New Kitchen donated to Long-Term Unit

Local tradesmen and businesses have joined forces to donate and fit a brand-new kitchen in the Long-Term Care Unit of Alice House Hospice.

Allan Mann, Store Manager, Magnet Kitchens Karen Gibson, Alice House Hospice Martin Griffiths, MG Joinery Gavin Ross, GR Joinery

This was organised by Martin Griffiths of MG Joinery after his dad Albert was cared for in both the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit and later the Long-Term Unit. Martin sourced and fitted the kitchen completely free of charge, with the help of friends and business contacts, in memory of Albert and also his mam, Sheila.

Martin explained his reasons for wanting to undertake such a big project, “When my mam passed away in hospital in 2015 and I was given the bad news, it felt very different to here.

My dad spent around nine to ten weeks in Alice House being looked after, before he passed away on 2 Feb 2023. Just like at home, we spent a lot of time as a family in the kitchen here; it is also where we had a lot of conversations with staff about what was happening with my dad.

The kitchen felt like a personal, friendly and natural environment and not like a hospital at all. During this time, I recognised the need for a new kitchen on the Long-Term Unit, where my dad spent his final weeks. To put it simply, it needed doing and I was in a position to do it and wanted to give something back to such a worthwhile cause.”

Martin called in favours from other contractors and suppliers to help him complete the job. The kitchen itself was donated by Magnet Kitchens, through Store Manager Allan Mann. Martin’s friend Gavin Ross, owner of GR Joinery also helped install the new kitchen, volunteering his time at no cost.

Martin, Allan and Gavin also took time to visit the Hospice after the work was completed to meet with staff who thanked them for their support.

Thanks also go to Luke Day of LD Electrical, who completed the electrical work, Scott Brothers who donated a skip, MGP Mirror and Glass Processing who donated a mirror and Steve Bell Memorials who created and donated a special plaque to display in the kitchen, in memory of Albert and Sheila.

Karen Gibson, Clinical Services Senior Manager at the Hospice said, “This was an incredibly generous and helpful gesture from Martin and his network of contacts. Their collective efforts have provided a beautiful space for patients and their visitors, as well as a lasting tribute to Albert and Sheila. The money they have saved with their generosity, time and effort is such a hugged help and I would like to send massive thanks to everyone involved, on behalf of all of us here at Alice House.”