Category: Hospice News

A Skegness-based drop-in group is opening and welcomes all to attend the weekly social gatherings.  

The drop-in is set to meet every Thursday morning 10am to 12noon at St Pauls Church, Beresford Avenue, Skegness. With the first drop-in taking place on Thursday 22^nd February.

These drop-ins are free, offer people the chance to socialise and are the perfect opportunity for those experiencing loneliness or that feel isolated.

Those attending will offer support to each other for those feeling isolated that live in the coastal areas of Lincolnshire. Anyone can attend this group whether they have a connection with St Barnabas or whether they would just like to get out of the house. Each week of the month a different organisation attends to offer advice or support.

The first week of the month is tailored around Wellbeing advice and activities with St Barnabas Hospice. The St Barnabas Hospice team will offer support and advice around wellbeing in Lincolnshire.

Skegness will have representatives from T.E.D. in Skegness for the second week of the month. T.E.D. in East Lindsey is a project that will see older people getting out and about more locally, becoming more involved in social activities and helping people to age well.

The third week of the drop in is a Dementia Café hosted by Alzheimer’s Society. This provides a safe and supportive place to chat and share experiences of dementia and what it means with others and healthcare professionals.

The final week of the month will see St Barnabas Hospice offer a Bereavement Help Point. For anyone who has experienced bereavement no matter how long ago that was, it is an opportunity to meet with others in a similar situation and be offered support.

Lisa Gibson, Community Development Officer at St Barnabas Hospice said “Drop-in sessions like this offer a fantastic opportunity for the local community to meet up socially and interact with others in the coastal area of Lincolnshire.

We are delighted to be joining up with a number of local organisations to offer people in Skegness a variety of opportunities to get advice when it is needed, enjoy hot drinks and feel included in their community.”

For more information on St Barnabas Hospice’s Skegness drop-in contact Lisa Gibson on 01522 518 246.

Local independent charity, St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, is encouraging those who are experiencing grief, bereavement or loss in a local community to attend a new bereavement drop-in support group.

The group is led by specially trained St Barnabas Hospice volunteers and enables people in Ruskington and surrounding areas to attend a drop in support group to help talk about their loss in a safe environment.

The group met for the first time on Friday 19th January and was well received by all who attended. The group provides the opportunity to meet with others in a similar situation for friendship and bereavement support.

The next meeting will be held at 2.00pm, on Friday 2nd February 2018 at Ruskington Garden Centre which provides the perfect location as a result of the relaxed surroundings and the option of teas, coffees and cakes.

Mandy Irons, Head of Wellbeing for St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, said:

“We are trying new ways to reach out to bereaved people in Lincolnshire and I am delighted that the first meeting in Ruskington was a success.

“Support for bereaved members of the community is much needed across South Lincolnshire. Our group is open to anyone who has experienced bereavement regardless of whether they have received care from the Hospice. We would not be able to run these drop-in groups without the help of our skilled and committed St Barnabas Hospice Bereavement Team volunteers.

“If you or someone you know would benefit from our help, please come along.”

Margaret Wiseman, Bereavement Support Volunteer, said:

“As trained volunteers for St Barnabas we are here to offer you our friendship and support and welcome you to our relaxed informal drop in meeting at Ruskington Garden Centre. The bereavement does not have to be recent, and quite often we find that people attend our groups many months and even years after a bereavement which they are struggling to come to terms with.”

For more information about St Barnabas Hospice’s Bereavement Care or to join a group contact 0845 055 0708.

Road closures announced in Lincoln for St Barnabas Hospice Light up a Life event.

Hundreds of families will come together tomorrow (28th November) to remember and celebrate the lives of those they love as part of the annual St Barnabas Hospice Light up a Life celebration.

Part of this celebration features the iconic Torchlight Procession, which begins at Clayton’s Sports Ground on Lee Road and ends at Lincoln Cathedral.

In order to ensure the safety of all those involved, a number of road closures and ‘no waiting/no loading at any time’ orders will be in place from 7pm to 8.30pm.

• Bailgate
• Castle Hill
• Church Lane
• Lee Road (Clayton Sports Field to Nettleham Road from 6pm to 7.20pm, and entirety of Lee Road from 7.20pm to 8pm)
• Nettleham Road (Lee Road to Church Lane)
• Newport (Bailgate to Rasen Lane)

Roads will re-open on a rolling basis, as soon as it is safe to do so.

