Ralph the gorgeous three-year-old Shih Tzu-Bichon Frise cross and his owner, Megan Bell, will join Pilgrims Hospices brand new sponsored dog walk Paws 4 Pilgrims in Deal on Sunday 25 March. They will walk the 5K coastal route in memory of Megan’s dad, Frankie Bell, who was cared for at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet. With the support of her family and friends, Megan has already raised more than £800 for vital care for even more local people.
Megan, who is 25 and works as an hotel receptionist at Pegwell Bay Hotel in Ramsgate, said: “Dad was only 58 years old when he was cared for by Pilgrims; he and Ralph were great pals and often shared walks together before he became ill. We are very proud to take part in his memory.”
Megan told us: “Ralph is full of fun. We are really looking forward to the walk, it’s such a beautiful place and if people don’t know the area very well, it’s really worth a visit. It’s a wonderful place for a doggy walk, and I’m looking forward to seeing lots of doggy pals for Ralph to walk with and enjoying the dog events after the walk.
“Dad was cared for at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet in November 2016. During his time there, he was treated with the most amazing love and care. I cannot thank the wonderful staff enough for everything they did for Dad and our family. I want to raise as much money as I can for people who need care in the future. The hospice was a happy place for us, and Dad said it was just like a hotel.
Dad was cared for at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet in November 2016. During his time there, he was treated with the most amazing love and care.
Megan
“I really admire the work the nurses and doctors put in day and night to ensure all their patients get the best quality care that they deserve. They really made my dad feel at home during his stay there; they also welcomed our family with open arms. Ralph visited Dad at the hospice every day and even knew which room to find him in. He also enjoyed going to visit the other patients, and made friends with volunteers who often had treats for him.”
You can help Megan to raise even more funds for Pilgrims by sponsoring Ralph on Megan’s Just Givingpage. A small donation of just £1 can help make a huge difference to those who need Pilgrims care the most.
I will be forever grateful to Pilgrims, I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
Megan
Megan said: “I will be forever grateful to Pilgrims, I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
Each year Pilgrims supports hundreds of local people coping with a life limiting illness and their families. The charity offers a range of services: from end of life care given on its wards, to its new Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.
Towers School steps up to the challenge for Pilgrims
Last year Pilgrims Hospices challenged people to face the flames at their inspirational Fire Walk. Hundreds of supporters took part raising an incredible £61,000; enough to cover more than 3,000 of nursing care. This year, the ‘hottest, shortest sponsored walk in the world’ is back with an extra twist!
Not only can you conquer your fears by walking barefoot over 800 degrees of red-hot wood embers, they’re offering the chance to test your nerves by facing the new Icewalk. By putting mind over matter, you could achieve what would be seen to be impossible by walking barefoot across a bed of sterile broken glass.
Robert Grew, met with staff and youngsters at Towers School, Faversham Road, Ashford who will be hosting the Fire and Ice Walk on Friday 9 March. Robert said: “I’d like to thank Towers School for hosting Pilgrims Fire and Ice Walk, it’s the first time we’ve held this event in Ashford, and we’re already having some great response.
“The venue is just brilliant with plenty of room for family and friends to come along and support loved ones when they take the daring dash. It’s a great test of inner strength and a really exciting challenge to take part in or spectate!”
I’ve experienced Pilgrims care first hand and can confidently say how important it is to be there for even more families in the future.
Regular Pilgrims supporter and volunteer Sue Barrett-Austen will take part this year, testing her inner strength and determination. Sue is Welfare Manager at Towers School and looks after year 11 and sixth form students. She told us: “I’m very excited to be taking part; I’ve experienced Pilgrims care first hand and can confidently say how important it is to be there for even more families in the future who need their special services and support.
“I know that my registration and sponsorship money will really make a difference to those who need help the most, it’s going to be my biggest challenge so far.”
So why not face the flames this March?
