Building work is currently in progress at Oakhaven that may impact parking. We recommend you plan additional time before your appointment. Please contact 01590 670346 if you have any queries.

Tanya Baddeley

Summer events in the Oakhaven marquee

by

The marquee in Oakhaven Hospice's garden

A venue space with purpose; the marquee at Oakhaven Hospice

Throughout June, one of the standout features at Oakhaven Hospice is the elegant marquee in our beautiful garden, which is available to hire for special occasions, corporate functions, and events.

Located on the lawn in front of Phoebe and John Coates' original home, Pennington Chase, the marquee is surrounded by Oakhaven's delightful gardens, which are maintained year-round by a team of gardening volunteers.

This summer, numerous Oakhaven events were hosted in the marquee, including our annual volunteers' tea party, the annual Oakhaven Care summer lunch, a gathering to thank some of our regular givers, a tea party celebrating ‘Care for a Cuppa’ and a WI get-together.

We were thrilled to host two external corporate events in the marquee: the Lymington Chamber of Commerce Summer Party, which was a relaxed summer drinks gathering, and the New Forest Business Partnership’s LinkedIn Local event, a lively pizza and prosecco networking evening sponsored by Circle Insurance.

The marquee is available for hire every June, making it the perfect venue for your next event—whether it's hosting drinks for your most valued customers, a summer business meeting, an elegant family afternoon tea, or something else entirely. Hire of the marquee includes parking, WCs and wifi, and starts from just £50 a session. Perhaps the most rewarding part of using the Oakhaven marquee is knowing that your event supports a vital cause. All proceeds from marquee hire go directly towards funding hospice services, helping Oakhaven Hospice to provide comfort, dignity, and support to patients and their families across the region.

Many thanks to New Milton Sand and Ballast for sponsoring the Oakhaven Marquee.

To find out more, learn about marquee sponsorship opportunities for 2026, check availability or book the marquee for your event, please contact our Corporate Fundraising Manager, Natalie, on 01590 677773 or email business@oakhavenhospice.co.uk.

Care for a Cuppa

Could you host a coffee morning or tea party to help raise funds for Oakhaven Hospice?

Register today!

Become a Moment Maker

Could you donate regularly to help Oakhaven Hospice support local families?

Give a regular donation

Wear Green Day

Wear Green for Oakhaven on Friday 24th October and donate what you can!

Find out more!

If you are affected by a life-limiting illness, are a carer or are living with a loss or bereavement, we are here to support you.

Make a donation

Living well: signposting and support with Oakhaven Wellbeing

by

Living well signpost

Living well is vital to your health and wellbeing

If you are living with a life-limiting illness, caring for someone, or navigating grief or bereavement, your wellbeing remains a vital part of living well.

On Wednesday 23rd July, our NEW 'Living Well Hub' will start at the Coates Centre. This monthly drop-in session, organised by the Oakhaven Wellbeing team, will gather together important organisations to enable you to find relevant signposting and advice that you might require in order to live well. The drop in session will run from 10am to 12.30pm in the Coates Centre at Oakhaven, Lower Pennington Lane, Lymington SO41 8ZZ.

The Living Well Hub will be here for everyone in our New Forest, Totton and Waterside communities - you don't need to be a patient or family already known to Oakhaven. It will be an opportunity to ask any questions that you might have, or to simply come along and find out what sort of support might be available to you in the community.

At the Living Well Hub, you will find:

  • New Forest Disability, able to provide advice on benefits and forms, support at home, carer support and equipment for people affected by disabilities.
  • HOPe (Helping Older People New Forest), able to provide advice on attendance allowance, Blue Badge permits, managing paperwork, pension credit and allowances, taxation, benefit claims, disability rights, rent and utility bill problems.
  • CAP (Christians Against Poverty), offering free debt and personal support.
  • Princess Royal Trust for Carers, offering free help, advice and support (including in an emergency).
  • Estate Planning: a variety of professionals able to provide advice on Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, long term care and business succession.
  • Oakhaven Care: a member of our social enterprise home care provider will be in attendance and able to provide advice and guidance on adult social care.

In addition, each month, various members of our Hospice Team will be on hand to answer any queries that you might have. This might include members of our Wellbeing team, Community Nursing team, Therapy team, Oakhaven Neighbours team, Patient and Family Support team, for example.

