Time capsule buried to mark fifth anniversary of local charity

A time capsule has today been interred to mark the fifth anniversary of a local charity.

Winchester Hospice opened its doors to local patients on 18 September 2021, and today, members of staff, patients and their families gathered together to plant a time capsule in the hospice garden which is due to be dug up in 50 years’ time.

Maddy Thomson, consultant nurse palliative medicine and clinical lead for end of life care at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Winchester Hospice trustee, was instrumental in the opening of the hospice and was there today to help bury the time capsule. She said: “I’d seen evidence for a while that a hospice was needed for local people. Our patients were having to travel a long way to receive hospice care which meant their families also had to travel to see them. We needed a better solution, and I was delighted when we launched the appeal to transform an unused building on the hospital’s grounds. The appeal was incredibly well supported by the people of Winchester and I was overwhelmed with pride when we welcomed the first patient into the hospice exactly five years ago today.

“To think of a new team here in the future, digging up the time capsule to see what we were up to in the early days is just wonderful to think about. I’m excited for the future of Winchester Hospice and everything it will do to support local people.”

In the time capsule, the charity placed a letter from current staff and patients to those of the future, the charity’s recent board meeting minutes, copies of charity literature, including a Purple Night Walk poster, and individual notes from patients and staff. Alongside this was a copy of the front page of the local newspaper to show what was top news in the local area on the day.

Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Jamie Scott, was on hand to help bury the time capsule in the hospice garden. At the event, he said: “I’ve been delighted to support Winchester Hospice this year as one of my chosen charities. I’ve been honoured to spend a bit of time here meeting patients, staff and volunteers and can see the impact of local donations on the exceptional care being given every day. I hope patients and staff in 50 years’ time take great delight in opening this time capsule. And I wonder how Winchester will have changed in that time.”

Winchester Hospice has remained open 365 a year since the first patient arrived and that’s all thanks to the support of local people, raising important funds to help care for patients who need specialist care. Head of charity, Mark Hainy, reflected on the success of the hospice so far and looked forward to what was next: “We’re so proud to have such fantastic support from our community. When we launched the appeal to open the building, the community really got behind it, but charities like the hospice rely on ongoing support from the people it is here to serve and since we opened, the fundraising has continued in spades.

“We’re truly honoured to have the support we do from those who give so generously, whether that’s making a regular donation, giving up time to volunteer, organising your own fundraising trip or joining one of our events. Every penny really does make a difference to those we’re able to care for and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has donated in whatever way to the hospice since we first announced our plans to open.

“Over the years, our supporters have come up with some innovative ways to support the hospice, including Pilates sessions in the hospice garden, lunchtime concerts a 12-hour overnight fitness session and a tattoo flash day. It will be interesting to see what fundraising looks like in 50 years’ time.”