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

“We look forward to welcoming all those attending our annual Light up a Life celebration. Unfortunately with an event this size, a certain amount of disruption is unavoidable and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“We will endeavour to keep all closures to a minimum and re-open each road as soon as it is safe to do so.”

For further information on the road closures, contact the Greater Lincoln & Gainsborough Highways Division on 01522 782 070.

Lincoln’s Light up a Life celebration begins at 6pm at Our Lady of Lincoln Church, followed by a Torchlight Procession from Clayton’s Sports Ground, Lee Road, Lincoln, LN2 4BH at 7.30pm.

The event is free to attend and open to everyone, regardless of faith. There is no need to book in advance.

St Barnabas have worked with local businesses to install a 30ft Tree of Life outside Lincoln Cathedral.

St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice has worked alongside other local businesses to install a 30ft Tree of Life outside Lincoln Cathedral, for their annual Light up a Life campaign and Torchlight Procession.

In the early hours of this morning, a dedicated team came together to transport, install and decorate the 30ft tree. The tree, which was generously donated by the Birch family at Doddington Hall & Gardens, was transported to the Cathedral by S. Lyon & Son (Haulage) Limited.

One person involved in this work was Warren Lyon, Transport Director at S. Lyon & Son. Warren said:

“We help out every year, but this year is even more special for me. Six years ago on Monday, I lost my beautiful sister (mother to two girls) to pancreatic cancer. She passed away at St Barnabas Hospice.

“In June this year, my father was also diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and after a short illness, he too passed away.”

Also involved in the hard work was the City of Lincoln Council, Continental Landscapes and Lincoln BIG.

Laura Stones, Event Fundraiser for St Barnabas, said:

“It is wonderful that local businesses come together each year to help us install a magnificent Tree of Life outside Lincoln Cathedral, and I am so thankful for the hard work put in by everyone.

“The Light up a Life campaign is such an important campaign in our calendar, and the Tree of Life provides people with a place in Lincoln where they can come and reflect and remember loved ones, as well as tie memory tags on the fencing surrounding it.”

Lincoln Cathedral and the Tree of Life will be the finishing point for the Torchlight Procession, happening on Tuesday 28th November from 7.30pm at Clayton’s Sports Ground, Lee Road, Lincoln, LN2 4BH.

The Torchlight Procession involves over 1,000 local residents joining forces to walk from Clayton’s Sports Ground to Lincoln Cathedral, carrying flaming torches in memory of loved ones.

If you would like to dedicate a light in memory of someone you will never forget, or for more information about the Light up a Life events, please go to www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/LUAL.

This week, St Barnabas Hospice will join forces with up to 200 other hospices across the UK to celebrate the diverse range of people involved in providing and supporting hospice care.

The theme for Hospice Care Week (9th – 15th October), led by national hospice and palliative care charity, Hospice UK, is “We are hospice care.”

From nurses to volunteers, chefs to chaplains, and corporate partners to carers, the awareness-raising week will celebrate the contribution of everyone involved in hospice care.

St Barnabas will be highlighting stories about their staff, volunteers and supporters during Hospice Care Week, and are encouraging members of the public to share these using the hashtag #WeAreHospiceCare

Hospice care supports adults and children living with life-limiting illness to live life as fully as possible. The wide-ranging support provided by local hospices includes medical care, wellbeing therapies, emotional support and volunteer-led support. Each year across the UK, 200,000 terminally ill people receive hospice care. St Barnabas supports more than 9,000 people across Lincolnshire each year.

Chris Wheway, Chief Executive of St Barnabas Hospice, said:

“Hospice care is there to help a patient and their family to talk openly and honestly, and to come to terms with any fears they may be facing. Together with hospice support, those affected by a life-limiting illness can live their life as fully as they are able for however many days, weeks or months they have left.”

