Category: Hospice News

Two healthcare organisations in South East Lincolnshire are pooling their expertise to improve end of life care services in the region.

St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice and Butterfly Hospice are working together to address the challenges faced by people who use local services. The project, Shaping and Improving End of Life Care in South East Lincolnshire, aims to improve services for those who are affected by a life-limiting, palliative or end-of-life condition. The project will speak to patients directly, their family and friends.

Mandy Irons, General Manager for St Barnabas Hospice, said:

“Working together with the Butterfly Hospice on this project will enable us to find out what is important to people with a live limiting, palliative or terminal diagnosis and ensure that we can find ways of working together to provide seamless care and support when people need us the most. Gathering feedback on what support is already there and what people need to be available, will help to inform us about what matters the most.”

Linda Sanderson, Butterfly Hospice Trust Manger, said:

“It has been really good working with our colleagues at St Barnabas on this joint project, it is so important to find out people’s real experiences of palliative care, this enables the sharing of best practice and the development of further services.”

Those who would like to share their experiences can complete a short online survey http://bit.ly/2q5aTCW

Paper copies of the survey can also be requested from Diane Goddard on 01205 359 367 or diane.goddard@stbarnabashospice.co.uk

The survey closes on Friday 16th June 2017.

St Barnabas Hospice staff are set to get people talking about death, dying and bereavement as part of a national campaign week

St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice will be teaming up with The Waterside shopping Centre in Lincoln to raise awareness of the importance of talking about dying and putting plans in place.

From 8th – 12th May, local residents will be encouraged to add their hopes and dreams to bucket list style ‘Before I die…’ boards and decorate a cardboard coffin with poems, art and quotes in a community coffin project.

Lisa Gibson, Community Development Manager for St Barnabas Hospice, said:

“Over half a million people die in the UK each year; yet talking about dying, death and bereavement is something that many people find challenging. We are hoping that the boards will get people talking and start conversations around dying, death and bereavement.

“Death will have an impact on everyone’s lives at some point and talking about it means we are better prepared to support each other when it does happen. People may think it sounds morbid but the boards and the coffin project are as much about life as they are death.

“It is about encouraging people to make the most of the time they have and to put plans in place so that they can get on with living.”

The bucket list style boards and the community coffin project are part of a wider initiative to promote Dying Matters Awareness Week, which runs from 8th – 14th May. The annual campaign urges people to talk more openly and make plans for the end of life.

Lisa said: “People can get involved right across the county as our 27 shops will also be hosting bucket list style window displays which our shoppers can add to. Our aim is to get as many people as possible involved in helping us to create Lincolnshire’s biggest ever bucket list.”

Local people are being encouraged to Make their Will for free this May and in return asked to support to their local hospice

Throughout May, Sills and Betteridge Solicitors and Hodgkinsons Solicitors are giving their time and offering to make a Will for people across Lincolnshire in return for a donation or Gift in their Will to St Barnabas Hospice.

The firms will be inviting appointments from people wanting to create a new Will or make changes to an existing Will in May.

Jenny Peake, Individual Giving & Data Manager, said:

“Make a Will month is a great opportunity to get your affairs in order, have your Will written or amended for a donation and help to secure the future of St Barnabas Hospice.

“We are also asking our community to think about leaving a gift in their will as this can have a vital impact on the care we provide now and the care we hope to provide in the future. At present, one in five of our patients are supported by a gift left in a Will.”

Andrew Durkan, Partner at Sills and Betteridge, said:

“As well as raising funds for St Barnabas, the scheme helps to ensure that people in this area have a professionally drawn up Will. A Will is an important document for every adult no matter their age. Not only does it ensure that a person’s money and possessions are distributed as they wish but it means that they have a say in who looks after any children they may have if something should happen to them before those children reach 18.”

Chloe Sullivan, Solicitor at Hodgkinsons, said:

“At Hodgkinsons we’re very happy to have the opportunity to provide our time and expertise free of charge, so that St Barnabas can benefit from a donation instead of a fee. As our firm continued to expand in size we soon realised the importance of our social responsibility to the local community.

“Many of our staff members have a personal connection with St Barnabas who have cared for members of their family through times of sickness and so it seemed only fitting that we rallied up support to try and give back to a charity which we feel is more than deserving.”

