Category: Stories

A St Barnabas volunteer has won the Volunteer of the Year award at the 2017 Coastal Community Awards in Skegness

Lincoln, Wednesday 12th April 2017 – Pam Haynes, a volunteer at the St Barnabas Hospice Skegness Day Therapy Centre, has been selected from over 100 nominations as the winner of this year’s Volunteer of the Year award at the Coastal Community Awards, which were held on 31st March at the Grosvenor Hotel in Skegness.

The Coastal Community Awards were hosted by local radio station, Coastal Sound, who had received over 420 nominations for the various awards on offer.

Sarah Holmes, Complementary Therapy Services Team Leader at St Barnabas Hospice, was the person who had decided to nominate Pam for the volunteer award.

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:

“I was completely surprised to find out that I won the award, and feel honoured to have been nominated.

“To me, I just do my job and enjoy it. I never really think of it as an effort or that I’m doing anything special.

“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.

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.”

Picture courtesy of the Skegness Standard www.skegnessstandard.co.uk

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

A hospice patient diagnosed with terminal cancer has given high praise to St Barnabas for helping him to spend quality time at home with his young family.

Kevin Shelton, 62, from Anderby Creek near Skegness was given just three to six months to live after being diagnosed with advanced oesophageal cancer before Christmas.

After failed palliative chemotherapy, the married father-of-four was referred to St Barnabas for specialist end of life care.

“I was sceptical at first because I thought hospice care meant that I would have to leave my family to be looked after in a hospice somewhere,” says Kevin. “I had no idea there was Hospice at Home nurses who would care for me in my own home.

“My family means everything to me and being at home means that I can be part of making lasting memories that will hopefully live on long after I have gone. My youngest son is only four-years-old and I didn’t want to miss a single second of his life now, when I am going to miss out on so much of his future.

“The St Barnabas nurses have been a blessing from the very beginning as they have become like friends to my family and me. They immediately helped to get my pain and symptoms under control which means I have a better quality of life and can enjoy the time I have left.”

St Barnabas Hospice at Home team are there to help manage the medical needs of their patients but also to offer a listening ear, practical advice and support; or even sometimes a comforting arm round the shoulder.

Kevin said: “St Barnabas take the time to really listen to you and when I mentioned that I was struggling to get comfortable or sleep they arranged for a specialist bed to be delivered within 48 hours.

“Nothing is ever too much trouble and they are always there to answer any little questions or to soothe any fears you might have. They will do absolutely anything to help and whatever you ask for they will strive to get it for you; they always deliver what they say they will.

“To me, they are more than just nurses. They are all angels.”

Louise Garwood, Clinical Team Lead for St Barnabas Hospice, said:

“As part of the Hospice at Home team my focus is to bring my expertise and knowledge right into the patient’s own home so that they can remain within the home setting. Our priority is to ensure that the patient has a good quality of life and that they are able to enjoy the time they have left with their loved ones.

“Managing the medical needs of our patients is one of the most important parts of our roles, but just as important is to provide the ‘human touch’ and to look after the whole family who will be feeling the strain too.

“Taking the time to get to know a patient and their family is vitally important for us to be able to look after that patient as an individual and ensure that we provide a tailored package of care and that we always deliver what we say we will.”

St Barnabas Hospice at Home team visit Kevin and his family three or four times a week but can increase their visits when needed.

Kevin said: “It’s really reassuring to know that St Barnabas are only ever a phone call away and that we can speak so openly to people who understand fully what we are going through.

“They always include me in all the decisions about my care and that is really important at a time when you feel you are losing control. They have helped to encourage my mobility and independence and subsequently I have set myself little goals about what I would like to achieve, like celebrating my birthday this month and enjoying one last family holiday together.

“Living with cancer has taught me how precious life is and to grab every single second of it when you can. I am determined to keep fighting this for myself and for my family but I know that even after I’ve gone St Barnabas will continue to be there for my family, and that offers me real comfort on the darkest of days.”

The Hospice at Home team work seven days a week from their headquarters at their flagship day hospice at Grimsby Road in Louth. Last year the team supported 678 people with a terminal illness to remain at home across East Lincolnshire.

