Colour Run returns in Thanet for Pilgrims Hospices
The Pilgrims Hospices 5k Colour Run returned to Thanet with a blast of colour on Sunday 26 September 2021.
Over 400 adults and children attended, complete with colourful glasses and white t-shirts, all ready to run and walk through the clouds of vibrant and multi-coloured powders.
Those taking part warmed up with a fun warm-up with Bex from Zuma 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 the colour stations and along the coastal route from The Oval, Clintonville, Margate. The atmosphere was filled with the sound of laughter as everyone set off along the coastal route down towards Palm Bay.
Karen said: “It was so lovely to see many attend and some familiar faces for the fifth year of this Colour Run in support of Pilgrims Hospices. This really is such a colourful event to be seen and be involved in, plus an incredible way to raise much needed funds to support palliative care for the next person who needs us. It was just wonderful to welcome back our supporters and to see the enjoyment it brings to all those who attend and help support the event on the day.
“A huge Pilgrims thank you to all who helped in supporting the event, our volunteers and staff who helped make the event possible and most importantly, each an everyone of you for taking part on the day.”
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity supports patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
Care is provided from three hospice sites in Thanet, Canterbury and Ashford as well as in patients’ own homes. To offer these services to patients and their families the charity must raise £11 million each year from the generous local community.
22nd September 2021
Pilgrims Nurse takes on monster marathon
Pilgrims nurse Amy Stevens with her partner Heather will be taking on the Loch Ness Marathon next month, and fundraising for Pilgrims’ hospice care.
Along with hundreds of others, they will be taking on Scottish weather along with the gruelling Nessie challenge on Sunday 3 October 2021.
Amy told us: “My partner Heather and I both wanted to run our first official marathon together, and so we researched marathons in the UK. The Loch Ness Marathon appealed to us as it was in a beautiful location, we both had always wanted to visit Scotland and we were excited at the chance to see Nessie! We went to Scotland last year for the Loch Ness Marathon, but it was cancelled due to COVID, so we’re going back this year!”
Amy has been a qualified nurse for two years now, so still quite new to the role! She told us: “I began my nursing career as a community nurse before becoming a hospice nurse. About 10 years ago, my nan became ill with cancer and spent her last couple of weeks in Pilgrims Hospice Thanet. After seeing the care the nurses gave her, it made me want to become a nurse and I think I knew then I’d want to specialise in palliative care nursing.
“I’ve been nursing at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet for five months. As a student nurse I had a placement there which I enjoyed, and found a passion for palliative care, so I knew I wanted to go back to working there!”
“I am extremely proud of being a Pilgrims nurse, I am passionate about palliative nursing and to work alongside like minded people is such a privilege.
Amy
Amy (32) from Ashford, is a regular runner and said: “I did a lot of running when at school and then got back into running four years ago. I have improved on speed and distance over the years and I’m now focusing on ultra-running.
“During lockdown when all races were stopped, I trained myself and completed marathon distances in the countryside between Canterbury and Wye and along the coast from Whitstable to Pegwell. The Loch Ness Marathon will be my first official marathon.
“Heather is my partner, my best friend and my running buddy! We are really excited about taking on this challenge. The training is going well, we are both motivated people, so when we are not working, we enjoy going running together or for a solo run.
“On our runs, our favourite energy snacks are Skittles and for our longer runs, I like a peanut butter and banana wrap and Heather likes a cashew nut butter wrap. We are great at motivating each other.”
When asked if she had a finishing time in mind? Amy said: “Nope, we just want to enjoy the distance and the atmosphere.”
If you would like to support Amy and Heather’s fundraising for Pilgrims Hospices, pleasevisit their JustGiving page.
After the marathon the girls have two weeks in Scotland to relax, explore the highlands, eat and drink at new places and soak in the culture.
Finally Amy said: “I am extremely proud of being a Pilgrims nurse, I am passionate about palliative nursing and to work alongside like minded people is such a privilege. It is a wonderful multi-disciplinary team at Thanet; everyone is fantastic at what they do, and it makes such a difference to patient care when we all work together, to give the best patient centred care possible.
