24th April 2020

    Pilgrims care team hope to capture ‘Matching Hearts’ for hospice patients

    As visiting is currently restricted on Pilgrims Hospices sites across east Kent; the charity looks to find alternative ways to offer patients, their families and friends simple and creative ways to help everyone feel connected and to find heart-warming comfort during the COVID-19 outbreak.


    Carole Lightfoot, Health Care Assistant at Pilgrims Hospices

    The care team were so inspired by the successful campaign introduced by NHS intensive care nurse Kat Lamb from the QEQM Hospital in Margate, they decided to ask for support from volunteers and keen crafters to make ‘Matching Hearts’ for Pilgrims Hospices end of life care patients.

    Justine Robinson, Pilgrims Occupational Therapy Lead said: “The ‘Matching Hearts’ are absolutely perfect for sharing with our patients, their families and friends. We are asking for your support to craft fabric or woolen ‘Matching Hearts’ for our care team to share with patients. One heart will be given to the patient and the matching one will be sent to their family.”

    Although the hearts are no substitute for being surrounded by loved ones, Pilgrims hope these precious gestures will give patients something special to focus upon and help those who are unable to be close to forge an emotional link.”

    Justine added: “The COVID-19 restrictions are difficult for our nurses as well and our patients, offering a token small heart to those in our care may bring a smile and perhaps help them share a few words of their own family magic with us, it will also help to lift our spirits in these difficult times.

    The ‘Matching Hearts’ are absolutely perfect for sharing with our patients, their families and friends.

    Justine Robinson, Occupational Therapy Lead, Pilgrims Hospices

    “We know there so many wonderful people out there who will want to support Pilgrims with their crafting skills. I send my thanks in advance and look forward to sharing your heart-warming treasures and the thoughts behind them.”

    Hearts can be knitted; crocheted, embroidered, fabric or felt, and each heart should have at least one matching pair.

    If you’d like to share your crafty skills and make ‘Matching Hearts’ for Pilgrims patients; you will need to pop them into plastic bags (sandwich bags) and clearly mark with the date of packaging. The hearts will be quarantined for 72 hours before they are given to the patient, to ensure any risk of infection is minimised.

    A drop-off box for hearts will be outside each hospice from Monday 27 April, 8am – 4pm, or you can post them to the Hospice Service Manager on each site:

    • Hythe Road, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0NE
    • 56 London Road, Canterbury CT2 8JA
    • Ramsgate Road, Margate CT9 4AD

    We are very proud to work closely with our NHS colleagues as we continue to provide end of life care across east Kent.


    This year alone, Pilgrims Hospices has to raise £11 million through voluntary donations in order to run our services. Please help us to continue our work throughout these difficult times by donating to our Still Here, Still Caring appeal.

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