"If it wasn't for St Michael's Hospice, I don't think I'd be here now"
Ahead of Loneliness Awareness Week, we hear from Chris whose wife, Nita, was cared for by St Michael’s.
This Loneliness Awareness Week, we hear from Chris whose wife, Nita, was cared for by St Michael’s.
Nita had PSP, which is part of the Parkinson’s spectrum. The couple were referred to a Parkinson’s specialist nurse who then referred them to St Michael’s.
“We went there, to view the place, to see what it was like,” said Chris. “I cried while I was there because it’s so beautiful.”
After Nita died, Chris joined a number of bereavement support groups.
“The day that Nita passed away, I was very upset and distraught. I had a good relationship with St Michael’s by that stage, so I actually called them for help because I didn’t know which way to turn.” He says he joined a Sunday lunch group for those with a connection to St Michael’s who have experienced bereavement, and admits it “took a lot of guts” to attend that first one.
After this he began attending Striders & Strollers, a monthly walk at Queenswood, between Hereford and Leominster.
“It’s lovely to meet up with different members, and it’s nice when we go to the viewpoint, because then we can then reflect on our loved ones.” Chris says he has a lot to thank St Michael’s for, and sees the charity as providing vital support to him and many others.
“If it wasn’t for St Michael’s Hospice, I don’t think I’d be here now. It’s given me lots of friendships, and also it’s given me a lot of support and belief in myself.”