Exciting changes at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet: A two-year transformation
Over the past two years, Pilgrims Hospice Thanet has undergone an extensive refurbishment project, improving accessibility, comfort, and facilities for patients, families, and staff.
These changes have been carefully planned and executed, with input from various teams, to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all who visit the hospice.
Enhanced Wellbeing facilities
One of the most notable upgrades is the installation of large folding doors in the Wellbeing centre, opening directly into the hospice gardens. This improvement allows wheelchair users to enjoy the outdoor spaces with greater ease, embracing the therapeutic benefits of nature.
The Wellbeing room, where patients take part in a wide range of therapy sessions, has undergone a major refurbishment. Once dated and tired, it has been transformed into an elegant and relaxing space. New furniture, fresh paint, and carefully chosen colours create a serene and comfortable atmosphere. The Wellbeing reception area has also been revitalised with comfortable seating and a bright, welcoming look.
New kitchenette and facilities
A brand-new kitchenette has been installed in the Wellbeing room, for visitors and relatives, providing a warm and practical space that replaces outdated tea urns and water heaters. This upgrade ensures that visitors can prepare refreshments in a more homely setting while spending time with loved ones.
Ward enhancements
Significant work has also been undertaken on the wards, further enhancing the efficiency and functionality of the hospice’s facilities. These improvements have freshened the appearance of the space, creating a more peaceful and uplifting environment for patients and staff alike. New flooring and an integrated plumbing system (IPS unit) have been installed, modernising the space, improving hygiene standards, and ensuring greater comfort.Across the hospice, new bathrooms, including state-of-the-art wet rooms, have been introduced. These modernised facilities enable patients to refresh themselves with dignity and ease, significantly improving their experience.
Thanet Refurb 3
Thanet Refurb 1
Refurbished family lounge
A newly refurbished family lounge has been created, offering a comfortable, modern, and welcoming space for visitors and patients. This inviting area allows families to relax together, share a beverage, and enjoy precious moments in a homely environment. It also serves as a quiet retreat for visitors seeking a peaceful space during their time at the hospice.
Accessibility and outdoor improvements
Practical upgrades have been made to outdoor spaces, including replacing old paving slabs with tarmac, ensuring that wheelchairs can safely manoeuvre through the gardens. Additionally, electric canopies have been installed on the balcony from the wards, offering shade and shelter for patients who wish to enjoy fresh air and the beauty of the hospice gardens.
The team has also introduced new flooring throughout the hospice corridors, moving away from old-style carpeting to more hygienic and modern materials. Dark wooden features have been replaced with bright, contemporary finishes that adhere to the highest standards of health and safety.
Looking ahead
Hospice Services Manager Jon May, who has been with Pilgrims Hospices for almost 10 years, shared his pride in this transformational project:
I’ve had the privilege of updating a 30-year-old building, adding value for our patients, their families, and our staff. The refreshment project is ongoing, with further plans to renovate the reception area and other key spaces throughout the hospice.
Jon May, Hospice Services Manager
Jon also highlighted the collaborative effort involved, working with teams across the estate to enhance the experience for everyone who relies on Pilgrims’ services. The hospice is deeply grateful to its contractors, including J Rospo Building Contractors and Bauvill, who have shown great understanding and sensitivity in working within the hospice environment.
With the addition of solar panels and a new car park barrier, Pilgrims Hospice Thanet continues its journey towards a more sustainable and accessible future. The improvements made over the past two years have already had a profound impact, ensuring that patients and their families receive the highest level of care and comfort in their time of need.
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.
5th March 2025
Richard’s super skydive raises £1,400 for Pilgrims Hospices in memory of loved ones
In July 2024, to celebrate his 60th birthday, Richard Graham from Broadstairs braved a skydive for Pilgrims Hospices.
He raised an incredible £1,400 for hospice care in east Kent in memory of family members who received the charity’s compassionate care.
Nicola on her wedding day with her mum, Jacqueline
Richard and his wife, Nicola Jenkins-Graham, experienced Pilgrims’ services first-hand after Nicola’s mum, Jacqueline Jenkins, was diagnosed with cancer. Jacqueline spent time in the Ashford hospice in 2023. Nicola’s auntie, Ann Shersby, was also cared for by Pilgrims in 2024.
Nicola said: “I’m so grateful to Pilgrims for looking after my dear mum and my auntie.
