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Willow Wood Hospice wouldn’t be able to care for the communities of Tameside and Glossop without the support and dedication of its team of over 500 volunteers, and recently treated more than 300 of these to a slap up afternoon tea, entertainment, dancing and a fantastic party held in the sports hall at West Hill School.

Thanks were given and toasts raised (courtesy of Morrisons Dukinfield who donated a large quantity of both soft and alcoholic drinks) and a good time was had by all. Lisa Pye, volunteer services manager explains, “Our volunteers support us in all areas of the Hospice, our gardens, our offices, our retail and distribution sector, our Day Services and Inpatient Unit, our kitchens and our laundry. We really couldn’t do it without them, and treating them to a wonderful afternoon is really the least we can do to thank them.

“We also recognised the length of service of our volunteers, with members of our Board of Trustees handing out badges to commemorate five, ten, fifteen and twenty years of volunteering. Their skills and support are invaluable to us and we’ve worked out that, by calculating their hours at minimum wage, they save us £1,000,000 annually – so we can truly say thanks a million!”

All those present, who ranged in age from 13 year olds volunteering as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme to those of a more mature vintage, enjoyed the afternoon immensely. Games including heads & tails and stand up bingo went down a treat, and singer Simon Garcia was a huge hit with his wide repertoire of classic songs, which had everyone joining in and dancing to the hits.

“We have had some fantastic support from our community which has helped make this party such a success.” said Lisa. “Huge thanks to Action Together who gave us a grant for £500 towards the costs. Many local businesses gave us discounts, donations and gifts and special thanks to Booth on the Move, Events by Shantel and Sweetest Feeling who donated their products and services free-of-charge.”

Local community group Dipak Dristi has, for the second year, raised a wonderful donation for Willow Wood by taking part in the Hospice organised event, the Twilight Wander.

Volunteers at the group, which translates as, ‘Light of Focus’ meet up at the Broadoak and Smallshaw Community Centre and this year raised £1,473.50, taking the total raised to over £2,000. Dipak Dristi was initially set up three years ago by Champaben Mistry following the loss of her husband. Feeling isolated and without a sense of purpose, Champaben decided to do something practical that would also help others in a similar situation and so the group came into being.

Meeting on Mondays the group provides a valuable service to the community, with activities including arts and crafts, music, dance with the aim of promoting a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing for those over 55. The initial contact between Willow Wood and Dipak Dristi was made only two days before the 2021 Midnight Wander, when assistant practitioner Billinda Dyson visited the group. Although the primary aim was to see how the Hospice and Dipak Dristi could support each other, she took information on the sponsored walk and 12 volunteers immediately signed up, raising £600 in just 48 hours.

Laura Marinelli, the organiser of the Twilight Wander said, “We were thrilled last year to meet the group at the event, and it has been wonderful in the meantime to visit each other to find out more about our aims and objectives. Sue Wicks, our departmental administrator and myself were invited to attend their Diwali celebrations recently where we were presented with the donation and had a really lovely time.

We can’t thank them enough for their support and hope we can continue this strong and very valuable relationship.”

There’s a real treat for theatre-goers and literature lovers alike, with the beloved classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ being performed at the Hyde Festival Theatre on Saturday 19 November, with proceeds donated to Willow Wood Hospice. It is, however, a performance with a difference; Gerald Dickens, great-great-grandson of author Charles Dickens himself plays over 30 characters in this amazing one-man show.

Part of a tour taking in venues across America and prestigious UK settings including Highclere Castle and The Café Royal, London, the show has received standing ovations and rave reviews the world over. Described as ‘spellbinding’ and receiving standing ovations from audiences all over the world, Gerald uses his vocal and physical talents to bring each scene vividly to life, and is following in the footsteps of his famous forebear who himself gave public readings of this most famous story.

Of course, ‘A Christmas Carol’ was Charles Dickens’ commentary on the need for charity and goodwill, so it is very appropriate that this classic tale is raising funds for Willow Wood Hospice, which relies heavily on its community to raise around 80% of the £3million it will take this year to maintain and develop its services for those living with a life-limiting diagnosis in Tameside and Glossop.

Mark Llewellin, vice-chair of the Board of Trustees of the Hospice said, “We are incredibly grateful to Gerald Dickens for this very generous act, and I would urge people to book early as it is sure to be a sell-out. Tickets are available by going to www.sparksem.co.uk or alternatively, you can ring 0161 327 2781 Mondays to Thursdays between 4-7pm and selecting option 2. Tickets are just £20 and you will be assured of an unforgettable evening.”

The Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Diane Hawkins DL JP, will be visiting the Greater Manchester Willow Wood Hospice on Friday 7 October at 2.30pm. This visit, timed to fall just prior to the start of the national Hospice Care Week has two objectives. The first is to promote Hospice care generally and showcase the work that Willow Wood does both in-house and out in the community, and also to lay a Memory Stone in remembrance of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

It will be quite a poignant moment for the Lord Lieutenant; appointed as the representative of the Queen in July this year, Mrs Hawkins attended her funeral on Monday 19 September. Mark Llewellin, vice-chair of the Willow Wood Board of Trustees said, “We were all extremely saddened by the passing of our monarch, and it seemed fitting to mark this occasion by the Lord Lieutenant placing an engraved memento in our Memory Fountain.

“Our gardens are a haven of peace and tranquillity and many of our supporters will be touched to see Her Majesty’s name amongst their loved ones.”

Willow Wood cares for those in Tameside and Glossop with a life-limiting diagnosis. This care extends to the families as well as the patient, and the Hospice can help from diagnosis onward with their innovative START Clinic. Day patients can access a range of treatments, therapies, support groups, counselling and more. “Once a patient has received a diagnosis, they can access our Day Services without the need of a medical referral – just ring and arrange an assessment.” said Mark. “Our holistic approach and individual treatment plan mean we can design our care to help everyone reach their own personal goals.

“And the care on our In-patient Unit is second to none. With a high ratio of staff to patient, our specialised palliative and end-of-life care ensures dignity, respect and loving care, giving families the chance to spend that precious time together.”

The Lord Lieutenant will be accompanied by the Vice Lord Lieutenant, Sharman Birtles JP DL who is also a patron of Willow Wood Hospice.