We’re enjoying the lighter days and looking forward to a summer of great events. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating all things Pilgrims in the coming months.
In this edition, you’ll find:
Introducing Always Caring, our new supporter programme
Our fundraising activities and your generosity, mean that we are able to continue to offer our end-of-life services to our local communities when and where they need it. With your help and support, we intend to continually develop and improve our services so that we are still here, still caring, both now and in the future.
Please keep safe and well.
Best wishes,
The Pilgrims Hospices team
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to thousands of 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 Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet, 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 March 2022
Still Here, Still Caring, thanks to our incredible community
If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that no one else can do what we do. People around us need us; whether that’s patients, families and friends of loved ones, or other healthcare professionals from across east Kent.
And when we needed you, you were here for us.
Dr. Andrew Thorns
“Over the last two years I witnessed first-hand the devastating impact that COVID-19 had on local people and their families, and the incredible strain it placed on our healthcare colleagues in the hospital and the community, as well as here in the hospices.
“When the pandemic first hit, we took our end-of-life expertise into the east Kent hospitals, to support our colleagues there who were faced with far more people dying than they would normally experience. Our guidance meant that those who could not survive COVID-19 were better supported and their comfort maintained; and our expertise has been vital to those called on throughout this crisis.
“As an organisation, we had to flex and change – but we did it, through personal and professional heartbreak, we all kept going. I’ve never felt prouder to be part of this incredible charity.
“A year on from when the crisis began, we had hope. The vaccine wasrapidly rolled out and we had a roadmap to follow out of lockdown. We had managed to keep our vital hospice services going, and now we are rebuilding towards a strong and sustainable future, and I’m certain with your help we will always be here, always caring.”
– Dr. Andrew Thorns, Medical Director at Pilgrims Hospices, March 2022
Pilgrims is still here for our local community.
Thank you for being here for us.
These have been really challenging times for everyone, but so many people have stepped forward to support Pilgrims. We’re so grateful for our community, helping us in so many different ways. We couldn’t provide our expert, end-of-life care without that vital support.
It has been an unexpectedly difficult time for Pilgrims. When the pandemic began, we had to ask most of our incredible volunteers to stay safely at home, close our shops, cancel or postpone many of our fundraising activities, and stop seeing our Lottery members who we collect subscriptions from. Our vital work has not stopped, and it has only been with our community’s help that we have continued providing compassionate care and support at our three hospices and in the community. Thank you so much to everyone who supported the Still Here, Still Caring appeal. Our local community demonstrated what an incredible force they are; since the start of the pandemic they helped us raise over £323,000! This is enough to fully fund our community teams for over two and a half months!
We’d also like to say a huge thanks to all our volunteers and staff who have helped us keep going. It’s never been more needed.
Here’s a little of what you helped Pilgrims to achieve…
At the hospices
Our in-patient units at Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet continued to operate.
To protect our patients and staff, we needed to take extra precautions by using personal protective equipment (PPE), much of which was donated by many incredible members of our community.
Working together with the NHS
To support the NHS, in unprecedented times we made additional beds available to help relieve the pressure on our local hospitals.
To support all healthcare professionals across east Kent, we set up a 7-day advice and guidance phoneline to share our end-of-life expertise. We also worked alongside the NHS to offer our bereavement support services to a wider number of families.
In the community
Our community teams continued to offer practical and emotional support to people at home, with the use of phone and video technology.
For friends and family
We know how much visits from loved ones mean to our patients on the wards, but for the safety of everyone, we made the tough decision to ask carers, family and friends to nominate one visitor per patient.
In our Therapy Centres
Although we had to close these facilities temporarily, we still took referrals and our staff found new ways to support patients and their families remotely. We explored video as a way of ensuring our patients were able to stay as active and mobile as possible during self-isolation by taking part in online exercise classes suited to an indoor environment.
As experts in supporting people through bereavement, Pilgrims developed Stepping Stones; we offer our bereavement services not just to the families and friends of Pilgrims patients, but to anyone in our local community who may be experiencing loss.
Many people across east Kent were faced with a bereavement, possibly one they weren’t expecting, at a time when support from family and friends was difficult to access because of lockdowns.
We were, and are still, here for you. Our Stepping Stones programme was adapted to provide telephone bereavement support calls for anyone struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one. Don’t be alone in your grief; we can support you.
After the biggest outpouring of support we’ve seen for our Still Here, Still Caring appeal, we’ve decided to launch Pilgrims Hospices Always Caring, a committed supporter club that, through regular Direct Debit donations, makes an impact every day, securing Pilgrims’ care for future generations.
If you’d like to support us with a regular gift, you can find out morehere.
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to thousands of 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.
21st March 2022
Always Caring: Peggy’s story
As a member of Pilgrims Hospices Always Caring, Peggy Davis supports the charity with a monthly donation, after the care and support she and her sister, Val, received.
In December 2020, my sister, Val, was cared for at the Canterbury hospice for her final week. Near the end of her life, she was in quite a lot of pain, and a district nurse suggested that Pilgrims get involved to help.
I wanted to keep caring for her myself at home, but when I could no longer help with her pain, she went into the hospice.
In my pride, I thought that I was the only one who could really care for her. But when she went into the hospice, I was truly humbled to see the love and care that everyone there showed to Val. They really went the extra mile to look after her, and to make sure I was alright as well. You often hear how wonderful hospices can be, but until you get there and experience it you don’t know just how wonderful it is. It had such a happy atmosphere whenever I visited, which surprised me as I thought that it would be very quiet and sombre, but it was always very full of life.
