Breaking Barriers: East Lancashire Hospice and Hippings Methodist Primary School Inspire a New Generation

East Lancashire Hospice has shown just how powerful community and education are in breaking down barriers and encouraging open conversations about hospice care. 

The hospice has recently partnered with Year 4 pupils from Hippings Methodist Primary School in Oswaldtwistle to help young minds understand the role of a hospice, exploring why hospice care is so important, and the many ways it supports individuals and families.

For many, the word ‘hospice’ can feel daunting, often associated with sadness and end-of-life care. However, through this initiative, the children at Hippings Methodist Primary School have learned that hospices are not just places for the end of life – they are places of care, support, and joy.

Through their visits to East Lancashire Hospice, the children met patients from the Support and Wellbeing Therapies department and spent time with the Creative and Support Therapies (CaST) team. They joined in with singing groups, danced with patients, took part in physiotherapy sessions, played games, and even explored the Complementary Therapy rooms, where they learned about aromatherapy and the importance of relaxation, helping to change perceptions from a young age. 

The impact of these interactions was felt by both the children and the patients. One patient in particular was Ellen, who attends the sessions in CaST twice a week. She shared:

"Having the children visit East Lancashire Hospice was so beautiful. At first, they were sitting very quietly and were quite shy, but then gradually, you saw all of their different personalities come out, and they were singing and dancing. It was beautiful. Everybody, all the patients afterwards were saying how much they enjoyed the session.”

When asked about the importance of educating young children about hospice care, Ellen replied;

“Children need to know more about hospice care; it’s so important. I know it’s sort of sad in a way, but having the children visit has shown them that we’re not just in bed poorly – they see us enjoying ourselves, singing and dancing. It shows them that we’re having fun and that we’ve still got a lot to offer.”

The programme didn’t just stop at the hospice. Patients from CaST later visited Hippings Methodist Primary School, where they were welcomed with singing, dancing, and an arts and crafts session - a transformative learning experience. The joy and connection between generations were evident, with smiles all around.

Mrs. Westwell, the Headteacher, and Miss Eccles, the Class 4 Teacher, reflected on the impact of the project:

"The children have been so excited to visit East Lancashire Hospice. Some of the children had quite preconceived ideas about what hospices were for and what they would be like, so this experience helped them to see a hospice in a different light. 

“It’s important for children to learn about hospice care from a young age so they don’t become scared. Some of the children have family members with cancer, and now they understand the different services available. It gives them hope and insight – it’s not all doom and gloom, and it helps to remove fear.

“It has been a positive learning experience for the children. They have grown emotionally in their understanding and haven’t stopped talking about meeting and helping the patients.” 

By engaging with patients and seeing first-hand the joy and care that a hospice provides, the pupils have developed a greater sense of empathy and understanding. Many of them have expressed interest in continuing their involvement with the hospice and supporting charitable causes in the future.

One pupil summed up their experience beautifully:

"Isn’t it good that the patients are so happy, even though they are so poorly?"

The success of this programme highlights the importance of normalising conversations about hospice care, death, and dying. By starting these conversations early, we can remove fear and stigma, ensuring that future generations understand that hospices are places of warmth, care, and life.

East Lancashire Hospice looks forward to working alongside Hippings Methodist Primary School on this incredible initiative and would love to work with other local schools, helping to inspire even more young minds in the future. 

If you’d like to get involved in this initiative, email: fundraising@eastlancshospice.org.uk