Shakespeare Hospice officially opened in February 1999

One of those is the Hospice at Home service which enables those patients with a life-limiting illness to be cared for at home - and to die at home if that is their preference.

The hospice team of team of registered nurses and health care assistants aim to improve the lives of these patients by allowing them to decide how they wish to access end of life care and provide holistic support to them, their carers and their loved ones in comfort and with dignity and surrounded by those who are most important to them.

Julie was a loving mum to Darcie, aged 24, and Rory, aged 15. Julie was married to Peter for 28 years.

Julie was Judy and Ron’s eldest daughter and Melanie’s only sister. Julie had lived with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) since she was 29 years old.

Julie ran her own business with Peter, ably drove an adapted car and even sky dived as a disabled woman, fundraising for others.

Julie was 52 years old when she died of cancer, compassionately cared for by the wonderful Shakespeare Hospice at Home Team. She died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on 7th August 2023 with the hospice team supporting the last week of Julie’s life with such respectful, compassionate and human-centred care. Julie’s family will be forever grateful for such wonderful care they believe everyone deserves.

Over 300 people attended Julie’s funeral to hear the Story of Julie. These are just some of the extracts from Julie’ eulogy, which was co-produced from the 100 plus messages on socials and in cards and letters received by the family.

“A social butterfly with a total genuine interest in everyone you met. An outgoing force of nature.”

“Everyone recognises what a successful businesswoman you went on to become. Quietly, competently growing a thriving business with Pete whilst juggling being Mumma Hunt, managing the ups and downs of your MS and still being there for family and friends.”

“We all remember when you jumped out of a plane for fun … and for charity of course. That was you. You had SO MUCH capacity to care for others… as a Mum, wife, daughter, auntie, sister, colleague and friend, when you thought others were worse off than you!”

“Above all – everyone agrees you were so able – so capable. Whatever was thrown at you – you fought it back every day. Even when walking became a daily challenge … you beat the challenge every day.”

“Despite many obstacles your strength of character saw you win when others may have lost. Your resilience – your strength – never ever complaining or feeling sorry for yourself - a true warrior”

“Because you were never ever going to be defined by your health.”

“Many have told us of your warm, genuine and courageous soul. A wonderful woman with the biggest heart. Such a beautiful and inspirational lady.”

“You are remembered for being you, Julie…. From whom we could all learn from your strength and positivity and take with us in our attitudes to life from this day forward.”

“You were the glue holding our family together.”

Melanie told the Herald she was so impressed with the amazing care her sister received, she wrote to the Care Quality Commission.

This is her feedback.

“The Shakespeare Hospice at Home team cared for my sister in August 2023 until the end. They provided exceptionally compassionate and dignified care throughout. Whilst she had capacity, the team provided my sister with clearly explained information so that she remained in control of her own life choices. Where necessary, we as a family were involved in shared decision-making about next steps which empowered us to feel like we were able to do something meaningful at a time of helplessness. The kindness of their voices, their touch, their handling and even on her passing, the dignified care they provided will remain in our memories forever. We will always be truly grateful. The team never held back from sharing with us the reality of the situation of what to expect from end-of -life care.

They treated us all with respect and gave us time to ask questions and listened. We felt heard. In reality, for the 7 days the Hospice at Home Team were with us all, they became part of our everyday family. I wish for everyone to receive the same compassionate, person-centred care they provided my sister. For this reason, we as a family, are actively fundraising to make sure others in the Stratford area have access to the same high-quality care should they ever need it. The team also gave us their time to visit the hospice site to reflect upon their care, answer further questions and share stories about my sister. We were very grateful for the kind offer of bereavement counselling for my young nephew and niece. The complete service they provide should be funded and available to everyone who needs it.”

Jane Batchelor from Wilmcote speaks on behalf of her whole family when she recalls their ever-lasting gratitude to the Shakespeare Hospice for the care and compassion the team of nurses gave to the family when Jane’s father Tony Lucas passed away at home in Wilmcote aged 81 last August.

Jane, her sister Sally, brother Richard and her mother, Margaret, are another family who have been deeply moved by the support shown to Tony and the family by the hospice at such a deep personal and emotional time in their lives.

“Words cannot fully express our gratitude as a family to the Shakespeare Hospice and in particularly the Hospice at Home nurses who provided end of life care for my father Tony following a diagnosis of terminal cancer in October 2022,” Jane said.

” It was Tony’s wish that he could receive palliative care at home as his illness progressed and ultimately have the choice to die at the home he loved.

The Hospice at Home team facilitated and enabled this to happen. In the months before Dad died there were many visits from the nursing team to his home not just to provide medical/physical care but also to give support and advice both to him and us - his carers.

As a family we had no prior knowledge or experience of caring for a relative with terminal cancer, the early days felt very much like we were floundering in very deep water.

Having the input of the hospice team meant we could keep dad in the comfort of his own home, safe in the knowledge that we were receiving an outstanding level of care for him.

The home nursing team treated my father with such kindness and compassion, enabling him to maintain his dignity and sense of self-worth even though his body was failing him.

Dad died at home in August 2023.

As a family we are so grateful that the Hospice at Home team enabled us to spend so much time with him, in the place where he wished to be, right up until the end.”

Jane’s brother, Richard Lucas, originally from Wilmcote, is currently cycling 2,600 miles from Singapore to Alice Springs, Australia to raise £2,000 for the hospice and his journey was recently featured in the Herald.

As it celebrates 25 years, the hospice is encouraging communities across south Warwickshire to organise their own tea party to help raise funds or to take part in any number of events of their choice like the Shakespeare Marathon, the dragon boat race or a 25-mile cycle ride, there’s also a Halo Charity Ball planned for 13th April for the Shakespeare Hospice and for Papyrus UK, a suicide prevention charity that supports those under 35.

Melanie Martin and her family are supporting the charity ball.

“As a family we will be supporting the ball along with friends in support of Papyrus and the Shakespeare Hospice. Since Julie’s death six months ago, friends and family have been fundraising through Julie’s Welcome to our ‘much loved’ space for Julie Hunt 1971 - 2023 . This total is going to rise further with a recent Christmas raffle of a lawnmower from Hunts Engineering which raised over £1139 and collection boxes at Hunts Engineering which is the business Julie ran with her husband, Peter,” said Melanie.

If local businesses wish to sponsor a table at the event, donate an auction prize or purchase tickets please visit: Halo Fundraising – Championing PAPYRUS and other invaluable charities.www.halofundraising.org.uk