Sarah Gregory (50) from Broadstairs took part in Pilgrims Hospices’ Thanet 5k Colour Run on Sunday 21 October in memory of her mum, Shirley Sharp, who was cared for by the charity in 2013-14. Sarah hopes that her fundraising will mean other families can continue to benefit from local hospice care.
As part of her fiftieth birthday celebrations this year, Sarah created a list of 50 things she wanted to do; one of them was to complete the Thanet 5k Colour Run, with the added challenge of getting at least 10 others to join her. On the day, ‘Team Sarah’ had more than 30 members including Sarah’s husband Mark, their children Grace and Luke, Sarah’s brother and sister-in-law Andrew and Nicola and their sons George and Jacob, as well as friends and colleagues. Sarah pledged that for every team member who gave £1 she would match it, which meant that she was able to make a £70 donation to Pilgrims by taking part in the event.
Mum always felt safe in the hospice, she found peace and support there. I’ll never be able to repay my thanks and appreciation to Pilgrims for the way they cared for Mum and the fantastic support they gave her and our family.
Sarah
Sarah said: “Mum always felt safe in the hospice, she found peace and support there. I’ll never be able to repay my thanks and appreciation to Pilgrims for the way they cared for Mum and the fantastic support they gave her and our family. She had four grandchildren, the youngest was seven when she died, and they also found the hospice a supportive, friendly and peaceful environment. From the nursing and medical staff to the volunteers, chaplains and kitchen staff, everyone did their bit to support us.
“I took part in the Thanet 5k Colour Run to help ensure that other families can receive the same compassionate care that we did. My fundraising is just a little donation to go towards the fantastic work that Pilgrims do, and a way to help raise awareness about my local hospice charity.”
If you missed our Thanet 5k Colour Run and would like to join in the next event, and this time with your dog, sign up for Paws 4 Pilgrims on Sunday 24 March 2019. Call Karen Kenward for further details on 01843 233 934 or email karen.kenward@pilgrimshospices.org.
If you or someone you know is coping with a life limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims support, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about the options or visit click here for information on the Wellbeing and Social Programme.
29th October 2018
Hospice patients and carers enjoy new Writing for Wellbeing workshops
Patients and carers at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury are benefitting from a new Writing for Wellbeing project aimed at promoting happiness and wellbeing. These expressive writing workshops have proved so popular that they will soon be offered by the Occupational Therapy team at all three hospices, helping even more people with incurable illness to live well in mind and body.
Led by Justine Robinson, Lead Occupational Therapist at Pilgrims Hospices, the Writing for Wellbeing project has been running from the Canterbury hospice Therapy Centre since April 2018. Patients and carers are invited to attend weekly writing workshops, either together or on their own. They are guided through a writing exercise based on a different theme each week and encouraged to learn and develop expressive, creative writing skills in a safe, confidential space.
So far, themes have included:
Memories
Reading poems to help springboard personal writing
Choosing an unfamiliar item, describing it and expressing personal feelings about it
Images of doors, i.e. ‘Where would this door lead you to?’
A developing body of research initiated by Dr James Pennebaker shows that expressive writing helps to calm the mind and emotions and increase feelings of happiness and wellbeing. Justine is also a member of Lapidus, an international organisation that promotes writing for wellbeing and the benefits it brings.
It’s not about grammar, perfect sentences or gripping stories. We’re interested in the process of writing and how it can help uncover motivations, fears, needs, worries, hopes and dreams.
Justine Robinson, Lead Occupational Therapist at Pilgrims
Justine explains: “Things that come up a lot are childhood memories, reviewing past events, resilience – how bad things in life can make us stronger and help us cope with future events – nature and our relationship to the natural world.
“It’s not about grammar, perfect sentences or gripping stories. We’re interested in the process of writing and how it can help uncover motivations, fears, needs, worries, hopes and dreams. Participants don’t need any previous experience and need only share as much as they feel comfortable with.”
Justine has also made links with Dorothy Lehane, Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Kent. Third year students Creative Writing students have led workshops at the hospice, which received a very positive response from the patients and carers who attended.
Justine added: “The workshops are a great alternative approach to communication; they encourage social interaction and story sharing, as well as offering time for personal reflection. We’re looking forward to developing the Writing for Wellbeing project at all three hospices.”
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.
24th October 2018
Pilgrims Colour Run is a vibrant success
The Pilgrims Hospices 5K Colour Run returned to Thanet with a blast of colour on Sunday.
Over 1,000 adults and children attended, complete with colourful specs and white t-shirts, all ready to run through the clouds of vibrant and multi-coloured paints in aid of local hospice care.
