Linda shares how important Pilgrims Hospices is to her, and why she supports the charity as a member of Always Caring.

My relationship with Pilgrims started over 40 years ago, when my son’s piano teacher was asking everyone she knew for donations towards the setting up of a new hospice. She was so passionate about the cause, and the need for an end-of-life care charity, it really inspired me.

Years later, when I was teaching, I had a student request to do their placement at the Thanet hospice. I went to visit and was blown away by the atmosphere there.

It wasn’t until my partner’s sister became ill that I directly got to experience the care of the Pilgrims staff. We were thrilled with the calmness and the compassion shown by everyone we dealt with.

Unfortunately, my partner, Reg, was diagnosed with cancer, and when he reached the final stages, the oncologist put us in touch with the Margate hospice, suggesting this may be beneficial for both of us.

As Reg wanted to spend his last few months in his own home, the doctor was superb, providing us with excellent care by visiting him regularly at home and offering support for both of us.

After Reg died in March 2022, the doctor contacted me and suggested I might benefit from counselling. This was arranged very quickly and I had six sessions with a Pilgrims counsellor. They were absolutely excellent and so beneficial.

After my counselling finished, I joined the Stepping Stones bereavement group, which has helped me so much. It’s given me a space where I can take my grief, and feel supported alongside others who are going through the same things.

One of my fellow attendees put it perfectly, “I feel liberated after our sessions, I can enjoy my weekend after we have all met on a Friday”.

I’m pleased to be able to support Pilgrims as a member of Always Caring, because I know Reg wanted money to go towards the hospice, and whatever I can do to wave the flag for the hospice, I will. I can’t thank them all enough, I don’t think I would have got through without Pilgrims.

Find out more about our Always Caring supporter club and how you can join.

Each year, Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of people across east Kent, with services provided from its three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. It costs over £17.2 million annually to run these services, much of which comes from the generous support of the local community.