East of England Co-op donates £1,000 to north-east Essex hospice

The East of England Co-op has supported St Helena Hospice with a donation towards the cost of new armchairs with infection control in mind for use during their therapies sessions at the Joan Tomkins Centre in Colchester.

The chairs, which were purchased with a £1,000 donation from the East of England Co-op, will give those that attend groups, including breathlessness, complementary therapies and relaxation sessions, an improved experience.

Lynn Warner, Community Engagement Manager at East of England Co-op said: “As a community retailer and co-operative, supporting others is at the heart of what we do. We’re delighted to be able to support St Helena Hospice with this donation so that they’re able to improve the service they offer to users with the new chairs”.

Michaela Sen, Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Matron at St Helena Hospice, said: “Meeting in a group format not only provides an opportunity to educate patients and their families on how to cope with and manage their symptoms but it also helps patients accept their conditions and helps them to realise they are not alone”.

The hospice, like many others, was forced to cease operation of their programme of group therapies during the Covid-19 pandemic. Michaela Sen continued that now restrictions have lifted: “It is vital that we can provide a safe and comfortable environment for patients and the new chairs will be invaluable in ensuring we do this.”