These donations of lovely flowers help brighten up spaces for patients, their families, and St Barnabas’ incredible team of staff and volunteers. As a kind gesture, Deborah, Community Fundraiser, has been handing out Jars of Joy to supporters – spreading warmth on behalf of Nicola and in memory of Eileen.
Nicola and her family have been strong supporters of St Barnabas Hospice since 1993.
She says: “Soon after moving to Lincoln, my grandmother Hilda was cared for by the Hospice at Home team. My mum, Eileen, was so touched and grateful for this support, that she established St Barnabas as her charity to support.”
Nicola started a small cutting garden at home in the summer of 2021, after seeing an advert for The Floral Project. This project offers a simple way to use the resources people already have in their gardens and give back in a way that brings beauty, environmental benefit, and meaning into your lives and those of others.
Feeling inspired, she signed up right away and ‘Eileen’s Garden’ was soon created in memory of her mum.
Nicola says: “2022 was a difficult year for us as a family. We lost my dad in autumn 2021 and then my mum became very ill with heart failure and died at the St Barnabas Inpatient Unit in autumn 2022, after receiving palliative care.
“I grew up with a mum who loved giving to show her appreciation for acts of kindness, care and support. This especially was extended to those in health care or those in the community who might feel under appreciated.
“My mum loved flowers. She loved “gardening” too, but mainly from the position of Director! So, once I got underway with my version of The Floral Project I didn’t have to look far when deciding who to give my flowers to and why!”
Deborah, Community Fundraiser at St Barnabas, says: “We’re so grateful to receive these Jars of Joy from Nicola. Flower deliveries like this mean so much to us at the hospice, especially since we’re able to have flowers on the wards – something that’s not always possible in hospitals.
“It’s a privilege to be able to give these flowers to patients, their families and St Barnabas staff members, on Nicola’s behalf, to brighten their day and carry on Eileen’s legacy. It always makes me smile seeing how appreciated they are – it really is the small gestures that mean the most, at the most unexpected times.”
Nicola adds: “The cutting project soon became my comfort and spending time there helped me to grieve. I placed a seat in there that mum and dad had loved and spent hundreds of hours tending the flowers and enjoying the peace of it. Listening to the humming of the bees, smelling the fragrance, and remembering mum and dad.”
“After my grandmother died, mum often asked her to send a white feather to help her with her grief or anxieties, or just to know she was close by. She told me Nanna never failed to send her one which is why it’s so lovely to have a St Barnabas feather in my cutting garden as well.”
Nicola continues: “In 2005, my father-in-law, Ralph Hadley, was also supported by St Barnabas throughout his diagnosis of prostate cancer, his treatment, and later palliative care. He was a frequent visitor to the Wellbeing Centre on Hawthorn Road, received respite care and was an inpatient.”
Over the years the Hadley family have raised vital funds by running the Lincoln 10k and the Race for Life in support of St Barnabas, as well as playing the Lottery every month and holding coffee mornings – in appreciation for the support Ralph received.
Nicola comments: “I want to continue supporting the hospice as best as I can. I can’t run the Lincoln 10k at the moment because of injury, but I can grow flowers. It’s also not just about giving back into the community but it’s good for my mental health and the environment. It’s all organic and the insects and bees love Eileen’s Garden!”
A huge thank you to Nicola for her ongoing support and the beautiful blooms she provides as an act of kindness to St Barnabas.
Nicola adds: “Mum and dad had a joint career in hospitality and when they retired, they loved playing bridge (badly) and enjoying a glass of wine. Family always came first, and they loved their granddaughters so much.
“Georgina, now 18, volunteers at the St Barnabas Warehouse – the next generation helping the hospice!”