“Most of my career as a nurse has been spent working through COVID. It has been tough and stressful at times, but I think this has helped me to become the best nurse I possibly can and help those who need my care. I love being a nurse and couldn’t imagine doing any other career now.”
For more information about a career in nursing at Pilgrims Hospices, please contact Pilgrims’ HR team on 01227 812 612 or email [email protected].
Thank you for sharing your story Amy and good luck to you both next month in the Loch Ness Marathon.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
16th September 2021
Hospice at Home: “The hidden gem of hospice care”
Pilgrims Hospices offer a wide range of support to people across east Kent who are living with life-limiting conditions – on its wards and in its Therapy Centres in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet, and also out in the local community within peoples’ own homes.
One such service is Hospice at Home; working with those considered to be within the last 72 hours of life, this vital team of Senior Healthcare Assistants (SHCAs) support families through the dying process at an incredibly difficult and important moment. Between them, they travel across the whole of east Kent to offer their skills and support. They work in shifts from 07:30-21:00, always in pairs.
The Hospice at Home service began in 2009 and is a small team of seven: Mandy Hilden (Team Leader), Becky Baldwin, Sharon Beal, Daniel Brown, Tracy Fullarton, Sharron Hill and Rachel Kendall-Jones.
Referrals to the service are made via GPs, Pilgrims’ multidisciplinary team, a hospital palliative care team or district nurse, and the Hospice at Home team aim to respond within four hours.
If a patient wants to be discharged from hospice or hospital care to die at home, the team help to make this possible; 24-hour care at home is not available, but the team can visit a couple of times a day to provide support and personal care.
Duties are numerous and varied, and no two days are the same.
The team said:
“We help with personal care and offer emotional support to families and carers. We’re not time-restricted like some care providers are, so it’s nice to be able to give people our full, undivided attention for as long as they need it.
“We have a good relationship with district nursing teams, who we contact if a patient needs medicines administering. We also report any changes in a patients’ condition to them and the palliative specialist nurses, so that their care is joined up and tailored to them.
“Although we can’t offer overnight sits, we can refer to organisations that do so families are able to rest and catch up on some sleep.
“Hospice at Home is the hidden gem of Pilgrims’ care. There’s often an assumption that we only offer inpatient units on the ward, but there’s so much more. It’s such a rewarding role, and it’s a real privilege to be allowed into peoples’ homes at a very difficult time. We’re not there to take over, just to support; you can see the pressure taken off family members when we arrive. It’s lovely to go home knowing you’ve done a good job.
“It can be an emotionally and physically challenging role, but we also have an overwhelming feeling of pride and reward in what we do. It’s a real privilege to be able to support patients and families at an extremely personal time.”
It’s such a rewarding role, and it’s a real privilege to be allowed into peoples’ homes at a very difficult time. We’re not there to take over, just to support; you can see the pressure taken off family members when we arrive. It’s lovely to go home knowing you’ve done a good job.
Hospice at Home team
Hospice at Home has continued to be a much-needed and appreciated service during COVID-19. Early on in the pandemic, no visitors were allowed in the hospice buildings; as people were advised to stay home, more were able to care for loved ones there. This meant that many patients chose to be at home with loved ones at the end of their lives. The team was also deployed to the hospice wards and wider community, supporting where needed, especially at the height of the second wave over Christmas 2020.
The team holistically accompanies patients in their journeys – from identifying when they’re nearing the end of life, providing last offices for loved ones, and caring for the family afterwards.
They continued:
“Most SHCA skills are transferable to other roles, particularly when working on the hospice wards, which we have often covered as a team. During the pandemic, we’ve regularly supported our colleagues at this very challenging time.
“Our team became trainers for local nursing and residential homes, showing staff how to ‘don and doff’ PPE correctly. We also assisted a nursing home that was in crisis when their staff and residents all contracted COVID.”
The team’s compassion and commitment is reflected in feedback from families they have supported:
“The carers who came twice a day were amazing, they helped wash my dad, used his favourite body spray, combed his hair. He looked so much more himself and comfortable afterwards, with dignity.”
“The support I received caring for my sister was unbelievable, the team were amazing with everything. I felt like I had gained two more special sisters during this difficult time.”