Oakhaven has a holistic approach to care and planning

At Oakhaven, our ethos is centred on placing individuals at the heart of their own care and planning. We adopt a 'what matters to me' approach, encouraging open, beneficial conversations that empower individuals to design living well ideas based on their unique values, needs and aspirations. When plans are shaped by individuals themselves, they are more meaningful, achievable and sustainable.

We support this through a range of opportunities, including one-to-one conversations, workshops, seminars, and tailored programmes. These are designed to promote tools, resources and pathways that help build a strong, self-supportive framework. We aim to enhance each person’s ability to

  • self-manage
  • establish goal-setting
  • foster motivation
  • and strengthen commitment to their own wellbeing.

We recognise that wellbeing is deeply personal and is unique to current circumstances. It encompasses physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, social, cultural, environmental and economic aspects, not always at once, but each contributing to a person’s overall experience.

A holistic approach to wellbeing fosters sustainable progress, not just for individuals, but also for families and communities.

Find out more about the groups, workshops and programmes available every month with Oakhaven Wellbeing at the Coates Centre by clicking here.

The first step is yours, and every step after that can be taken together…

For more information about our Living Well Hub, please contact Lee Rand, our Wellbeing Coordinator, at wellbeing@oakhavenhospice.co.uk or call 01590 670346.

Care for a Cuppa

Could you host a coffee morning or tea party to help raise funds for Oakhaven Hospice?

Register today!

Become a Moment Maker

Could you donate regularly to help Oakhaven Hospice support local families?

Give a regular donation

Wear Green Day

Wear Green for Oakhaven on Friday 24th October and donate what you can!

Find out more!

If you are affected by a life-limiting illness, are a carer or are living with a loss or bereavement, we are here to support you.

Make a donation

Circus fun in the sun at Oakhaven’s Family Fun Day

by

Oakhaven Family Fun Day 2025

Circus fun in the sun at Oakhaven’s Family Fun Day

On Saturday, 28th June, Oakhaven Hospice welcomed supporters from across the New Forest, Totton and Waterside area to a family fun day, with over 1,200 people attending during the course of the day. The popular annual event has raised over £23,500, all of which will help to fund the hospice’s running costs.

Oakhaven’s traditional summer fayre had something for all the family, this year with an exciting circus theme. A circus show and workshops delighted children throughout the afternoon, along with a magic show, an animal farm, inflatables and plenty of other activities for children, including a workshop and performance by New Forest Academy of Dance.

Everyone enjoyed browsing the Oakhaven fundraising stalls, including the popular plant and cake stalls and the infamous ‘bric-a-brac alley’, and trying their luck in the raffles and tombolas.

Oakhaven Family Fun Day 2025

Oakhaven’s Community and Events Fundraising Manager, Jill West, said: “We would like to thank everyone who came along to our Family Fun Day. It was great to see so many families enjoying a traditional summer fayre in the sunshine. Many thanks to everyone who donated or baked items for us to sell or use as prizes. A big thank you also to all the volunteers who donated their time to help set up, man stalls, and take down the event. Without you, we simply wouldn’t be able to host such a wonderful event.

“In particular, we would like to thank our headline sponsor, John D Wood & Co, and the other local businesses that supported the event as stand sponsors: Parker Bullen, New Forest Ice Cream and New Forest Academy of Dance. Your financial support has helped cover some of the event costs.

“Demand for Oakhaven’s vital services grows every year, and at any time our specialist teams are caring for over 450 patients and their families - not just at the Hospice, but also in patients’ homes throughout our New Forest, Totton and Waterside communities.

“It currently costs £9 million a year to fund Oakhaven’s services, yet just 11% of Oakhaven’s funding is covered by the NHS. For the remaining 89% our charity relies on your kind donations, fundraising, gifts in wills and income from the Oakhaven charity shops and home care provider, Oakhaven Care Ltd.”

Next year’s Oakhaven Family Fun Day will be on Saturday, 27th June 2026 - save the date in your diary!

To find out more about how you could help Oakhaven with a donation, fundraising or a gift in your will, please visit www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk/support-us, or contact the Fundraising Team directly on 01590 677773 or fundraising@oakhavenhospice.co.uk.

Oakhaven Family Fun Day 2025

Thank you for helping Oakhaven make every moment matter for patients and families.

Make a donation

Carers Week 2025: Oakhaven support for carers in our community

by

Oakhaven Wellbeing activities at the Coates Centre

Oakhaven support for carers in our community

As we start Carers Week 2025, you may have heard about the care and support Oakhaven Hospice provides to patients, but did you know that Oakhaven also supports those caring for friends and relatives?

