It’s the place where Sylvia Hughes was very apprehensive to be referred to and yet within just a few short months, the Hospice of the Good Shepherd became her safe space, the place she feels loved, protected and cared for, and where she now feels part of a family. Sylvia, from Ellesmere Port, was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer in December 2021. Unable to take strong pain relief for the severe pain she experiences intermittently from her cancer, she was referred to the pain management experts at the hospice.
“I was really anxious when they told me I was being referred here,” Sylvia recalls. “My first thought was: ‘Does this mean I haven’t got long to live?’ I was so scared that I actually didn’t dare ask anyone whether that was the case! They were so lovely with me, though. They sorted out my pain relief and invited me to have a course of massage sessions with the hospice therapists. These sessions are offered as a course so that everyone gets a turn. They are absolutely fabulous.”
In September 2021, just three months before her diagnosis, tragedy struck. “Our daughter passed away. It was such a stressful time for the family and as we were dealing with that, we had my diagnosis to cope with.
Our son subsequently passed away suddenly in June 2025. These tragedies devastated the family and despite my own diagnosis, I am the strong, positive one in all this: the support I continue to receive from everyone here at the hospice has made all the difference.”
Both Sylvia and her husband have benefitted from the hospice’s bereavement counselling services. “The counsellors are truly amazing and have been a Godsend during some really difficult times at home. Christine Ankers in particular has been amazing – a real lifeline for me and many others at the hospice.”
“The massages have made such a difference too. They gave me my own space, time for me, an hour when I didn’t have to be strong for anyone else. It will be difficult for others to imagine how important that is.”
Sylvia was subsequently invited to come along to the Coffee and Chat sessions at the hospice’s Living Well outpatients’ centre. “I was very nervous to be honest – I didn’t know anyone but as soon as I walked in, various people invited me to sit next to them and so I didn’t feel the odd one out for a second!
I’ve been able to create new bonds of friendship with so many people: lovely, like-minded people who understand each other and what we’re going through. That means so much. Whenever she sees me, Staff Nurse Naomi Powell takes the time to ask how I am and really listens to me. She does the same for every patient. Most people won’t be able to understand what it means when someone is prepared to really listen to you.”
“Earlier this year on one day I was fortunate to have counselling, attend the Coffee and Chat session, enjoy lunch at the café and have therapy afterwards. It was wonderful – just like having a spa day. I felt totally different at the end of it.”
There was high praise from Sylvia for the hospice’s volunteers. “The greeting from the reception volunteers is amazing: everyone always asks how you are and how you’re getting on: they obviously really care. They are wonderful. It’s like feeling a big hug every time you walk through the door.
I cannot speak highly enough of the volunteers in the café: they are so friendly and always make time to talk to you – and they serve gluten-free food. It’s lovely not to feel the odd one out when you’re ordering gluten-free food.”
“All the hospice services are free but I personally like to give a bit back to the hospice in my own way. Like many others, I do this anonymously.
I have bought items from the hospice’s Amazon wish list, taken items in for the tombolas at the Christmas and Summer fairs and provided art items for the counselling service.”
Sylvia added: “I feel so much part of this amazing place and these amazing people. It has become my safe haven from all the really difficult family issues that are waiting for me every time I get home.
The whole team at the hospice is just incredible.”