“The care they gave my husband Tom and me was incredible. St Barnabas will be a part of my life forever.”

My Tom was strong, physically and mentally. In his late seventies, he was still down the gym three days a week! Bu the cancer he got from asbestos exposure robbed him of all that. By the end, he was subdued, frightened, quiet and scared.

Sue’s Wish List

Throughout April 2019 the first 1,300 flowers were displayed in a Forget Me Not design at Lincoln Castle. Thousands of visitors enjoyed the display of iron, handmade Forget Me Not flowers on the grass banks of the Castle throughout Easter.

Ellen Kelman, Corporate Hospitality Officer at Lincoln Castle

“We were delighted to be able to support St Barnabas with their forget me not campaign. The flowers looked great in the castle grounds, and knowing that they were in support of such a worthwhile cause made the display even more special. It was fantastic that the castle was able to help make the campaign such a success.”

The iron, handmade flowers offer supporters the chance to remember a loved one with a Forget Me Not, whilst raising valuable funds for the charity. This appeal is the first of its kind for St Barnabas, and has surpassed all our expectations raising over £90,000 from 2000 dedicated flowers.

On the final days of the display, supporters were invited to collect their pre-ordered flowers from the castle and display them in their own homes and gardens.

Sam Waterer, St Barnabas Individual Giving Fundraiser says;

“We had high hopes for the appeal, but we are overwhelmed by the response. The Forget Me Not project has been a year in the planning and I can honestly say it has surpassed all our expectations.

Throughout the appeal we have had some emotional conversations with people dedicating flowers in memory of family, friends and even pets. In addition, some donations have been dedicated to people who they love and they want to let them know they are appreciated.”

Jenny Peake, Individual Giving and Data Manager for St Barnabas Hospice continues;“We want to say a huge thank you to Lincoln Castle and to our sponsors Tanglewood Care Homes and Waterside Shopping Centre for all of their help and support in making this happen. I’d also like to thank Stefanos and Roz at The Old Smithy for designing and making our Forget Me Nots non-stop since January!

We hope that everyone loves the Forget Me Nots as much as we do. It is a beautiful way to remember a loved one and also raises vital funds for the Hospice. These funds will allow us to continue providing high quality care for patients and their families and carers across Lincolnshire.”

Forget Me Not flowers are still available on the St Barnabas Hospice website for a donation to the charity.

For more information about the Forget Me Not appeal, please visit the St Barnabas Hospice website at StBarnabasHospice.co.uk/fmn or contact Sam Waterer, Individual Giving Fundraiser on 01522 540 300.

The Inflatable Colour Dash is supported by Western Power Distribution for the fifth year.

The 2019 fun filled, messy 5K run, held at the Lincolnshire Showground will see 2,500 people raising vital funds for St Barnabas Hospice. The runner’s efforts will bring the total fundraised figure to £750,000. All the donations will go towards offering free, compassionate end of life care to the people of Lincolnshire.

Western Power Distribution says;

“As well as our dedication to keeping the lights on, we are committed to supporting the local communities that we serve across our region. We’ve been supporting St Barnabas Hospice for over six years now and this is our fifth year of sponsoring the Colour Dash.

We are so delighted that the event continues to be supported by so many people each year and are proud to support it once again. Over the last five years of the Colour Dash it has raised a phenomenal £750,000 and is down to the efforts of the organisers at St Barnabas and everyone who has taken part and raised money.

We do hope that you all enjoy the event this year and continue to support St Barnabas.”

Caroline Swindin, Corporate and Community Lead continues;

We would like to say a huge thank you to Western Power Distribution for another year of incredible support.

Event sponsorship from corporate partners, such as Western Power Distribution and event sign ups and fundraising from over 10,000 runners has given us the chance to offer more people in Lincolnshire a dignified death whether that is at home, or in the Hospice. Mass participation events such as the Colour Dash support us in reaching our £5.5 million fundraising target each year.

Thank you to everyone who has chosen to support us and if you have not yet signed up, there is still time.”

The Inflatable Colour Dash pre event sign up is open until Sunday 5^th May 2019 from the St Barnabas website www.StBarnabasHospice.co.uk. Sign up is from £10. Suitable for all ages, from 5 years. On the day sign up is subject to availability.

About Western Power Distribution

For more information about us, please visit www.westernpower.co.uk

Western Power Distribution is the electricity distributor for much of Lincolnshire, from Mablethorpe to Holbeach, as well as the rest of the East Midlands, West Midlands, South West England and South Wales.

