CRASH ensures day services at Ashgate Hospice are accessible for all

Ashgate Hospicecare provide specialist palliative and end of life care to the people of North Derbyshire. They help improve the quality of patients’ lives after receiving a terminal diagnosis, when every single day is precious. The hospice supports patients’ families, practically and emotionally, whilst they care for their loved ones and following bereavement, for as long as they need.

In 2019, CRASH helped extend their crowded three bed in-patient bay into nine individual, spacious rooms, that offered patients and their loved one’s the dignity and privacy they needed in a peaceful environment. Read more about this project here.

As well as an in-patient unit, the hospice also provides day services including activities and peer support, occupational therapy, complementary therapy, spiritual care and counselling.

The need

The hospice counselling rooms, art therapy, training and education rooms, café and reflection space are based in their Grade II listed building. The original entrance remains as built, which is narrow and has a step – meaning it is not suitable for those with physical disabilities and does not align with the hospices main aim; to create equitable access to services, facilities, and care for patients, their families, and visitors.

Alternative access is available via the newer building, but this is a long way from the therapy rooms and means going via the in-patient unit – something that may be uncomfortable for loved ones who are attending the hospice for bereavement support. It’s also important to note that this solution could also prove problematic for infection control.

So, the Hospice approached CRASH for help…

How CRASH helped

CRASH, alongside Corporate Patrons, British Gypsum, Dulux, Hanson and Supporter, Heckmondwike created a new entrance closer to the therapy rooms, allowing access for all.

The Hospice also completed necessary steps to make the corridor and internal fire doors accessible. New floor coverings were laid, walls re-painted and two new disabled parking spaces were added with external lighting and a canopy.

By creating a new level entrance with push button entry into the Hospice, patients, their loved ones and other visitors now have equal access to therapeutic services, training, café and the wellbeing courtyard, which also forms part of this project.

The wellbeing courtyard has become a truly tranquil place to be, complete with new garden furniture, a mural, sensory plants and herb garden.

• The value of professional expertise and construction products donated from CRASH Corporate Patrons came to £1,411.86
• CRASH awarded a £45,000 cash grant made possible by fundraising to make the project happen