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Hospice News
St. Clare’s helps hundreds of patients and their families every year; in this edition of the newsletter we
are able to share with you a personal story of a daughter whose mother was cared for by our dedicated
team of Nurses and Doctors.
“St. Clare’s enabled us to be
daughters not carers”
At the age of only 32, Jade Matthews from South Shields
(pictured on the right of the front cover with best friend Aisha)
has personally been touched by the work of St. Clare’s Hospice
twice in the past 3 years.
Jade first came into contact with St. Clare’s back in 2011 when
her 92-year-old nana spent her final days in Primrose Hill Hospital,
who are based in the same building as St. Clare’s Hospice. Then,
when her mother became ill a year later, Jade’s family once again
became involved with the Hospice.
Jade’s mother, Lorraine Matthews, was born in Australia in 1954
and moved to England with her mother and her brother at the
age of 12. She settled into life in the UK well and her new friends,
who loved her Australian accent and her long blonde hair, used
to call her Skippy (as in the bush kangaroo).
Lorraine went on to have two children - Jade and her older sister
Hayley. Jade describes her mother Lorraine as a very active lady
who would attempt almost anything from heavy duty gardening
to art and she even had a poem published. She was also very
creative and would often make jewellery and customised clothing
for her friends.
Lorraine was also a music fan and would travel to see live music – anywhere from the Amphitheatre in South Shields, to a
field at Glastonbury and Jade explained how they used to love to dance. Jade said: “Everybody loved my Mam, she was a
true selfless spirit who would give her last, leaving herself short to see others happy.” Throughout her life, Lorraine provided
for her family as a single parent by working both as a Domestic at South Tyneside Hospital and also as a Florist which made
use of her creative skills.
Hayley, Jade’s sister, went on to have two children Chloe, now 17, and Mia, now 11. Lorraine’s grandchildren became her
pride and joy.
Sadly, in 2012, Lorraine began to feel unwell and, after various tests, doctors discovered a lesion in her liver. Her health began
to deteriorate and Jade moved back in with her mother to care for her.
While Lorraine was ill, it was suggested that she might like to attend Day Care (our Day Hospice service). Although she knew
the Hospice well, she was still daunted by the idea so decided to visit and see what it was like. Many people believe that the
Hospice will be a very quiet, sad place and are surprised at how lively the Day Care sessions are.
After her trial visits, Lorraine decided to get involved and in 2013 she became a regular Day Care patient attending every
Thursday. Whilst at Day Care, not only did Lorraine enjoying spending time with others in a similar situation, she also received
medical care, physiotherapy and complementary therapy.
Jade said: “My Mam used to really love going to St. Clare’s Hospice. Her confidence had been knocked by her illness and
I noticed that she started to come out of her shell with St. Clare’s support. Her physiotherapy made her stronger and she
started walking again. Her complementary therapy which included massages helped, her to relax too.”
Lorraine Matthews