Those taking part warmed up with a fun work out from Bek from Zumba Margate, followed by the countdown from Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Hospices Community Fundraising Manager. The sky was filled with colour as the lively crowds made their way through colour stations and along the coastal route of The Oval, Cliftonville, and Margate. The atmosphere was filled with the sound of laughter as everyone set off in the beautiful autumn sunshine.
Karen said: “This is Pilgrims Hospices third Colour Run and again we’ve exceeded our expectations.
“We were delighted to welcome Pilgrims’ Chair of Trustees, Richard Davis, who came to watch the spectacle and cheer our runners on their way.”
Richard said: “I was really blown away by this event, with so much support from the local community. I’m always humbled to see how many people support our charity.” Richard has put his name down already to take part next year.
Karen went on to say: “The atmosphere this event creates is just incredible; you really have to be there to see it, colour and laughter all the way.
“What an amazing way to raise much-needed funds to support palliative care for the next person who needs us.”
A huge Pilgrims thank you to Your Leisure, Big Red Branding, Westwood Cross Shopping Centre, Margate Ambulance Corps, Thanet District Council, Copy Shop, Andre our DJ, Matt and Vino from Mini Stores, Deal, Bek and Bex for our warm-up and our very own Raffles the Bear, all the staff and volunteers who helped make the event possible and most importantly, each an every one of you for taking part. We hope you enjoyed it.
If you missed this amazing event and would like to join in the next event, and this time with your dog, sign up for Paws 4 Pilgrims on Sunday 24 March 2019. Call Karen Kenward for further details on 01843 233 934 or email karen.kenward@pilgrimshospices.org.
If you or someone you know is coping with a life limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims support, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about the options or visit click here for information on the Wellbeing and Social Programme.
22nd October 2018
Gold Standards Award for local care homes
Pilgrims Hospices, Education and Training department has supported its first group of residential care homes to achieve the Gold Standards Framework accreditation in quality of care. Linda Rendle, Nicola Le Prevost, and Lorna Pollock, who provide the training at Pilgrims Hospices, Ann Robertson Centre in Canterbury joined those receiving the awards at the National Conference and Awards Ceremony, in the Ambassadors Hotel, London last month. Linda and Lorna celebrated with Bradfield Residential Home in Deal and Grenham Bay Court Residential Home in Birchington, both of whom were presented with a Commended Award.
Linda Rendle, Clinical Lecturer for Pilgrims Hospices Education and Training Team said: “We were delighted to share such a special event with our Gold Standard achievers, sadly Maurice House, the British Legion Care Home in Broadstairs were unable to attend the evening, however we are delighted that all three homes have achieved this well-respected accreditation which aims to improve supportive care for all residents as they near the end of their lives.”
Grenham Bay Care Home Team from left to right – Chloe Noble (Kitchen Assistant) Lauren Lloyd (Team Leader and GSF Co-ordinator) Natalie Ivanova (Chef), Luke Rothwell (Registered Manager) Rubyrose Yarwood (Deputy Manager) Maria Cabidoy (Care Assistant) with most importantly resident Peggy Johnson who is front and centre.
The three homes are the first to achieve the accreditation with Pilgrims Hospices as part of the Gold Standards Framework programme.
We were delighted to share such a special event with our Gold Standard achievers.
Linda Rendle – Pilgrims Hospices
The Gold Standards Frameworkquality improvement training programme is the largest and most comprehensive end of life programme for care homes in the UK. The programme focuses on improving quality of care, collaboration with GPs and others to reduce hospitalisation. It is widely acclaimed and endorsed by all leading care homes, the Department of Health and thousands of care home staff, as a key means of improving care for residents nearing the end of their life.
Dr. Andrew Thorns of Pilgrims Hospices said: “Enabling all people to live well until the end of their lives is important; this includes all residents in care homes with a focus on their specific care needs at different times of their lives, including the dying phase. This programme promotes a structured approach to ensuring that all residents receive optimal care which is of a gold standard.”
Linda added: “We have been training care homes since 2015 with 38 care homes taking part over four cohorts. Our fifth cohort starts on the 12th of October with 12 homes taking part.
Enabling all people to live well until the end of their lives is important.
Dr. Andrew Thorns – Pilgrims Hospices
“We send our congratulations to all the those who have undertaken the training in all three homes. Pilgrims Hospices hope to encourage even more residential homes to apply for the training programme and equip their staff with this important accreditation.”
