Northampton College students bring comfort to patients in touching Lewis Foundation partnership

Students from Northampton College are lending their skills – and their hearts – to a moving new project supporting patients receiving end-of-life care.

The students have joined forces with The Lewis Foundation, a Northampton-based charity that provides free gifts, care packs and emotional support to adults living with cancer. The partnership forms part of an NHS pilot project at Warwick Hospital, aimed at improving comfort and care for patients and their loved ones in their final days.

When the hospital’s Specialist Palliative Care Team reached out to the charity, they shared that many families spend their last precious moments together on the ward – and wanted to make that time as peaceful as possible.

In response, The Lewis Foundation, founded by Lorraine and Lee Lewis in 2016, has worked with construction students at Northampton College to create handmade wooden hearts and crosses. Each piece is designed to be held by a patient for comfort in their final moments and later offered to the family as a keepsake.

Lorraine explained: “The Palliative Care Team knew about our work supporting cancer patients across the Midlands and asked whether we could create something more personal for their care baskets – something that could offer comfort to both patients and families.

One of their requests was for a heart or a cross to hold during those final moments. Knowing the talent and compassion of Northampton College students, I reached out – and they were eager to help. Every piece is unique, made with care by each individual student.”

The wooden hearts and crosses will be presented to Warwick Hospital within the next month and made available to patients as part of the hospital’s ongoing project to enhance end-of-life care.

Lorraine added: “It has been wonderful working with the students. This project is so personal – it’s about bringing love and comfort at a time when it matters most, and offering families a small but lasting way to remember their loved one.”

Mark Bradshaw, Curriculum Manager for Construction at Northampton College, said: “Our students have really embraced the project. They know that what they’re creating will have a lasting impact, and we’re proud to support the incredible work of The Lewis Foundation. We’re looking forward to continuing our partnership.”

For details on courses available at Northampton College, visit www.northamptoncollege.ac.uk.