For Bidford-on-Avon resident Maurice Humphries, aged 90, The Shakespeare Hospice holds a deeply personal significance. Maurice’s wife, Maggie, received compassionate care from the Hospice for over two weeks before she passed away on 7th December 2023, aged 86. As he reflects on the care they received, Maurice shares his gratitude and highlights the vital role the Hospice played during Maggie’s final weeks.
“I first got to know the Hospice in November 2023 after Maggie had been discharged from Warwick Hospital. She had been in hospital for 8 weeks with a variety of complex health issues,” Maurice recalls. “By the time The Shakespeare Hospice got involved, her health had deteriorated, and she was almost bed-ridden. We had carers who were coming in three or four times a day. The Hospice nurses then came in twice a day, and they were excellent. They made such a big impression, not just on Maggie, but the whole family.
“The Hospice nurses are like angels. They appear at the worst time in your life. You're facing this situation where your loved one is receiving end-of-life care. They understand your situation, they understand the system, and they support the whole family, which made all the difference. In the end, they cared for Maggie to die peacefully at home.”
Together, Maurice and Maggie had faced immense tragedy before, having lost their son, Stephen, in a road traffic collision in August 1986. This tragedy prompted the couple to get involved with The Compassionate Friends (TCF) – a charity that supports bereaved parents and their families. The couple were involved with TCF for approximately 30 years. They ran two support groups in Solihull and Walsall and played a leading part in supporting hundreds of bereaved parents.
Maggie died on their daughter Jo’s birthday, adding another layer of sorrow to an already difficult time.
Maurice’s story highlights the impact of the Hospice’s services, which go beyond traditional patient care to provide essential support to carers and loved ones.
“I didn’t realise just how much the Hospice would support me, as well as Maggie,” Maurice continues. “Through the Hospice, I was invited to a ‘Carers & Bereaved’ group on a Monday morning, which was very supportive. I made a few friends there who were going through similar experiences to myself. The counselling the family has received has been invaluable.”
Maurice’s granddaughter, Hannah, has also been inspired to give back. In July 2024, she participated in the Inflatable 5k run at the University of Warwick, raising over £800 for The Shakespeare Hospice in memory of her grandmother.
To help fund these crucial services, The Shakespeare Hospice is preparing to open a brand-new charity shop in Bidford-on-Avon. The shop will contribute directly to sustaining these services, ensuring that more families can access the same level of care and support that Maurice and Maggie received.
The shop, located at 30A Bidavon Industrial Estate, Waterloo Road, Bidford-on-Avon, B50 4JN, will offer a range of quality pre-loved clothing, books, homeware, and furniture, with all proceeds going directly towards funding the Hospice’s specialist care services.
The shop is set to begin trading on 17th February, with an official opening event scheduled for 11am on Saturday 22nd February.
For Maurice, the opening of the shop is not just a chance to support a cause close to his heart—it is also a way to honour Maggie’s memory and the kindness they experienced.
“I am delighted that The Shakespeare Hospice is enhancing its presence in Bidford. If this shop helps just one more family receive the same care and comfort that we did, then it’s worth it,” he says. “We will certainly be donating some of Maggie’s clothes when the shop opens. I hope others in Bidford will support it and, in doing so, support The Shakespeare Hospice in continuing its vital work.”
The services of The Shakespeare Hospice are not just available to patients, but to their carers and loved ones too. You can find out more about the range of services that the Hospice offers at: www.theshakespearehospice.org.uk/services.
Further information about the shop opening is available here: www.theshakespearehospice.org.uk/latest-news/the-shakespeare-hospice-unveils-exciting-new-charity-shop-in-bidford-on-avon
