Fred’s story – supported by Phyllis Tuckwell

Wayne’s father, Fred, was referred to Phyllis Tuckwell by his GP, in August 2022.

“He initially went to the Beacon Centre, to see the Phyllis Tuckwell staff there,” said Wayne. “There was a lovely nurse who explained what their care was all about. She really managed to open Dad up a bit. Until then, I couldn’t get him to go out to any community centres or activities; he just didn’t want to meet with people at all.”

Fred moved to this area from Cornwall, where he had lived with his wife Margaret. She died in August 2021, when Fred was also diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer. “Everything just hit him at the same time,” said Wayne.

The nurse who met Fred asked him if he would like to start coming to our Living Well sessions. These two-hour sessions take place weekly over eight weeks and each focuses on a different topic, such as fatigue, breathlessness, sleep or nutrition.

“He absolutely loved the Living Well sessions! He so looked forward to them. There was a real zip in his step on those mornings.”

As well as caring for Fred at the sessions, our Living Well team have also visited him at home.

“Physios and occupational therapists have come to the house and advised on a few changes we could make. Dad wasn’t getting along with the walker that he had, so they suggested something else, which he’s now using. There are lots of little things like that.”

One of our Living Well sessions mentioned our Home Support service, which offers patients the opportunity to be visited by one of our Home Support volunteers once a week, for around three hours. They may sit and chat together over a cup of tea, or go for a walk or a drive, to a local garden centre perhaps, or to do some shopping.

“Dad asked if there was anyone from Phyllis Tuckwell who could come out and visit him, maybe go to the library or out for a walk. The Home Support co-ordinator came to see him to discuss it. She was lovely and he really embraced what she said. She said that based on everything he had told her, she could match him with a volunteer who would be best suited to what he is looking for, so she’s put that in motion and he’s got a lady who’s going to come out and see him every week. I think he wants to teach her chess or something!”

“Before Dad was referred, I wasn’t entirely sure of the support that Phyllis Tuckwell offered. I knew there were people being referred and going into the beds in the Hospice, but the other support, like the Living Well service, I wasn’t aware of, and that support to us is a godsend.

“As things have progressed with Dad’s illness, he’s already said that he would want to come to the Hospice at the end, which is another thing that he hasn’t wanted to discuss until recently. I don’t know if he finds it easier to speak to other people about that sort of thing, rather than to family members, but I’m just pleased there’s someone here that he can reach out to and talk to.”

“When Dad’s got things like the Living Well sessions to look forward to, it changes the whole scope of things. It’s been very difficult in the past to get him to embrace anything, now it’s almost like I’m seeing a different person.”