ON WEDNESDAY, team members at a national healthcare charity were celebrated in style with the unveiling of a new mural in Reading’s town centre.
The mural champions the nurses at Sue Ryder, which provides support and palliative care for those with terminal illness and long-term conditions across Reading, Newbury, Wokingham and South Oxfordshire.
Now their work has been recognised with a colourful artwork which takes pride of place in The Oracle shopping centre’s Riverside.
Members of the Sue Ryder team were on hand to cut the ribbon at the unveiling ceremony, also attended by the piece’s creator, Saroj Patel.
The mural features a number of words used to describe the team at Sue Ryder by patients, including “kindness, devotion, compassion, and selfless.”
It is part of a new campaign, We Are Sue Ryder, through which the charity celebrates the impact that palliative care nurses have on the lives of patients and their loved ones.
It comes as Sue Ryder releases new figures showing that its nurses delivered care across 4,105 shifts in the Sue Ryder hospice in Reading last year.
It also saw 16,410 visits to people’s homes, care homes and hospitals across the region in the same year.
The first three months of 2023 have proved busy too, with initial data released by the charity showing that the nurses in West Berkshire carried out 62% more appointments in the first three months of 2022 compared to the same period last year.
Louise Lucio, service director at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice and Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub in South Oxfordshire says: “Growing up in Reading I have always been aware of Sue Ryder and the incredible support the Sue Ryder Nurses provide.
“It therefore feels special to unveil a mural which shows the tremendous gratitude of the local community to our wonderful nurses.”
She explained: “Palliative care nursing is a rewarding career and the words in this mural demonstrate the depth and strength of feeling families who have experienced our care have for our Sue Ryder Nurses.
“We encourage you to visit the mural, reflect and find out more about how we can be there to support you and your family when it matters.”
Mark Sturgess, whose brother James was cared for at the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice in Reading, says: “The Sue Ryder Nurses really couldn’t do enough for James. All the staff do their jobs to an amazing standard but at the same time they have that extra human touch.
“James actually passed away on my daughter’s birthday and that morning the nurses organised for a cake to be brought in so he could sing happy birthday to her with us.
“That always sticks in my mind as they went that extra mile and helped him to have that special memory on his final day.”
Chris Tarrant, who lends his support to the charity, said ahead of the event: “As a local resident I know all about the great work of Sue Ryder and its tireless care in the local area.
“That’s why I’m supporting its new campaign, We Are Sue Ryder, celebrating the wonderful work of the Sue Ryder Nurses and healthcare teams across Berkshire and South Oxfordshire.
“If you head down to The Oracle in Reading from Wednesday, May 24, you’ll see a poignant mural which shows heart-felt messages to Sue Ryder Nurses – all shared by local people.
He continued: “I couldn’t think of a better tribute to those who are there when we need them most – and which so beautifully represents the lasting impact palliative care nurses have on patients and their loved ones.
“Please visit the mural, read the words and support the charity so the care teams can continue to be there when it matters.”
