many other people. If you can support Willow Wood in any way, please do and just spread the word. You never know when you or someone you know might need it one day.”

Julie Moran, Wellbeing Team Lead, reflected: “Reading this account of Jai and Balu’s story reflects what the heart of Willow Wood is all about. Our Community Services aim to deliver the support that improves daily life, extends quality of life, and ensures dignity.

“In Tameside and Glossop, we have diverse communities and integrated health and social care. We will continue to collaborate and build robust partnerships with these external organisations to ensure we reach out to all our residents and give them the right support at the right time.”

To find out more about Willow Wood Hospice’s services, visit the ‘Our Services’ section of the website or call 0161 330 1100 to speak to our team. 

Posted on by

Opening conversations about care

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.

Posted on by

Head of Community Services recognised with award

We’re absolutely thrilled to share that our Head of Community Services, Callie Harrop, has won an award at this year’s Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards.
Callie was one of three shortlisted finalists in the Rising Star category and took home the accolade at last night’s ceremony, held at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum.
We’re also proud to be the only hospice to have been recognised with an award.
The awards are organised by the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership, celebrating outstanding individuals and teams working across health, social care and community services across the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester.
Since becoming our Head of Community Services in May 2024, Callie has led our Community Services teams to enhance patient pathways, streamline referrals and improve care coordination.
“I was overwhelmed, honoured and humbled to be recognised and receive this award,” Callie reflected. “It was a fantastic opportunity to hear all the wonderful things happening across Greater Manchester and I’m so proud to be recognised as a part of that.”
She was nominated for her award by our Clinical Director, Nicola Cheetham, who shared: “Callie is an exceptional leader whose commitment to compassionate care shines through and has made a real impact at Willow Wood. On behalf of everyone at the Hospice, huge congratulations to Callie – we’re all really proud of her fantastic achievement.”
Posted on by

Meet Caroline – our new Dementia Team Lead

Hello, I’m Caroline, and I’m the new Dementia Team Lead here at Willow Wood Hospice.

I’ve been warmly welcomed into the Community Services team and I’m already really enjoying the role.

I’ve worked at Willow Wood for 13 years, most recently as a Sister on the Inpatient Unit. Before that, I was a District Nurse in Tameside, supporting patients in their own homes. I’ve previously had experience of dementia care working in a nursing home, before I trained to be a nurse. After I qualified, I trained at the Manchester Royal Infirmary and worked there for around two-and-a-half years.

All of those experiences combined have taught me how vital it is to truly see the person behind the dementia diagnosis and maintain their dignity at every stage. During my time as a Sister on our Inpatient Unit, I supported many patients with various types of dementia, and I’ve always recognised the importance of supporting their carers too.

I’ve always had a special interest in palliative care and felt ready for a new challenge—something where I could make a difference for people living with dementia and their families. The aim of the dementia services at Willow Wood Hospice is to give dementia patients and their carers a voice, ensure they are heard, and are treated with the dignity they deserve.

One of the highlights so far has been taking part in the Dementia Café. The first one I attended was a VE Day celebration, which was really special. You could see how much joy it brought to everyone there. The team of volunteers are fantastic—they organise different activities for each café, which not only helps stimulate the person living with dementia but also gives carers a space to connect, share, and build friendships. The sense of community and support is truly heartwarming.

In this role, we often visit patients in their own homes, taking the time to build rapport with both the patient and their carer. A big part of our work is Advance Care Planning—helping people make decisions for the future, while they are still able, based on their wishes. That can be something as simple as identifying their favourite music, which can bring comfort in moments of distress, or discussing where they would like to receive care in the later stages of their illness. It can also be ensuring symptoms are managed with optimal medication management.

We also coordinate with other services—liaising with GPs, signposting to the right support, and ensuring everything is in place, from pain management to physiotherapy, occupational therapy or home equipment.

I feel incredibly lucky to be part of the Willow Wood Hospice team. It’s a beautiful place with a wonderful workforce. We all support one another and share the same goal—to make a real difference to the lives of those we care for.

Looking ahead, together with Wendy, our Assistant Practitioner, we are going to build on the strong foundations already in place for dementia care at Willow Wood and explore how we can develop the support we offer, whilst continuing to listen closely to the needs of our patients and their carers.

With one in two people in the UK expected to be affected by dementia in their lifetime—either by developing the condition themselves or caring for someone who does—the demand for specialist support will only increase. Here at Willow Wood, we’re committed to being there for as many people in Tameside and Glossop as we can. We have one chance to get it right.

Our Dementia Support services include our Dementia Carers Support Group which is unique in that while a carer attends a small therapy group, we provide activities and support for their loved one in the safe environment of the Hospice.

For more information about our services, visit www.willowwood.org.uk/dementia-support

Posted on by

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.