“Put me on the town hall steps and I’ll tell everyone: ‘If you’ve got a life-limiting illness get your backside down here, I don’t know how you couldn’t like it!’”

Mel started attending Bolton Hospice’s Wellbeing Hub around two years ago, after her doctor suggested giving it a try.

Though she was unsure at first her husband, Doug, encouraged her to give it a try.  After pushing past first day nerves and uncertainties, Mel now visits the hub twice a week.

Doug passed away suddenly in late 2025, since then Mel says the Wellbeing Hub has evolved from a “breath of fresh air” into an “absolute safe haven”.

“I come to the creative therapy sessions on a Wednesday and Thursday, but it’s so much more than that for me.

I laugh, I cry and I talk – although I’ve got a good relationship with my family, it can be hard to speak to them about things.  I want to be a strong mum for them.

It’s been good for my family too – I’m not sad when I come home, I’ve got lots to speak to them about and they have more time to themselves as well.

I call it my ‘me time’.  For a few hours I’m not focussed on being someone’s mum, wife or friend – I’m just me.

The minute I walk through those doors everyone makes a fuss of me: “Can I get you a drink, Mel?’, ‘How’re you doing today, Mel?’.  It’s nice to feel special.

Doug always held my hand and at the time I always wanted my own space, but now I really miss that.  Things like Sensory Therapy fill that gap for me, even a hug means so much – we underestimate the impact human touch can have.”

During her first few visits another patient, B, took Mel under her wing.  Before long, Mel had made “a whole family”.

“I’ve got new friends that I get to see each week and we’ve all got common ground with being unwell… though I don’t actually think about my illness while I’m here.

We all bring something different to the table, we’ve recently used that collaboration to make items to sell and raise funds.  We’re like a conveyer belt when we get going!

I didn’t like crafts when I first came but now, I’ve even started doing some at home.  Being here has taught me different ways to cope.

We’ve lost members of the group which has been incredibly sad, but we’ve all got through it together.

The staff and volunteers are so welcoming, and nobody ever judges you.

I tell absolutely everyone about it – the taxi driver on the way here, my family when I get home, put me on the town hall steps and I would tell everyone: ‘If you’ve got a life-limiting illness get your backside down here, I don’t know how you couldn’t like it!’”