Lewis-Manning House

     Lewis-Manning House.

A small, totally committed team of people, trustees, staff and volunteers, had a clear objective to continue the late Marjorie Lewis-Manning's dream of setting up a Hospice in her home. This was achieved in 1992 when the day care centre and Lymphoedema clinic were started. However, not content with those two major achievements, the past eight years have been spent consolidating the original clinics and expanding services for local people. There are no charges to patients or their carers for any of the services.

Approximately one-third of the costs of running the Trust comes from The Primary Care Trust and the rest has to come from many other souces. Some funds come in from the four charity shops we run (in Parkstone, Poole Town, Winton and in Westbourne). Donations also play a large part in helping towards the running costs. However, the majority of the monies has to come from fundraising activities and from legacies.

The Board consists of 29 other members of staff, including the Director of Palliative Services. They entrust the running of the House to its senior officer, the Chief Executive. There are 29 other members of staff.

Over 200 volunteers help run the organisation, including driving patients to and from the House, gardening, helping in the kitchen, day care, hairdressing, shops, administration offices and running stalls at charity events.

A patient said: "I was loved, made to feel special, given hope and treated with kindness and dignity and humility . . . and yes, I have found the peace that we all seek"