Forest Holme Hospice Summer Newsletter 2026

Summer Issue | 2026

Forest Holme Hospice

Welcome

Dear Friends,

Whether you are reading, taking part, remembering, or offering support, you are helping to make a lasting difference.

As summer begins to unfold, we look back on what has been a busy and positive start to 2026 for the charity. There is much to look ahead to, with a mix of new and familiar events and activities planned for the months to come.

Our annual Tie A Yellow Ribbon memorial event (p.14) returns in June, a poignant moment in the hospice calendar that brings our community together in Poole Park to pause, reflect and celebrate the lives of loved ones.

This year also saw the charity’s first Sunset Walk (p.20), offering another opportunity to remember those no longer with us. It was so special to see more than 450 people come together, walking along our coastline to Evening Hill and taking in the spectacular views across Sandbanks and Poole Harbour.

Our Summer Prize Draw (p.7) is now open, with a top cash prize of £500, providing another way to support the care we offer. We are also pleased to share that Leonardo Carer Support is kindly sponsoring our Bereavement Café (p.12), which now includes an additional venue at Marjorie House to reach and support more people.

Elsewhere in this edition, you will find a moving In Memory story, along with hospice news and stories from our community and corporate supporters who share a special connection to Forest Holme.

Whether you are reading, taking part, remembering or offering support, you are helping to make a lasting difference.

With very best wishes,

Hannah Chief Executive Forest Holme Hospice Charity

In Memory of Sandy and Sue

Christmas sadness transformed by Forest Holme

Now in my 70s, I understand that life will inevitably bring news of loss. I count myself fortunate to still have reasonably good health, yet nothing truly prepares you for the passing of those close to you.

Over Christmas 2025, I experienced exactly that.

Sandy, the much-loved wife of my former work colleague Rob Vincent, was one of those losses. Rob and I shared many years working side by side, forming the kind of bond only colleagues can fully appreciate.

by David Adams

Over time, our families grew alongside each other, and Sandy and Rob became a couple admired by all who knew them. Surrounded by a large and caring family, Sandy spent her final days at Forest Holme, where she and those close to her were welcomed with genuine kindness.

To lose one friend at Christmas is deeply painful. To lose two feels almost unbearable.

During that same period, Sue Thomas was also at Forest Holme. She had faced years of ill health with quiet resilience. Around her was a devoted circle who visited often, offering

companionship and support, while her faith remained a steady source of comfort throughout her journey.

Yet even in such sadness, there is something profoundly reassuring about Forest Holme. It is difficult to describe the calm that fills the building. From the moment you walk through the doors, there is a quiet, steady presence created by every member of staff. At what is the most difficult time in life, they offer not only care, but dignity, understanding and peace.

Experiences like these also bring a wider reflection. Not everyone is able to access hospice care when they need it. That makes it all the more meaningful to know that both Sandy and Sue received this level of support. Forest Holme does not only care for patients, it embraces families and friends, helping

to soften the weight of loss.

There is also comfort in the way both women shaped the days that followed. Sandy encouraged Rob to continue with plans for a holiday in Australia, and he did so shortly after her funeral.

Sue urged her family to carry on living fully, and they were soon spending time together, just as she had wished. These moments speak quietly of the strength and love they left behind.

In the midst of grief, Forest Holme provided something invaluable. It allowed space for care, for reflection, and for a gentler farewell. For that, there is deep gratitude to every single person who makes that possible. That care stays with families, long after those final days.

Forest Holme was awarded Gold status by University Hospitals Dorset under the Clinical Quality Accreditation Scheme, recognising the work of the in-patient team and their commitment to delivering the highest possible standard of care and support.

Bringing Comfort

With guidance from the physiotherapy team, the charity was able to provide a specialist cushion tailored to a patient who had been unable to sit for several months. Within days, she was sitting comfortably, playing cards, and enjoying long awaited cuddles with her family, something she described as a “massive miracle.”

Ripple Effect

Stewart and Ben from Pondtek kindly gave the courtyard pond a full service and safely transferred the 37 beloved fish back into their upgraded home, while Jordan Batchelor generously installed new lights.

Making Waves for Hospice Care

For Wessex Marine, supporting Forest Holme Hospice Charity goes beyond fundraising.

For this family run business, it comes from personal experience and an appreciation for the care provided. (see In Memory P.04)

Wessex Marine, based at Salterns Marina in Poole, Dorset, is a premier UK boat dealership and specialist in highend, reputable Scandinavian powerboats. But their support for Forest Holme Hospice Charity comes from something far more personal than business.

For this family-run company, giving back is shaped by lived experience and a deep understanding of what hospice care means at the end of life.

Their connection to Forest Holme began a few years ago, when a close family member, Chick Fowler, spent his final weeks at the hospice.

Reflecting on that time, founder David Adams shares, “My brother-in-law Chick spent his last three weeks at Forest Holme, and the care he received was exceptional. Not just for him, but for all of us around him. It gave us a sense of reassurance that’s hard to put into words.”

