As Nightingale House Hospice prepares for its annual Light Up A Life service on December 1st, Liz Birch shares her family’s journey with the hospice.

Her story beautifully captures the vital role of Nightingale House in offering comfort, compassion, and lasting memories during challenging times. Her experience reflects the deep impact the Light Up A Life campaign has in honouring loved ones and supporting essential care for the community.

The Birch family first connected with Nightingale House Hospice in 2018, as Liz’s father, David Birch (known as Birchy), a former mechanic, entered the final stages of a nearly two-decade journey with prostate cancer.

Liz recalls how David’s final days in the local hospice brought comfort and dignity, which became a precious memory for the entire family. Liz said: “For the 5-6 days he was there, he didn’t suffer at all. He was comfortable, and I think that made all the difference for us.

“Nightingale House took the pressure off our family, allowing us to enjoy those last moments with him.”

She reflected on her father’s experience at the hospice with warmth and gratitude. Liz said: “The hospice provided both physical care and an environment where our loved ones could be together without the worries of daily caregiving.”

Liz remembered a cherished moment when her son, Haydon, then only 10, joined his grandfather to watch a football match on TV with the rest of their family. She said: “He came out saying, ‘It’s not like a hospital, Mum, it’s like a hotel.’

“During this very traumatic and upsetting time for our family, Nightingale House made it bearable; it was a place where we could be a family together and share dad’s precious last moments.” For Liz, these memories underscore the compassionate atmosphere at Nightingale House that supports patients and families alike.”

The Light Up A Life campaign provides the community a unique opportunity to honour loved ones while supporting the hospice’s mission.

Each year, Nightingale House invites families to dedicate a light on their Tree of Lights as a tribute to someone special.

These dedications, showcased in the hospice’s Book of Honour, are a way for families to remember loved ones and sustain the essential care provided at Nightingale House. Liz added: “We didn’t realise all the support Nightingale House offered until we were here…

“It’s a place where you feel like a human being, not a number.

“The Family Support Team at the hospice were amazing when we were trying to understand our grief… Having someone outside my immediate circle to talk to, who didn’t judge, was just massive for me.

“I’d look forward to our sessions, and they gave me practical ways to help my kids process things in their own way.

“Even though I’d been a teacher for 20 years, it was reassuring to know I was saying the right things in this situation because I’d never had bereavement training.

“It was like I was given a toolkit to manage my own emotions and to support my kids through it.”

Liz’s family continues to remember David by actively supporting Nightingale House through various fundraising efforts, including bike ride challenges, taking part in the hospice lottery, attending events and other initiatives.

Lowri Sadler, Events Fundraiser said: “The Light Up A Life campaign offers a meaningful opportunity for the community to support a local charity that touches the lives of so many during their most challenging times, ensuring that others can receive the same compassionate care.

“People can support the campaign through a dedication to a loved one on our website or by attending a Light Up A Life service.”

The Light Up A Life main service will take place on Sunday, December 1st, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at Nightingale House Hospice. The event offers a touching way for families to celebrate memories together and support the hospice’s specialised care. Find out more about how to make a dedication and the Light Up A Life services taking place on the Nightingale House website: www.nightingalehouse.co.uk/event/light-up-a-life/