Cuddle beds arrive to bring comfort to hospice patients

These advanced clinical beds, designed for those facing life-limiting illnesses, offer enhanced pain relief and comfort—but, most importantly, they can extend to double the width of a traditional hospital bed. This allows families to share precious moments and comforting cuddles when it matters most.

North Devon Hospice launched the Cuddle Appeal in February of this year, hoping to raise enough funds to buy one new cuddle bed for the hospice’s Bedded Unit and fund more care in people’s homes - so they can remain in the bed they really want to be in, their own. However, such was the incredible response of the community, enough money was raised to buy three cuddle beds and fund a hospice community nurse for an entire year.

This week, the charity proudly took delivery of the new cuddle beds, which were immediately put to use by patients coming for a stay at the hospice. Hannah Crawley, team leader on the Bedded Unit, said: “We are just over the moon to be able to offer this extra closeness to patients and loved ones who we’re looking after. One of the beds was put into use immediately, for a lovely lady who came for a stay on the Bedded Unit that very day, so they are already having a profound impact on the lives of local people. We try to create a sanctuary where people can have their pain and other symptoms addressed round-the-clock - with most returning home after a stay - while those who do spend their final days on here can do so with dignity. These cuddle beds are hugely important in making that quality time as comfortable as possible for the whole family.” 

Hannah added, “We can all imagine what we would give for one more cuddle with someone we love. Thanks to the generosity of the North Devon community, people will be able to spend more precious time together, when it matters most. We cannot thank you all enough.”

One of the cuddle beds was funded by the incredible support of Barnstaple Lions Club, who donated £15,000 in memory of one of their former members. The club were invited to the hospice to see the bed they funded arrive, and were moved to hear from hospice staff what a difference it will make. "One of our members was diagnosed with a life-limiting illness himself, and when he died, he left the Barnstaple Lions Club a significant legacy. We have been seeking ways to use this to remember him,” said club President, Mandy Peeling.

“Then along comes the Cuddle Appeal, to raise funds for cuddle beds at the hospice and to fund a community nurse for a year. To all the club members this was a no-brainer and we decided that we would fund the cost of one cuddle bed, with a £15.000 donation.” she added. “This means that patients will have the finest care, and their relatives will have the comfort of being with their nearest and dearest. This will be a lasting memory of a dear and true Lion of the Barnstaple Lions Club."

North Devon Hospice thanked Barnstaple Lions Club and the whole North Devon community for supporting the Cuddle Appeal. Chief Executive Stephen Roberts said: “On behalf of every patient and family member we are privileged to care for, I want to thank every single person who supported the Cuddle Appeal. Your support means we’re able to fund a community hospice nurse for a year, which will help local people to remain in the comfort of their home when facing a life-limiting illness – so they can be close to their loved ones and home comforts. But we are also beyond thrilled to buy three new cuddle beds for our Bedded Unit, for when pain and other symptoms are too complex to be treated at home. These beds will mean extra comfort and closeness when it matters most.”

He added, “It is incredible for Barnstaple Lions Club to have donated one of these beds by themselves, and we’re so grateful to them for their unwavering support over the years. The whole community played a part in making the Cuddle Appeal so successful, and you can all be proud of the very real difference you are making to people’s lives as they face the toughest of times.”