Anyone aged 18 and above can be referred to this service through a Community Nurse, GP, Specialist Nurse or other healthcare professional. For any further information on how St Barnabas’ care services can be accessed in your area please call 01522 511566 or visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk

Caroline Swindin, Corporate Fundraiser for St Barnabas Hospice, is joining thousands of people around Lincolnshire in remembering someone they will never forget. For Caroline, this special person is her mum.

Caroline’s mum, Sylvia Boardman, sadly died on 11th August 2015, age 72, from bone cancer in her spine and related issues.

Caroline said, “When Mum was diagnosed, age 62, I was with her in hospital. She reacted like I knew she would – remaining positive and determined to keep going regardless of her situation. She received treatment for around eight years, and attended a lot of the St Barnabas events which I organise as part of my job.”

Sylvia has five grandchildren – two boys by her daughter, Caroline, as well as two boys and a girl by her daughter, Sonya.

“Mum was always close to the grandchildren, and made sure to keep up her routine of picking them up from school once a week. I honestly believe that they kept her going. Even a month before her death, Mum made sure to attend the year six leavers’ concert for my youngest son, Adam. Everyone was astonished that she achieved this, being so unwell, but I know my Mum and she would not have missed it for the world.”

Sylvia didn’t initially realise how she could benefit from St Barnabas’ services, until Caroline took her for a cup of coffee at the Lincoln Day Therapy Centre one day. She then spent much time using their services – particularly enjoying the head massage and complimentary therapies. Once Sylvia began to face the last couple of months of her life, she spent 7.5 weeks at the Lincoln Inpatient Unit, and a further 3.5 weeks being treated at home by the Hospice at Home team. Sylvia’s husband, Cliff, also benefitted from visiting the Day Therapy Centre, as it enabled him to talk about his wife’s condition and also receive some welcome support.

Caroline said, “The support which both my parents received from St Barnabas was simply amazing. Mum always said the staff were angels, and she felt very safe in their care. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and I’m so proud to work alongside such caring and dedicated colleagues.”

As we enter the festive period, it can be a difficult time for some families, and one of reflection and remembrance.

When thinking back on fond memories, Caroline recalls, “Every year at Christmas, I’d go round to Mum’s house and we would wrap all the presents. I don’t remember a year when we didn’t decorate the tree together, and she always made sure to hang some special chocolates with her grandsons.

“To remember Mum, I always buy a Christmas candle which we light for her, and a special decoration so that she is always with us.”

Caroline has been heavily involved in fundraising for the Hospice, and this year has taken on 35 challenges to celebrate its 35th birthday. From cycling London to Paris, to trying 35 flavours of ice cream and even wearing 35 items of clothing, Caroline has pushed the boat out for hospice care.

When asked what her mum would think about all her fundraising, Caroline said, “She would be extremely supportive and proud, and I know that if she were still here she would have attended every single challenge with me in support.

“I want to continue doing as much as I can for such a wonderful charity, and Mum is such an inspiration for doing this. I get all my strength from her.”

If you would like to dedicate a light in memory of someone you will never forget, just like Caroline is doing for her mum, please visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/light-up-a-life/

A Ruskington woman praises the volunteering opportunities at St Barnabas Hospice, following the death of her father

Ken Cox, 82, had been volunteering at the Ruskington book shop since it opened in 2013. Following the death of his wife in 2016, Ken had found friendship and company through volunteering, before he died suddenly on 21st May from a stroke.

After 36 years’ service in the RAF, Ken and his wife, Moyra, moved to Ruskington during retirement to be closer to family. Both Ken and Moyra had always volunteered in their spare time, so Ken decided to volunteer at the St Barnabas book shop in Ruskington.

Ken and Moyra’s daughter, Lydia Sheldon, 49 said:

“I’ve been told Dad was a great sales man in the shop, and he enjoyed talking to customers and advising them on books and films.

“Even on the days he wasn’t at work, he would often call into the shop on his scooter to say ‘hello’ to the other volunteers and check they were working hard!”

Ken’s life changed drastically when his wife, Moyra, died aged 86 on 29th May 2016 from multiple organ failure in St Barnabas Hospice, Grantham.

