Sobell House

29/11/2025

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Sobell House Shops

27/11/2025

Please take a moment to read Julia and Barry’s Lights of Love story.💜

‘Barry had a special gift for making people laugh. He would have everyone in stitches, with his gentle teasing always making me smile. Every year, as the festive season approached, Barry would fully embrace his role as the family Scrooge. Wearing his black “Bah Humbug!” Santa hat, he’d pretend to grumble, but we all knew he secretly loved the festivities.

When it was time to put up the tree, he was right there beside me decorating, fussing, and getting everything just right. On Christmas Day, surrounded by our family, Barry would light up, just like a Christmas tree does when its lights are switched on for the first time. Then, just like clockwork, he’d announce, “Well, that’s it all over for another year!”.

Barry was the heart of our Christmas - cheeky, playful, and full of joy. Together, we built traditions that became woven into the fabric of our family: smoked salmon bagels and fizz for breakfast, with Status Quo’s “It’s Christmas Time” blaring as Barry danced around the front room. I still play that song every Christmas and in those moments it’s like he’s right there, still dancing with us.

Barry died in late October. The weeks that followed were a blur, dealing with everything that comes after losing someone: the practicalities, the emotions, the overwhelming grief. Before I knew it, the festive season was upon us. How do you face Christmas and the rest of your life without the person you love? That first Christmas, I would’ve quite happily skipped the whole thing. The house felt emptier without him. The thought of celebration felt impossible. But family and the precious memories we had of Barry got us through the day.

Although Barry is sadly no longer with us, we keep his memory alive. Lights of Love has become our shared way of remembering Barry and thanking the hospice team who gave him dignity and comfort in his final days.

Each year, I write a poem or message on Barry’s Memory Heart - words that remind me of him or how I’m feeling. Our children make donations to support Sobell House and write their own special dedications to remember their Dad. The family gathers to watch the service together, waiting for Barry’s name to appear. That’s why Lights of Love means so much to me.’

Join us at Lights of Love on 14 December 👉 bit.ly/sobelllights2025

25/11/2025

Please read Hannah’s beautiful words, written about her partner, Andre, and her support from Sobell House. 💜 👇

‘I am doing Ironman Barcelona in honour of my partner Andre (Batata) who died in March 2024 and to raise money for Sobell House. I am so lucky to have the best support network of family and friends but grief can be a really isolating experience and even in a room surrounded by people who love you, you can feel so alone. Grief made me afraid to let any of my guard down, out of fear that if I broke down, I would never get up again. In order to cope I became numb. Talking things through during sessions at Sobell House helped to release some of the pressure and helped me to navigate life again, whilst carrying the weight of grief and the loss of that beautiful man and our beautiful life together. I don’t think that the weight ever gets lighter, but the bereavement support that I have been so lucky to receive has meant that I am stronger and can better carry the load.

Any donation for Sobell house helps them to continue their incredible work, including support for people who have lost someone they love. They say that to do an Ironman you need to find your why. Finding mine was easy. This is for anyone who has to answer yes to the question “did anybody die?” and is now finding their way in life, carrying their grief with them. But it’s also for him, everything that I do, and any good thing that I am, is to try to make him proud.’

Hannah completed her Ironman challenge and raised a fantastic £3,860.62! We were so touched by Hannah’s story and we’re honoured to have been able to support her. Thank you, Hannah, for raising such an amazing about for Sobell, it really will go such a long way to providing more care and support to others who need us. ✨

24/11/2025

We would like to say a MASSIVE thank you to Martin Claridge of 130 Poplar Grove, Kennington, for having us at his Christmas lights turn on last Friday. 🌟

Every year, Martin transforms his home into a spectacular display of lights to raise thousands of pounds for good causes. This year, he is raising funds for Sobell House and SSNAP. We had such a blast on Friday, and it was also great to see k0rky Paul there to turn the lights on!

We’re so grateful to Martin for the incredibly hard work he puts into setting up this fabulous display every year; thank you so much. ✨

Please do visit the light display and help support your local hospice and Support for the Sick Newborn and their Parents. 💜

📍130 Poplar Grove, Kennington, OX1 5QP

23/11/2025

Please take a moment today to hear from Srinder. 💜 👇

‘My name is Srinder and I’m the Bereavement Care and Voluntary Services Lead at Sobell House Hospice. I would be honoured if you joined me for our Lights of Love celebration at 4pm on Sunday 14 December 2025 – a welcoming space where you can be part of a special Sobell House tradition.

As the nights grow longer and the colder months approach, the absence of a loved one can feel stronger. One empty place setting at the Christmas table, a lost tradition, or a familiar song can remind you of who you miss most. Yet as time moves forward, memories can bring comfort and help keep those you love close.

At Sobell House, I see every day how small, meaningful moments become treasured memories. The specialist care and support we provide helps patients and families make every moment count, creating memories that last long beyond their time under our care.

As I write this, I think of the families who are under the care of the hospice, beginning their own journeys of love, loss, and remembrance. Each experience is unique, yet moments of care, connection, and warmth are shared. Though time moves forward, the love and memories we hold remain timeless.

Honouring those we love keeps their memory alive. Lights of Love offers a space to reflect, remember and connect with others who have experienced loss. It’s a chance to find comfort in community, to honour those who are always loved and never forgotten, and discover moments of connection, joy, and reflection amidst grief.