“They looked after my father daily, looking after his personal needs. They were and are amazing. As soon as they started with us, their confidence and manner calmed us all down. A ray of light in a very bleak time.”
Kate White, Head of Nursing at Pilgrims, said: “Hospice at Home offer an invaluable service to those wishing to die at home by attending their home to give expert personal care in the last few days of life. They are able to take the time to support the patient and their loved ones at a most difficult time, with compassion and dedication. I receive numerous compliments from family members who’ve been so grateful and relieved for their input, as it means the patient’s wish to die at home is fulfilled. The team is vital to our overall hospice service, giving people choice and an alternative to inpatient care.”
Main image, L-R: Rachel Kendall-Jones, Sharon Beal, Daniel Brown, Sharron Hill, Tracy Fullarton, Becky Baldwin
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
14th September 2021
Valued volunteer Dea will be sadly missed at Pilgrims Hospices
Long-time Pilgrims volunteer, Dea Martindale from Sturry, passed away under the care of the hospice she supported and loved on 23 August 2021.
Dea who was 79, had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in October 2020 and had become more unwell suddenly in early August 2021.
She spent a short while in the Canterbury hospice before returning home under Pilgrims’ Hospice at Home care team.
Corrina Collins, Dea’s daughter said: “Mum was extremely proud to be a volunteer at the hospice, it was an important part of her life and very much her priority in her retirement years. She was a member of the reception team and had been known to sit with patients who had no family or visitors to give them comfort and support.
“My sister Nichola and I can’t thank the Hospice at Home team enough, they were absolutely amazing; just like angels. They were not only wonderful with Mum in her final few days, but a tower of strength for us too. Nothing was too much trouble, and they were indeed a great comfort to us all.”
Over her 24 years of dedicated volunteering for the local end-of-life charity, she was often seen on a Sunday afternoon and always during the festive season, supporting wherever she could. After her husband Ken was cared for on the Canterbury hospice ward, she became a regular member of the hospice reception team. She also volunteered within the Therapy Centre, helping service users with crafting activities, lunches and plenty of cups of tea. Her generous and smiling nature would often get her involved with the Pilgrims marketing team, being part of photo shoots to promote hospice services. She was also a keen fundraiser, supporting the fundraising team at events including Summer and Christmas fairs. Car boot sales were also something she enjoyed over a number of years, she collected and stored goods to sell, raising tens of thousands of pounds to help keep Pilgrims’ valuable services running.
Corrina added: “Mum was an independent and strong lady, it was crushing to see her become poorly so quickly. However, it’s been lovely to hear the nurses speak so fondly of her and to know she was truly valued as a volunteer.
Mum was extremely proud to be a volunteer at the hospice, it was an important part of her life and very much her priority in her retirement years.
Corrina, Dea’s daughter
Adrian Matthews, Pilgrims Hospice Services Manager said: “I took over as Site Manager at Canterbury three and a half years ago and as such took over the volunteers on reception as their manager.
“I have to say, Dea will forever stick in my memory as one of my trusted members of the team but I would hope as a friend as well.
“An absolute gem of a person and someone I am very proud to have come to know.”
Dea received the Lord Mayor of Canterbury community service award in 2013 for her work at the hospices.
A Pilgrims team member said: “It is with great sadness that we say good-bye to Dea, she will be missed by all of us, and will remain a wonderful testament to the amazing work that our volunteer workforce do at the hospices.”
Dea had discussed with her daughters a bucket list of things that she wanted to achieve over the past year, which included some strong wishes for her funeral arrangements and to ensure her very last car boot sale took place.
“Me and Mum’s very close friend Jenny, were able to carry out her boot sales wishes, selling about 90% of the items gathered with all money being donated to Pilgrims Hospices, the remaining items have been given to the Pilgrims Hospices shops. I know Mum was really pleased and satisfied that she was able to make this final commitment to her much loved hospices” added Corrina.
Although Dea was unable to fulfil her bucket list due to COVID restrictions and her rapidly failing health, the daughters’ plan to tick one of their mum’s wishes from the list by taking a trip to the South Bank and sipping cocktails in her memory.