“When my mum was referred to Pilgrims, I was very scared. I remember the day the wonderful Pilgrims nurse walked through our door; how lucky we were to get someone to come and see us at home, I thought! She was so kind and understanding; although she broached subjects that were a little difficult to discuss, she held our hands throughout the whole journey.
“It was then I realised that Pilgrims were not just there to care for my mum, they were there for us as a family, too. Support and visits continued, and there was always a friendly and helpful person on the end of the phone if we had concerns, or to give us reassurance we were doing the right thing.
“On 21 August 2023, Mum wasn’t doing so well. With support from Pilgrims, we decided to move her into the hospice, where a bed was available. I arrived in such a state; Mum was comfortable and safe, but the worry had got to me. As we entered the hospice, a sense of calm came over me. Mum was taken to her room by the wonderful nurses, and the amazing volunteers ushered me to a chair and brought me a big mug of tea, a supply of biscuits and a box of tissues. Their support and kindness was so appreciated, as I was tired and in shock knowing that I’d left my dear Mum’s house with her for the last time.
“Mum’s room was decorated with care to make it a home away from home. She was wrapped up and comfy and looked so relaxed. There was a balcony and views over the beautiful garden. At the end of the corridor was a serene room for relatives with tea and coffee, comfy sofas, a TV and puzzles – so, when Mum was sleeping, I was able to rest and relax in peace and quiet. The volunteers regularly checked on me to make sure I had something to eat and offered me more tea. On one occasion, the lovely Cat Darkins, Lead Spiritual Chaplain, sat with me and brought me much comfort at a difficult time.
Nicola with her auntie, Ann
“Mum was in the hospice for 10 days; she was a fighter. I cannot thank the wonderful nurses, doctors and volunteers enough for making my mum’s last days peaceful. They treated her with so much dignity and respect, and I am eternally grateful.
“I was also supported by a bereavement counsellor who helped me on my grief journey and showed me the skills I’d need to continue my life in remembrance of my dear mum.
“I would tell anyone who may need Pilgrims services: Don’t be scared to reach out; they will be there to support you through dark times, and you will feel like you have warm angel wings comforting you.
“This is why Richard and I are doing what we can to support the hospice. He celebrated his 60th birthday in 2024 and decided to jump out of the plane for Pilgrims! I was so proud of him for being so brave and raising £1,400 for such a meaningful cause. Since then, we’ve raised even more and will continue to support Pilgrims in any way we can.”
Richard with Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager
Richard added:
“Pilgrims Hospices provided exceptional care and comfort during my mother-in-law’s illness, so I signed up for a skydive and set up a JustGiving Page to raise money for them. I was overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of everyone who donated.
“When the day arrived, the weather was glorious. My wife, mum and dad, daughter, her partner, and my two lovely grandsons came to Headcorn to support me. My friend, David, also booked to jump with me as moral support. I wasn’t sure what to expect; leading up to it, I was completely relaxed. I thought maybe the nerves would kick in, but I felt calm, probably more calm than my family. It was amazing looking down out of the plane before we jumped, and the feeling is incredible as you free fall, then calmness when the parachute opens, and you slowly float back down to the ground.
“Overall, it was an exhilarating experience that I will never forget. It was made even more meaningful with my family being there and being able to raise so much money for the wonderful Pilgrims Hospices. I am so grateful for everyone’s support and generosity.”
Richard Graham Skydive 9
Richard Graham Skydive 3
If you’d like to support Pilgrims by taking on a challenge for local hospice care, visit pilgrimshospices.org/events to find out how you can get involved.
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.
17th December 2024
Bringing Christmas cheer to Pilgrims Hospices: Penny’s heart-warming tradition
Pilgrims Hospices is once again preparing for a festive transformation, thanks to the dedication of Penny Cattermole, one of our valued healthcare assistants.
For several years, Penny has made it her mission to bring the joy and spirit of the holiday season to the hospice wards, creating a magical winter wonderland for patients, staff, and visitors alike.
Penny’s efforts go beyond simply putting up decorations. Throughout the year, she scours boot sales and local markets, on the lookout for unique and beautiful Christmas ornaments to add to her collection. “I love a good bargain,” Penny says, “but more than that, I love seeing the delight on everyone’s faces when the decorations go up.”
Every year, Penny donates her time coming into the Thanet hospice on her days off to transform the wards and corridors of the hospice. Her contributions include four elegant white Christmas trees, which she has generously gifted over the past few years. These trees, adorned with twinkling lights and festive ornaments, are the centrepiece of her winter wonderland. Penny’s dedication isn’t limited to Christmas; she also decorates the ward for Easter, adding touches of spring with her collection of seasonal decorations.
