The Hospice has always had open visiting, being able to freely speak and get to know our patients was made so much harder. Most of all, our patients having to restrict who can visit them in some of the hardest days they will face, was so hard for us all. We had to become the patient’s support bubble and make things as normal as possible for them in a world that is getting crazier by the day.

This was one of the hardest parts and still is now. During the first lockdown I remember holding a patient’s hand as she passed away with her daughter at the door; she was unable to enter as she was shielding. This will be one of the memories that won’t fade about Covid-19. The goodbyes it manages to take away.

As a team we did our best to help with patients and families communicating such as Facebook portals, face time and the use of other technologies. These can’t give you the hugs the patients longingly want but they do help take that feeling of isolation away

I feel lucky for most part, which is a strange word to use, because I got to continue life with some sort of normality. In some cases other people’s lives have completely been ripped from normality and changed for nearly a year!  These people in my eyes are the real Key Workers, staying home to keep us safe.

I live with my little boy and partner and they are my little world so I am forever grateful to them. Some days at work were really hard especially when we had the Covid ward; watching families seeing loved ones through a window really hit me.  These days I would go home and Tom and Oliver would just make me smile again. However, home-schooling is something I am forever grateful I was able to come to work and miss!  Being furloughed, poor Tom had to become the teacher and in all honesty he and Oliver did absolutely amazing.

I miss my friends and family so much but I know to keep them safe we have to stay apart. I have had best friends having babies I have not met yet, my dear friend passed away and that not being able to say goodbye I understand for relatives is the hardest part. My poor nanna has not seen me since last April but in all honesty she’s probably glad of the peace!

Every member of this organisation has done their part to make sure our Hospice has been a major part of the Covid 19 fight and to make sure we are still standing strong, whatever happens once Covid 19 has been fought. Teamwork really does make the dream work!

I have learnt that the team I am part of is formidable.  Everything we have been met with, challenged with and basically given no other choice that to do, we have risen to and in most cases we’ve done this with a laugh and a smile.

The compassion they all have for each other and their patients will forever have me in awe.  The Hospice has always been my family but during the pandemic they were my support network.

The lockdown has taken away a lot from everyone and will continue to for a long time yet. Kindness is something that the last year has shown me we have in masses. Kindness in the worst of times is the thing that has shone through Covid 19.

The donations of money are just amazing in the most difficult time for everyone people are still thinking of others. The people of Hartlepool and East Durham just amaze me!

I have felt supported, thought of and cared for. People who have supported us will never know truly how much they are appreciated and how they made a horrendous time more bearable. Who knew hand cream would be the thing that could brighten your day. I will say our waistlines may disagree with all the support given as we all need new uniforms now. *laughs*

The 8pm claps honestly were amazing and in the darkest times even through the tears they brightened the hopes of everyone at Alice House. The rainbows in people’s windows as I drove to work really brightened my mood and made me think we are not alone, we are all in this together!