Carer’s Week 2025

Running from 9th to 16th June, Carers' Week 2025 has a focus on ‘Caring About Equality.’ The aim is to highlight the disparities and disadvantages faced by unpaid carers across the UK and call for a fairer society where they have access to greater support.

There are 5.8 million people in the UK caring for a family member, friend or neighbour who is ill, older or disabled. Unpaid carers save the UK economy an estimated £184 billion each year – the equivalent of a second NHS – yet many feel undervalued and unsupported.*

Caring for someone can have a significant impact on your own health, finances, employment and education opportunities. 70% of carers report a long-term physical or mental health condition, disability or illness, compared to 50% of non-carers.**

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “Caring for a loved one should never be a reason for facing inequality, but sadly, this is a reality for many in the UK. Unpaid carers are desperate for a break, for better health and social care provision, financial support and equality in the workplace. Over half say they need better understanding and recognition from the public.***

“Carers' Week 2025 is a crucial opportunity to increase awareness, highlighting those who provide vital care to family members, friends or neighbours when they need it most. We want to see a future where they have the right support and the same opportunities to lead healthy and financially secure lives alongside their caring role.”

Support for carers with Oakhaven Wellbeing

Oakhaven Wellbeing, based at the Coates Centre in the grounds of the Hospice, welcomes anyone in the New Forest, Totton and Waterside community who is affected by a life-limiting illness, is a carer or is living with a loss or bereavement.

Every month, a range of social activities and support groups take place. In addition, you are welcome to drop by for guidance, signposting and a friendly chat over a cup of tea or coffee.

> Find useful signposting information for carers.

Lee Rand, Oakhaven's Wellbeing Coordinator, commented, "The support we provide at the Coates Centre isn't just for Oakhaven patients and their families. We also support our wider community and welcome everyone who cares for a relative or friend.

"Some of our support groups run weekly, such as the dementia support group on Thursdays, whilst others run once or twice a month. In addition, we have groups and workshops encompassing art, craft, movement, mindfulness, singing... and much more! Do take a look at the calendar on our website and get in touch with us by email at wellbeing@oakhavenhospice.co.uk if you would like any further information."

> Find out more about Oakhaven Wellbeing activities and support groups.

Oakhaven Care: support in your own home

In addition to the support for carers offered at the Coates Centre by Oakhaven Wellbeing, Oakhaven Care provides visiting and live-in home care services throughout the New Forest, Totton, Waterside and beyond.

Oakhaven Care Ltd is a home care provider owned by The Oakhaven Trust. A social enterprise, 100% of any profits made by Oakhaven Care are donated to Oakhaven Hospice - rather than lining the pockets of investors.

The highly-trained team provides personalised care, tailored to the individual and flexible to change as your needs develop. From 30-minute drop-in visits to multiple daily visits, extending to live-in and 24-hour care as and when required, Oakhaven Care Assistants support you to remain in the comfort of your own home and maintain your chosen lifestyle.

Eric engaged Oakhaven Care initially to provide home care for his father: "I've been using Oakhaven Care services for over five years now. I initially contacted them to provide daily visits when it became obvious that my father was struggling with caring for my mother, who was having a hard time with depression and decreased mobility. The change that the Oakhaven carers brought to the house was immediate and transformative.

"Suddenly, my father was no longer the only person responsible for caring for my mother, which meant that their relationship could go back to being husband and wife, rather than what it had become. Then, in early 2020, my father fell and broke his hip, at which point, Oakhaven were able to provide live-in carers to assist with all the things my father was no longer able to do. Since mid-2020, we've been using the same live-in caregiver, and she remained in place after my mother's passing later that year. I'm really not sure if my father would still be alive if not for the amazing presence of his carer."

> Find out more about Oakhaven Care

 

* Petrillo, M., Zhang, J., and Bennett, M.R. (2024) Valuing Carers 2021/2022: the value of unpaid care in the UK. London: Carers UK.
** GP Patient Survey, NHS, 2024.
*** Carers UK, State of Caring report, 2023.

Oakhaven Care Assistants
Oakhaven Care Assistants

Thank you for helping Oakhaven make every moment matter for patients and families.

Make a donation

Oakhaven Volunteers Awards 2025

by

Volunteer Tea Party 2025

A garden party to thank our volunteers

On Tuesday 3rd June, we held our annual Volunteers’ Garden Party to celebrate our amazing volunteers during National Volunteers’ Week. During the garden party, Director of Clinical Services, Denise Major, announced the results of the Oakhaven Volunteer Achievement Awards.

