Tracey's journey of hospice care from ward to charity shop

Tracey Lewis is the Retail Team Leader at the Brentwood Superstore. She joined the retail team over four years ago and believes it was all meant to be after her mum Linda Grimsey was cared for on the Hospice ward in October 2018.

Mum was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome in August 2018 and after undergoing tests, a small tumour was discovered.

I was very close to my mum and I was devastated when doctors told her she would not be able to cope with treatment.

Mum knew she was seriously ill and was relieved she didn’t have to go through chemotherapy treatment.

She was referred to Saint Francis Hospice in October the same year and celebrated her 69^th birthday on the ward. The nurses and all the staff not only took great care of my mum, they looked after me too.

I was offered counselling and it really helped me as I was struggling to accept she was dying. 

While I was at the hospice I would speak with Sarah Miller and she would always tell me how nice I looked and she liked the way I dressed. Everything I wear is from charity shops and just a week after my mum died, I was walking past the Brentwood Store and saw the job advertised. I felt Mum had set me on the path I was meant to be on.

When I started in the shop, I took my experience of hospice care with me

Our shops raise awareness and vital income to fund the hospice’s services but there’s more to it than most people realise.

Often bereaved people whose loved ones were under our care, come into the shops so they can feel close to the hospice. They may be numb with grief and we can support them. Sometimes they may need a chat or someone to just listen.

One lady who comes to mind was looking at an item and wondering whether to buy it. She had lost her mum and she broke down in tears.

Recently a man who lost his wife came into the shop and made a donation.

I’m glad we are able to tell people about our OrangeLine helpline so they can call for support and be signposted to services that may help them.

I’m proud to work with an amazing team of volunteers and every day is a learning curve with no two days the same.

I love hearing customers’ stories and it feels good to go home at the end of the day and know I have helped raise money for the hospice through selling donated goods.

British Sign Language

Earlier this year I took up the opportunity to learn British Sign Language alongside staff from across the hospice.

I have enjoyed the course enormously. I’m now learning something I always wanted to do and made good friends, it will also benefit the hospice and our customers, many of whom have hearing loss. Some of our volunteers use sign language too.

I have to say the course has really changed me as a person and made me realise that I am capable of so much more.  The course takes place in our education centre and I love coming to the hospice - It feels calm and I feel close to my mum.