We deliver electricity 24 hours a day to over 7.9 million customers over a 55,500 square kilometre service area. We invest heavily into the electricity network – the pylons, substations, cables and wires that deliver electricity to homes and businesses – and are there to put things right when there is a power cut.

Lincolnshire’s largest Hospice facility, St Barnabas cared for 10,500 people in 2018 and expects to support even more this year. The Hospice has endeavoured to educate people about their holistic style of care with brand new bite-size courses.

Training has always been an essential part of developing a caring and compassionate team at the St Barnabas Hospice Trust. The organisation now wants to use their experience and expertise to develop the wider palliative and end of life community.

With over 200 clinical staff supporting end of life patients the St Barnabas team are sharing their knowledge with Lincolnshire’s community of Clinicians and at home carers. The ‘open to all’ bite-sized courses vary from a few hours, to two day workshops covering Well being, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Person Centered Care and Advanced Care Planning.

A message from the Education Team;

These courses are open to everyone who may have an interest in developing their knowledge and skills in supporting patients and families at end of life; they can enable individuals to have interactions both with knowledge and emotional depth.

We can offer training at your place of work or at our hospices, matched to your workforce needs.  Topics covered include:

• Advanced Care Planning
• Mindfulness
• Dying to Communicate
• Frailty
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Symptom Control

To find out more and book your place visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/Education

St Barnabas Hospice supports 10,500 people each year, but with Project ECHO, a worldwide initiative to improve care for end of life patients they have already assisted hundreds more in Lincolnshire.

Project ECHO, launched in the US state of Mexico allows clinicians to work from their base and reach out to multiple heath providers through video conferencing.

St Barnabas clinicians have adopted this concept and are engaging with Lincolnshire care homes. The key objective is to share their vast wealth of knowledge of caring for patients who have a life limiting illnesses.

The Lincolnshire care homes that the Hospice has worked with over six months have a total of 432 nursing and residential beds. As Project ECHO continues the potential to support thousands more end of life, elderly patients with better care is possible.

Nicky Ingall, Clinical Services Business Manager explains;

“We are stronger together” is never truer in the health care system. With increasing pressures on resources, supporting our peers with knowledge and experience is more critical than ever. There’s no denying that technology, such as video conferencing has a crucial role to play in this. That is where Project ECHO comes in.

This project breaks down traditional barriers, like time restraints and ‘expert to non-expert’ teaching hierarchies. We have a network of clinicians, nursing staff and carers all sharing their own experiences.

For example, in a care home the health care assistant is often more of an expert on a particular patient than the palliative care expert based miles away.”

Nicky continues;

“We are grateful to everyone who entered into the spirit of Project ECHO with gusto. The engagement between us, St Barnabas and all 12 care homes has been overwhelmingly positive. We want to thank our first group of care providers who have trusted us and given us their time.

The project is still in its infancy, but a six month review has shown unanimous positive feedback from everyone involved. The care homes have a new network of support and knowledge of how St Barnabas, such as Hospice at Home can assist them in caring for their residents better.”

Helen Reilly, from Oakdene Care Home spoke highly of the impact Project Echo has had on her own confidence to support the residence in her care;

“We now have a toolkit to take away with us and share with our teams. Every person’s wishes and health issues are different, but I personally now feel better informed to make sure the care is patient centered. St Barnabas has taught me to concentrate on the person’s wishes, as end of life care focuses on comfort for them and their family.”

If you would like to know more about Project ECHO, or gain further information about the services St Barnabas offer visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk

St Barnabas supports the National Awareness Week, Dying Matters from Monday 13^th May 2019 with advice, activities and displays planned around the county. This year the theme is ‘Are We Ready’.

Dying Matters is a partnership of individual and organisational members across England and Wales, which aims to help people talk more openly about dying, death and bereavement, and to make plans for the end of life.

St Barnabas, along with supporters Waterside Shopping Centre, Andrew and Co, Lincolnshire Coop, 200 Degrees Coffee and local poet and illustrator Andrew Baile plan to myth bust, support and encourage conversations in May.

Amelia Chambers, Marketing and Communications Manager from St Barnabas Hospice says;

“Our mission is to ensure that everyone facing the end of their life from diagnosis in Lincolnshire receives dignified, compassionate care, but for that to happen we need to encourage people of whatever age to start thinking about death and dying. Having conversations about our own death is never easy but planning for the inevitable will reduce worry and heartache for your loved ones.”

Head of Wills and Estate Planning at Andrew & Co Solicitors Helen Newson says;

“It goes against every instinct to start planning for our death, but we all need to look ahead and ask ‘What if? “It’s so important to think about letting your family know what you want at the end of life, so you can make sure your wishes are carried out. Getting your affairs in order while you are still fit and well will also make it easier for the people you leave behind. We are delighted to be supporting St Barnabas Hospice throughout the week.”

