COTSWOLD MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has welcomed Longfield’s plans to expand services into the community.

Mr Clifton-Brown visited the charity in Minchinhampton to chat to staff and patients.

Longfield Chief Executive Andrew Fletcher explained the charity’s five-year strategy to deliver more services in outreach programmes in the community.

“Last year Longfield supported 600 people but we know from research that there are an additional 2,000 people in the county who could benefit from our specialist services every year,” said Mr Fletcher.

“We are pleased that Mr Clifton-Brown supports our proposal to deliver more services in community venues and is working with us to ensure Gloucestershire lives well.”

“This visit to Longfield was a real eye opener for me which really changed the way I view the purpose of hospice care,” said Mr Clifton-Brown.

“Longfield is seeking to show Gloucestershire’s communities that they are there to serve anyone living with a life limiting condition and not just those at the end of their lives.

“Speaking to the patients I heard their accounts of just how profoundly their time at Longfield has changed their lives, helping them to remain active and to discover purpose and talents they never knew they had.

“I will be working closely with Longfield as they seek to take their work out into our local communities, working with hospitals and community centres to raise awareness of their services across Gloucestershire.”

Longfield runs a range of services for people with life-limiting illnesses. The staff can support people and their families from diagnosis onwards.

There is a weekly drop-in session every Thursday from 9.30am-12.30pm at the charity’s centre in Burleigh Lane, Minchinhampton.

On offer is a variety of courses, workshops and activities as well as information, advice and support.

Longfield supports people with a range of illnesses including heart failure, cancer, Parkinson’s Disease and respiratory conditions such as COPD or cystic fibrosis.

To find out more about its services, contact Longfield on 01453 886868 or longfield.org.uk