Dea’s funeral will take place on Monday 27 September at Barham Crematorium at 3:20pm.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
10th September 2021
Jo’s marathon journey for best friend, Natalie
After Jo Phelps’ oldest and best friend, Natalie Havill, was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, she began fundraising to support Natalie’s family during a very difficult time. At the end of her life, Natalie was cared for by Pilgrims Hospices; the local charity helped her to remain comfortable and make special memories with her family.
To give back and say thank you for the care Natalie’s loved ones received, Jo will run the Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday 3 October 2021. She has already raised £1,300 of her £1,800 fundraising target, which will directly support vital hospice services within east Kent and help ensure that other families can benefit from Pilgrims’ specialist, compassionate care.
Jo from Milstead, Swale and Natalie from Ashford were childhood friends.
Jo said: “We didn’t have to live in one another’s pockets for our friendship to remain strong. Our lives mirrored each other; we had our first babies a day apart and then our second ones four weeks apart. This experience was amazing – we cried, we laughed, and we shared so many memories together.”
In 2018, Natalie’s cancer returned and was no longer curable.
Jo continued: “From the very beginning, when she was first diagnosed, I remember Natalie saying to me: ‘This is my life and it’s a story, and that’s how I’m going to live it, telling each chapter as I go.’ Natalie was an inspiration to us all. She was the least negative person I knew, and not once did she ever say ‘Why me?’ or mutter ‘It’s not fair’ or ‘I can’t do this’.”
Natalie was admitted to the Ashford hospice in January 2020, where Pilgrims supported her to live well until the very end. Her husband, Ricky, and their daughters, Jessica and Olivia, were able to visit and stay over every day.
Jo added: “It was amazing; she was so happy, she gained part of herself back. Pilgrims made that possible. Ricky and the girls kept her going and she kept on going for them, too.
“I went to see Natalie during her final few days. To leave her for the last time knowing she was happy and peaceful just left me speechless; she was pain-free, joking, and so, so comfortable. I’d never been to a hospice before and I felt so nervous – you picture a hospital, cold and uncared for, but this was so far from the truth.
“On arrival, Natalie was sat in the family lounge and it was like walking into her own lounge at home. She looked amazing – so different on the surface but our Nat was smiling, laughing, and telling jokes as she always did. There was never an awkward silence with Natalie around – if anything, you fought to get a word in and this day was no different. We sat for hours with a few tears, but mostly laughing, holding hands, and reliving our childhood memories.
“With a massive smile and straight from the heart, she told me about the food (always her focus), the care, the equipment, her room, the nurses, doctors and carers and their treatment towards the girls, Ricky and her parents. It was clear to see how relaxed they all were and how comfortable and nearly pain-free Natalie was.
“She told me how a nurse had spent two hours one evening making sure her pillows were comfy, refusing to leave until she was satisfied Nat would get a good night’s sleep. She also told me how lovely the doctor was, and how he encouraged her to bring in as many pictures as she wanted for the walls in her room. He would then sit and talk about these with her – making time in his day to get to know her and her family.
I went to see Natalie during her final few days. To leave her for the last time knowing she was happy and peaceful just left me speechless; she was pain-free, joking, and so, so comfortable. I’d never been to a hospice before and I felt so nervous – you picture a hospital, cold and uncared for, but this was so far from the truth.
Jo
“When the girls heard their mummy was on her last few days, even the cook came to comfort them. The care Natalie and her family received was phenomenal.
“After visiting her at the hospice, I got in the car and said to my mum: ‘She looks so well – it was Natalie!’ I was in awe of her, questioning how the end could possibly be so near. Pilgrims gave her the chance to be the most amazing mummy, wife, daughter, sister, and friend she always was. She felt safe and secure, looked after but also cared for and loved. Her pain was managed to such a level that she could hug the girls and not cry out in pain. Seeing Nat like this after so much fight and pain makes me struggle to put into words what Pilgrims means to us all.”
Natalie’s mum, Mandy, reflects on Pilgrims’ care
“Before Natalie came to know Pilgrims, she was finding mobility a problem and struggling with working, running the home and looking after her two girls, then aged six and four.
