‘Life changing’ support from Rennie Grove Peace ‘completely changed’ how lung patient lives with serious illness

When retired sales manager, Jim Lowther, was told over the phone that he had pulmonary fibrosis – a progressive life‑limiting lung disease – he put down the phone in shock and fear. “I was sent a pack of leaflets that felt so daunting I couldn’t even bring myself to read them,” he said. “I honestly had no idea where to turn.”  

That was almost three years ago. Today, Jim describes Rennie Grove Peace as “the place I go to feel calmer, more positive and understood”, and says a varied programme of hospice support has completely changed how he lives with his illness. 

Hospice care isn’t just for end of life care 

Like four out of five local people*, Jim, who lives in Abbots Langley, had misconceptions about the services hospices provide. “I would never have thought to approach a hospice with my diagnosis,” he said. 

All that changed three years ago, when Jim’s hospital team suggested contacting his local hospice.  After being referred to Rennie Grove Peace’s Living Well centre in Watford, in January 2024, he joined a small exercise group led by a specialist physiotherapist and was offered reflexology sessions on the same day. The Living Well Centre offers care and support for people living with progressive life-limiting illnesses, and those around them, with services covering everything from yoga to gardening and nurse clinics to complementary therapies.  

Jim said: “At the weekly exercise sessions I know I can exercise safely with someone keeping an eye on me, then have a cup of tea with people who truly understand what I’m going through. Being able to have a reflexology session on the same day means I’m looking after both my body and my mind in one visit. Sometimes I arrive feeling tense and low, but I usually leave feeling lighter and more hopeful.” 

Caring for emotional and physical wellbeing  

Jim has lived with anxiety and depression in the past and says the emotional support from Rennie Grove Peace has been just as important as the physical care. “My diagnosis put me in a really dark place to begin with,” he said. “I’ve come to learn that hospice care is as much about supporting your emotional wellbeing as your physical health. When I look back on the time since my diagnosis, I can see that I’ve come so far. All the support I’ve had and the changes I’ve made have had a profound impact on me – meaning I’m in a much better place now.” 

“I’m so grateful that my medical team suggested I contact my local hospice as without this, I don’t know where I would be. For anybody who is in the same position I was in, living with an illness and not sure where to turn, I’d say just get in touch. If you’re offered a course or you hear about a service you can access from Rennie Grove Peace just do it. If you don’t try it, you’ll never know.” 

Following the initial support from Rennie Grove Peace, Jim has been living well and knew that he could get back in touch if things changed. Earlier this year, Jim returned to Rennie Grove Peace and was reassessed to identify the best services for his current needs. He has been given a new programme of support including reflexology and group exercise as well as joining a wellbeing group.  

He said, “The vibe here is very positive, and you never know the difference that could make to your mind and your body.” 

Encouraging people to plan ahead and live well 

“Jim’s story is exactly why we want people to hear a different message about hospice care,” said Tom O’Connor, Chief Executive of Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care.  

Tom continued: “Last year we conducted research* which showed that 81% of local people were unclear about the breadth of services that hospices offer, so over the last year we’ve changed the way we communicate. Our goal is very clear: to challenge the idea that hospice care is only about dying and show that it’s also about living well with a range of support that is tailored to each person’s individual needs.” 

Early referral offers clinical advantages and supports family members 

“Too many people still think of us only in the last days of life, when in reality, our teams are here from the moment of diagnosis, to help people – and those around them – plan ahead and live as well as they can, for as long as they can,” explained Jackie Tritton, Chief Clinical Officer at Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care. 

Jackie continued: “Clinically, we see the difference every day when people are referred earlier. We can help people manage their symptoms, stay independent for longer and protect their mental wellbeing while living with their illness. 

“If people wait until they’re in crisis, they miss out on months, sometimes years, of valuable support that could make everyday life easier.” 

How to access support and find out more 

Rennie Grove Peace offers care and support free of charge for adults living with a progressive life‑limiting illness, and those around them, in four main phases:  

1. Early support  
2. Living Well  
3. End of life care  
4. Bereavement support  

This is explained in more detail in a new animated film called ‘My hospice care journey’, created by Gosling, a healthcare specialist creative agency based in Harpenden, supporting Rennie Grove Peace as a charity partner. 

To view the film and find out more about the services offered by Rennie Grove Peace, click here.

Jim now encourages others not to wait. “If you’re sitting at home with a diagnosis and don’t know where to turn, please just take a look at the website to see how Rennie Grove Peace can help”, he said. “You might find, like I did, that a hospice is the one place you walk into feeling scared and walk out of feeling calmer.” 

*Research conducted by Opinion Matters, among a sample of 1,000 people living in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire (18+), including 502 in Hertfordshire. Data collected between 26.03.2025 – 03.04.2025. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Opinion Matters is also a member of the British Polling Council.