As well as raising money for St Barnabas Hospice, Make a Will Month also encourages people to make plans for their future and to plan for the end of their lives.

Jenny added: “We spend our lives working to provide for ourselves and our loved ones. You may own property, shares, savings, investments and personal possessions. Making a Will is your way of saying how you would like your estate to be divided amongst your loved ones.

“There is no obligation as part of Make a Will month to leave a legacy to St Barnabas Hospice. However, once you have provided for your loved ones, any gift you are able to leave will help to ensure we are able to continue providing specialist care and support to our community in the future.”

Sills and Betteridge have offices in Lincoln, Boston, Skegness, Sleaford, Spilsby and Gainsborough. To find your nearest branch go to www.sillslegal.co.uk

Hodgkinsons have offices in Skegness. For the full address go to www.hodgkinsons.co.uk

Quote St Barnabas Hospice Make a Will Month when making an appointment.

For more information contact Jenny Peake, Individual Giving & Data Manager on 01522 559 511 or email jenny.peake@stbarnabashospice.co.uk

The Death Café movement aims to increase awareness of death and encourage open and honest conversations in a bid to break social taboos

St Barnabas Hospice will host a Death Café on Sunday 14th May, from 4pm – 6pm, at The Angel Coffee House on Free School Lane in Lincoln.

The Death Café is the second of four planned for this year and takes place on the last day of National dying Matters Week, running from 8 to 14 May. At Death Café members of the public are encouraged to gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death.

Lisa Gibson, Community Development Manager at St Barnabas Hospice, said:

“We held the first of four Death Cafés earlier this year and we were delighted by the positive feedback from those who attended. It is clear that there is a real need for this type of event in our city and we are delighted to be able to help our community have these important conversations.

“The event really isn’t as morbid as it may sound and people tell us that they leave the event feeling uplifted and inspired. Talking about death, dying and bereavement is a subject that many people can find challenging. In many ways, it has become a modern taboo with people desperately avoiding their own mortality.”

A Death Café is a group directed discussion about death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session.

Lisa said:

“At Death Café people talk about all sorts of subjects from Will writing, coping with bereavement and how to talk to family about dying. It is really inspiring to hear all of the life affirming conversations taking place and alongside the serious topics being discussed there is always a lot of laughter.”

The Death Café movement was started by Jon Underwood in London in 2011 and since then thousands of Death Cafes have been held across Europe, North America, and Australasia.

Lisa concludes: “It is our view that having open and honest conversations will mean that we are all better equipped to support each other when death has an impact on our lives.

“Death can bring up many questions, opinions and feelings and with this in mind our professional counsellors will be in attendance to provide additional support or help if anyone should need it.”

Death café is also planned for Sunday 6th August and Sunday 19th November.

Death Café is FREE and open to everyone, but attendance is limited to 45 people.

For more information about Death Café or to reserve your seat at the table contact 01522 559 504 or email marketing@stbarnabashospice.co.uk or sign up to the event at https://www.facebook.com/events/588887011303043/

Dying Matters Week is now in its eighth year and raises awareness of the importance of talking about, and planning for dying, with family members and loved ones.

Seven health and social care organisations from across Lincolnshire, who are members of the Lincs and Borders End of Life Care Providers Group, have joined forces to encourage people to talk about more openly about what they can do to plan ahead for the end of life.

The organisations have been working together to plan a week of activity during national Dying Matters Week, running from 8 to 14 May. Events planned include a Death Café, coffee morning and several stalls across the county encouraging open and honest conversations about dying, death and bereavement.

Jane Bake, Chair of Lincs and Borders End of Life Care Providers Group and Director of Innovation at St Barnabas Hospice explained more about the importance of health and social care organisations working together:

“I am delighted that the group is working together to encourage people across Lincolnshire to have these important conversations. For families knowing what a person wants, as they enter the last few days or weeks of their life and for their funeral, is a gift.

“Whilst it can be difficult to have these conversations it is even more difficult not to know what is important to someone you love. I would encourage as many people as possible to attend an event and have these important conversations.”

