Gareth Wynn’s Story
Gareth Wynn was cared for by the hospice before he passed away in Rowcroft’s Inpatient Unit in February 2024, aged 39. In this video, Gareth’s mum, sisters and two close friends share the story of Gareth’s journey, their memories of him and explain the difference Rowcroft made during his final weeks.
Gareth was deeply committed to his family and was known throughout Torbay as a local DJ. Following a cancer diagnosis and with his health fast-declining, Gareth saw his life expectancy rapidly shorten from years to months to days – all within just a few weeks. This was a heartbreaking reality that was incredibly difficult for his family and friends to come to terms with, but Rowcroft’s care helped to make those final days easier to navigate.
Gareth’s sisters, Nicola and Lauren, on the care and support provided by Rowcroft
Gareth’s sister, Nicola, remembers the immediate comfort that Rowcroft’s staff provided upon arriving at the hospice: “It was such a difference from day one when he arrived. His journey hadn’t been the most comfortable and after a quick conversation, a haircut, a shave and a change of clothes, Gareth was back. My brother was back.
“The staff helped us too, because we wouldn’t have got through without them. They helped us to help him and nurse him, and we were able to stay overnight – and that was all really important to us.
“Late into the night, the night he died, we were listening to music and he was surrounded by us and the staff, who had such an empathetic way of explaining what was happening and why.”
Lauren, Gareth’s twin sister, explained: “Rowcroft had a real sense of home, rather than a hospital feel. He would have music on in the background which helped him relax and focus on something that wasn’t the severe pain. I can’t tell you enough, how the hospice experience was absolutely second to none.”