Celebrating 20 years of service!

25th June 2021

Today, our wonderful inpatient unit Healthcare Assistant, Joyce celebrated her 20th anniversary working at St Luke’s Hospice. 

We thank Joyce for the 20 years of service and dedication she has given to the hospice and the care, kindness and love she has shown to so many patients, families and colleagues over those two decades. 

Joyce said: “20 years ago I started my amazing journey at the hospice. Over 20 years I have watched St Luke’s grow and expand, being there for all who need help. I have grown in strength and feel enriched as a person. I have developed my knowledge, with a great interest in peoples’ beliefs and fears. There have been challenging times: work has taught me to take a step back, to always be there for everyone but also to be very much aware of my own wellbeing. My sense of humour has played a vital part in my working life. I have shed bucket loads of tears, held many many hands, given hugs and more hugs and said goodbyes to many. This is a very special part of my job.

“I have watched the wonderful Doctors coming and going, the work they do for patients and their kindness and dedication. Over the years I have worked with the most wonderful nurses and healthcare assistants who were complete angels. I remember in the early years’ daycare flourishing with Ann Hatswell at the helm, a truly beautiful spirit. Currently, we have a tight team at the hospice that really care about each other, look out for one another and most of all sense when something is wrong with another colleague.

“The seasons have come and gone and the gardens grown better and better: the wisteria is breathtaking hanging outside the patients’ rooms. 

“I am proud of my achievement in getting staff together each Christmas to celebrate and my legacy with regard to the Bluebell room. I always thought it was cold and lacked any spiritual feeling. I really wanted a stained glass window to be put in: I got the go-ahead and managed to get a specially commissioned stained glass windows put in for St Luke’s free of charge.

“I have been so lucky to be part of St Luke’s and had such wonderful memories. It has been a pleasure, life-changing, so humbling, unforgettable and been my special life’s journey that will continue.”