“She initially had Therapy Centre sessions with a physio and counselling, and every now and then she was treated to a nice manicure or facial, which I was invited to as well. This was when she realised what a wonderful team the hospice had; it gave her a feeling of safety when she was there.
“When she was admitted to the hospice, all the family were allowed to visit and Ricky, Jessica and Olivia had family sleepovers where they enjoyed a stay in the family room with Natalie and had movie nights. There were two lounges, which were beautifully decorated with comfortable seating, a TV, games, books and facilities for making drinks and bringing your own food in. Her daughters especially loved the rocky horse! We all bonded with the staff at the hospice as they became part of our family, and we looked forward to seeing them on our daily visits.
“The care Natalie received from Pilgrims knew no bounds; nothing was too much trouble, she felt safe in their care and she had her own room that was decorated personal to her with family photos and bits and bobs from home. If she was uncomfortable at night there was always a nurse to rearrange her pillows and bedding to make her more comfortable and stay with her until she felt able to sleep. She loved her carers there and they loved her back.
When the time came for our final goodbyes to our gorgeous girl, we were given lots of privacy and offered a room to stay overnight, and nurses were right there to comfort us. Though it was a most difficult time, I couldn’t have wished for a better place for our daughter to spend her final days.
Mandy, Natalie’s mum
“Mine and my husband’s experience of the hospice was, at a time when we were losing our ‘little girl’, comforting to us. I too felt the staff were part of the family. From the moment Natalie came to stay, the nurses would take each of us aside and ask how we were and made time for little chats and support. I felt I could ask any question and also have a cry with them. We were encouraged to help look after Natalie and enjoyed coming in most mornings when Ricky couldn’t make it, to help with feeding her breakfast and doing her hair and make-up. We were never made to feel in the way.
“I celebrated my 60th birthday while Natalie was at Pilgrims. A surprise birthday party was given by my family and my new nursing family, which meant so much to me to be able to spend it with my daughter; a very special memory! We were allowed to take Natalie outside in her wheelchair, even driving her to Hythe, her favorite place, for a short time to have a stroll along the canal, making memories.
“To me, Pilgrims is a place of safety, love and comfort. I would not have coped with my daughter’s end of life as well without the help and support Pilgrims gave Natalie, her immediate family and friends. It meant so much to know that she felt safe, pain-free and rested but still enjoyed a laugh and joke right up to the end.
“When the time came for our final goodbyes to our gorgeous girl, we were given lots of privacy and offered a room to stay overnight, and nurses were right there to comfort us. Though it was a most difficult time, I couldn’t have wished for a better place for our daughter to spend her final days.”
Jo’s marathon journey
On Sunday 3 October 2021, Jo will take on the Virgin Money London Marathon in Natalie’s memory and to raise vital funds for Pilgrims. She held a coffee and cake morning to boost her fundraising and hopes to organise another soon. With the support of family and friends, Jo is well on the way to achieving her £1,800 target.
She said: “Natalie was a part of all of us and everyone is always willing to go above and beyond to help. I have no words to express how grateful we all are for the care Natalie received, so running the London Marathon for Pilgrims is my way of saying thank you. To lose your life at 34 is beyond unfair, but knowing she had the best care possible made it a little easier to accept that she was ready to go peacefully in her sleep. It will be amazing to know I’m running with Natalie by my side whilst supporting Pilgrims.
“It will always be Pilgrims that I support, and I want to raise as much money for them as possible. Natalie was given her final weeks of life to live in peace, surrounded by love and care and it’s something you could never put a price on. If my fundraising helps give others a tiny piece of what Natalie received from Pilgrims, it’s worth its weight in gold.”
Inspired to follow in Jo’s footsteps and run the London Marathon for Pilgrims? Charity places for 2022 are available; apply here.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
The past 18 months has been a time of firsts for many of us, giving us new perspectives and ideas. COVID-19 has dominated our conversations and our thoughts, and has had a huge impact on how we go about our everyday business.
We hope this online edition of Pilgrims Matters provides some inspiration for other ways you can get involved, and tells you a little more about how your incredible support has enabled Pilgrims to be Still Here, Still Caring.