W Bro John Little SLGR finds out more.

A grant in excess of £2,000 from the Masonic Charitable Foundation, the principal masonic charity and one of the largest grant making charities in the UK, is being used by the Marie Curie Hampstead Hospice to support the provision of care in its 26 bed unit for patients who are dying or need assistance with pain management and rehabilitation.

Marie Curie is the UK s leading end of life charity offering hands-on hospice and nursing care and a free support line. This in addition to providing a wealth of information and support on all aspects of living with a terminal illness, dying, death and bereavement

This year saw the completion of a large modernisation of the inpatient unit at the Hampstead Hospice involving the installation of air conditioning and a new heating system so that patients can independently control their room temperature; along with improved patient privacy; dementia friendly rooms; a rehabilitation bay and open planned, more welcoming reception areas.

Outpatient services and day therapies are also available to help patients live the best life possible with a terminal Illness, whether they have a short time left to live or suffer from long-term problems relating to their illness. The Hospice s outpatient team offers support with pain management and rehabilitation as well as emotional and spiritual support.

In addition to the services offered to patients, the Hospice also looks after their families and carers. A team of counsellors provides pre and post bereavement support (for adults and children), and social workers support families through this difficult time.

Marie Curie’s Karen Sandeman comments: We know that everybody will have been affected during the coronavirus pandemic in some way. The pandemic put everything on hold — theatre, sports and even hugging our loved ones, but terminal illness wasn’t put on hold. Marie Curie Hampstead provides care that is a world away from that of a hospital ward, our front-line staff in Hospices, our nurses in the community and staff on our support lines, have been there through it all, seven days a week caring for patients and supporting their families. We never stopped!

Marie Curie’s work is needed now more than ever and we are grateful for the timely support received from the Masonic Charitable Foundation.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 43 January 2021 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in the Arena Issue 43.