Fair Havens Hospice has supported Dave and Kate Gilmore from Hullbridge for over a year since Dave suffered a stroke and caught COVID pneumonia, resulting in heart and kidney failure.

Dave recently took part in Playlist for Life, one of the activities at the Fair Havens Hub, which uses the power of music to spark memories, enhance wellbeing and create a legacy for loved ones.

Playlist for Life helps people create the soundtrack to their lives by reflecting on songs that hold special meaning. Over three weeks, participants come together to share the music that shaped their lives and record the memories attached to those songs in a personalised booklet – something their family and friends can treasure for years to come.

Dave says, “Music has always been important to me, and now I listen to tracks that I added to my Playlist for Life, through the workshop hosted by Fair Havens Hub. Everything from heavy rock to the calming flute music I need to relax.”

Music has a unique ability to transport people back to special times, places and relationships, providing instant connection. Studies have also shown its powerful benefits for wellbeing, from reducing anxiety and depression to supporting cognition, speech and memory.

Kate said, “When Dave mentioned Playlist for Life at Fair Havens, I thought it would be a negative experience. He’s already an oil painter who can no longer paint, a black belt in karate who can no longer fight, and a musician who can no longer play guitar. But after the workshop, Dave brought home his sheet and we played music, thinking and remembering about parts of our lives that we’d forgotten.

“It brought us great joy. For Dave, it gave him peace, and it helped me, too. Dave went to bed early, and I sat there making a Spotify playlist with all the songs Dave had identified at the Fair Havens workshop, and those we’d rediscovered at home.”

Havens Hospices runs these sessions at the Fair Havens Hub, which offers a wide range of facilities, activities and therapies for people living with an incurable condition and their loved ones, helping them enhance their wellbeing, build confidence and feel more like themselves again.

Dave added, “I was shocked at just how much Fair Havens changed our lives. I want people to understand more about Fair Havens. We appreciate every minute that we spend here. I feel so supported.

“Before coming to Fair Havens, I’d had limited care and support and no counselling. And when I was here, someone asked if I was OK. And it opened the floodgates. They have restored my sanity.”

Christine Harris, Supportive Therapies Lead at Havens Hospices, said, “Playlist for Life has such a positive impact on the people we care for. It gives them the chance to celebrate their memories, share precious moments with their loved ones, and feel the joy that music brings. We’re delighted that Dave and Kate’s story has been shared on BBC One, inspiring others to see the difference workshops like this can make.”

To find out more about the therapies and support available at Fair Havens Hub, please visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/fairhavenshub.

Published on 19th September 2025