Hospice Care Week will be promoted across Lincolnshire with special coffee mornings and events taking place, which include:

• School Photo Exhibition (Tuesday 10th October, 5.30pm) – St Michael’s C of E Primary School, Louth
• Awareness Stand and Tombola (Tuesday 10th October, 9.30am – 12pm) – United Reformed Church, Gainsborough, DN21 2JR
• Awareness Stand (Tuesday 10th October, 9am – 1pm) – Johnsons Fine Foods, Boston
• Awareness Stand (Tuesday 10th October, 9am – 4pm) – Boston College, Boston
• Big Birthday Get Together (Wednesday 11th October, 8am – 12pm) – Lincoln Day Therapy Centre, Hawthorn Road, Lincoln, LN2 4QX
• Quiz Night (Wednesday 11th October, 7pm) – St Wulfram’s Church, Grantham
• Coffee Morning (Thursday 12th October, 10am – 12pm) – Spalding Hospice, 2 Clover Way, PE11 3GD

Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive of Hospice UK, said:

“Hospice care is so diverse, and involves many people with different skills are talents from all walks of life coming together to deliver incredible care. They are all united by their passionate commitment to the special ethos of hospice care, and ensuring that everyone they support is treated with kindness, dignity and respect.

“Hospice Care Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the rich and varied contribution of everyone who contributes to hospices across the UK, and we hope the public will join in the celebrations and help share more widely the many personal stories that make up hospice care.”

For further information about the services which St Barnabas provides, please call 01522 511 566 or email enquiries@stbarnabashospice.co.uk.

Picture from left to right: Marie Cottam – Carers Quality Award Project Support Worker, Sue Carter – Ward Manager for St Barnabas, Julie Goy – Quality Development Lead for Every-One, Ruth O’Melia – Community Liaison Manager for St Barnabas, Chris Wheway – Chief Executive for St Barnabas

Following their application, St Barnabas Hospice Inpatient Unit and Day Therapy Centre in Lincoln have been accredited with the Lincolnshire Carers Quality Award – ‘You Care – We Care’

The St Barnabas Hospice Inpatient Unit and Day Therapy Centre in Lincoln have impressed the Carers Quality Award panel with their commitment to supporting carers needs, and has been given the ‘You Care – We Care’ award on 10th July 2017.

The ‘You Care – We Care’ award ensures that the profile of unpaid carers in Lincolnshire is raised, and the invaluable and essential contribution they make is recognised. This enables carers to live fulfilling lives, combined with their caring roles.

Ruth O’Melia, Community Liaison Manager for St Barnabas Hospice, said:

“We are delighted to have achieved this accreditation for the In-Patient Unit on Nettleham Road, and Day Therapy Centre on Hawthorn Road in Lincoln. It goes to show the amazing work that our Hospice staff and volunteers put in each day to help people care for their loved ones.

“I am very proud that we are able to empower families and carers to support loved ones living with a terminal or life-limiting illness. We want to ensure that these people feel as comfortable and in control as they can, during what is a very difficult time of their lives.”

St Barnabas supports carers through their services including financial help through the Welfare Team, counselling from the Family Support Team, practical advice from the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists and support from the Spiritual Support and Wellbeing Team.

Julie Goy, Carer’s Quality Award Lead at Every-One, issuer of the award, said:

“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with St Barnabas, and I am delighted to hand over this award to them.

“It’s about the journey, not just the recognition, and St Barnabas very much deserve the award after all the hard work which has been put in.”

For further details about services, please contact St Barnabas Hospice at enquiries@stbarnabashospice.co.uk or on 01522 511 566.

Following their application, St Barnabas Hospice Inpatient Unit and Day Therapy Centre in Lincoln have been accredited with the Lincolnshire Carers Quality Award – ‘You Care – We Care’

The St Barnabas Hospice Inpatient Unit and Day Therapy Centre in Lincoln have Continue reading “Lincolnshire Hospice wins prestigious Carers Quality Award” →

Warwick when he opened the pioneering Hospice in the Hospital

Film star Warwick Davis has been announced as St Barnabas Hospice’s new patron.

The TV and film actor, famous for his roles in Star Wars and Harry Potter, will make his first official appearance on behalf of the charity at their anniversary celebration at Lincoln Cathedral on Sunday 11th June, from 3.30pm.

Warwick said: “I am humbled to have been asked to be the patron for St Barnabas Hospice, a charity that can make such a difference to the comfort of an individual and their family at such a difficult time. The environment and support they provide is second to none and a much needed part of the care system in this country.”

The anniversary event will celebrate St Barnabas Hospice’s 35th birthday and will include a special adapted Evensong to encapsulate a Service of Thanksgiving delivered by the Dean of Lincoln Cathedral followed by a drinks and canapes reception with special guests, long serving staff and volunteers exclusively invited.

The service is open to the public with a private reception to be held after.

Warwick has been a firm supporter of the Hospice for a number of years after holding stand-up fundraising events and officially opening the charity’s pioneering Hospice in the Hospital in Grantham.