No tricks, no special effects, just you and your nerve. Conquer the most primal of fears in aid of Pilgrims Hospices. Robert added: “Our brave firewalkers tell us how they are still buzzing from the experience weeks later. It’s something anyone can do with no previous training. More of a psychological challenge that physical, by facing the flames you’ll be raising vital funds for our hospices. With every single step, you’ll be making a difference to the lives of local people and their families who are in need of end-of-life care.”
Friends and family can come too. With a breath-taking display from fire performer Paul Incredible just before the main event, they’ll be sure to be amazed as they cheer you across the coals and see what can be achieved.
Take on a Firewalk, an Icewalk, OR BOTH. With interactive training seminars with renowned motivational speaker and fire and glass walking expert Cliff Mann before the daring dash, we know you’ll feel fantastic once you’ve completed the challenge. After all, if you can achieve this, you can find the confidence to do anything.
Each year Pilgrims supports hundreds of local people coping with a life limiting illness and their families. The charity offers a range of services: from end of life care given on its wards, to its new Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.
Louise makes a splash for Pilgrims
Keen swimmer Louise Carroll from Broadstairs dedicated some of her half term holiday time to swim an incredible 200 lengths of her local pool in memory of her friend and school staff member, Frank Stivarious. She is raising money for Pilgrims Hospices who cared for Frank when he battled cancer in October 2017, and hopes to raise more than £200.
Dane Court Grammar School student Louise, who is 13 years old, said: “I used to speak to Frank every morning when Mum dropped me at school. He was always such a happy and friendly face and we were all very fond of him at our school.”
Louise’s mum and dad, Claire and Neil, are so proud of Louise’s fundraising. Claire said: “She wanted to do something positive and raise awareness of the wonderful work that Pilgrims Hospices do. Her friends and teachers at school have been really supportive.”
Frank’s wife, Sarah, who is Assistant Head Teacher at Dane Court Grammar, came along to support Louise on her 5000-meter swim, along with Louise’s mum and her grandparents Pat and Ron Dinnes.
Sarah explained: “I’m so impressed with her commitment; I’m sure Frank would have approved of her efforts. She is a very caring and kind young lady.”
13-year-old Louise Carroll is swimming to raise money for Pilgrims Hospices
Louse loves swimming and began at an early age. She currently attends Broadstairs Lifeguard and Swimming Club at Ramsgate Leisure Centre. She also attends Dover Channel Training from May to September. Along with her 200 lengths of the pool, from Sunday 27 May to Friday 1 June Louise will be swimming approximately 2 hours daily around the bays of Jersey with a group of swimmers headed by Sally Minty Gravett MBE. Louise hopes to raise as much as possible from her friends and family, but urges anyone who wishes to support her to donate directly via Pilgrims Hospices website.
Indoor Leisure Manager at Ramsgate Leisure Centre, Gavid Vickers, who kindly gave Louise a free lane in order for her to complete her charity swim, said: “We’re delighted to have helped with Louise’s fundraising swim. We are always keen to support young people who want to help make a difference within our local community. We congratulate her on her amazing efforts.”
We are delighted to have the support of such a dedicated young fundraiser.
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet, added: “We are delighted to have the support of such a dedicated young fundraiser. Louise is doing a wonderful job of raising vital funds and awareness of our services. Her 5000-meter swim is actually over 3 miles; that’s quite incredible. We wish her lots of luck with the sea swimming in Jersey later this year.”
Each year Pilgrims supports hundreds of local people coping with a life limiting illness and their families. The charity offers a range of services: from end of life care given on its wards, to its Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.
19th February 2018
A compassionate approach to end-of-life care
East Kent Hospitals has formed a partnership with Pilgrims Hospices that’s improving end-of-life care across the Trust’s hospital sites.
Known as the Compassion Project, the initiative promotes dignity, respect and compassion at the end of life – represented by a Compassion symbol in the form of the Pilgrims Hospices logo.
Consultant nurse for palliative care and East Kent Hospitals’ end-of-life clinical lead, Sue Cook, said: “For understandable reasons, end-of-life care is a topic that many people shy away from. But caring for people until the end of their lives is integral to the values of the NHS and all it stands for.
“Those of us who work in the NHS have a duty to ensure that our patients are cared for with dignity, respect and compassion until they die.