Andrew Baille, Local illustrator and writer explains; 

“It is such an honour to be asked by St Barnabas to contribute towards the Dying Matters Awareness Week. The topic of dying is one we all have in common, but so often neglect to discuss openly until perhaps it is too late.

“As Artists, I believe we have a duty to highlight the conversations we struggle with as a society and help open them up. Through art, we can help to initiate a dialogue when we feel lost for words, breaking down the taboos, perhaps even taking comfort in the joyous moments we can make as family as we prepare for those final days. If we can come to the point to ask ourselves that simple question, “Are We Ready?”, then we have already overcome the greatest obstacle.”

The county wide Hospice care provider will host death cafes in Lincoln and Spalding a piece of live art and advice hub in the Waterside Centre from Wednesday 15^th April offering free coffee from 200 degrees, Andrew and Co will be on hand to discuss issues relating to Will’s and administration of an estate and funeral planning with Lincolnshire Coop. The St Barnabas wellbeing team members will be talking through their day care, Hospice at Home and complimentary therapies, which are all offered for free through the service.

To find out more about Dying Matters and St Barnabas Hospice visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk or follow St Barnabas Hospice on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #StBDyingMatters

Dying Matters from 13^th to 19^th May 2019

Dying Matters display, Waterside Shopping Centre
From Wednesday 15^th to Sunday 19^th May.

Interactive Bucket List and Forget Me Not boards will be on display, alongside a eco-friendly coffin supplied by Lincolnshire Coop.

Death Café, Spalding St Barnabas Café
Thursday 16^th May from 10am to 12noon.

Death Café, 200 Degrees, Lincoln
Saturday 19^th May from 2pm to 4pm

Fifty employees from Nicholsons were asked to nominate a Charity of the Year and then cast their votes. In a closely contested internal poll St Barnabas Hospice came out top. The charities nominated are often charities that staff, their families or someone they know have been involved with.

Gail Paton, a Director at Nicholsons, says

“We feel it is important for staff to have a say, and by asking for nominations gives everyone the chance to put their favoured charity forward. This year we are looking forward to working in partnership with St Barnabas Hospice and to raise money to help them maintain this vital service across Lincolnshire. I have personally benefitted from the services offered by this charity and fully support our choice this year.”

Corporate Fundraiser for St Barnabas Hospice, Caroline Swindin says

“Fundraising is so rewarding, but it is also lots of fun and great for staff moral and brand awareness. I am really looking forward to seeing the team at Nicholsons’ do various fundraising. They have committed to dress down days, quiz nights and cake baking.

St Barnabas Hospice is a local independent charity that supports more than 10,500 people across Lincolnshire affected by life-limiting or terminal conditions.  Not only do they offer high quality, compassionate end-of-life care and support to patients, but support to their families and carers too. Without support from Corporate Sponsors, such as Nicholsons the Hospice simply would not be able to do the work to the standard and capacity they do.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sue Burke and High Constable Jo Rimmer joined St Barnabas CEO Chris Wheway, dignitaries and special guests to the Forget Me Not installation official launch on Saturday 6^th April at 11am. 1008 iron, handmade Forget Me Not flowers are displayed in the grounds of Lincoln Castle. The appeal has already raised in excess of £50,000 for the Hospice.

Chris Wheway, St Barnabas CEO began his speech;

“I would like to say thank you to Lincoln Castle for donating the space in the grounds for our display. I could not think of a better venue for this appeal and I think you will all agree it looks stunning.

We have been overwhelmed with over 1000 donations for the iron flowers raising £50,000 for the Hospice to date. This is a very special fundraising appeal, as it marks the first of its kind for us here at St Barnabas. The success has surpassed our expectations and we hope it continues to flourish in the next three weeks.”

Local blacksmith Stefanos cut the ribbon with Councillor Burke to mark the display officially open to the public. Stefanos, based in Lincolnshire at The Old Smithy designed and created each flower by hand. Appeal sponsors Tanglewood Care Homes and Waterside Shopping Centre also attended to meet the creatives behind the appeal.

Local poet, John Welsh concluded the launch with a piece of poetry titled ‘Remember Me Always’.

