SARAH Overton is a familiar presence in both ward and day centre, responsible for nourishing patients' health with hearty food.

I catch her at lunch time, piling fruit into bowls in Sobell's spotless on-site kitchen where meals are made from scratch.

On the menu today is homemade Shepherd's pie, which is a far cry from the gunky hospital food I was expecting to see.

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The aroma has my tummy rumbling as I tag along on her trolley run, which she carries out three times a day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

She says: "We provide a cooked breakfast for anyone who wants it, although some people don't have much of an appetite. If they say to me 'I really fancy this today' then I will make it especially for them. It's part of what we do.

"I always try to make them something that will build their strength up and get them the right nutrients."

Food is free for patients in the day centre, who get a sit-down meal served by volunteers every weekday, and for those on the ward.

Ms Overton also provides food buffets for anyone taking a class at Sobell's study centre, and bakes her own cakes for patients celebrating a birthday.

She has even catered for a wedding at the hospice and provided a cake for the couple to cut, after they decided that terminal illness would not stop them from getting married.