THE Long House in Holsworthy is looking to set up a ‘Friends’ group to help support the hospice.

For those looking to meet new people and take part in fun activities, whilst making a real difference in the local community, the North Devon Hospice’s new friends groups could be an ideal fit.

The local charity is appealing to people in the Holsworthy area to join a newly formed friends group to support the work of The Long House, where local people access much-needed care and support from the North Devon Hospice.

Claire Sherwood, from the hospice’s fundraising team, said: “This is a great chance to get involved in some really fun events and activities, while also socialising with like-minded people from the local area. The added bonus is that the friends group will make a real difference in the community, because it will support the vital work of The Long House.”

Opened in 2015, The Long House is North Devon Hospice’s outreach centre offering care and support closer to home for those in the Holsworthy area with life limiting illnesses. Previously patients and families faced a two-hour round trip to the main hospice site in Barnstaple to access such support.

The Long House has provided over 2,500 sessions of care since it opened to patients and family members.

This includes specialist nurse consultations, on-to-one counseling, complementary therapies, group support and much more. It costs around £60,000 per year to provide this care in the Holsworthy community, and the hospice is reliant on the generosity of local people to make this possible. This is where the new The Long House Friends group will be so vital.

Claire said: “Our friends groups give support to organise amazing fundraising events and these funds will go directly to support the work of The Long House. By Becoming part of the group, you will be making a huge difference to those we care for. Local patients and families are being supported by us through the toughest times, as they face the impact of cancer, Motor Neurone Disease, heart failure and other life-limiting illnesses. So this group will have a real impact right here in Holsworthy and the surrounding areas.”

North Devon Hospice friends groups are about fun and friendship as well s making a difference. Claire said: “We know from our other friends groups throughout North Devon that they truly do become friends themselves and there is a strong social element to everything they do. They become very tight-knit and in a close community like Holsworthy I’m sure the same will happen with The Long House Friends group.”

A coffee morning will be held in the Memorial Hall, from 10am until 1pm on October 25. They welcome everyone to come along and have a chat with the team to find out more about The Long House and the friends group.

To find out more about the new group talk to Claire or Jess on 01271 347206 or email [email protected]