Gavin Windham is supporting Forever in Bloom in memory of his wife, Jo.

Gavin, Jo, and their two young children were supported by the hospice following Jo’s terminal cancer diagnosis. This is their story:

“Jo and I got together in 2007, and shortly after moved in together. Before long, we brought our first house, then our two children were

born. It was a bit of a blur with holidays, beach trips, planning for the future – all the things you’d naturally expect.

“Then Jo got diagnosed with cancer. Following her diagnosis of secondary terminal cancer, we were contacted by the Hospice.

“At the start that was a bit of a shock.

“We didn’t know what the hospice did or what they offered. What they do for the community. I was oblivious, if I’m honest. I assumed, wrongly, that it was just for old people going into palliative care.

“Throughout the initial stages, we had brief meetings. There was no pressure, but I knew there was always someone available, on the phone, 24/7.

“At a difficult time, this support was invaluable. It meant I didn’t need to burden Jo or the kids with my worries. I had the Hospice for that.

“No one, certainly in the younger generation, thinks this will happen to them.
I didn’t.”  

“At the time, the support of the Hospice was priceless because no one else I knew had gone through what we were going through. There was no one else to turn to.

“The Hospice have dealt with this, unfortunately, many times. It’s what they do. Their support meant I always had someone to speak to and ensure what I was doing was absolutely right for Jo.

“As we got into the final stages, the nurses were back and forth two or three times a day. The sincerity, the kindness, and the compassion for Jo that extended to me and the kids was unbelievable.”

“Following Jo passing away, the team were fantastic. Michelle came to the house and helped me and the kids with immediate emotional support. And Jill was excellent. We would go to the hospice, sit with Jill and just have real, open chats and get upset. Jill helped us understand that it’s okay to miss mam.”

“Now, I feel like it’s a time that I can give back to the Hospice.”

“Jo was the heart and soul of the family. She was completely and utterly selfless in all ways. She was always busy planning family trips and days out. Once we had kids, nothing came before them. She’d sacrifice any alone time to spend more time together as a family.”

“I think we all do things to remember the people we loved and lost in many different ways. Jo and I got married in Bedwellty House just eight months before Jo passed away, so having all the flowers displayed in the gardens, and visiting as a family, is really special.”

“It’s not until something like this happens to you that you realise that it does happen to people of all ages, backgrounds – it can happen to anyone. And that support network that you need afterwards, it never goes away. I just feel now, albeit it’s many years later, like it’s a time that I can give back to the Hospice.”

“This event brings people together to understand that they’re not on their own. That there is a network out there of other people going through the same grieving process, and they’re there to support you.”

At Hospice of the Valleys, we truly understand how it can feel when a loved one dies. Providing people with a means to remember, talk about, and celebrate the lives of those loved ones is an important part of the work we do.

We really hope you will be able to join Gavin and many others to be part of our special Forever in Bloom celebration this summer.