The organisations involved include:

• Age UK Lincoln and Kesteven

• Butterfly Hospice

• Carers First

• Lincolnshire Community Health Services

• Lincolnshire East NHS Clinical Commissioning Group

• Macmillan

• St Barnabas Hospice

• United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Dying Matters Week is now in its eighth year and raises awareness of the importance of talking about, and planning for dying, with family members and loved ones.

View the county wide guide here to find an event in your area.

St Barnabas Hospice is looking for volunteers to deliver supportive services to palliative patients in the community.

St Barnabas Hospice is appealing for volunteers from the Grantham, Sleaford and Bourne area to spare some of their time to help patients with a palliative diagnosis to self-manage their conditions at home, and to promote their wellbeing.

The Palliative Empowerment Living Team (PELT) programme launched in November 2016 at St Barnabas Grantham; the team of health professionals and volunteers support palliative patients at home, to live life to the full.

The charity aims to support patients who may struggle with anxiety, stress and depression, pain, reduced mobility, breathlessness, fatigue and reduced nutrition. They help through exercise, relaxation technique, massage and Tai Chi, to name but a few.

PELT’s trained volunteers visit patients for one hour, once a week, for the duration of an eight-week programme. Volunteers support patients to carry out exercise programmes and rehabilitation exercises, therapies, and encourage positive behaviours. In doing so, volunteers aim to increase patient confidence, and promote wellbeing and independence.

All volunteers follow an intensive training programme, and are supported and supervised by the PELT Team Leader and the PELT Facilitator. They are also subject to an advanced DBS check.

Sarah Melinn, PELT Facilitator, said:

“St Barnabas is committed to helping patients live their lives as fully as possible through various techniques. Volunteers will visit patients in their home and really make a positive impact to the end of their life.”

The key duties of the role will include companionship and emotional support, respite for carers, and practical support.

Judy McLaughlin, Clinical Team Lead, said:

“This role is about preserving life enjoyment and dignity through human kindness, and will be very rewarding and fulfilling. The volunteers will gain valuable skills around caring, and ultimately we hope our volunteers will enjoy the time they spend with the patients.”

For further information about volunteering for this role, please contact Judy McLaughlin or Sarah Melinn on 01476 513545 or email PELT@stbarnabas.co.uk

After the much anticipated launch of the St Barnabas Knight, it is now due to tour various locations around Lincoln

As 2017 marks the 35th birthday of St Barnabas Hospice, they decided to take part in the Lincoln Knights Trail this year, and have a brilliantly designed Knight by local artist Lizzy Mason.

The St Barnabas Knight has a colourful design, which has Lincolnshire features and landmarks throughout the design, and the Lincolnshire flag tying it all together.

St Barnabas has decided to take their Knight on a tour of Lincoln this month, and will be displaying it at their Hospice buildings and shops. This tour will take place before the St Barnabas Knight is put into position for the official Knights’ Trail. The Knight will be at the following locations:

10th – 11th April: Day Therapy Centre Reception, Hawthorn Road, Lincoln

12th – 17th April: Inpatient Unit, Nettleham Road, Lincoln

18th – 19th April: Wragby Road Shop, Lincoln

20th – 23rd April: The Forum Shop, North Hykeham

24th April: Birchwood Shop, Lincoln

The Lincoln Knights’ Trail has been created to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln and the sealing of the Charter of the Forest. There is significant importance surrounding the Battle of Lincoln, as the outcome ensured England did not fall under French rule. The Trail will lead participants around the city of Lincoln, and enable them to immerse themselves in the fascinating history which the city boasts.

Chris Wheway, Chief Executive Officer at St Barnabas, said:

“We are all very excited about the St Barnabas Knight joining the Knights’ Trail, and delighted that we are able to display it for our patients and supporters to view before the Trail begins.

“Lizzy has really captured the heart of Lincolnshire in her creation, which made it the ideal choice for us.

“It is such a brilliant way to celebrate our 35th birthday, as we want to celebrate with the whole of Lincolnshire, in the community that we serve.”

When asked about her artwork, Lizzy responded:

“I am pleased to be painting a knight for a local charity, having grown up in Lincolnshire. It is a delight to give back to the community with my love of art and Lincolnshire’s great beauty and enchanted lands.

“It took me 120 hours to decorate the Knight, which I was doing in the Waterside Shopping Centre so that members of the public could watch it all come together.”

