At St Richard’s Hospice, the high quality of care and compassion we offer patients and families is built on a foundation of activities that take place ‘behind the scenes’.
The hospice is kept running like a well-oiled machine by the highly experienced Facilities team, responsible for all the hospice’s support services including health and safety, housekeeping, catering, reception, building and grounds maintenance.
Our dedicated housekeeping team of six keep all areas of the hospice spotlessly clean, with a seven days a week service that includes an in-house laundry. Patients can be vulnerable to infections so we are proud of our extremely high standards of cleanliness throughout the hospice which act as an important defence.
Patients and family appreciate the care and friendly approachability of the hospice’s housekeepers. One family told us: “Everybody, including cleaners, smiled and health professionals were respectful and honest. An extremely special team: we can’t thank you enough for enabling our father’s end of life experience to be surrounded by loved ones, dignified and peaceful.”
The hospice’s hard working catering team are highly trained with excellent knowledge of the special dietary needs that patients may have. While a choice of menus is offered, any patient requests are happily catered for as we understand the need for people to have a nutritious and enjoyable diet during their stay.
On a daily basis, we offer a full catering service for a wide range of people including patients, families, staff and volunteers. We often have visitors who hold meetings, conferences and training events in our well-equipped education centre, and offer drinks and buffet lunches alongside the room hire.
The team is well known for their cake making and prepare much appreciated treats at a range of fundraising and celebration events held at the hospice. Recent examples include a carers’ tea party and a volunteers’ retirement celebration. At such times, the team are supported by the hospice’s army of willing and skilled volunteers.
A new series of men’s cookery classes, organised by the Family Support Service, was held recently and was thoroughly enjoyed by those who attended. Our chefs taught participants basic cooking skills in a supportive environment and helped the bereaved men who may have had very little need to cook previously to gain confidence in the kitchen.
Louise Clive, Facilities Manager
St Richard’s Hospice