An exciting new project is being piloted by LOROS which sees schoolchildren visiting the Hospice and meeting terminally ill patients.
A handful of year six students from St Thomas More Catholic School, in Knighton, are spending the afternoon with patients at LOROS every Thursday for four weeks.
Each of the pupils has been paired with a patient who uses the Hospice’s Day Therapy Unit and together they have been working on creating a colourful mosaic.
Patient Experience Lead at LOROS Veronica Mickleburgh, who initiated the project said: “It’s so important for the children to interact with patients at LOROS because illnesses can be a part of people’s lives and death is going to happen to us all at some point.
“We want to show the children that when people need places like LOROS at the end of their lives, it’s not a scary place. By coming into the Hospice, the children learn first-hand about the work we do.
“Of course we want to raise awareness about what we do but we also want to dispel some of the myths people may have – and in particular, children have about Hospices.”
The project, which kicked off in January also encourages the patients, who all have terminal illnesses, to talk about why they are using the services at LOROS.
During their time together, both the children and patients are given questions to ask one another, to help break the ice and learn about each other’s lives.
“The patients all think it’s a really good idea,” added Veronica.
“And both children and patients have left every week with a huge smile on their faces.
“The children are so accepting, it’s almost like for those few hours they create a lot of normality for the patients.”
Chris Allen, 75, who has Motor Neurone Disease (MND) said he thinks it is so important for children to take part in projects like this.
“I’ve been able to talk about why I come to LOROS,” added Chris, of Hinckley.
“The children have all had a good look around and they all seem really interested in what happens at the Hospice.
“I’ve had a really fun time, it’s been brilliant.”
If the project is a success, Veronica hopes to roll it out in to some other primary schools in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Teacher Helen Priestley said: “This has been an incredibly valuable project and we feel privileged that LOROS chose to pilot the scheme with us.
“Our year six pupils have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the patients and creating these wonderful mosaics.”
At the end of the project, the mosaic that the patients and children have created, which spells LOROS, will hopefully be displayed in the Hospice.
“It has been inspirational to see first-hand the positive environment and high level of care provided by Janet and her team at the LOROS Day Unit,” added Helen.
“Education is about more than just reading, writing and mathematics – through our involvement in this project the children have had the opportunity to use social skills, show kindness and above all compassion within our local community.”
During the final week of the project, on Thursday 11th February, the parents of the children will also be invited into LOROS to view the artwork before enjoying tea and cake.
Find out how you can support LOROS and get involved with the work they do by visiting loros.co.uk