“I don’t do it for the praise,” she shares. “I do it because it brings happiness and cheerfulness to the ward. The staff work incredibly hard, and I hope my efforts bring a bit of joy to their day.”
This year, however, Penny will not be decorating her own home for Christmas. With a mischievous 8-month-old Maine Coon kitten, Leo, at home, she knows the festive setup would be at risk of being toppled over in moments! Instead, she’s focusing all her energy on making the hospice a warm and inviting place for everyone.
Penny has been a valued member of the Pilgrims care team for 14 years; she has followed a career in care throughout her working life. Many of the care team will be on duty on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. They will have already made arrangements to spend their special festive times with their families and friends on alternative days.
Jon May, Pilgrims Hospices Service Manager at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet, said, “Penny is just full of community spirit; it’s just wonderful to see Penny’s beautiful decorations and experience the festive atmosphere she creates. Her dedication exemplifies the spirit of our team of staff and volunteers, who bring comfort, joy, and a sense of normality to the hospice environment.”
Pilgrims Hospices wishes everyone a warm and caring Christmas.
Thank you for supporting our services in your area.
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.
7th December 2024
The Wooden Box Café, Ramsgate offers grief support to local community
Dawn Baldwin from Ramsgate runs The Wooden Box Café, where she hosts a weekly bereavement support group and various fundraising activities for Pilgrims Hospices.
She supports the local charity in memory of her dad, John Humphrys, who received Pilgrims care in 2022.
John was a family man, doting on Dawn and her sister, Claire, and his six grandchildren. He spent 35 years working as a Technical Administrator at Hornby Hobbies in Margate, and before that he was a disc jockey known as DJ Ferret. He was still working full-time at Hornby Hobbies when he was referred to Pilgrims, aged 71, for symptom control of his cancer.
Dawn said: “Although Dad was only in the hospice for a short time, the care was beautiful. We also said a big thank you to Hornby Hobbies after he passed, as they were so supportive as an employer.”
John with his colleagues at Hornby Hobbies, his daughters Dawn and Claire, and his grandchildren Charlie, Lacey and Lillie
The Wooden Box Café was established in Ramsgate but went up for sale, and Dawn began running it in February 2024: “I’d always wanted to have my own cafe, so when I found out I had some inheritance money, I started looking. A good friend told me about The Wooden Box; I’d not heard of it before, even though Dad had only lived round the corner! I thought, “Well, I’ve got this opportunity because my dad’s in a wooden box.” so I took it; I didn’t find this cafe, it very much came to me.”
Dawn hosts a drop-in bereavement support group on Thursday mornings, offering a safe and compassionate space for members of the local community to come together and support each other following bereavement. Everyone is welcome.
“People just sit, have a coffee and a chat, and help each other. One lady who came in asked me what my yellow rose tattoo means and I said it represents strength for everyone fighting cancer, and also my dad’s resilience. It also features in the signage on the outside of the cafe. She then told me that she’d recently moved to the area with her family and her mum had died the day before. She showed me her mum’s knitted heart from Pilgrims – during the pandemic, Pilgrims gave matching knitted hearts to patients and their families, as a way to remain connected despite social distancing restrictions. I showed her my knitted heart, too, as I carry it with me everywhere. Her dad came in shortly afterwards, and we were able to signpost them to local services to help with things like funeral planning.”
Regular customer, Rita, makes crochet trinkets that are sold to raise money for Pilgrims. Dawn added: “Rita’s daughter received Pilgrims care, so it’s her way of giving back and it’s the reason our Pilgrims collection pots fill up so quickly.”
John
Dawn also displays local artwork, which is available to purchase, and has a small library where customers can borrow books, both in return for a suggested donation to the charity – the bookshelf was even sourced from Pilgrims Tivoli Brooks furniture warehouse. In addition, she plans to hold a weekly book club.
In September 2024, Dawn hosted an open mic event to raise money for Pilgrims, and hopes to put on another in the near future. She is planning much more, too, including a Christmas-themed doggie photo competition, which people can pay £1 to enter to be in with the chance of winning a hamper.
Dawn also attends annual remembrance events at the Thanet hospice: “Trees of Love is the best event of the whole year, and we have a leaf on the Memory Tree for Dad.
“When my dad died, I thought no one would want to listen to me talk about my grief, so I just went straight back to work. I don’t want other people to feel like that – I want to offer this space to others so they know they’re not alone, and support Pilgrims in any way I can.”
