A PLACE of laughter, of new experiences, friendships, support and understanding. A place to feel normal again.

To the patients who visit its day centre, Lewis-Manning Hospice in Lilliput is all of these things and more.

This picturesque haven provides free palliative care for more than 600 people every year living with cancer and life-limiting illnesses.

And, if it achieves its aim to raise £2.5 million appeal to build an extension with 12-bed in-patient facilities, it will be able to help many hundreds more, and offer overnight respite care for the first time.

Currently the day hospice caters for 15 patients a day, who benefit from therapies ranging from art and gardening, to physical therapy and massage – as well as the excellent three-course lunch.

But the atmosphere is certainly not clinical – and a far cry from the depressing place the word “hospice” might conjure up.

Former carpenter and joiner Tony Beeston, 65, from Wimborne, said Lewis-Manning had transformed his life after it was shattered by his diagnosis with bone cancer.

“It gives you confidence in yourself, meaning to life,” he explained. “It gives you the idea that there’s a tomorrow. That’s what we’re all working for – to live for tomorrow. It’s totally changed my attitude.”

The grandfather-of-six added: “We’re all frightened of the word cancer – but this place has been such a help to me.

“You’re a person here. We all help each other, talk to other people about their illness. There’s no big taboo. The word cancer is not a taboo word.”

The concept of feeling like a “normal person again” is something familiar to the nursing staff.

Senior staff nurse Jayne Hann: “When you have a life-limiting illness a lot of the day can be taken up with clinical appointments, rounds seeing specialists.

“A lot of people become so focused on the illness they can forget the rest. One lady said she was exhausted before she came. She had been going day-to-day, appointment to appointment. When she came she started living life again, enjoying things again.”

Staff nurse Vicky Newman said: “They become the odd one out in their world. When they come here they are one of 15 normal people again.”

Patient Delphine Lyle, 62, from Poole, agreed. “We can see the funny side of things,” she said. “We’re still human beings, not aliens. People are so nice and caring and special in their own ways. They are like another family really.

“I never thought I’d cope with cancer. It’s difficult, but you need help to cope with it.”

It is thanks to this hospice and its incredible staff that Delphine and hundreds of other patients from Dorset get the help they need to cope life-threatening illnesses But that help could not continue without ongoing support from the community.

Just one-third of the hospice’s costs are met by the NHS – fundraising plays a vital role in finding the rest.

Hospice CEO Elizabeth Purcell said: “We take the responsibility for caring for local people who are living with a life-threatening illness so seriously. It is a great honour that they and their families entrust their care to us.

“We constantly review how we provide care so as to ensure that we are offering the highest standard of research based care, but we never forget that what patients and their families remember is the warmth and love offered by each and every team member. People are living longer with life threatening illnesses and Lewis-Manning is here to offer creative and flexible care for families in crisis.”

To get involved visit lewis-manning.co.uk or for more information on the Time to Care Appeal visit timetocareappeal.com