Veronica McBain, Head of Fundraising and Marketing, said:

“We are thrilled to have Warwick’s support as our new St Barnabas Hospice patron. He has already demonstrated his commitment and understanding of our work and we are all really looking forward to working with him in the coming months.”

St Barnabas Hospice is looking for volunteers to fill a variety of roles across Lincolnshire

St Barnabas Hospice is appealing for volunteers from across Lincolnshire to spare some of their time working in a variety of roles. The Hospice has a huge range of volunteering opportunities available, including: gardening, retail, fundraising, administration, patient-interaction, and warehouse sorting.

St Barnabas welcomes applications from anyone aged 16 or over. There are many reasons why people want to volunteer for the Hospice, whether it is to learn new skills and grow in confidence, or to give something back to the community and help a local charity.

Steve Bond, Volunteer and People Development Manager at St Barnabas, said:

“Volunteering is a wonderful way for people to learn new skills, boost their CV and give something back to their community. It can help people to make new friends and get hands-on experience in hundreds of roles.

“Volunteers bring with them a wealth of experience and a rich body of knowledge that really benefits our patients and staff. Without volunteers we simply would not be able to care and support the thousands of people we do.

Volunteers have been at the heart of St Barnabas Hospice since it first opened its doors 35 years ago to support the people of Lincolnshire with life-limiting and terminal illnesses. Currently more than 1,100 volunteers donate their time across the county.

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE VOLUNTEER:

“My daughter has just been offered a place to study nursing at Edinburgh University, this is in no small part due to her volunteering at the hospice. Her ability to relate her experiences during her university interview made all the difference and gave her real confidence. She has listed palliative nursing amongst her specialisms because of her volunteering with St Barnabas.”

– Mother of a volunteer who will take up a nursing degree in September 2014

“The IPU has been incredibly enlightening to me, allowing me to gain useful and practical experience and I am certain my university offers are, in part, down to my reflections on my voluntary work.”

– Oliver M, volunteer before they began medical studies

“Our volunteers enhance the quality of care given to our patients. They bring a varied and colourful mix of life experience which helps to greatly improve the patient experience.”

– Sue Carter, IPU Ward Manager

“When my mum was poorly there was nothing, it was a terrible time. Five years ago a friend went into the hospice and it made an incredible difference, the support that was around the whole family. It’s a pleasure to volunteer here, in truth I get back far more than I put in.”

-Member of the St Barnabas volunteers’ team

For further information about volunteering, call 01522 518 221 or email volunteering@stbarnabashospice.co.uk

Jo in the Creative Encounters session

Jo Appleton, from Lincoln, is sharing her experience of volunteering to encourage new volunteers to support people with a life-limiting or terminal illness.

Jo joined St Barnabas Hospice as a Spiritual Support Volunteer in 2014 because she “wanted to provide comfort and support and help make a difference.” Jo had previously been a hospital volunteer chaplain.

Jo explains her role, “Spiritual support is open to everyone – of all faiths and none. It’s about meeting with the patient, spending time talking about what is important to them and building a relationship. I am there to hold the patient’s hand through their journey, both literally and figuratively.

“It’s a real privilege to be able to get to know a person, for them to share their problems; to be there for them and to support them through some of their most difficult times.”

Jo found the process of becoming a volunteer simple and was in her role shortly after applying.

Jo said: “I was surprised at how easy it was to become a volunteer and how smoothly everything went. After I made my initial enquiry, I was invited for an informal chat with the Lead Chaplain and then a couple of weeks later I was being introduced to the team.

“For those needing support during the settling-in period there is the chance to shadow a more experienced volunteer, to help ease them into the role. We have monthly team meetings providing the opportunity to get to know everyone. Being part of the team feels like being part of a family and I have made many good friends.”

Jo volunteers once a week at St Barnabas Day Therapy Centre in Lincoln.

Jo continued: “The thing I enjoy the most about volunteering is all of the lovely people I meet, from patients and their families to staff and volunteers. It is also wonderful to know that I am making a difference and that I can provide support and comfort to those who need it.

“I’ll always remember how one patient described coming into St Barnabas Day Therapy as his red letter day because he found it such a lovely experience and it was the only time where he had the opportunity for company and to talk to other people.”

To find out more about volunteering with St Barnabas Hospice call 01522 518 221 or email volunteering@stbarnabashospice.co.uk