Sam Waterer, Individual Giving Fundraiser and Forget Me Not appeal event lead added;

“We are overwhelmed by the success of the appeal, but we knew the beautiful design and stunning setting would be popular. Remembering a loved one is very personal and the Forget Me Not appeal is a special way to celebrate the life of someone important. We have extended the display for a further week until Sunday 28^th April to give more people an opportunity to see the flowers. Anyone can claim a flower with a donation on the St Barnabas Hospice website, but as they are made by hand the expected delivery date is 6 to 8 weeks.That said, want to say thank you to Stefanos, who has tirelessly created each flower by hand and to Nicky Walker, the landscape gardener who thought up the aerial forget me not installation design.”

St Barnabas Hospice offers free compassionate, palliative end of life care to 10,500 patients and their families each year. The Hospice needs to fundraise £5.5 million annually with appeals, fundraising events, corporate sponsorship, the St Barnabas Lottery, the St Barnabas Hospice shops and legacy donations.

To dedicate your own flower and find out more about St Barnabas Hospice visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk

The Forget Me Not display is open until Sunday 28^th April at Lincoln Castle.

Branston Ltd joins some of the county’s largest organisations including Waterside Shopping Centre, Homelet and Hodgkinson’s Solicitors in the bid to raise funds for Lincolnshire Hospice facility.

Simon Telfer, HR Director at Branston Ltd said:

“We are delighted to be supporting St Barnabas as our Lincoln site’s Charity of the Year for 2019. Not only is it a brilliant cause, it also means that the money that we’re able to raise here in Lincolnshire stays in the county. Staff are already working on ideas for innovative fundraising and volunteering activities. I’m sure it will be an exciting year of events.”

Branston Ltd is one of the country’s largest buyers and packers of potatoes, handling around 350,000 tonnes of potatoes every year. The company was formed, near the village of Branston, back in 1968 by a group of local farmers. Over 50 years on, they’re still growing – not just with fresh potatoes but also a great range of prepared ready to cook veg.

They now employ over 700 people at their Lincoln site and as a business and a team they’re committed to making a positive impact in the local community, which includes fundraising for charities.

Caroline Swindin, Corporate Fundraiser adds;

“We are delighted to welcome Branston Ltd on as a partner. The decision to make St Barnabas Hospice their Charity of the Year enables the Branston Ltd team to take part in fun events and activities that raise money to help support people living with a life-limiting or terminal illness, their families and their carers in the local community.

“We will be there every step of the way in supporting them with ideas to fundraise, whilst having a great time. I have a range options to suit all levels of corporate support from quizzes and bake offs.

Last year St Barnabas cared and supported over 10,500 people across the county. To continue to do all this it costs £11.5 million of which the charity must raise over £5.5 million. This is income is raised through Retail and Lottery teams, in addition to Fundraising, Individual Giving and Challenge events.  Further to the Hospice’s events the support of individuals, groups and businesses in Lincolnshire communities is invaluable to the continued, essential work.

To find out more about corporate fundraising and supporting St Barnabas Hospice’s mission visit stbarnabashospice.co.uk/corporate

St Barnabas Hospice will host their popular Moonlight Walk events this June in Lincoln and Stamford to raise money and remember loved ones

Lincoln, 22^nd February 2019 – Now in its twelfth year, the Moonlight Walk is taking place twice in 2019 thanks to the popularity of last year’s Stamford walk that raised £38,000 for the Hospice.

This year, St Barnabas is introducing a brand new Flower Power theme for both walks in Lincoln and Stamford. Hundreds of people are expected to take part in the 10K walks through the Lincolnshire towns dressed in seventies themed clothing and accessories.

Laura Stones, Events Fundraiser for St Barnabas Hospice, said:

“We’re very excited about the brand new theme for this year’s Moonlight Walks. We can’t wait to see our supporters dressed up in their flares, floral shirts and disco suits!

“Events like this raise vital funds that allow St Barnabas to continue caring for over 10,500 patients and their families and carers per year. We want to raise as much as possible at our Moonlight Walks to ensure that people in Lincolnshire have access to high quality palliative care.”

The Lincoln Moonlight Walk takes place on June 8^th at Bishop Grosseteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln, LN1 3DY. Tickets are available now and can be bought here: StBarnabasHospice.co.uk/events/moonlight-walk-lincoln-19/

The Stamford Moonlight Walk takes place on June 15^th at Borderville Sports Centre, Ryhall Road, Stamford, PE9 1US. Tickets are available now and can be bought here: StBarnabasHospice.co.uk/events/moonlight-walk-stamford-2019/

Tickets are available at an Early Bird price of £15 until April 4^th 2019. After this date, tickets will be available at the Standard Price of £20. St Barnabas is asking participants to raise a minimum of £20 sponsorship.

For further information, please contact the Events Team on 01522 540 300 or email fundraising@stbarnabashospice.co.uk