Lydia said:

“Although Mum was only in the Hospice for a night, I can’t thank them enough for the support and care our family received.

“After Mum died, Dad decided to sell her haberdashery items and give this money to St Barnabas in gratitude for her care. In total, this came to over £1,000.

“I’m so glad my dad was able to continue volunteering for St Barnabas after Mum’s death, as the book shop was a brilliant help in ensuring that he wasn’t as isolated.

“Even though she was ill for a year prior to her death, Mum always encouraged Dad to continue volunteering at the book shop because she knew it was so beneficial for him.”

Ken has always been highly regarded in his life, which can be seen from his time in the RAF where he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). This is a silver medal for distinguished service and gallantry.

Lydia looks back fondly at the memories she shared with her dad, before his death:

“One of my most special memories of Dad is our Wednesday film nights. He often came round with a DVD he had bought from the St Barnabas shop, or one of his own ‘golden oldies’, and we would watch it with wine, cheese and biscuits.

“Dad’s taste in film was very different to my own, but I always treasured that time together.

“I’m glad that Dad found so much joy from volunteering with St Barnabas, as it indulged his love of film and books, and kept him going after my mum’s death.

To find out more about the range of volunteering roles across Lincolnshire at St Barnabas Hospice, email volunteering@stbarnabashospice.co.uk or call Volunteer Services on 01522 518 232.

A Grantham woman is set to take part in a skydive in memory of her father, and hopes to raise £1,500 for St Barnabas Hospice.

Kathleen Shields, 33, and her friend, Tracie Morton, 33, will be taking the leap of faith in memory of Kathleen’s dad, who spent his final few weeks being cared for by St Barnabas.

Her father, Malcolm Hensby, was diagnosed in February 2015 with lung cancer, and after a courageous battle against the disease, sadly died a year later on 14th April 2016, aged 63.

Kathleen said:

“Even in the most heart breaking of circumstances, the staff at the St Barnabas Hospice Inpatient Unit in Lincoln managed to make Dad smile. They listened to him, and made sure he was comfortable and cared for.

“The staff were compassionate, honest, and highly skilled. Mum described them as ‘angels’. The accommodation at the hospice allowed Mum to stay with Dad during his final days rather than having to travel back and forth from Grantham which took the added stress of travel and separation away. We want to do what we can to help enable the Trust to continue to provide this service for families in their time of need.”

The skydive takes place at Hibaldstow Airfield on Sunday 10th September, with participants jumping in tandem alongside a professional parachute instructor. The jump and training is completed in a day, and the instructor will be there to ensure safe landing.

Kathleen said:

“I think Dad would be very happy that we are being proactive and trying to give something back to the Hospice. He would have been very touched that friends, family and members of the local community have been so giving with their money, time and efforts.

“He would think that we have taken leave of our senses, throwing ourselves out of a plane, but would hopefully understand why.

“£7,556 has already been raised in Dad’s memory for St Barnabas, from a sponsored walk and 24 hour pool marathon, and we just want to keep going!”

Registration for the skydive is completely free, but all participants are asked to raise a minimum of £395 in sponsorship (including a £70 booking deposit).

Skydivers must be at least 16 years old to take part, and under 15 stone in weight.

Participants can register online at www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk/SDSept17

For more information contact Community Fundraiser, Harriet Hickin on 01522 540 300 or email harriet.hickin@stbarnabashospice.co.uk

Wendy Herridge, age 55 from Ruskington, has shared her story about how her life experiences drew her towards a volunteering role with St Barnabas.

Wendy joined St Barnabas as a Family Support Services volunteer in 2013, after retiring from her job in the Metropolitan Police Force and re-locating to Lincolnshire to be closer to family. She explained “the things which happened in my life definitely led me to St Barnabas.” Wendy’s mother sadly died from lung disease, and her sister recovered from cervical cancer. As well as this, Wendy herself was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2009, and thankfully recovered.

When talking about her cancer, Wendy explains that “it was such a traumatic experience, and has really given me a purpose to help ill people, as I can empathise with how they’re feeling.”

As part of Wendy’s role, she runs bereavement groups, 1 to 1 sessions and also attends friendship groups in the local area. In an average week, Wendy will dedicate three days to St Barnabas, and sees around four individual clients.

