An official opening ceremony has been held for the new Lewis-Manning Hospice Care Family Support and Bereavement Suite at Kingsman House in Bournemouth.

The LuxuryCare Group, which runs Kingsman House, is supporting its local community hospice by gifting the use of a suite of four rooms at the care home.

The donation has enabled the hospice to expand its ever-growing Family Support & Bereavement services into Bournemouth, run by the existing team and volunteer supporters.

An official opening at the Branksome Wood Road home was attended by hospice supporters, staff and volunteers.

Guests included Jacqueline Swift DL, representing the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, Michael Dooley, who is a Patron of the hospice, and the Mayor  of Bournemouth, Cllr George Farquhar.

They were given a tour of the three new counselling rooms and lounge area which will be used for group counselling sessions and meetings.

Jo Sharkey, Lewis-Manning’s Family Support and Bereavement Lead, gave a talk about the work of the team and the impact it was having with supported individuals and families.

This was followed by tea and cake and the opportunity to chat with the Family Support and Bereavement team.

Clare Gallie, Lewis-Manning’s CEO, said: “We are incredibly grateful that LuxuryCare have allowed us to open this suite at their beautiful Kingsman House care home.

“It’s an impressive space which we’ve renovated to put our own mark on it and to give it the appropriate feel for an intimate space where we can deliver our counselling.

“It has allowed us to expand our Family Support & Bereavement services into Bournemouth and to support families and patients with the counselling that they need at a difficult time.

“The rooms will also be available for our staff and extended teams to use for meetings, so it’s a brilliant addition to our existing facilities and allows us so much flexibility.

“It’s a great opportunity to work so closely with the LuxuryCare Group at one of their fantastic care homes.

“Our team has been hard at work with the renovations, and we’ve had some wonderful support from businesses in the local community; Poole Lighting, Travis and Perkins, Farrow & Ball, Insignia Shade & Shutter Co, John Lewis Partnership Branksome, Dunelm, B & Q Poole, Homesense Branksome, Towngate Gallery, Curry’s Poole and artist, Harriett Sheppherd.

“Huge thanks to all concerned.”

Sam Hoskins, Managing Director at LuxuryCare, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Lewis-Manning Hospice Care.

“We are great admirers of the extraordinary care that they deliver across East Dorset, Purbeck, Bournemouth and West Hampshire.

“It’s good to be collaborating with them and making a difference to the services that they offer.”

Cllr George Farquhar said: “It was a privilege to meet the Lewis-Manning team and officially open the family and bereavement suite.

“This important service provides families with a safe space to receive support.

“I’m amazed by the generosity and support of LuxuryCare Group and the local community in making this new suite possible.”

LuxuryCare operate six care homes in the Bournemouth and Poole area, offering a range of care services, including residential care, dementia care, nursing care, and palliative care.