The statue is an important part of the hospice and is displayed in the hospice reception when a patient dies to let visitors know that there are bereaved families within the building. The angel represents the lives and memories of thousands of patients and families they have cared for over the past 37 years.

When the Care Team arrived at the New Fair Havens they were met by Pearl Naylor MBE, the charity’s longest serving volunteer and who has been part of Fair Havens since it first opened its doors. She said: “This is a new era and a new start for us all. I hope that the new hospice continues making every day count for our patients and families.”

A nurse also shared a poem to mark this poignant moment. She said, “As we walk our angel to her new place we know that our new hospice will offer the best. New beginnings and challenges lay ahead, and the opportunity for more to have a bed. As a team with memories we hold so dear we move on to our new hospice with hope not fear.”

Fair Havens Hospice provides palliative nursing and supportive care to adults living with complex or incurable conditions in Southend, Castle Point and Rochford.

After 65 weeks, construction of Southend’s only adult hospice finished in February and opened to patients at the start of March.

There are many ways people can help the hospice continue ‘Making every day count’ for the patients and families in their care. Click here to find out more.