Lottery Trust grant helps Hospice re-open day unit

Tue, 29 Aug 2023

Manx Lottery Trust has awarded Hospice Isle of Man a £50,000 grant to assist with the costs needed to re-launch a therapeutic day unit.

The day unit, which was previously halted due to Covid-19, was established for people with life limiting illnesses, carers, family members, or bereaved persons to attend interactive workshops in a "social and psychologically safe" environment.

The unit has re-opened for one day a week and "will offer a varied programme to give patients and their families the opportunity to make informed choices about what might be important to them".

Vanessa Smith, Head of Income Generation at Hospice Isle of Man, said: “The Hospice ethos is to empower people to adapt to their new state of living, with dignity and compassion.

“Before it was paused during Covid, the feedback we received from those who attended our Day Unit was incredibly positive. Sadly, we have not been in a financial position to cover the cost of re-opening the Day Unit service, particularly with the cost of living crisis and falling income streams.

“We are therefore extremely grateful for the generous support of the Manx Lottery Trust which has allowed us to restart this hugely beneficial service!”

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