This is the third year of the Oakhaven Volunteer Achievement Awards. They are based on the Oakhaven values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Empathy, plus an award for Individual Achievement.

In total, forty volunteers (plus one dog!) were nominated for an award, some of the volunteers were nominated by more than one person. This shows how well-regarded our volunteers are. They all support Oakhaven in amazing ways. It was very difficult for the panel to pick winners as all our volunteers deserve an award. Hearing some of the nominations and stories of those who won demonstrates the incredible impact they have on our patients, service users, customers, donors and staff.

The winners of the Awards are

Award for Compassion: Jackie Hoskins, Oakhaven Neighbours volunteer

Award for Accountability: Jane Cook, Coates Centre Hub, Fundraising volunteer

Award for Respect: Sandra Maynard, Retail volunteer, Totton

Award for Empathy: Sally Eldridge, Oakhaven Neighbours volunteer

Award for Individual Achievement: Frances Chalk, Chemo Support volunteer

Congratulations to all the winners, and well done to all the volunteers who were nominated.

Thank you also to everybody who took the time to nominate a volunteer. You have helped to shine a light on the great things that our volunteers do.

Many thanks to Summerfields Homestead Dog Boarding for donating the delightful bouquets.

Room for Reward

As well as receiving Oakhaven Volunteer Awards, the five award-winners were presented with Room To Reward certificates by Joe Langtree. Room to Reward is a unique volunteer-recognition charity created to say ‘thank you’ to their hidden heroes – inspirational volunteers who give up their time to make a difference to those who need it most. Room to Reward partners with several hotels across the country to offer complimentary one or two-night stays to nominated volunteers.

Our volunteers are simply amazing: they give their time and energy to support Oakhaven, bringing a wealth of experience along with their commitment in wanting to help others and make a difference. We are always looking for new people to join our team - click here to find out more about becoming part of the Oakhaven volunteer family.

Three winners of the Achievement Awards

A number of our volunteers were able to attend our annual Volunteers Garden Party in the marquee, where they enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea prepared by the Oakhaven Kitchen.

Many thanks to the kitchen staff for their hard work preparing the food and the New Forest Fruit Company for donating the delicious strawberries.

New Milton Sand & Ballast for contributing towards the cost of the marquee, which is in the Oakhaven gardens for the month of June (leading up to our Family Fun Day on Saturday 28th June) If you would like to hold an event in the Oakhaven marquee during June, please get in touch with our Fundraising team on fundraising@oakhavenhospice.co.uk.

Volunteer Garden Party

Thank you to all our Volunteers

National Volunteers Week is a great opportunity to say a big THANK YOU to the wonderful family of Oakhaven Volunteers.

Over 400 volunteers give their time, skills and knowledge to support Oakhaven in many different ways - in the Coates Centre, in the Inpatient Unit, in the Day Hospice, helping patients in the community, helping at fundraising events, helping us with awareness in our community, and helping in our shops

We really appreciate everything that you do. THANK YOU for helping Oakhaven to make every moment matter.

The Oakhaven family is always looking for more volunteers to help in a variety of roles, for more information about volunteering for Oakhaven Hospice, please click the link below, call 01590 670346 or email volunteering@oakhavenhospice.co.uk.

Find out about volunteering for Oakhaven Hospice

Thank you for helping Oakhaven make every moment matter for patients and families.

Make a donation

National Volunteers Week 2025: A BIG Thank You to all Oakhaven Volunteers

by

Oakhaven Volunteers

A BIG thank you to all Oakhaven Volunteers - National Volunteers Week 2025

National Volunteers Week is a great opportunity to say a big THANK YOU to the wonderful family of Oakhaven Volunteers.

Over 400 volunteers give their time, skills and knowledge to support Oakhaven in many different ways - in the Coates Centre, in the Inpatient Unit, in the Day Hospice, helping patients in the community, helping at fundraising events, helping us with awareness in our community, and helping in our shops

We really appreciate everything that you do. THANK YOU for helping Oakhaven to make every moment matter.

The Oakhaven family is always looking for more volunteers to help in a variety of roles, for more information about volunteering for Oakhaven Hospice, please click the link below, call 01590 670346 or email volunteering@oakhavenhospice.co.uk.

Find out about volunteering for Oakhaven Hospice
Find out about volunteering for Oakhaven Hospice

Thank you for helping Oakhaven make every moment matter for patients and families.

Make a donation