Wendy said: “I remember one particular man from my 1 to 1 sessions, whose wife had just died and he himself was also diagnosed with cancer. He’d experienced a difficult upbringing, which he wanted to come to terms with. I showed him a special letter writing technique so he could write letters to people in his past and present. It felt very rewarding knowing that when he died he was at peace with his demons.”

Both Wendy and her husband, Richard, volunteer for St Barnabas Hospice and love the flexibility and freedom they get.

Wendy said: “I would definitely recommend volunteering for St Barnabas, as they are so supportive and provide brilliant personal development. There is always the opportunity to learn more and take on additional responsibilities.

“Everyone has experienced the feeling of loss, whether it be a person or an object, so it is something we can all understand to a certain extent. I will certainly be continuing to volunteer for St Barnabas for as long as I am able.”

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

Amy Cooney, age 22 from Lincoln, has decided to share the reasons behind why she got involved with St Barnabas.

Amy joined St Barnabas as a Host at the Lincoln Day Therapy Centre in 2016, and works there every Monday morning greeting visitors and ensuring their needs are met. She explained “I was very close to my Great Aunt who died at the Inpatient Unit on Nettleham Road, and wanted to give something back to such a wonderful local charity.”

Currently, Amy is working towards her Master’s degree in Drama Therapy, which looks at ways of using drama techniques in a therapeutic environment. This means that as well as volunteering for St Barnabas and working in Business Support for Lincolnshire County Council, Amy also runs drama sessions for children with Down’s Syndrome.

Amy said “I would love to finish my Master’s degree and get a full time job with St Barnabas if the right role came up. As well as that, it would be great if I could find the time to learn hand massage as part of my volunteer role.

“The support I have received so far from St Barnabas has been overwhelming. They offer me the opportunity to learn new skills, I’m made to feel as much a part of the team as paid staff are, and everyone is so friendly.”

When asked about a special memory of her time at St Barnabas, Amy remembers helping the husband of a lady who had come into the Day Therapy Centre for the first time.

“I remember how uneasy he first felt with the situation, so I sat with him whilst his wife went into a session,” says Amy “We spoke a lot about the illness how St Barnabas could help him, and also made small talk about life in general. I really felt that I could relate to how he was feeling because of my Great Aunt’s death, and I know he left the building that day feeling much calmer.

“I think that volunteering often has a stigma attached to it that it’s just for older people, but I want more people to realise that all ages can have fun and make a real difference by giving some of their time.

“One thing I will say to younger people is that volunteering is the perfect way to add skills to your CV, and if you volunteer in a Hospice like St Barnabas, there are so many different areas you could go into. Some people might want patient-facing experience, whereas others might want to help at events or work in one of the shops.”

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

Julie Swift took the plunge to raise money for St Barnabas Hospice after they cared for her husband at home

A local woman whose husband died soon after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer has completed a parachute jump to boost funds for the charity who helped care for him in his final days.

Julie Swift’s husband Chris died on 30th July 2010 aged 45, only seven months after being diagnosed with melanoma, which spread to his bones and brain.

The father-of-two, who was affectionately known as “Swifty”, served as a retained firefighter in his home town of Wragby and is described by his wife as “a big character who was always there for people.”

Julie, 50, decided she wanted to raise money for St Barnabas Hospice to thank them for caring for her husband in their own home and allowing her family to stay together.

She said: “A skydive is something I have always wanted to do and it was a brilliant way for me to commemorate what should have been our 30th wedding anniversary. It was a thrilling and exhilarating experience and I know that Chris would have been proud of me.

“It was wonderful to be able to raise money for St Barnabas and give something back for the special care they had given to Chris and our family.”

She described how important it was for her husband to be cared for at at home and how their two sons, aged 14 and 16, were able to spend precious time with their dad.

Julie said: “St Barnabas really did make all the difference and with their support, Chris was able to remain at home, where he belonged and where he felt most comfortable. It was nice for the boys to be able to spend time with their dad without the restrictions of visiting times, it felt more natural somehow.

“Before St Barnabas started I had been looking after Chris on my own and I had started to feel quite isolated. It was a real relief when they started to visit and having their support and someone to talk to meant that I was better able to support Chris and our sons.”

