St Michael’s Hospice hosted a special event to celebrate the opening of its new therapeutic labyrinth.
Supporters and dignitaries, including the Earl of Portsmouth Quentin Wallop, gathered on May 19 for the unveiling of the £20,000 attraction.
St. Michael’s is one of only a few hospices in the country with a labyrinth, which are becoming increasingly popular tools for therapy.
The labyrinth is a single circular path that winds its way to the centre and out again. People are meant to follow the path, using it as a way to reflect and focus thoughts.
Reverend Andy Edmeads said: “It can be a very cathartic and therapeutic experience. People who have used it said they have had some surprising experiences when walking it.
“The other things that are so attractive are that patients can do it themselves, it is child friendly and it is often used as a way of reflecting on the next step in life.”
The labyrinth was funded after the hospice successfully bid for a £280,000 cash grant from the Department of Health’s End Of Life Care Strategy in April 2010.
Following a five-month build the project was completed by March 31. The remaining cash was used to spruce up the hospice’s rooms and facilities.
Dr Jane Bywater, a consultant in palliative medicine, said the labyrinth could actively help patients cope with their illness.
She said: “Walking the labyrinth can help to reduce stress associated with illness by providing something proactive for patients, families and friends to do together.
“Quite often it can help people let go of worries, stress or grief. This fits nicely with the holistic approach that we take to hospice care.”
St Michael’s chief executive David Monkman, said he hopes the labyrinth will be used by the community and change the image of hospices.
He said: “We want to use it to get people visiting. People think hospices are places where people come to die. That’s not the case. Only 40 per cent of patients come here to die.
“It is here to break down the barrier that hospices are places for people to avoid. It will help take away all the taboos about hospices.”
Groups and individuals can book times to visit the labyrinth by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
