Two Year Anniversary of the new Priscilla Bacon Lodge
This week marks two years since we welcomed the first patients to the new Priscilla Bacon Lodge.
It’s an opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come, thank our dedicated staff and volunteers, and look forward to the future.
Two years ago, 50 members of NCH&C NHS Trust staff from the former site at Colman Hospital, along with representatives from the Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity, marked the move with a lantern-lit walk. The three-mile journey symbolised the dedication of staff and volunteers over more than 40 years at the Unthank Road building, and the start of a new chapter at Colney.
Since then, the new Priscilla Bacon Lodge has become a place shaped by community, compassion, and collaboration. NCH&C teams have continued to deliver the highest quality palliative and end-of-life care, while also expanding the services on offer.
The Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity has worked to enhance care; launching programmes of Complementary Therapy, Music Therapy and Bereavement Services.
The past year also saw us begin to host Zest sessions at the Lodge. Zest is a ground-breaking initiative bringing together local children’s and adult services to support smoother transitions into adult care. We are delighted to partner with East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), Tapping House, and the Louise Hamilton Centre.
The Charity also established a partnership with local Financial Planning firm, Brancaster House, who offer free bi-weekly advice sessions for patients, their families, and hospice staff. Find upcoming dates here.
Earlier this year, we launched our Comfort Blankets project, with the aim of bringing colour, comfort and warmth to patients. The response to this has been overwhelming, with hundreds of squares knitted and donated so far.
One of the most exciting developments has been the recent creation of the Living Well Community Hub, which provides outpatient support for people with life-limiting conditions. Delivered in partnership between NCH&C and the Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity, the Hub offers:
- Symptom management, including breathlessness, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy
- Exercise groups
- Counselling and bereavement services
- Spiritual and religious support
- Music therapy
- Complementary therapies such as massage, aromatherapy, and reiki
- Wellbeing sessions in craft, relaxation, and nature
- Support groups for patients and loved ones
Care is delivered through a mix of one-to-one and group sessions, with input from NHS clinicians, alternative therapists, counsellors, chaplains, volunteers, and support workers.
Download the leaflet below for more information.
Referrals are made by healthcare professionals – please speak to your care team.
Living Well Community Hub leafletAs we look back with gratitude and pride, we also look forward with hope. Thank you to our wonderful staff and volunteers for their continued commitment and compassion. Together, we will continue to make Priscilla Bacon Lodge a truly special place for many years to come.
We shared some remarkable achievements in “Compassion in Action” – our 2024 Impact Report and you can read about the Charity’s future plans in our Three-Year Strategy 2025-2027.