That experience continues to guide Wessex Marine’s commitment today. Their regular sponsorship of Forest Holme’s charity prize draws reflects a clear awareness of how much those final weeks matter, not just for patients, but for the people around them.

“As we all become more aware of those last weeks of life,” David explains, “you realise how important it is that people are supported properly. Forest Holme ensures that no one feels alone or left in a hospital ward without the care and dignity they deserve.”

Over the years, Forest Holme has also cared for friends and colleagues connected to the business. Each experience has deepened their appreciation of the hospice’s role within the community.

“The peace of mind it gives families is priceless,” David says. “You can’t really measure it. Seeing friends cared for there, even as recently as Christmas 2025, just reinforced how vital hospices like Forest Holme are alongside the NHS.”

In a time where NHS resources are increasingly stretched, the role of local charities has become even more important. Community-based care often depends on organisations like Forest

Holme to provide the time,compassion and specialist support that cannot always be delivered elsewhere.

“It’s clear that with the pressures on the NHS, care in the community depends on charities stepping in,” David reflects.

For Wessex Marine, this is not simply charitable giving. It reflects a set of values shaped by personal experience and a genuine respect for the care provided.

Their message to other businesses is simple.

“I’d say to any business thinking about it, get involved now, at whatever level you can,” David encourages. “Every bit of support helps ensure these services are there for people when they need them most.”

Behind every donation is a story, and behind every story is a chance to make a difference. Through their continued support, Wessex Marine show how businesses can play a meaningful role in ensuring no one faces the end of life without comfort, dignity, and the support of those around them.

Finding Care Through the Airwaves

by Karen Wye

What began as a simple radio interview grew into a more personal connection with Forest Holme Hospice.

In sharing her story, Karen reflects on how community, compassion, and care came together during one of life’s most difficult times.

My name is Karen Wye, and I present a Thursday community radio show on Hope FM. The programme is entirely self-produced. I press the buttons, choose the music, organise guests and keep everything running, all while being visually impaired.

When I first started, I relied on friends to come into the studio to be interviewed. I was lucky to have some interesting people around me, which helped me find my feet. As the show grew, I wanted to reach out to charities and share

stories that might mean something to others in the community. That was not always easy, as many organisations tend to work with more established media outlets, and a volunteer-run local station does not always fit that picture.

I began searching through Facebook groups and sending messages directly, as well as using my Hope FM email. Through this, I was fortunate to make contact with Forest Holme Hospice and Paul, the communications manager. I invited him onto the show, and he kindly agreed.

His first visit coincided with the Tie a Yellow Ribbon event, which gave us a positive focus. At that time, I knew very little about Forest Holme, so Paul talked listeners through the hospice, the environment, and the services it offers. He later returned to speak about the Strictly Extravaganza fundraising event

What began as a simple radio interview slowly became something more personal. Each visit felt like a relaxed catch up, often involving other volunteers and members of staff, all sharing their experiences and their commitment to the hospice.

Not long after, my understanding of Forest Holme deepened in a way I had not expected.

Last year, my mum had a fall and was taken to hospital. While in A&E, a doctor asked how long she had had a lump in her throat. That was when we discovered it was cancer.

Mum spent four weeks in Poole Hospital and then five weeks in Swanage Hospital. Swanage is a beautiful place, although built on a big hill. There was a quiet sense of familiarity there. Many years ago, my mum had taken her own mum, who was unwell with cancer, to stay in Swanage. She had struggled with the hills and stayed near the hospital.

During my visits, a kind receptionist noticed that I had a lot to process and gently directed the chaplain to me. Talking with him helped more than I expected during those difficult days.

My mum’s time at Forest Holme was calm and reassuring. She passed away peacefully with me by her side.

One of the practical comforts of being in a hospice is the support that continues after death, including guidance with paperwork. I had not realised that doctors no longer sign death certificates, and having help at that point made a real difference.

My connection with Forest Holme began through my radio show, but it became something much deeper. It showed me how community, compassion and care can meet people where they are, not just at the end of life, but in everything that follows. and has been back several times since.

What felt especially poignant was that my nan had been 63 when she died, and I was a similar age when I found myself there with my mum. In a way, Mum had brought both of us to the same place at the same stage of life. It created a connection between the three of us that felt very special, particularly as Mum had never spoken about it before.

For the final week of her life, my mum was cared for at Forest Holme Hospice. It was exactly as Paul had described on the radio.

Since then, I have attended the Bereavement Café run by Forest Holme. They have been welcoming places where it feels safe to talk and to meet others who understand loss.

You can listen to Thursday Mornings with Karen Wye each week on Hope FM between 10am - midday on 90.1 FM, DAB Radio, online or via Smart Speaker.

Bereavement Café POOLE

Welcome to Forest Holme Hospice Charity’s Bereavement Café, an inclusive and supportive space for anyone living with loss.

