Dragonfly Scheme South Tees Hospitals

13/03/2026

If this upcoming is your first after your mum has died, we're here with you. If you'd like to mark this day but aren't sure how, here are some of our suggestions on how you can honour your mum's memory.

- Grow a plant in her memory
- Talk about your favourite moments with your mum
- Continue a tradition your mum enjoyed, such as cooking her favourite meal
- Show gratitude for your mum. This could be by writing a letter or leaving a tribute on our dedication page

No matter how you choose to mark , remember to be kind to yourself. Give yourself permission to feel any of the emotions that come to you in the days leading up to the day. If you'd like to talk to someone about how you're feeling, our centre is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

To write a dedication for your mum visit https://maggiesmothersday.dedicationpage.org/

10/03/2026

This is a 'landmark moment' for the hospice

08/03/2026

So on and we have wonderful news to share! 🧡

This is Shirley, our founder’s mum, who is our most senior volunteer at The Good Grief Trust. This lovely photo was taken on the day Linda Magistris Obe was awarded an OBE last October for services to the bereaved.

Linda shared this post today;

I have exciting news on as my mum has been invited to Buckingham Palace, to attend a Royal Garden Party, later this year!! 🎉

My amazing mum has been volunteering for The Good Grief Trust since I established the charity, 10 years ago, giving her time, her commitment and dedication to our cause.

I am honoured to be accompanying mum for this very special day, and cannot wait for her to meet their Royal Highnesses, the King and Queen.

I am so proud that she has been recognised for her tireless work, as our most senior and most loyal volunteer. She works so hard, as our post mistress, managing many of our merchandise orders, at 90 years young!!

After losing my dad 26 years ago, mum also sadly suffered the loss of her partner, Pete, in her later life, but she continues to grow in strength, resilience and most of all love ❤️

We cannot wait to go to the Palace together! 💖👑

04/03/2026

You cannot fix our grief but you can be there at our side to listen.

Bloom at your own pace. 🧡

04/03/2026

24/02/2026

When I am dying, I don’t want the last sounds I hear to be machines beeping and alarms going off telling me what I already know, which is that my body is shutting down and I am dying.

I don’t want machines keeping me alive.
I don’t want machines feeding me.
I don’t want to feel the suffocation of the blood pressure cuff as it squeezes my arm every hour on the hour.
I don’t want IV’s stuck in my arms, or tubes down my throat.
I don’t want other people making decisions for me.

I don’t want to be in a room that isn’t mine, with a view of medical charts and notes stating when I had my last bowel movement, when my medications are due, or how many times I have been turned and repositioned, which by the way is obnoxious when you are dying and I definitely do not want that.

I don’t want fluorescent lights on above my head, forcing me to keep my eyes closed so they don’t burn from the glare.

I don’t want people walking into my room as though it is theirs and not mine.

I don’t want strangers telling me what to do or how to feel or treating me like I don’t have feelings.

I don't want people to talk over or about me as if I can't hear. I can hear and I will hear you!

I don’t want my family to wait day after day in a stark hospital room knowing there is nothing else anyone can do but wait.
This is not how I want to die.
This is not how I want the people who love me to see me die.

I have written down everything that is important to me so that none of the above ever occurs.
I have listed where I want to be, who I want there, what music I want to hear, how I want to be cared for, what I want to wear, how I want my symptoms managed, and to what extent I want people to go to keep me alive.

When I am dying, I want my wishes honored, my voice heard, and my death peaceful.
I want this for you too!

Please write down your wishes and share them with the people you love.
Have the conversation.
Talk to your family and friends.
I promise you… it won’t happen sooner because you talked about it.

xo
Gabby
www.thehospiceheart.net

My book “The Conversation” is a great way to get the conversation started.
https://a.co/d/5kDTiSn

My class “Your End-of-Life Wishes”
can be found here:
https://www.thehospiceheart.net/your-end-of-life-wishes

16/02/2026

At Maggie’s, we understand how difficult it is adjusting to life after cancer treatment. Our centre is a space where we can talk to you about your worries, and discuss ways to cope emotionally with life after treatment ends. Just come in 🧡

12/02/2026

We run a range of education and training courses here at Saint Catherine’s, designed to support those caring for people with life-limiting conditions.

Our next course takes place on Thursday 5th & Friday 6th March 2026 and focuses on person-centred palliative care, specifically for non-registered health and social care workers.

This training is ideal for anyone supporting patients and families, helping to build confidence, understanding and compassionate care skills.

🔗 Find out more and book your place:
https://www.saintcatherines.org.uk/education/

08/02/2026

This picture depicts who I am and what matters most to me. My goal is to help improve the way all human beings are cared for at the end of their life, to support and educate caregivers, making sure they have all the tools and resources needed to feel confident at the bedside, and to remind anyone who is grieving, anticipatory or otherwise, that they are not alone.

To me, true healthcare is about the human being, not protocols, not profit, not numbers, but the way we show up, and the respect and attention we give.

Healthcare, especially at the end of life, must be done in a way that honors the person in the bed: a human being with feelings, with fears, and with uncertainty.

This is what I stand for, what I strive for, and what guides the work I do every day.

♥️
xo
Gabby
Hospice nurse, end-of-life doula
www.thehospiceheart.net

07/02/2026

Going ‘back to normal’ when cancer treatment ends can seem daunting. If you’re unsure about how you’ll transition back into work or back into your social life, we can support you. Just come in.

07/02/2026

07/02/2026

Calling all knitters 📣.....Orange Chick's for Maggie's!
We are looking for volunteers to help knit some very cute orange chicks for us to sell this Easter! The chicks are orange to help spread the word about our new Maggie's Centre here in Middlesbrough. So far we have had fantastic support from the community, and are up to around 300 chicks with a special thank you to our volunteer Sue who has been hard at work, and Nunthorpe & Marton Knitters.
Tesco have kindly donated 400 cream eggs, so we are looking for around another 100 chicks!

If you would like to help, we have lot's of orange wool donated to us by Boyes at Coulby Newham, and we have knitting patterns available. Pop us a message if you would like to get involved 🧡