And it's a fact that the touch of a massage can magically spirit away more than aches and pains.

At Sheffield's St Luke's Hospice, a new hairdo, a manicure or a facial are all part of a patient's respite care.

It might sound superficial to some, but the hospice has seen for itself that, at a time of severe illness, how you look and how you feel are closely inter-linked.

Beauty treatments become more than skin-deep... they become powerful tools in the fight to restore spirit and soul.

St Luke's has a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who carry out facials, massages, hair-styling, manicures, pedicures and a range of holistic treatments.

And they are proving so popular with patients, the search is on for more willing volunteers to join the hair and beauty team.

"We have a small team of trained beauty therapists and their services are very popular," says St Luke's spokesperson Kit Harris. "We are always looking for more qualified support in this area. You can give as little or as much time as you can, every little bit of support we receive helps and will be appreciated by our patients."

The hospice recently revamped its hair salon and stylist Patricia Atkin proudly shows me round.

Cuts, colour treatments, perms and blow-drys... nothing is too much trouble. There is even a special sink that can be raised so very ill patients can be brought in, bed and all, for a wash and blow-dry.

If you're wondering why someone so ill would want to go through with all that, Patricia says you should think back to how irritated you feel when your hair needs washing.

"A good hair day can alter someone's mood, most definitely," she says. "When patients look in the mirror and they look good, they feel brighter."

Patricia joined St Luke's four years ago after a long career in hairdressing.

"This is one of the most rewarding jobs I've ever had," she says. " You know you're helping lift someone's spirits at a very difficult time and you go home with a spring in your step.

"A gentleman came in recently with long hair and a full beard; he had been too ill to go to the barber's for months. The transformation was amazing. This handsome, younger-looking person emerged."

Sometimes staff are called on to help a patient prepare for a special event – a birthday or a family wedding. Appointments are thoughtfully planned so that they are not too tiring – and the patient can have "the works".

"It's lovely to see people rising to the occasion. We help them to feel special on what is a special day for them," explains Patricia.
St Luke's Ward Clerk Joy Hudson has just learned she can join the beauty therapy team on a permanent basis after months as a volunteer.

"This has always been my goal," she says. "It's a wonderful job; you're giving people pleasure at a time when they are so poorly and may be at the end of their life. I find that a real privilege.

"Many of our patients have caring family supporting them, but others have spent a long time alone. Human touch is so important.

"During a massage, gentle music is playing and there is no-one else to hear their deepest thoughts and fears. People open up to me and sometimes it moves me to tears."

Trained therapists and stylists who have a few hours a week to give to hospice patients can call St Luke's Volunteer and Personnel team on(0114) 2369911.
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