Scarborough hospice cuddle beds bring comfort in final moments

Saint Catherine's Hospice in Scarborough has two specially designed cuddle beds funded by local fundraising, which have helped patients and their loved ones rest together and share final moments.

Saint Catherine's Hospice in Scarborough now uses cuddle beds that allow patients and their loved ones to rest together in the hospice's in-patient unit. The beds are clinical pieces of equipment designed for comfort and closeness. Local fundraising paid for the second cuddle bed, and the hospice and support groups have highlighted the impact on families. Key details: - The hospice currently has two specially designed cuddle beds that let patients and loved ones rest together comfortably. - A family member, Julie Veitch, described spending three nights in a cuddle bed with her husband John while he was cared for at Saint Catherine's; she was beside him when he passed earlier this year. - The Saint Catherine's Driffield Support Group raised £15,000 last year to fund the second cuddle bed through community events and donations. - Members of the Driffield Support Group were recently invited to tour the Castle Suite In-Patient Unit and see a cuddle bed in use. - The group is now fundraising for a third cuddle bed and is organising a charity dinner called Posh Frocks & Flat Caps on 24 April 2026, featuring Derek Mathewson. Summary: The cuddle beds have provided practical and emotional support for families at Saint Catherine's by enabling closeness and shared moments at the end of life. Community fundraising enabled the second bed, and supporters are now raising funds for a third, with a charity event planned for April 2026.