At ellenor, Christmas arrived not with tinsel or grand gestures but with the quiet beauty of red paint, golden brushstrokes and the soft rustle of poinsettia leaves. Over several weeks, patients taking part in the hospice’s therapeutic gardening group transformed plain terracotta pots into bright, hand-painted gifts – each one created for someone who has helped carry them through an unimaginably difficult year.
For many, the project became far more than a craft session. It offered a moment of calm, a sense of purpose and a way to say thank you when words alone felt too small. Patients chose to gift their poinsettias to the people who had supported them through a time of enormous change – a bereavement support worker, a volunteer on the welcome desk, a devoted spouse, a hospice nurse who stayed long after her shift.
“I don’t think I would be here now if it wasn’t for Terrie and everyone else at ellenor,” said Keith. “I probably would have just sat at home and lost the will to carry on. I certainly don’t feel like that now, and I can’t praise ellenor enough.”
The 75-year-old attends Green Shoots once a week, alongside hospice day patients and others who, like him, are navigating grief after losing a loved one.
His wife, Kathryn, spent about a month on ellenor’s hospice ward before she died in September 2021 at the age of 70. She had lived with mouth cancer for 11 years, undergoing six major operations and laser treatment.
Keith said: “I will always be grateful to all the nurses and other ellenor staff who looked after Kathryn in the last weeks of her life, being kind and compassionate and treating her with dignity.
“When Kathryn was admitted to the ward Terrie got her a cinema screen so she could watch her favourite films. She also brought in some pamphlets because Kathryn wanted to plan her own funeral. I could never talk about funerals and death, but Terrie was always there for her. She will always put her arms round you and give you a little advice – she is there for everyone.”
After Kathryn died Terrie suggested Keith attend ellenor’s Bereavement Cuppas, where he could share his feelings and where he found invaluable companionship and support. He now makes full use of several of ellenor’s classes including seated exercise, art and craft – as well as Green Shoots.
Keith, who suffers from arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure, likes to share his knowledge of plants and nature, often bringing in leaves and seeds he has found in his garden to the Green Shoots classes.
This Christmas group members decorated donated terracotta pots and planted them up with poinsettias, then gave them to people who have shown real compassion or dedication. They
worked on their Christmas gifts over four sessions, first sealing the pots with diluted PVA glue, then applying a coat of red acrylic paint, followed by a wash of gold and a gold rim to finish off. The final task was to plant their poinsettias and make a gift tag out of last year’s Christmas cards, using pinking scissors for a pretty edge.
Angela Heath, who has also been bereaved, presented her poinsettia to two of ellenor’s volunteers on the welcome desk, Balbir Gill and Diane Edser. They give their time selflessly, welcoming visitors and pointing them in the right direction, making sure they feel part of the ellenor family from the minute they walk through the door.
Two Green Shoots patients presented their poinsettias to their wives, in recognition of their unstinting love and support in their caring roles.
Malcolm Males, who has multiple system atrophy (MSA) and cerebella ataxia, affecting his mobility and speech, was able to practice his fine motor skills decorating his pot and planting it up. He was extremely proud to present the finished gift to his wife Gay-Elaine, who is also his carer.
Another man to make his wife smile was Robert Soilleux, who suffers from dementia. His wife and carer Sheila looked delighted to receive the gift, especially knowing he had spent so much time making it look just perfect.
Ninety-year-old cancer patient Jean Arndt’s poinsettia went to hospice volunteer Doris Dean. Every week Doris comes to the hospice to help people like Jean, lending a kind ear, making tea and helping with practical tasks.
Throughout the process horticultural therapist Katie Gardner, therapy assistant Nicola Walmsley and a team of volunteers were on hand to help members of the group, some of whom have problems with fine motor skills or with mental processing.
Katie said: “The pots all looked very professional, and members of the group seemed to really enjoy the project. Often, they take home the things they have grown, or we plant them in the hospice garden. But as it is coming up to Christmas, we thought it would be nice to give the plants away to some very special people.
“People who come to ellenor find support from staff members, and from other day patients and people who have lost loved ones. The volunteers who help at the classes also become their friends. It is all about supporting each other, and the Green Shoots class is a great way to learn new skills while sharing stories, reminiscing and making plans for the future.”
- If you would like to find out more about Green Shoots or any of ellenor’s therapeutic activity groups, visit the charity’s website.
- If you would like to become an ellenor volunteer, go to ellenor’s website.
