5 May 2025 Patient and Family Stories

Georgia’s Story: Finding Comfort, Connection and Confidence Through The Kirkwood

At 28 years old, Georgia Kaye has already experienced the kind of loss that reshapes a person’s world. A nursing associate by profession, Georgia brings both clinical knowledge and a deeply personal perspective to her story with The Kirkwood, a story that begins with fear and uncertainty but evolves into one of comfort, care, and emotional healing.

Georgia grew up in a small, close-knit family. Her mum is an only child, and Georgia has a twin brother. Her Grandma Joan and great uncle Cliff were central figures in her life, and their bond was close.

“Grandma was like my best friend,” she says warmly. “We were all really tight as a family, and losing her felt like losing a piece of myself.”

In the summer of 2023, Georgia’s beloved grandmother, Joan Cuerden, was admitted to The Kirkwood for symptom management. Joan, had been living with multiple long term health conditions including heart failure, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Though Georgia had heard of The Kirkwood through her work, her initial reaction to the news was anxiety.

“I was honestly scared when I first heard Grandma was going to The Kirkwood,” Georgia admits. “In my mind, it was a place people went when there were no more options. But once we arrived, everything changed. The atmosphere was calm and warm, not clinical or cold. It didn’t feel like the end, it felt like a place focused on comfort and dignity.”

Joan stayed at The Kirkwood for three weeks, and the experience left a lasting impression on Georgia and her family.

“She was so well looked after, in every single way,” Georgia recalls. “It wasn’t just about medicine, it was the cups of tea, the warm blankets, the chance to sit outside in the sun on the balcony. They cared for her like she was their own family.”

Georgia, who is used to being the one delivering care, was struck by how much the team with The Kirkwood did to support the whole family.

“Even with a clinical background, when it’s your loved one, it’s different. You might know what’s happening from a medical perspective, but emotionally, you're still just someone trying to hold it together. The team with The Kirkwood spoke to us like people, not professionals. They explained everything clearly and compassionately, without assuming I already knew. That meant so much to me.”

After Joan’s time with The Kirkwood, she moved into a care home, where she died peacefully. Though she didn’t die at the hospice, Georgia firmly believes the time her grandma spent there gave her more quality time with family, and helped Georgia feel peace during those last moments.

She said: “When Grandma was in hospital, I used to feel guilty leaving her. I always worried would she be okay? Would someone check on her? But with The Kirkwood, I never felt that way. I could walk away at night knowing she was safe, settled, and truly cared for. That peace of mind is something I’ll never forget.”

Only weeks later, Georgia’s great uncle Cliff, Joan’s brother, also became unwell. Cliff had COPD and prostate cancer, and although his involvement with The Kirkwood was short, the impact was still significant.

“Cliff was a bit of a character, strong-willed and not one to admit he was unwell,” Georgia says with a smile. “But even in the short time The Kirkwood was involved, they made an impact. They came to see him at home, and gave us advice, and started putting things in place. It showed that The Kirkwood’s reach goes beyond the building, it’s in the community too.”

Cliff died suddenly in hospital on 1st September 2023, just weeks after his sister.

In the wake of these losses, Georgia and her mum were both offered bereavement counselling. While her mum accessed support through work, Georgia remained on the waiting list for The Kirkwood’s counselling service and started a few months later.

“I didn’t think I needed counselling at first,” she said. “I told myself I was coping. But my mum encouraged me to stay on the list, and I’m so grateful I did. What I thought would just be about grief turned out to be about so much more.”

Through six sessions spaced across several months, Georgia worked with her counsellor, Sarah, and found herself changing in ways she didn’t expect.

“Counselling gave me more than just help with grieving, it gave me confidence. It helped me stop saying ‘yes’ to things I didn’t want to do. It taught me that self-care isn’t selfish. It helped me let go of guilt and stop suppressing my feelings.”

One of the most meaningful lessons Georgia learned was that being strong doesn’t mean staying silent: “I learned that it’s okay to be upset, okay to talk, and okay to just be human.”

As someone who works in the healthcare sector, Georgia is especially saddened by the financial pressures The Kirkwood is now facing and the impact this could have on services.

“It breaks my heart to think that the services that helped me so much might not be there for someone else,” she says. “These aren’t extras, they’re essentials. The Kirkwood gave my family peace, support, and time. If that’s lost because of funding, it’s not just sad, it’s devastating.”

Now, she finds herself becoming an advocate for The Kirkwood, both at work and in her personal life: “I actually spoke to a patient at work recently who was unsure about going for counselling. I told him, without hesitation go. Just try it. You’ve got nothing to lose, and everything to gain. If you open yourself up to it, it could be one of the best decisions you ever make. It definitely was for me.”

For Georgia, The Kirkwood is not just a place, it’s a symbol of everything compassionate care should be. It’s where she found reassurance in the face of loss, support during her grief, and ultimately, the courage to start healing.