“That’s why the Compassion Project – and its symbol – is so important to us and all who help those approaching the end of their lives.”
Wendy Hills, Pilgrims Hospices Director of Nursing and Care, said: “Pilgrims has over 30 years of experience working with families at some of the most difficult times of life. We are committed to having a positive impact on the individual’s experience of end of life care for as many people in east Kent as possible. This project came from that desire.”
The project was funded thanks to a legacy donation from the family of Pat Morley, a past Kent and Canterbury Senior Matron and Pilgrims trustee. Pat worked tirelessly to promote excellent nursing within the profession she loved. She also volunteered for many years as a Trustee of Pilgrims Hospices, where her experience was invaluable.
Pilgrims has over 30 years of experience working with families at some of the most difficult times of life. We are committed to having a positive impact on the individual’s experience of end of life care for as many people in east Kent as possible. This project came from that desire.
Wendy Hills, Pilgrims Hospices Director of Nursing and Care
Wendy added: “Together with EKHUFT, we are delighted with the success of the Compassion Project throughout east Kent’s hospital wards so we can support as many people as possible to live well until the very last moment of their life.”
The Compassion symbol is displayed on wards when a person is expected to die within the next few hours or days – or when a person has just died. Its display is to encourage an atmosphere of quiet and respect at this significant time.
On seeing the symbol, visitors to a ward are asked to be considerate in their behaviour and activity, including restricting the use of mobile phones. Visitors are also asked to be sensitive when encountering people who are grieving or distressed.
Following a conversation with the patient and/or their family, the Compassion symbol is shown at ward stations, on ward boards and on bedside curtains.
The symbol is also used after the patient has died. Relatives are given their loved one’s property in a branded Compassion bag to ensure continued support and sensitivity.
Since its launch in June 2017 the Compassion Project has been rolled out on 9 wards across the Trust initially, and has gradually been cascaded to over 880 staff in more than 50 clinical wards and departments where patients who are dying, and their families, are being cared for.
How a loved one dies can have a profound and long-lasting impact on those who are left behind. Therefore it’s essential that staff and visitors are sensitive to the needs of the person who is dying, and their loved ones, at all times.
Annie Hogben, Education Project Lead for Pilgrims Hospices
All staff, those in clinical and other roles, who come into contact with patients and families at this incredibly difficult time are being given training in the use of the Compassion symbol and are being encouraged to ensure it becomes part of the normal ward routine and culture when caring for patients and their families.
Education Project Lead for Pilgrims Hospices, Annie Hogben, said: “How a loved one dies can have a profound and long-lasting impact on those who are left behind. Therefore it’s essential that staff and visitors are sensitive to the needs of the person who is dying, and their loved ones, at all times.
Annie Hogben, Education Project Lead for Pilgrims Hospices
“The Compassion Project and its symbol represent a patient-focused and relative-focused approach to end-of-life care. This acknowledges clinical reality, but also ensures that we never neglect dignity, compassion and emotional needs. The collaborative working over these past months has been very rewarding for everyone taking part. Staff at the Trust have really embraced the project, using their own ideas and creativity to help make this a success. Ultimately, thanks to everyone’s commitment we have made a huge difference for patients and their families.
Posters have been displayed throughout the hospital wards and departments to let the public know more about the project and the use of the symbol.
“This small, unassuming sign made a big difference”
Andrea Reid, who lives in Folkestone, Kent gained first-hand experience of the positive impact of the Compassion symbol when her aunt was cared for in an East Kent hospital.
“The care and compassion shown to my aunt and her family when she was being cared for in hospital was clearly evident from the moment that I first visited, took a seat and held her hand. Once my family had all arrived and those difficult but sensitive discussions had taken place, a bed in a side room was found so we could visit and stay the night without worrying about disturbing the other patients on the ward.
We were able to take up the space within the room without feeling that we were in the way, talk freely, laugh together and have quiet moments of reflection, all in the knowledge that the staff were there if we needed them but without unnecessary intrusion – quality time that we were really able to make the most of.
