Hospice Bistro brings welcome ambience and acceptance

26 June 2026

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Lesley Cornell and her husband Derek, are long time supporters of the Charity and kindly shared their reasons for giving regularly via the Friends of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

“Ever since the Hospice moved from Brookfields to Shelford Bottom, in 2016, we have been coming to the Bistro for coffee and lunch.

Derek’s brother, Richard, suffered with severe dementia so in the last few years of his life he was looked after by his granddaughter. We started visiting him once every couple of weeks and, while we were there, she would say, “Do you mind if I go upstairs and rest?” We realised this wasn’t enough, so we started to take him out for lunch so that she could have a break.

At first we took him to places in the countryside because he loved being out in the open. As his health deteriorated it became too much for him as there were too many people around and it just didn’t work.

Male eating in a Bistro — Richard in the Bistro

So, we started bringing him to the Bistro and he really loved it. We all felt so much at home, it was accessible, and welcoming and had such a lovely atmosphere and of course the volunteers were so helpful – they always spoke to Richard too and that meant a lot. It was the ambience and acceptance that was important. When we had been to other places sometimes we felt we needed to apologise but in the Bistro everyone was so nice.

On the day Richard died we visited him at the care home to say our goodbyes – we knew it was just a matter of hours. As we were driving home we wanted something nice to do, so we came to the Bistro. There was a young man playing the piano – it was wonderful. We discovered afterwards he was a trainee music therapist.

We still come to the because Bistro as the food is really delicious. We try to have lunch here once a week and next week we’re bringing a group to the Bistro for an 80th birthday.

We’ve been to the ‘Light up a life’ event on a number of occasions remembering different people. Last year we came to the Sunflower Memories event to remember a member of our Church Home Group and it was good to meet other people who’ve been through the same experience.

Male and female smiling at the camera in front of a steam train — Lesley and Derek

Even though we haven’t personally experienced the clinical services, the Bistro at the Hospice has fond memories for us and that has really supported us.

We are a Friend of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity because we know the Charity is very important.”

To become a Friend of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, please visit: arhc.org.uk/FOARHC