Mountbatten Hampshire has unveiled a vibrant yellow community van to revolutionise hospice and end-life care support in Hampshire.
The van, backed by grant-funded money from the Masonic Charitable Foundation, rolled out of its base at the West End hospice, ready for service, on April 1.
Medical professionals from Mountbatten's specialist community nursing team, tasked with increasing access to round-the-clock expert care, will staff it.
The community van will act as a mobile support and information hub, reaching isolated patients and those living in areas of deprivation who may not yet know about the multitude of care services available to them, either at the hospice or in their homes.
Mountbatten plans to use the van as a way of raising awareness about the breadth of support available from its expert staff.
Firms including Vansco, Advanced Locksmiths, Atlas Conversions, SC Tints and Extreme Signs provided the backing for the project, augmented by a generous local donation.
Data from the Office for National Statistics highlight Southampton as one of Hampshire's most deprived regions, making it a crucial destination for the community van.
The nursing team will also travel to Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, Hedge End, North Baddesley, Romsey, West Meon, Wickham, Colden Common, and Winchester.
From Atlas Mobility Conversions, Mary Cordina said: "We hand-built a lot of it, to meet what Mountbatten needed. It was a lovely job to do.
"For me, it's very, very important to support Mountbatten Hampshire.
"This was my late husband's — Joe Cordina's — business. He got cancer and we had six weeks from diagnosis to the end. I decided to take the business on for him. He would have been so proud that we completed this job."
Mountbatten CEO, Nigel Hartley, said: "Mountbatten Hampshire is delighted to be rolling-out this incredible accessible van.
"It will play a huge role in helping our charity reach new communities across Southampton and parts of Hampshire, ensuring our vital expertise and 24/7 hospice and at-home care, plus bereavement support, is available to those who need it.
"Two-thirds funded by the public through donations and grants, and with Mountbatten’s NHS contribution failing to rise in line with inflation, our charity is seeking increased community support.
"Thank you to those organisations and individuals who have worked alongside us to support the delivery of Mountbatten Hampshire’s new community vehicle."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here