“I was a carer for both my parents and now I’m accessing services for my own illness – I’ve seen what a lifeline the hospice hub can be, from both perspectives”

Audrey first discovered Bolton Hospice’s Wellbeing Hub when her dad was referred by a social prescriber during his journey with stomach cancer.  As his full-time carer, she visited the hub alongside her dad – helping him access specialist support and complementary therapies.  When Audrey’s dad died in January 2026, her life changed drastically. 

Having spent years as a carer for both her parents, adjusting to life without them was a challenge.  Before her dad’s diagnosis, Audrey had also lost her mum, brother and auntie in a short space of time.  Her family of 6 had become a family of 3 in a matter of months.  She continued to access hospice support services for advice and bereavement.  Audrey later noticed a change in her own health and was ultimately diagnosed with vulvar melanoma.  It was at this point that she was referred to the Wellbeing Hub for support with her own illness.

“I’ve seen both sides – it’s an amazing place for patients, carers, and people who’re important to them.  In a way, I believe I became ill so I could come to the Wellbeing Hub myself.  It’s an absolute god send, I don’t know what I’d do without it.

My family were worried about me after my dad died but I’m coping.  This place has helped me do that, kept me afloat. My friends and family live across the country and I don’t drive so I can’t go and visit them, but now I’ve got my own little family at the hub.  It’s become part of my routine, but I’ll never take it for granted.

I didn’t like arts and crafts when I first came, but now it’s become a new way I relax thanks to the hub.  The Wellbeing Hub’s not just crafting, though – that’s just one part of it – it’s about the expert support, socialising and the laughs we have, every time we come in.  It helps you focus on something else for a while.  It brings out my inner child too, which is important.  We’re all still that young child, no matter how many years later it might be, and we should accept the help we would give to that little person.

Whether you’ve got a life-limiting illness or you’re caring for someone else who does – the hub can offer support, it’s up to you how many or which sessions you access.  You can refer yourself online through a quick form, I’d recommend it to anyone”.

You can self refer here