The Wooden Box Café is located at 91 High Street, Ramsgate CT11 9RH.
National Grief Awareness Week takes place 2-8 December 2024. It raises awareness of the impact of grief and loss on a national platform. To find out more, visit thegoodgrieftrust.org/ngaw.
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
13th November 2024
Alexa raises £100s for Pilgrims Hospices with beautiful bracelets
8-year-old Alexa Bolger from Westgate-on-Sea was inspired to support Pilgrims Hospices after loved ones and family friends received the charity’s care.
In the school summer holidays, Alexa’s grandma, Betty (Gan Gan) gave her £10 pocket money, which she used to buy clay beads to make bracelets. Alexa set up a stall outside her house and sold the bracelets, raising £218 for Pilgrims in just five days, thanks to the kind support and donations of passersby.
Alexa also attended the Thanet 5k Colour Run in Palm Bay, Cliftonville on 6 October 2024, where she sold more bracelets and raised another £150. Laurel House Dentist in Margate are supporting Alexa to raise even more for Pilgrims by selling her bracelets in memory of their colleague, Sharron. In total, Alexa and her family have contributed £100 to purchase the beads, and to date, she has raised an incredible £573.90 for local hospice care.
Alexa at Thanet 5k Colour Run with her mum, Clare, and Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager
Alexa said: “I want to help people who are poorly and need Pilgrims care, so they can be a little bit happier in the time they have left. I hope my fundraising helps to buy medicine for them and the care they need.”
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager, added:
“Alexa came to see us in August 2024 with a donation of £218 from bracelet sales that she had made by asking family and friends for a small donation, to help raise awareness and support for our hospice services. Since then, she has taken the idea to her school and raised further funds, including supporting our Thanet 5k Colour Run and raising an additional £150 on the day! Today, her funding is sitting at £573.90.
“Alexa is a real superstar! Aged just 8 years old, and to be so very committed to our charity’s cause, is so wonderful to see. We at Pilgrims, her mum Clare, and her family and friends, are so very proud of her commitment. Thank you so very much, Alexa, you really bring a smile to my face every time I see you.”
Alexa shared this update about her fundraising in April 2025:
If you’ve been inspired by Alexa and would like to fundraise for Pilgrims in the Thanet area, we’d love to hear your story. Please contact Karen Kenward:
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.
11th October 2024
Pilgrims Hospices Thanet 5k Colour Run unites supporters for a spectacular day of fun and charity!
What an incredible atmosphere at this year’s Pilgrims Hospices Thanet 5k Colour Run, which took centre stage at Palm Bay, Cliftonville, Margate on Sunday 6 October 2024.
Over 500 Pilgrims Hospices supporters participated, raising an impressive £220k+ across the eight years the event has taken place for hospice end-of-life care in east Kent. It’s clear that the event continues to make a significant impact.
Karen Kenward, the Fundraising Manager, and the entire team deserve commendation for their hard work and dedication in organising such a successful event. It was heart-warming to see the community come together for a spectacular day in Cliftonville.
Families and friends enjoyed a super fun day while also supporting a local charity. The spectacular weather added to the joy and vibrancy of the occasion.
Fitness expert Bex kicked off the Colour Run event with a fun warm-up for everyone. The dynamic session, full of fun dance moves and cool music, got participants moving, stretching, and prepared for the colourful spectacle ahead.
Karen said: “The money raised today will go a long way in providing crucial support and care for those in need in the community. The Thanet 5k Colour Run is not only a fantastic way to raise money, but also a beautiful example of how communities can unite for a great cause.”
She also shared a heart-warming moment: “This year, Alexa Bolger, aged 8, stole the stage and received huge applause after it was announced how much she had raised by making beaded bracelets to help raise awareness and funds for our charity. To date, Alexa has raised £573, and she even stayed for the warm-up! A huge ‘well done’ to everyone who supported us on the day, and here’s to many more successful events in the future!”
Karen added: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to our sponsors – Watkins, Stagecoach, Copyshop, and Mini Stores in Deal. A special thanks also to Margate Ambulance, Academy Radio, Isle of Thanet News, Frank Leppard for his incredible photos, Pete our DJ, and lastly to the Pilgrims staff and volunteers who help make this event so special.
“I think we can all say we had a real colour blast today, and we couldn’t run this event without everyone’s wonderful support. Thank you all once again!”
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices cares 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.
