St Christopher's Hospice
A warm welcome to St Christopher's
David Tasma Window
In 1948, whilst as an almoner at Archway Hospital, Dame Cicely met David Tasma, a 40-year-old Polish Jewish refugee who had fled the Warsaw Ghetto. In 1948, Cicely met David Tasma, a 40-year-old Polish Jewish refugee who had fled the Warsaw Ghetto, at St Thomas' Hospital. He was dying of cancer and felt unfulfilled and that he had done nothing worthwhile in his life.
Reception
A key focus of the hospice was and still is to be welcoming; open to the public, and not a place for the dying to be hidden away and isolated. A key focus of the hospice was and still is to be welcoming; open to the public, and not a place for dying people to be hidden away and isolated. It was therefore vital that the first impressions visitors received was of openness.
The Rehabilitation Gym
The gym is run by a team of occupational health therapists; this includes physiotherapists, occupational health therapists, dieticians and speech and language therapists. The gym is run by the Rehabilitation Team which includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and rehab assistants.
Salon and Washroom
Salon and Washroom content With both bath and shower facilities, we offer a bathing service to individuals that are unable to do so at home or do not have access to these facilities at home.
The Tribute Tree
We have two unique handmade Tribute Tree sculptures; the first is located outside the Pilgrim Room on the first floor and the other is on the ground floor stairwell, close to the Anniversary Centre. We have two handmade Tribute Tree sculptures; the first is located outside the Pilgrim Room on the first floor and the other is on the ground floor stairwell, close to the Anniversary Centre.
The Pilgrim Room
The Pilgrim Room is a multifaith room. It is a space for everybody and offers a chance for some quiet time and reflection. It is a welcoming space and in it you’ll find a large memories book that people can write in. The Pilgrim Room is a welcoming, open space for everyone and offers a chance for some quiet time and reflection. In it you’ll find a large Memories’ Book that people can write in.
The Wards
As you’ll see on the walk to the wards, windows and light are very important at St Christopher’s. This is continued on the wards itself, with each of the rooms having large windows looking out over the local area or the gardens. Windows and light are very important at St Christopher’s. This is continued on the wards itself, with each of the rooms having large windows looking out over the local area or the gardens.
Clinic rooms
There are a number of clinic rooms on the ground floor, used primarily for out-patient clinics.
Wellbeing Rooms
Supporting wellbeing for both patients and their loved ones is a crucial part of our work. Throughout the year we offer wellbeing days where our team are on hand to offer advice, support and treatments at the hospice.
Lavender room
Our lavender room is a multi-functional space. A tranquil space for calm reflection, it’s mostly used for people to relax, and our Namaste sessions are also held in this room.
The Anniversary Centre
The Anniversary Centre was opened in July 2009, following a capital appeal that raised £2.5million. Open seven days per week, the space is used to provide a social space for patients, families and carers. The Anniversary Centre was opened in July 2009, following a capital appeal that raised £2.5million.
The gardens
The Anniversary centre leads out onto a large garden, which offers a space for peace and reflection. It is used regularly by all those that spend time at or visit the hospice and is looked after with great love and diligence by volunteers. The Anniversary Centre leads out onto a large garden, which offers a space for peace and reflection or beautiful surroundings to socialise with family and friends. It is used regularly by all those that spend time at or visit the hospice.
The Arts Pavilion
The Pavilion is home to a whole range of groups and classes. Led by the Arts Team at St Christopher’s, it is part of our Wellbeing Programme and is used by lots of people for creative activities such as art and music therapies. The Arts Pavilion is home to a range of therapeutic groups, led by the Art Psychotherapists and Music Therapists that work in the Psychological and Spiritual Services team at St Christopher’s. We offer individual, family and group sessions for patients, family members, carers and the bereaved.
St Christopher's Centre for Awareness and Response into End of Life
Education lies at the heart of everything we do at St Christopher’s as we believe people deserve excellent end of life care wherever they are, and whatever their circumstances.