Featuring carefully selected readings, poems, and musical performances, Lights of Love is open to everyone – whether you lost someone recently or many years ago, and whether or not your loved ones were cared for at Sobell House.’

Join us for our Lights of Love service on 14 December. Find out more and RSVP👉 bit.ly/sobelllights2025

20/11/2025

Get 50% off our Sobell Christmas Cards. 🎄

We have a selection of cards, from traditional Oxford scenes to Winter wildlife!❄️

Shopping for your Christmas cards with Sobell will help us to continue caring for our community over this festive season and beyond. Thank you. 💜

Get yours today 👉 bit.ly/onlineshopretail25

19/11/2025

A much-loved annual festive light display is returning! 🎄

Every year, Martin Claridge transforms his Kennington home into a spectacular display of lights and festive decorations that raises thousands of pounds for good causes. Last year, Martin’s display, which is free to visit for families, raised over £2,000 and he used more than 5,000 lights to create the magical display, which every year takes him a month to set up. ✨

This year, funds raised will go to Sobell House Hospice and SSNAP (Support for the Sick Newborn and their Parents).

“It’s about spreading joy, remembering loved ones, and giving something back to our local charities. Every bit of help, big or small, makes a real difference.”

The lights are being officially turned on THIS FRIDAY by famous illustrator of Winnie and Wilbur books, k0rky Paul!

📍130 Poplar Grove, Kennington, OX1 5QP

⏰ Friday 21 November, from 5pm

18/11/2025

We have a touching story from Living Well today, told to us by our Living Well Therapy Assistant, Rachel. 💜

Our day service Living Well brings out everyone’s creativity. Despite the common feeling of ‘not being good enough’, everyone has their own creative expression. In Living Well we like to play around and make art for immediate the joy of it. Many of our patients re-kindle their creative lives during their time with the service.

Michael has been attending Living Well over 12 weeks – this is his story:

"I made these penguin models when I was 42, or 43 years old whilst stationed with the RAF in the Falkland Islands. Just after the Falklands war. I made them with clay and I painted them with any paint I could get hold of. I would go down to the aircraft spray bay and just get almost thimbles full of whatever they had. I used to make them in the evenings. Something to do and I have always enjoyed being creative and doing things with my hands. Two of them are in military gear with their telescopes and rifles. Then a little group of 3 Rockhopper penguins – one has it’s wing around the other. I have had a great interest in wildlife and nature through-out my life.

This new penguin -‘Falkland Islander No.9’ - I made here over the last few weeks at Living Well using clay and acrylic paints. Sarah the nurse said ‘why not give it a go’. I didn’t expect to make anything like this. I last did it 40 years ago – but I remember it like it was yesterday. It frustrates me I can’t do it as well as I did the last time."

17/11/2025

A lovely Monday morning read! 👇✨

A rare doll sold by a hospice to raise funds has finally reached its buyer in Italy after a 4,490-mile detour around the world 🇮🇹

Read the full story here - https://bbc.in/47JXvLr

16/11/2025

Do we have story for you today! Read on to hear about the journey one of our eBay shop items went on to reach its new owner in Italy. ✈️

When Sobell House’s Jay Boydon’s parcel went missing, she didn’t expect it to resurface 4,490 miles away! Online Trading Manager, Jay, who is in charge of Sobell’s eBay sales was thrilled when a donated My Girl Doll sold for £310 in early August. The vintage dolls, popular in the 80s, have become a collector’s item, and the red hair on this particular doll made it a rare and sought after item.

The doll was sold to a buyer in Italy who was thrilled with her purchase and happy to pay an extra £28 for international postage. Jay carefully packaged up the doll, checked the address details twice and shipped the parcel herself, confident it would arrive at its new home within a week. Two weeks later, however, there was no sign of the doll and the buyer was becoming anxious.

Parcels do go astray from time to time so, initially, Jay didn’t think much of it. She entered the tracking details into the system, only to be met with a shock. The doll wasn’t in Italy, in fact it was 4,490 miles away from its final destination… in Washington USA! A disappointed Jay began trying to contact someone at the United States Postal Service (USPS) who could help her locate the doll, but hope was running thin….’

Continue reading 👉 bit.ly/latestnewssobell25

14/11/2025

🔊 New ambassador alert!

Renowned author, colour expert, artist and inventor of Chalk Paint, Annie Sloan, CBE, is one of the world’s most popular experts in the field of decorative painting. Based in Oxford, Annie first learned about Sobell House when her first shop, based on the Cowley Road, was next door to a Sobell House charity shop.

“Over the years I have sadly had friends who have been taken care of by Sobell House who were amazing. I think the hospice movement is both incredible and essential.”

We’re so excited to welcome Annie into the Sobell family! 💜

13/11/2025

Will you be dedicating a heart this Christmas? 💜

We’re inviting everyone to leave a special message or quote on a heart this festive season. The heart will then be added to the beautiful display at our Lights of Love service taking place on 14 December. The service allows you to reflect on the memories and love shared with that special someone, and to enjoy a mince pie or two if that takes your fancy!

We know that this time of year can be difficult for many. We hope our Lights of Love service will help to offer some comfort to those missing a loved one this Christmas. ✨

📍 The Olivier Hall, St Edward’s School, Oxford

⏰4pm

Dedicate a heart today 👉bit.ly/sobelllights2025