The Friends of the Wisdom Hospice have funded various building projects at the Hospice; these include an extension and refurbishment of the ward area, patio garden and the chapel. More recently the Friends have purchased a property adjacent to the site to provide overnight accommodation for visiting relatives and counselling rooms.

Chapel
The new chapel was completed in winter 2006 and was officially opened on 16th May 2007; the Friends agreed a budget of £10,000 as it was in dire need of some tender loving care.
Improvements were made to the lighting, décor, the carpet and chairs, all funded by The Friends of the Wisdom Hospice. The projects were co-ordinated by a working group including the Friends, Medway Community Healthcare and hospice staff. This group also took account of suggestions made by a former hospice chapel group. The changes, also involving the relocation of the cross and hanging of an original piece of art by the son of a former patient, were designed to build on the sense of peace and reflection established in the chapel previously. We were committed to provide a space where anyone looking for privacy or an opportunity to express their spirituality could feel comfortable and we believe the new chapel achieves this and the largely positive comments received so far support the changes.


Terrace makeover
The Terrace makeover was completed in spring 2007 and was officially opened on 16th May. The garden area was totally transformed with the help of the Friends Working Party, Hospice management and Medway Community Healthcare. The aim was to reuse some 75% of the old slabs with new colours and designs interwoven into them. Not only that but there is also a chess board, all this was enhanced with suitable plants and potted trees to create a few quite and private areas. The West Kent Shared Services Agency and Medway Community Healthcare also contributed by providing the safety railings surrounding the terrace.


Reception and patient’s day room
In the summer of 2008 The Wisdom Hospice received £120,000 from the £50 million awarded to Hospices for capital projects by the Government. Part of this grant was used to install a silent nurse call system ensuring that patients are no longer disturbed by the traditional buzzers. The mortuary was also upgraded and a newly designed viewing room added.

The most noticeable improvement is the total overhaul of the reception and patient’s day room area. The lowered ceiling and light coloured paintwork in reception brightened up the whole area. New lighting and a generally less cluttered appearance makes for a welcoming and friendly ambience. In the day room new partitions provided more privacy for patients and their families.

Ward Televisions
At the beginning of 2010 the Friends funded the installation of the new integrated television system for patients on the ward.

The House
The Friends have recently purchased a property in High Bank to provide extra facilities for Hospice staff and patients' families. This purchase was made thanks to two large legacies which have been received by The Friends in recent years.

The house will provide much needed overnight accommodation for relatives of patients, and the remainder of the house will provide additional office accommodation and counselling facilities for the Hospice.  It was officially opened on 13th October 2011 by the Bishop of Rochester.