Andrea, who experienced the Compassion Project first-hand
“The Compassion symbol appeared at the doorway. This small, unassuming sign was making a big difference to those approaching the room.
“Despite being near the ward entrance, there didn’t seem to be much general disturbance, as staff from porters to doctors went quietly about their daily business. The nursing staff all hesitated at the door, explained why they needed to come in and gave us time to either leave the room or move out of the way with a calm, unhurried air. The cleaners ensured that the room was kept hygienic and pleasant without being intrusive. At one point the consultant reviewed my aunt from the doorway as there was no need for any hands-on intervention at that time, and so with quiet respect and a gentle nod he checked that all was well and moved on.
“The difference that this made to us all, my aunt included, was only really evident on reflection afterwards. Such was the discretion and respect afforded to us that the care and general day to day business of the ward almost faded into the background as we sat and chatted about old times and even celebrated my aunt’s 80th birthday the day before she died. We were able to take up the space within the room without feeling that we were in the way, talk freely, laugh together and have quiet moments of reflection, all in the knowledge that the staff were there if we needed them but without unnecessary intrusion – quality time that we were really able to make the most of.
“I think that our hospital staff are often working in a pressured and high-speed environment, but the small and unassuming Compassion symbol is just enough to trigger a pause and a moment’s consideration for those dealing with the worst news possible, and to give staff the permission not to intrude on those valuable last moments unnecessarily, but to be discreetly available as the need arises. My impression was that this was embraced by staff at all levels.”
If you or someone you know is coping with a life limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims free services, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about your options or click here to read about our Wellbeing and Social Programme.
7th February 2018
“Have that conversation, help is at hand for your family”
Pilgrims care extends beyond the person who is ill to include their family and friends. Families coping with a terminal illness can be empowered to have the conversations they need to make the most of the time they have. Here Holly Cooke from Ashford shares her story.
I was 21 when Dad was diagnosed with cancer. He was mad keen on golf and always at the club helping with charity events. Everyone he knew was stunned when he got ill because he was such a fit and healthy man. When it’s your Dad you don’t know what to do.
Support to stay independent
We formed a close connection with Pauline his doctor, it was a collaborative approach and it made such a difference being listened to. It’s really important to be able to manage your own illness. Dad was fiercely independent and to have that support until the last minute meant he could make his own choices about his care. He was an incredible man.
He came for courses of pain management support for over a year and had specialist massages from the Pilgrims complimentary therapist.
While Dad was seeing the specialists, Mum was given the option to use the support groups, although she didn’t attend due to the support and advice given by the doctors and nurses at the hospice. It was a relief to know she was getting what she needed to give her the strength to care for him. We could do things as a family in that time we had together.
“We could do things as a family in that time we had together.”
I would not change the way Dad went in the end. He had been give a prognosis of anywhere from a few months to 18 – in the end he lived for 16 which was brilliant. It was definitely down to the care he received at Pilgrims that we could do things as a family in that time we had together.
We felt safe at the hospice
On the Friday before he died Dad went for a three mile walk, he was still feeling fit and active. I remember him sitting out in the garden in the sun reading the newspaper.
Then on the Saturday, the day before he died, he couldn’t get out of bed but we were watching films together. He was really with us, laughing and joking.
In the end he wasn’t on the hospice ward long. I was at work when I got the call that he had been taken in and within an hour and a half he had died.
We were in shock but the ward sister was brilliant. She gave us a private room. It was all very calm and we felt like we were in safe hands.
The care for our family didn’t end when Dad died, we were offered support and Mum was supported by a hospice counsellor.
If I could speak to other people in my situation or Dad’s who don’t think the hospice can help or who’s scared of going – I would say just go and speak to them, have that conversation.
So many people are scared because they think it’s going to be a sad place. What they don’t see is that when you get there you will see beautiful gardens to walk in, there’s a lovely chapel and people smile at you. No one is sad because they are in the right place.
If you or someone you know is living with a life-limiting illness there is a wide range of support and services available. Talk to your GP or click here to find out more.