If you would like to find out more about the courses and accreditation training programmes on offer through Pilgrims Hospices education.department@pilgrimshospices.org or call 01227 812616.
The Education and Training Department offers courses and training for local health and social care professionals to facilitate education around end-of-life care. Alongside training at the Canterbury centre, courses are run at the Ashford and Thanet hospices.
15th October 2018
Ice cream treats at Pilgrims
Pilgrims Hospices catering team are generously supported by a raft of local suppliers and producers, who dontate products to the kitchens of all three hospice sites. Recently Simply Ice Cream from Bonnington, Ashford delivered a delicious range of ice creams, for patients and families at the hospice in Ashford.
The donation was gratefully received by Head Chefs at the Ashford hospice, Bobby Antony and Julie Gilliver. Julie said: “It’s so important for our patients and visitors to be well catered for around the clock. We regularly cater for a wide variety of dietary needs; I’m sure these special additional treats will fly out of our freezers in no time!
We are totally in awe of the work the wonderful team at PIlgrims Hospices do every day.
Sally Newall – Simply Ice Cream’s Managing Director
“We send a hugh thank you to Simply Ice Cream, we’re very grateful for their support. Pilgrims Hospices kitchens have to be managed on tight budgets, charitable donations such as this really help to make a difference.”
Bobby Antony and Julie Gilliver, Head Chefs at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford
Simply Ice Cream’s Managing Director Sally Newall said: “We are totally in awe of the work the wonderful team at Pilgrims Hospices do every day for their patients and supporting families. We were pleased to be able to show support in such a simple way.”
Simply Ice Cream is completely natural hand-made product range created without any additives or preservatives, using only locally sourced ingredients (where possible). Its range comprises over 30 different flavours.
If you or someone you know is coping with a life limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims support, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about the options or read about more about how we can help.
12th October 2018
Rosemary shares a Hospice at Home experience
Rosemary Lamb shares her experience of Pilgrims Hospice at Home services from her home in Herne Bay.
My husband William, or Bill as he was always known to everyone, was 74 years old when he passed away earlier this year. After many years coping with chronic restrictive pulmonary disease (CRPD), Bill’s health deteriorated, he spent more time in hospital, and after being admitted in December 2017, was referred to Pilgrims Hospices for more tailored support.
We came along to Pilgrims Hospices to meet with the Community Team, here we gained a greater knowledge of the services that could help Bill to manage his symptoms and help him to stay independent for as long as possible.
His wishes were to remain at home with family in his final days, this was made easier with the support of the Hospice at Home Team from Pilgrims.
Bill, a local milkman and tradesman who was born and bred in Sturry near Canterbury. I was a dental receptionist from Canterbury, we met while walking through the old bus station at Canterbury and our journey began right there. We were married for 54 years and apart from a few years living in Herne Bay, we raised our family of three daughters Jane, Julie and Sharon in Sturry.
We used Pilgrims Therapy Centre that offered breathing and relaxation classes amongst many others. Going to the hospice had a comforting feel, just like home, with a lounge to relax and meet others who were being supported by the charity. It was never a place that held any fear for us, everyone was there to help us make positive decisions and there was never a doubt that Bill’s care and wellbeing was of the highest priority for everyone we came into contact with. We never considered the hospice, as a place to die, more as a place to share our experiences and benefit from the wonderful care team and their depth of knowledge and experience.
They had a natural understanding of what Bill needed along with supporting me and the family as his carers.
Rosemary.
Mandy Hilden from Pilgrims Hospice at Home with Rosemary
I attended Carers Days at the hospice, which gave her an opportunity to meet other people coping with similar situations. It definitely helped me feel more confident, knowing there are so many others who felt the same. Talking really helped.
I attended relaxation classes with Bill and almost had to pinch myself, I was so close to falling asleep, it was marvellous.
As Bill became housebound the Hospice at Home team were wonderful, helping to manage Bill’s everyday needs, keeping him smiling and also supporting me with their kindness, nothing was too much trouble.
They had a natural understanding of what Bill needed along with supporting me and the family as his carers. Mandy from the Hospice at Home Team helped to organise a hospital bed for our home when Bill became bedbound. The Hospice at Home visits were welcomed by both of us, we felt supported and care for, he was so much, he was so much happier, relaxed, at ease and was treated with dignity and respect in every instance.
We, as a family, felt the services given from the charity were fantastic and thank them for helping to make Bill’s days at home very precious to all of us.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices charity support 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, Hospice at Home, Community Care and its Wellbeing and Social Programme, supporting people after they are diagnosed, to live well and stay independent.
