18 Nov 2022 Community

The Kirkwood Counselling Building gets a fresh new look

Jeannette Marsh, daughter Katie, granddaughter Daisy and new arrival to the family Dougie, are welcomed back to The Kirkwood Counselling building along with The Morrisons Foundation representative Erin, for an afternoon of celebration with a special private viewing of the freshly refurbished building.

We are delighted to announce our Counselling building refurbishment is now complete in memory of Tony Marsh.

You may recall, this time last year we announced the wonderful news that The Morrisons Foundation had awarded us with a grant of £21,149 in memory of their much-loved former Morrisons colleague, Tony.

Tony, a former manager at the Morrisons Head Office in Bradford, received specialist palliative care from our teams when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2011, sadly dying in 2014.

Following Tony’s death, Jeannette received support from The Kirkwood Counselling Team and was delighted to learn that Morrisons had chosen to remember Tony in this way.

" Over the years, The Kirkwood has looked after members of our family when at our most vulnerable and offered the help and support that we needed at the time, so we only felt the right thing to do was to repay that in any way we can.” – Jeannette

Jeannette would meet regularly with our fundraising manager, Beverley Shaw, to discuss possible ideas for how the money raised by Jeannette and her family, combined with the donation from the Morrisons Foundation, could be utilised within one project.

Jeannette explains: “As a family, we have experienced the excellent counselling work that The Kirkwood has to offer. It’s great for there to be a safe place for families when they are going through difficult times, knowing there is a calm and welcoming place to be together and receive help and support.”

It became clear from this point that the counselling building held a special place for Jeannette and her family, and this would be the project they would work towards. The amazing donation, combined with the money raised by Jeannette and her family from their continuous dedicated fundraising efforts, was used to completely revitalise and refurbish the Counselling building, providing a calm serenity for families that may need it.

Jeannette continues to explain: “Once the decision had been made, Beverley provided me with regular updates of the work taking place, and I would have meetings with her to go through the plans. Looking at the furnishing, décor, upholstery choices, and so on.

"We were thankful for the support The Kirkwood provided us with at the end of Tony's life - I had the precious time of being his wife whilst The Kirkwood took care of his medical needs. This project was something very close to all our hearts".

The work began on the counselling building in August. Lifting the floors of the tired-looking blue carpets and removal of the strip lighting, replacing it with clean wood effect laminate floor and dimmer lighting, offering the option to change the light of the room from hard to soft with one twist of a dial to suit the mood of the client. The refurbishment didn't just stop at floors and lighting. Jeannette was consulted on all the main aspects of the project, including paint palettes, furnishings, and upholstery. Choosing colour schemes such as purples and greens, known as the spiritual, energising, and calming swatches on the colour wheel. The furniture was carefully selected and upholstered in smooth, welcoming velvet, offering comfort and warmth, accompanied by cushions depicting watercolour scenes of wildlife.

On the 19th of October, we invited Jeannette, daughter Katie, granddaughter Daisy and new arrival to the family Dougie, back to The Kirkwood along with The Morrisons Foundation representative Erin, to join the counselling team for an afternoon of celebration with a special private viewing of the freshly refurbished building.

Erin stated: “It was a privilege to be included and to see the efforts of Jeannette and the team's hard work come to life in memory of a well-regarded member of the Morrisons team, Tony. The counselling building looks fantastic, and it was great to see and hear how our grant will be going towards helping families like Jeannette’s in such a calm and tranquil setting.

Tracey Addy, counsellor of The Kirkwood Counselling Team, was over the moon with the building's new look, adding: “I now have a sense of pride when I welcome patients and clients into the Counselling Building - particularly as they all comment on how lovely it looks - Thank you.”

Jeannette equally ecstatic about the transformation, had this to add: "Both Katie and I thought the family counselling building looked fantastic. The rooms were very peaceful and relaxing, and I am sure the calming environment will offer great comfort for families that need the support of The Kirkwood.”

Our fundraising manager Beverley Shaw concludes with her thoughts: “Having seen first-hand the transition of the building and the calm, inviting atmosphere the refurbishment has created, not only for working, volunteering and patients/their families using the Counselling Services, I can see what a positive difference the renovations have made. We are extremely grateful to both Morrisons Foundation and Jeannette and her family for supporting us. It has and continues to be a pleasure having both their support.”

Our counselling team help patients, families and those bereaved through any life limiting illness. A listening ear when you need someone to talk to. If you require support you can contact The Kirkwood Counselling Team here: 01484 557 908