Julie has raised over £2,700 from her skydive and other fundraising initiatives such as a cake sale, raffle and taking part in the charity’s upcoming Colour Dash.

The jump took place on 4th September 2016 at Hibaldstow Airfield in North Lincolnshire where she jumped from 15,000 feet.

Sign-up to a St Barnabas skydive and help to fund the specialist end of life care the charity delivers across Lincolnshire:

• The Big Birthday Skydive – 11th June at Hibaldstow Airfield

• Sunday 9th July – Langar Airfield

• Sunday 10th September – Hibaldstow Airfield

For more information or to sign up to a skydive please contact Harriet Hickin on 01522 540 300 or email harriet.hickin@stbarnabashospice.co.uk

Alternatively sign-up at www.StBarnabasHospice.co.uk

A hospice nurse has gone “above and beyond the call of duty” to give a patient receiving care at St Barnabas Hospice the “best day of his life”

Andrew Horton was left lost for words when he received the call that he and his family would be having a behind the scenes tour of RAF Coningsby – something that Andrew had dreamt of since childhood.

Avid aeroplane fan Andrew, who lives in Martin in Lincolnshire, has been attending St Barnabas Day Therapy Centre in Lincoln for the past 14 months.

Diagnosed with end stage renal failure at the age of 22, Andrew learned that he will need dialysis indefinitely or until he is strong enough to undergo a kidney transplant. A recently discovered heart condition means that the surgery has been delayed, but Andrew is hopeful that one day he will be able to get his new kidney.

“I am just waiting and hoping that one day my heart will be strong enough to allow me to have the transplant and that I will be able to get some normality back to my life,” says Andrew. “Life on dialysis has had a far greater impact on my life then I ever could have imagined.

“It touches every aspect of your life from preventing you from eating the foods you enjoy to taking part in the sports you once loved. Life becomes about hospital appointments, treatments and medications and your days become long and drawn out. It’s hard to remain positive and I am not ashamed to admit that I was becoming depressed.

“The nurses at St Barnabas understood how I was feeling and they went above and beyond their call of duty to organise a once in a lifetime visit to RAF Coningsby.”

After hearing about Andrew’s love of planes, hospice staff wanted to help him fulfil his ambitions and contacted the Willow Foundation, a national charity working with seriously ill young adults to fulfil uplifting and unforgettable special days.

Andrew said: “I couldn’t believe it when I got the call to say the day had been arranged, I couldn’t stop smiling. Best of all, it was lovely to have something to look forward to and for the first time in a long time, hospital visits weren’t the dominating factor in my life.

“The day was all I could have hoped for and more and it was lovely to be able to share the experience with my foster Dad and brothers. We all dressed smartly in our suits and we were treated to a tour of the Lancaster Lounge, Battle of Britain Hangar and got to ride in the flight simulator.

“The absolute highlight has to be the moment I was allowed to sit in a working Lancaster and a Typhoon, it was like a dream come true. The experience was one of the best days of my life and something that my family and I will always cherish.”

St Barnabas is the principle provider of end-of-life care across the county and provides day therapy five days a week from its base in Lincoln.

Over 1,900 patients benefited from the various day therapy sessions last year, which are free of charge and funded wholly through charitable donations to St Barnabas.

Sarah Fitter, Higher Lever Staff Nurse for St Barnabas Hospice, said:

“After taking the time to get to get to know Andrew I soon realised that he was feeling fed-up with the focus of his life being around hospital visits and that this was starting to have a real impact on his wellbeing.

“We started to focus on what goals he may have and looked at his hobbies and interests and it was then that his love of aeroplanes became apparent.

“I feel quite humbled to have played a part in helping Andrew and his family to experience this unforgettable day which has quite clearly had a positive impact on them all. At St Barnabas we are blessed with time to really find out what a person needs in order to gain an improved quality of life or sense of wellbeing and purpose.”

Andrew will continue to access St Barnabas Day Therapy services to manage his symptoms as and when the support is needed.

Andrew adds: “The wonderful thing about the Hospice is it provides an oasis of calm and relaxation and they help you to live as fully as you are able. They looked after me as a whole person and didn’t just treat the medical side of things.