St Barnabas would like as many people as possible to come and see the Knight in one of the Lincoln shops, so make sure you bring some money with you and you might be able to grab a bargain at the same time!

Washingborough Playing Fields is set to hold the yearly ‘It’s a Knockout’ fundraiser hosted by St Barnabas Hospice

Now in its seventh year, ‘It’s a Knockout’ is due to be bigger and better than ever, with teams of 10 taking on the inflatable challenge at Washingborough Playing Fields on 16th July 2017.

The ‘It’s a Knockout’ event is inspired by the famous TV game show, and features wacky challenges, giant inflatables and various water pools. Starting at 12pm, there will be various stalls and a BBQ available alongside the big event.

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

“This is such a great way to raise money for a local hospice whilst having fun with your friends and colleagues.

“Why not take on a new challenge in 2017 and get a team together for a unique competition?”

The event is a great idea for local businesses to get involved in and promote staff morale. Alternatively, you could gather a group of friends together, or even enter your club or society.

Registration is only £10 per person, with each individual being asked to raise a minimum of £60. Spectators can visit free of charge.

As well as watching the giant inflatable games there will be lots of fun activities for spectators to get involved including; water zorbing, giant inflatable slides, face painting, and a bouncy castle!

Dolph Malone, who is entering a team for the 3rd year in a row, said:

“We have a huge laugh with our work colleagues and also with the event organisers and other teams, whilst raising money for such a great cause.

“The care and support that the money helps with is paramount in what the Hospice do. If that means we have to spend a Sunday afternoon in a field in Washingborough getting water thrown over us, sliding down inflatables and having the time of our lives then so be it!

“If we could, we would do it every weekend!”

This year, St Barnabas Hospice have decided to include a ‘Children’s Challenge’ after the main event. Children will be able to compete on the giant inflatables on the day for only £5. There is no need to register in advance for this – just turn up on the day.

St Barnabas is also accepting stalls on the day, which are priced at £100 for a food stall, or £10 for a regular stall. This will pay for a 5m x 5m plot. All equipment will be provided by the stall holder, including tables, chairs and electric.

To register, go to http://www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/EventDetails/740/its-a-knockout-17

For more information contact Laura Stones on 01522 559515 or email laura.stones@stbarnabashospice.co.uk

St Barnabas volunteer nominated for the Volunteer of the Year award at the 2017 Coastal Community Awards in Skegness

Pam Haynes, a volunteer at the St Barnabas Hospice Skegness Day Therapy Centre, has been selected from over 100 nominations as a finalist for this year’s Volunteer of the Year award at the Coastal Community Awards, which are due to be held on 31st March at the Grosvenor Hotel in Skegness.

Sarah Holmes, Complementary Therapy Services Team Leader at St Barnabas Hospice, nominated Pam for several reasons.

Sarah said:

“Pam began volunteering in 2004 as a home and day care host volunteer, and chose at the age of 74 to undertake Reiki training and join the Complementary Therapy team at the Skegness Day Therapy Centre.

“In 2013, Pam experienced a bad fall and subsequent operations, yet recovered quickly and returned to giving Reiki to patients within four months.

“In addition to her Skegness commitment, Pam has travelled to Louth for several months to cover for another Reiki Practitioner who was unwell.

“Pam is an extraordinary 84 year old lady; she is incredibly compassionate, caring, giving and completely committed to her role at St Barnabas.”

Pam Haynes said:

“It is an honour to have received this nomination, and I was completely surprised when I got the news.

“I enjoy volunteering and being able to help others, especially as I can see the positive effect that Reiki has on the patients. It can help them to adjust to their conditions and improve their daily lives.

“During my time as a volunteer, I have been privileged to meet some wonderful people who have demonstrated such compassion and strength, who I have learnt from and who remind you how fortunate you are in life.

“People might be quite surprised to find out what a happy place the hospice is. We value life and we encourage others to make the most of theirs. There is a great sense of togetherness and a feeling that you are not in this alone.

“My friend will be attending the awards with me, and I’m looking forward to telling my son the good news, as he is away at the moment.”

St Barnabas Hospice has over 1,100 volunteers who are integral to the success of the organisation. Whether it is complimentary therapists, receptionists or even gardeners, the Hospice values the hard work of every volunteer.

Steve Bond, Volunteer 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.”

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