Bereavement Café is open to everyone, irrespective of whether your loved one was under the care of Forest Holme.

Free at attend. Enjoy a hot drink and cake on us. No need to book.

Every 1st Monday of the month, 2pm until 3.30pm

Colin’s Nest, Eagle Mount Care Home, BH15 2QJ

*except when it’s a Bank Holiday, then it will be the 2nd Monday

Every 3rd Monday of the month, 10am until 11.30am

Marjorie House, BH14 8LT

Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, 10am until 11.30am

Beacon Cafe, The Lighthouse, BH15 1UG

YELLOW RIBBON YELLOW RIBBON Tie a

In memory of your loved one POOLE PARK | 12PM - 3PM

SATURDAY 13 JUNE

Kindly sponsored by

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Scoop of Kindness

Staff said goodbye to a long-standing and much loved member of the Forest Holme team as Christine begins her well deserved retirement.

She has played a major role in shaping the complementary therapy service and will be deeply missed.

At her leaving celebration, Christine was recognised for her dedication, knowledge and kindness, bringing comfort, hope and compassion at the moments they were needed most.

Easter Joy

Staff at Poundland in Poole personally paid for the Easter gifts they generously donated to the hospice.

Team Jobs kindly donated 50 Easter eggs, which they delivered to the hospice to share with patients and their families.

The charity team visited Purbeck Ice Cream’s headquarters in Wareham to personally thank them for their longstanding support of the hospice.

For the past eight years, Purbeck Ice Cream has generously donated boxes of ice cream every week for patients, families and staff at Forest Holme to enjoy. The treats have become a much-loved part of life at the hospice, often bringing comfort and small but significant moments of joy.

Sustainable Step Forward

Forest Holme Hospice has been recognised for its environmental commitment, receiving the Greener Palliative Care Silver Award as part of the programme’s inaugural awards, achieving the highest accolade among the first organisations to take part.

The award was presented at the Palliative Care Congress in Brighton.

Sowing Seeds of Support

A simple idea rooted in friendship, generosity, and a shared love of plants has grown into something truly meaningful for Forest Holme Hospice.

What began as a small, informal coming together of like-minded people has quietly blossomed into a valued source of support, friendship, and care for the local community.

A small group of three gardeners - Judy Spratley, Debbie Steel and Diana Guybrought together by friendship and a shared love of plants, now provides a steady and meaningful source of support for Forest Holme Hospice.

What began as a simple and informal get-together has taken on a life of its own. Through plant sales, shared knowledge, and thoughtful acts of generosity, the Pop Up Garden Club has nurtured a space where community and care sit alongside one another.

The group draws on years of experience. Diana had previously been

Chair of the Dorset Plant Heritage, East Dorset Group, and was also recognised nationally when she was crowned BBC Gardeners’ World Gardener of the Year in 2004. Judy and Debbie were both active members of the Hardy Plant Society (HPS), Dorset Group. Between them, they had long been involved in organising plant sales at Colehill, raising funds and bringing local people together through a shared interest in gardening.

When the pandemic brought many of these activities to a halt, it offered a moment to reflect and rethink. Rather than recreate something formal, they chose a simpler approach.

With no committees or speakers, the Pop Up Garden Club was formed as a flexible and welcoming way to continue what they loved, while keeping things easy and accessible.

Their first plant sale in April 2023 became a turning point. At the time, Diana was receiving care and support from Forest Holme Hospice. When asked which charity she would like to support, her answer was immediate. The decision shaped everything that followed.

That first event raised over £700 for the hospice. After Diana’s death in June, the group chose to continue their fundraising in her memory. Each annual sale now honours her life and her passion for gardening, while supporting the care that meant so much to her.

Over time, the connection between the club and the hospice has continued to grow. Volunteers from Forest Holme have become regular supporters and even members of the group, joining trips and building friendships along the way. There is a natural ease to these relationships, with people coming together simply to enjoy each other’s company.

At its heart, the Pop Up Garden Club is about people supporting one another in ways that feel natural and inclusive. Not everyone grows plants, but everyone finds their place. Some bring plants to sell, others bake cakes or help run the day. Every contribution matters and helps the event succeed.

The fundraising model remains simple. Members pay a small fee to host a table and sell their plants, while visitors contribute a modest entry fee. Alongside this, donations come from cakes, teas, and generously shared plants. At a recent sale, these combined efforts raised over £1,000 for the hospice.

The wider community has embraced the events with enthusiasm. Word of mouth, local support, and a strong network of gardeners ensure each sale is well attended, with many selling out within the first hour.

What stands out most is the sense of shared purpose. Through plants, conversation, and time spent together, the group continues to nurture both their community and the vital work of Forest Holme Hospice.

The Pop Up Garden Club’s next plant sale takes place on Saturday 23rd May at Colehill Village Hall, Cannon Hill Road, Wimborne, BH21 2LR from 10:00am to midday.

Upcoming Events 2026/2027