I am happy about the time spent at the Living Well hubs I attended at different locations, including CentreStage and the Carrick Centre. The bonds of friendship built through companionship and peer support have meant so much to me. Janice Dunn An attendee of our Living Well hubs, kindly shares her story. “You can’t add days to your life, but you can add life to your days - make each day count.”
The Living Well Service is delivered both in our community hub and from our home at Racecourse Road in Ayr. Towards the end of 2025, we were delighted to invite patients and their families to visit the hospice for a tour of our new surroundings. An exciting time ahead for our Living Well service
most out of the time I have, and making memories with my friends and family. This has been a lifeline for me. Before attending the hub, my confidence, self-esteem and sense of purpose were diminishing. My world became smaller, and I grieved for the wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother - the person I was - living in fear and anxiety and withdrawing from society. The Ayrshire Hospice logo and Making Today Matter became very poignant and meaningful to me, and possibly to all the other attendees who have completed the programme. As we only have today and our tomorrow is shrouded in fear and uncertainty, this moment is the only one we have.
Throughout our time together, there were meaningful conversations, discussions and education brought to us through the Living Well programme, all facilitated with compassion by hospice staff and volunteers and shared with each attendee. The knowledge shared by staff, along with tips on how to help Living Well participants live well while coping with a life-shortening illness or terminal prognosis, helped us navigate very difficult emotions and uncertainty. These experiences can affect us physically, emotionally and socially, and the support we received recognised all of this.
The peer support at the hub has helped me deal with some of the highs and lows we may face, and the challenges we encounter along the way. This also reminds me of a quote I read somewhere: “You can’t add days to your life, but you can add life to your days – make each day count.” The wonderful staff and volunteers at the hubs have given me the power to influence the quality of my life, making each moment more meaningful, joyful and purposeful.
It was wonderful to welcome friends both old and new, and to explore the potential of our transformed home, including dedicated spaces for counselling, support and advice, complementary therapy and rehabilitation. Our team of nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and complementary therapists have created a supportive timetable of programmes, shaped
by feedback from previous and existing attendees. The new timetable is designed to help people manage symptoms, maintain independence, and create opportunities for connection and fun. The Living Well Service is all about offering a balance of care, community and enjoyment. It provides a welcoming space where people can try something new and feel supported while navigating the challenges of illness. Above all, it’s a service that encourages people to live life as fully and comfortably as possible. To find out more about the Living Well Service, including our current timetable of classes, groups and activities, please visit www.ayrshirehospice.org or contact us at livingwell@ayrshirehospice.org
Thank you, Janice x
They encouraged Living Well patients to see that, even when faced with a life-shortening illness, you can still set goals, pursue passions and find meaning in everyday life. I am living in the moment, getting the
You can find out more about our Living Well Hub and wider programme here
March 2026 | EDITION 41
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