Cancer sufferer Margaret Fanshawe is back on her feet, after reaching out to Pendleside Hospice following a fall down her steps.

Margaret, who receives therapy sessions at her home to improve her mobility, has praised Pendleside Hospice for its support of her and her husband despite COVID-19 restrictions.

Margaret, 82, had begun mobility support sessions at the hospice last February after finishing chemotherapy, which had left her suffering from peripheral neuropathy when nerves in her hands and feet were damaged. However, her visits were cut short when COVID-19 hit.

As she was instructed to shield, the grandmother of two and her husband Howard, 83, did not leave their house in Pike Hill, Burnley, for six months.

The lack of social interaction caused the pair to feel depressed and lonely. Margaret also suffers from osteoporosis and her fall in November caused her mobility to worsen and knocked her confidence.

After the fall, Howard reached out to the hospice for both mobility and emotional support. Physiotherapist Steve Harrison, who had been treating Margaret pre-COVID, visited their house to check all of the mobility equipment and gave exercises and techniques to Margaret.

Margaret, formerly a clerical assistant at Burnley tax office, said: “The hospice have been very good to us. My walking has really improved, and I couldn’t recommend the hospice enough.”

Trainee assistant practitioner at the hospice Lisa Thompson carries out the fortnightly sessions and checks in with the pair to ensure that Margaret is progressing.

Julia O’Neill, head of health, well-being and rehabilitation at Pendleside, said: “Since the temporary closure of the day-care services we have maintained our commitment to looking after people who need rehabilitation and care of their emotional well-being.

“We care for people with life-limiting illnesses which impact on their ability to self care and carry out other aspects of their daily life. A lot of the work we do is general body exercises but some rehabilitation requires the use of equipment. At the moment this is usually at patient’s homes but if people need to use our equipment they come into the hospice.

“We also offer specialist care to help boost emotional well-being. Since the pandemic broke last year along with self isolation and social distancing we have had an increase in the number of patients who are suffering emotionally.”