Play2Give is thrilled to announce a wonderful milestone in our long-standing support for Sobell House Hospice. We have donated £10,000 in total over several years with latest funds helping transform two patient bathrooms on the inpatient unit, creating more welcoming, dignified, and beautiful spaces for patients and their families during some of life’s most challenging moments.
A Meaningful Partnership Rooted in Personal Experience
Play2Give’s commitment to Sobell House spans five years and holds deep personal significance for our team. This latest donation is made in memory of Angela Norris, who received compassionate palliative care at home from Sobell House’s dedicated community nurses before she passed away in 2020. Angela was the mother of Play2Give’s Vice Chair of Trustees, Matthew Norris, and a close friend of founder Andrew Baker and his mother Ann.
This personal connection continues to inspire our mission to support local healthcare causes across Oxfordshire, turning grief into positive, lasting impact for others facing similar journeys.
Celebrating the Milestone Together
The achievement was joyfully marked with a special celebration at Sobell House, attended by Chewe Munkonge, the Lord Mayor of Oxford. Just some of the members of the Play2Give team, volunteers wearing their signature red t-shirts, Sobell House staff, and representatives gathered to officially unveil the beautifully refurbished bathrooms.
The transformed rooms now feature exquisite hand-painted artistic murals, proudly funded by our charity, by Sarah Jarman from the Sobell House Hospice Charity team. These nature-inspired artworks bring serenity, colour, and a sense of calm to the spaces, enhancing the healing environment for patients and families alike.
Inside the hospice, the Lord Mayor of Oxford joins some of our dedicated team beside the newly completed bathrooms.
The group gathers in front of a beautiful ocean-themed mural, showcasing the artistic transformation of the patient areas.
Some of our dedicated team, the Lord Mayor, and Sobell House representatives celebrate in front of one of the stunning new hand-painted murals.
Voices from the Celebration
Andrew Baker MBE, Founder and Chair of Play2Give, said:
“Sobell House means so much to me and to many of our team because we’ve experienced its care and compassion first-hand while supporting loved ones. Reaching the £10,000 milestone is something we’re incredibly proud of, but knowing we’ve been able to fund improvements that will bring comfort, dignity and even moments of joy to patients and their families makes it even more meaningful.
This donation is made in memory of Angela and every other family who has been touched by Sobell House. It’s a reminder that, by coming together as a community, we can turn grief into something positive that will make a lasting difference for others. We’re so grateful to everyone who has supported Play2Give and helped make projects like this possible.”
Amelia Foster, Chief Executive of Sobell House Hospice, added:
“Play2Give’s incredible support is helping us do so much more than maintain our buildings, it’s helping us create spaces that offer comfort, dignity and a sense of calm for patients and their families at one of the most important times in their lives. We are so grateful for their continued commitment, and these beautiful new bathrooms are a lasting reminder of what community fundraising can achieve.”
The Lasting Impact
These improvements form part of Sobell House’s ongoing commitment to ensuring its hospice environment is as warm, welcoming, and inclusive as the exceptional care provided within it. Since 1976, Sobell House has provided compassionate end-of-life care to adults with life-limiting illnesses across Oxfordshire, supporting around 680 people at any given time through inpatient care, community services, hospital support, and the Living Well programme.
The new bathrooms will offer patients and families enhanced dignity, peace, and moments of beauty during their time at the hospice.