The heart of the home…
It is said that the kitchen is the ‘heart of the home’ and the Catering Team here at Alice House work diligently to ensure the Hospice’s heart keeps beating.
The result may be a Victoria sponge cake or a tasty steak pie, but the main ingredient is always love.
The dedicated Catering Team provide around 1200 tasty and nutritious patient meals every month. They work hard to make sure that everyone gets what they like, how they like it, often going the extra mile by making a patient their favourite meal as a special treat.
Hospice supporter Sandra Marsden said, “My husband Phillip Marsden was a patient at Alice House on various occasions until his death on 1st September 2015.
My daughter, Lauren and I have fond memories, particularly of the Catering Team.
My husband loved the beautiful meals served and the ladies would make him anything he fancied, even if it wasn’t on the menu! I also ate in Bistro many times. They all do such a wonderful job and they are one of the reasons I have a coffee morning every year and donate all funds to the Hospice.
Sometimes if the kitchen needs anything, I will buy the appliance with some of the money raised. We as a family are so grateful.”
The team couldn’t do what they do without the help of their equally dedicated volunteers who give up their own time to make sure that the patients get the very best food and service.
Catering Volunteer, Mavis said, “My first connection to the Hospice was 14 years ago when I lost my precious son John. I thought of who to donate his funeral collection to and Alice House came to mind.
Ten years later, I got involved doing the bag packing at local supermarkets, the Trees of Remembrance and even collection buckets.
When hearing that the kitchen was looking for extra help, I applied and never looked back. Some days are busier than others but I work around them taking and picking up my two great grandchildren on school runs, plus looking after two dogs, but I wouldn’t change any of it.
Walking through the Hospice doors, you are warmly greeted by the reception ladies, Grace and Liz. Doctors, nurses and office staff are always friendly. Last but not least, my kitchen friends; there is always a smile and friendly banter from each and every one of them.
I can’t wait for this pandemic to end and get back to normality, seeing and chatting to the nurses and patients.