Prince opens a place for ‘peace and tranquillity’ in final years

Speaking at the opening, Prince Richard said: “This is a place people will spend their last years, the staff have given it that special feeling of trust.”

He commended staff and volunteers for tremendous team spirit, and paving the way for ‘peace and tranquillity’ in the last years of patients’ lives.

The new centre aims to improve and expand services for patients with life-limiting illness.

Patients can use the centre to socialise, take part in activities and talk about treatments, giving their carers time to relax.

Chief executive of the hospice Colin Burgess said: “We can improve people’s well being, supporting people and their carers in the best possible way. It’s a bit of respite at the end of their lives.

“The old building served its purpose well over the past 19 years but it’s time we updated facilities.”

The centre is bright, open and relaxing. It has a new cafe, an IT centre and a space intended for photography, yoga and breathing clinics.

Rupert Meredith-Jones, who volunteers at the hospice, saw his mother admitted to the hospice three years ago.

“It’s close to my heart. For someone’s end of life care there’s only one chance to get it right. Community care is the way forward, it’s what people want, people want to stay near home as long as they can.”

He explained the hospice receives between 16-18 per cent funding from government, so relies heavily on community donations.

High Sheriff of East Sussex, Christopher Gebbie, added: “It’s severely underfunded. It’s a real struggle to keep these things going. Luckily the public do get behind these things. We have a very generous community here.

“Many more of us are going to need these services because we’re living longer,” he added.

The new centre offers arts and crafts workshops, counselling, poetry reading, aromatherapy and even a group for watching films.

Angus Robson, 84, from Lindfield donates money to the hospice.

“I lost my wife Elsie here in 2001 to cancer, I have been supporting and donating to it since,” he said. The staff do an amazing job, they looked after her very well.”

Bennet Christmas insurance brokers presented £2,000 to St Peter and St James as part of the Aviva Community Fund Awards.

Managing director David Christmas said: “My best friend went through here recently, so it’s important on a personal level. Charity begins at home. The staff here are amazing, dealing with terminally ill people, it takes a certain type of person. They do an incredible job, the dedication is amazing.”

Dame Vera Lynn, who is a patron of the hospice, regrettably could not attend the event, despite being in good health.

Her daughter Virginia Lewis-Jones said: “She’s disappointed not to be here. She’s very well, but not as mobile anymore.”

Dame Vera, who opened the original day centre in 1995, wrote a letter of support.

“It is such an important place because families are assured that their loved ones are cared for, and also know that they are getting the best attention to make them feel as happy and secure as possible.”