Pupils from a Basingstoke school got a real insight into the workings of a hospice by partnering up with terminally-ill patients.
In a bid to break taboos surrounding death, 14 students from Everest Community College enrolled on Project Hawthorn and worked alongside patients at St Michael’s Hospice to produce a colourful collage.
The year 9 students spent up to two hours a week for a month getting to know some of the patients.
Fourteen-year-old Spardha Kumar said she was anxious about the scheme and did not know what to expect.
“Before I came, I felt a lot of anxiety and nervousness, she said. “When I thought about hospices, I believed they were sad places and people were depressed.
“But my opinion was changed when I got here – everybody was lively and wanted to live life to the full, which I did not expect.”
Spardha was paired with 68-year-old Jay Kane from South Ham. The painter and decorator has battled aggressive cancer for seven years, with tumours spreading to his pancreas, kidneys and lungs.
He said it was uplifting to have pupils around to help out.
“Having the young people in made us feel a lot better. It makes me feel brilliant knowing I have lived and taught young people as equals.
“It was important to show them that it’s not bad in the hospice. If you feel sorry for yourself, it will kill you.
Mr Kane said it is important for society to open up about dying and people should talk openly about the issue.
And Spardha added that since working alongside Jay her perceptions have changed entirely.
“I have come away having learnt how to deal with something that is so sad,” she said. “You have to always be positive and make sure the time you have is well spent.
“Jay was amazing and an inspiration to all of us.”
James Whybra, year 9 leader at Everest, said the youngsters had matured since working alongside the patients.
He said: “The students have grown so much from their experience. The atmosphere, staff and patients brought out the absolute best in the students. They have done themselves and me very proud.”
The four-week course was a joint scheme between St Michael’s and North Hampshire Palliative Care Service.
The partnership aims to roll out the scheme to more schools across the borough.
For further information, call Helen Corner on 01256 314839.