“They took the time to understand what was important to me and the special visit to RAF Coningsby had a profound effect on my overall wellbeing. It has had a more far reaching effect than any medical intervention ever has.”

Day therapy can help people with a range of issues which they may be having difficulty with, such as physical, emotional, social, spiritual and psychological problems. The aim of attending the range of day therapy activities is to help people manage their symptoms, help them gain more confidence at home by assessing their personal needs, and to help improve the quality of their lives.

Anyone aged 18 and above can refer themselves to any or all of the different services provided, without the need for a doctor’s letter. For any further information on how St Barnabas’ care services can be accessed in your area please call 01522 511566 or visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk

A hospice patient living with a rare progressive disease has given her praise to St Barnabas in Louth, with whom she credits being her saviour.

Lynn Peace was just 18 years old when she began to notice symptoms of what was eventually diagnosed as Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia.

The disease causes stiffness and contraction in the lower limbs, as a result of damage or dysfunction of the nerves.

Lynn, 37, from Mumby explained how she didn’t think the hospice would be able to help someone with her condition but how their support became invaluable.

Lynn said: “Before I came to St Barnabas more than 12 months ago I lived in a world that felt very isolated and I was incredibly low. St Barnabas has been my lifeline and I now have a very different outlook on life. I am able to see the good once again.

“The nurses there are very understanding and they really take the time to listen to you and have helped to manage my pain and symptoms. With their guidance, my confidence has grown and for the first time I am able to express how I truly feel.

“Attending Day Therapy has also opened up opportunities to meet people in a similar situation to my own, which has been a great relief. We are able to share our experiences and it is a great comfort to realise you are not on your own.”

The flagship day hospice, run by Lincolnshire’s St Barnabas Hospice, from the building leased to them by Louth & District Hospice has propelled palliative care into a new era by providing and developing a whole range of care services for the local community from the Grimsby Road site.

Under the leadership of St Barnabas Hospice the charity has brought an unprecedented amount of expertise under one roof to support thousands of people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Lynn visits St Barnabas twice a week and during her time there she has benefited from physiotherapy, tai chi and acupuncture.

Lynn said: “The varying therapies I have accessed have had a lasting and positive effect on my physical and mental wellbeing. The acupuncture has been particularly helpful at ridding me of the pain I was experiencing in my back. Prior to this therapy I had been in pain all day, every day.

“St Barnabas also takes the time to look after the whole person and not just concentrate on the medical side of things. I took part in Look Good, Feel Better where I had a professional make over. It felt nice to be pampered and that is the great thing about St Barnabas, they recognise the importance of a person’s overall wellbeing.

“The time I have spent with St Barnabas Hospice stands out as nothing short of outstanding when compared to any other care I have received.”

With an ever ageing population people are living longer with deteriorating health caused by many different conditions such as; heart failure, respiratory and neurological disease, dementia and cancer.

The charity works in partnership with other organisations to help patients live better, for longer, regardless of their diagnosis.

St Barnabas, the principal provider of end-of-life care across the locality, now provides day therapy four days every week from its locality base at the hospice.

Around 435 patients benefited from various day therapy sessions last year, which are free of charge and funded wholly through charitable donations to St Barnabas.

Lynn adds: “Hospice care has been an eye opener and really is more than I ever could have imagined. At St Barnabas I feel like I am part of a family and I even think of it as my second home. It is a beautiful building with glorious gardens that I look forward to visiting each and every week.”

Day therapy can help people with a range of issues which they may be having difficulty with, such as physical, emotional, social, spiritual and psychological problems. The aim of attending the range of day therapy activities is to help people manage their symptoms, help them gain more confidence at home by assessing their personal needs, and to help improve the quality of their lives.

St Barnabas also provides pre and post bereavement counselling through its Family Support Service, with a drop-in bereavement group meeting every Thursday afternoon at Louth Hospice.

Anyone aged 18 and above can refer themselves to any or all of the different services provided, without the need for a doctor’s letter. For any further information on how St Barnabas’ care services can be accessed in your area please call 01522 511 566 or visit www.stbarnabashospice.co.uk.