St Catherine's marks its 25th anniversary in October 2008.

As we reflect on this milestone, some of the people closely involved with St Catherine's over the last 25 years have shared their memories and thoughts concerning our work.

"When I first came here in 1983, I never dreamed I'd be here until I was nearly 60!  This is the most rewarding work I've ever done and I feel really enriched through working here.

"Since I first joined St Catherine's, the needs of our patients have changed and we have grown and diversified in response to that.  The scope of the work we do now has a much wider focus and St Catherine's has expanded beyond all the expectations we had in the beginning.  When we talk about tall trees growing from small acorns, it's very true of the hospice."

Pam Bing, Catering Manager

"Congratulations and prayers to everyone at St Catherine's on 25 years of caring service for so many...I was privileged to serve as full-time chaplain there in the 1990s for about six months to fill a very special gap left by Revd. Colin Kassell.  This was a very special and privileged time for me and one I often reflect on with joy and pride.  It was a tremendous experience to share alongside the nurses, doctors and support staff and to have the responsibility of caring for them, as well as the patients, relatives, and friends.  I learned a lot about courage and caring, as well as a lot about myself.  I have a special regard for chaplains in this situation, as well as the dedicated work of the very special nursing and treatment which you give.  It was a particularly memorable experience serving with Maggie Fisher and all the medical staff, which I remember with affection and pride."

Revd Ron Ward

"It was very exciting when I started working here. There was the sense straight away that the patients were at the heart of our work and because staffing levels were higher than in a hospital, we knew that we could give the levels of individual care that we wanted to.

"This meant that the nurses had much more time to spend with patients and families and we could then provide the levels of comfort and reassurance that they needed at a most difficult time in their lives.  Achieving that level of care for each patient has remained really important to everyone who works here."

Penny Docker, Night Team Leader

"Developing listening skills and how to best support people emotionally was a huge learning curve and much harder than the physical aspects of providing care.  It felt very exciting and innovative to be here at the start with a completely new team - as it will be in the coming months for our new community service team.

"We learn so much from the patients and their families which helps in continuous improvement in our care, and that learning has grown over all these years.  We have needed to respond and adapt to the changing needs of patients.  The hospice is a philosophy of care; it doesn't have to be confined to a building."

Mary Price, Clinical Practice Sister

"There is a larger medical team and a teaching element that wasn't here in the early days.  We train doctors who then take the hospice ethos with them into their roles within our local community, which can be extremely beneficial for their patients."

Mary Webb, Occupational and Physiotherapy Technician

"The very special memories are of the stone laying ceremony by the Queen Mother, when the people invited were transported by coach to a hotel.  For security reasons we were accompanied by outriders...!!!

"Then there was the visit by Diana, Princess of Wales on the tenth anniversary.

"However, most important of all was the opening of St Catherine's to patients, an event which was achieved by the many tributaries combining all efforts to form a river of care."

June Monk, a member of St Catherine's first steering committee

"Reflecting on 25 years is a reminder of the untiring work and commitment given by so many people in support of St Catherine's.  It has been a privilege to work with such dedicated staff, trustees and volunteers during this time and witness the development of our services.  There is still much work to do, but with the ongoing support of local people, I trust that we will be able to provide high quality end of life care for the next 25 years."

Rosemary Cowley CBE, Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Some of  St Catherine's key milestones during the last 25 years can be seen in our photo gallery.