Lisa’s story

For Lisa Thompson, 35, from Tamworth, St Giles Hospice will always hold a special place in her heart.

Her mum, Julie Thompson, received specialist care at St Giles at the end of her life in 2023. Now Lisa is part of the team herself, working in fundraising at the place that cared for her family during one of the most difficult times of their lives.

Lisa describes her mum as someone who was loved by everyone who met her. She said: “My mum was amazing. She was a friend to everybody – funny, caring, always seeing the positive in every situation. She was an incredible mum, and my very best friend.”

In 2023, Julie was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Although it was incredibly difficult to talk about the future, she was clear about where she wanted to be when the time came.

Lisa continued: “Mum always spoke highly of St Giles. After she was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2023, she told us very clearly, even though she struggled to talk about the future, that when the time came, she wanted her last days to be at the hospice.”

In November 2023, shortly after Lisa’s birthday, Julie told her family she felt ready.

“The day after my birthday, in November 2023, she told us she was ready. And very quickly, she was brought to the Inpatient Unit, where she spent nine peaceful days being cared for by the team at St Giles surrounded by the people who loved her most.”

For Lisa and her family, those final days meant everything. The care Julie received, and the support given to the whole family, left a lasting impression on Lisa and helped shape what she wanted to do next.

After her mum died, Lisa, who was previously a primary school teacher, found herself drawn back to the hospice. She said: “After Mum died, I found myself looking for reasons to return to St Giles. I realised my life had changed, and that I wanted to work somewhere that made a difference to families like ours.”

Eventually, an opportunity came up to join the Fundraising team, and Lisa knew it was the right step for her.

Lia said: “Now, every day, I feel proud to play a small part in helping St Giles provide care for people when they need it most.”

Being part of the hospice team now means Lisa feels connected not only to the work St Giles does, but also to her mum’s memory.

“Mum is still very much part of my everyday life at St Giles. When I write her name or share her photo, it feels like I’m keeping her memory alive.”

For Lisa, working at St Giles is more than just a job. It’s a way of giving back to the place that gave her mum comfort and dignity in her final days.