“As soon as we had Mum’s diagnosis, we got in touch with Rennie Grove Peace. After the wonderful care at home that Dad received in 2021, we knew that Rennie Grove Peace was the support we all needed to navigate what we knew was coming.
“Mum had always been clear that she wished to be at home at the end of her life. It was very important to her, as it had been to Dad, to be in her own home, in her own bed and surrounded by people who loved her. She had been in hospital earlier in her illness, and it just wasn’t the right environment for her. So it was important to make sure she wasn’t readmitted.
“In addition to her cancer diagnosis, Mum had a complex mix of medical conditions. This made it impossible for us to promise that she could stay at home, but we knew that Rennie Grove Peace would give us the best chance of making her wish a reality.
“Following an initial visit to assess Mum, we agreed with the Hospice at Home team that regular phone contact would be enough at that stage. We had fortnightly phone calls to see how Mum was doing, raise any concerns, and get advice from the nurses.
“The team was also great at liaising with Mum’s GP surgery and any other support needed.”
Living Well
Joan found comfort in the hospice’s Living Well support.
Kate said:
“Shortly after her diagnosis, Mum was referred to the Living Well programme at Grove House.
We would take her to the sessions each week, and for Mum it was a safe space to speak with others who were going through something similar and understood. The sessions were really informative and gave her the knowledge and confidence to live as well as she could.
“There was one session with a PAT dog which was especially meaningful. She had lost her beloved dog only a few weeks earlier and that session gave her an outlet for her grief, and an opportunity to share her feelings.”
Hospice at Home
Andrea picks up the story:
“As Mum’s illness progressed, the frequency of the calls with Rennie Grove Peace increased, until eventually we needed visits from the Hospice at Home nurses and carers from the Rapid Personalised Care Service.
“We knew immediately that it was the right decision.”
“As a strong woman, accepting the personal care offered by the Rapid Personalised Care Service meant that Mum was able to maintain her dignity to the end. She was always in clean clothes, with her hair washed and her nails cared for. These things mattered hugely, and although they might seem small, they were incredibly important to Mum.
“Throughout Mum’s illness one of us was there every day, 24/7, as she became more unwell.
“Caring for somebody you love is complex. It is emotionally draining, physically taxing, and made harder by the need to navigate multiple, unfamiliar systems. It can be a time of enormous anxiety and distress. Having the support of Rennie Grove Peace not only made this time manageable for us as a family, it gave us the opportunity to spend precious time with Mum. The entire team wrapped their arms around us, and gave us the practical tools and confidence to care for her.
“Rennie Grove Peace gave us peace of mind. Not only were there always people at the end of the phone who could advise and support us, they visited multiple times day and night when needed.”
Joan died in August 2025, surrounded by her family.
Thanks to the incredible Rennie Grove Peace team, Joan was at home, in her own bed, wearing her favourite pyjamas. Her nails sparkled a beautiful shade of blue, and Meme the cat was snuggled up on her lap.
Fundraising
The support Joan and Howard received, reiterated to the family how vital fundraising is to keep hospice care available for everyone.
Kate continues: “Our family has seen many sides of Rennie Grove Peace: the range of services it provides, and the funds needed to make it all possible. After Dad died, we were so grateful for the care he had received that we took every opportunity to fundraise, so other families could benefit from the same extraordinary care.”
“I ran the London Marathon, raising over £5000, and it was an absolute honour to run in the Rennie Grove Peace team. Later, three generations of the family took part in a Rennie Grove Peace fundraising fashion show.”
At that time, Mum had been living with Parkinson’s for many years and had a lot of issues with mobility. But she was so motivated to give back to the charity and ensure the care be available to others, that she was adamant she would be there. Not only did she don a stunning outfit, she strutted her stuff down the catwalk, and shared her story of the support Dad had received, and how grateful she was.
“At that stage we knew we wanted to protect hospice care for other families like ours. But we didn’t realise we would be relying on it again so soon.
“This whole experience has shown us how important that cycle is – receiving and giving back. The services that Rennie Grove Peace provides are available to the entire community — our friends, family members, neighbours, and even ourselves at some point.
We never know when we’ll need them, and it is so important to support charities like Rennie Grove Peace to protect hospice care for the future.”
Support families like Joan’s
Families like Kate, Andrea and Matt’s rely on Rennie Grove Peace during the most difficult moments. Your support helps make care like this possible for the next family who needs it.
Donate today
How we can help you
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Care in a hospice
At our Inpatient Unit in Watford, we offer expert care tailored to your needs in a warm and welcoming setting.
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Access our care
Find out how you can access our care and support.
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Living Well activities
Come along to our free groups and activities designed to give you confidence - whether you're a patient, carer, or family member - to live well, feel supported, and boost your wellbeing.
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