I will never ever forget the love and kindness shown to Val, from the little things like massaging her feet, to the lovely chats, and the wonderful nursing.
Peggy
The first few days I visited each morning, but the last few days of Val’s life I was able to stay, and I never felt a pressure to leave. One evening I said to Val it was my time to go home, but she didn’t want me to, so the staff helped make me comfortable in an armchair, and allowed me to stay. They’d always said to me that if they thought Val would die in the night, they would let me know so I could come and we could spend her last hours together.
I will never ever forget the love and kindness shown to Val, from the little things like massaging her feet, to the lovely chats, and the wonderful nursing. Val didn’t sleep very well in that last week, and while they must have been very busy, the nurses would spend time sitting and talking with her about her life; she was a very private person, but they gave her that time.
I will always fully support Pilgrims as much as I can, and when I got Pilgrims Matters and saw that I could support the hospice with a monthly donation, it just felt like the natural thing for me to do.
I think it’s such a lovely thing to do, and a way for me to support the place that gave my sister such wonderful love and care at the end of her life.
None of us know when we might need hospice care, but with your support we can continue to be here for local people when they need us most.
By giving regularly to Pilgrims Hospices you can help us be here, Always Caring for our patients and their families.
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to thousands of 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.
18th March 2022
“The Pilgrims ethos is special”: Nurse Clare retires after 21 years of caring service
Clare Stewart from Chartham joined Pilgrims Hospices as a staff nurse at the Ashford hospice when it opened in 2001. For 21 years, she has cared for patients and families at the most difficult time of their lives.
Now preparing to retire from her role, Clare reflects on her nursing career and palliative care journey.
As a teenager considering her career prospects, Clare wanted to be a physiotherapist, but ultimately she decided that nursing was the role for her.
She said: “I had a friend who was a nurse, and I was inspired by the stories she told me. I’m so glad I chose this path; now, I can’t imagine being anything other than a nurse.”
Clare completed her training at the South East Kent School of Nursing in January 1984, qualifying in 1987. Her first post was on a busy orthopaedic ward, but she developed an interest in surgery and gained a placement on the general surgical ward at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.
It has been a privilege to care for patients and their families at such a difficult time in their lives. Being part of a multidisciplinary team is very rewarding; the high standard of nursing care we’re able to deliver has been so satisfying for me. I’ve really enjoyed making a positive difference to people in their time of need.
Clare
She continued: “As my surgical nursing experience widened, I became interested in palliative care. Being able to care holistically for patients and families really appealed to me. When the Ashford hospice opened, I joined as a staff nurse working night duty shifts. I also briefly worked as a community palliative nurse, which was valuable experience, but it made me realise that my passion was working on the in-patient unit.”
Reflecting on her time at Pilgrims, Clare shared what she has loved about being a Pilgrims nurse:
“Pilgrims has been like a family to me over the years; as a team, we’ve shared laughter, tears and all the emotions in between.
“It has been a privilege to care for patients and their families at such a difficult time in their lives. Being part of a multidisciplinary team is very rewarding; the high standard of nursing care we’re able to deliver has been so satisfying for me. I’ve really enjoyed making a positive difference to people in their time of need.
“The Pilgrims ethos is special, that’s why I’ve loved my time here and found it so fulfilling.”
Clare encapsulates everything that Pilgrims stands for; she is kind and caring, and always goes the extra mile to ensure our patients and their families get the best experience possible.
Karen Mowat, Senior Ward Sister at the Ashford hospice
Like so many healthcare workers, Clare has faced challenges working through a pandemic.
She said: “It’s been stressful. Initially, I felt scared about caring for COVID-positive patients. PPE has also been a barrier to communication, especially with patients who are hard of hearing.
“I remember the days where we were unable to have visitors at the hospice; for patients to die without their loved ones at their side was so upsetting. It was such a big contrast to our usual open-door attitude and that was hard to accept.”
But over the years within nursing generally, Clare has experienced first-hand how things have changed for the better.
She continued: “Patients are now treated as individuals; their needs, preferences and wishes are taken into account. Technology has also enhanced the care we’re able to deliver, making processes faster and more efficient.”
Karen Mowat, Senior Ward Sister at the Ashford hospice, said: “I have had the pleasure of working with Clare over the past 21 years. To me, Clare encapsulates everything that Pilgrims stands for; she is kind and caring, and always goes the extra mile to ensure our patients and their families get the best experience possible. She nurses with empathy and compassion, which means that patients and their loved ones receive the support and care they need.
“As well as being an incredible nurse, Clare has kept both staff and patients entertained over the years with her wicked sense of humour and ability to make people laugh, even at 3am! Clare is an integral part of the Ashford team and will be sorely missed by us all. I wish her every happiness in her retirement and hope she enjoys some well-deserved rest!”
Clare
Upon retiring, Clare plans to spend valuable time with loved ones and enjoy walks with the family dog, Olive. She is also a keen crafter and baker and has lots of creative projects on the horizon:
“We recently converted our daughter Alice’s old bedroom into a craft room, so I’m excited to get on with making cards, crocheting and trying out painting.
“I also have several cakes to make for birthdays and weddings. Our son, Matthew, is getting married soon and I’m making the cake! I’m also looking forward to doing a cake decorating course in the near future.”
We’re looking for people to join us in providing outstanding quality care and support to those who need it most.
If you’re interested in a nursing or care career at Pilgrims, we’d love to hear from you.
Check out our current vacancies for more information and apply today:
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to thousands of 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 Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet, 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.
16th March 2022
Health and Wellbeing for Pilgrims’ people
At Pilgrims, we recognise that our workforce is our greatest asset and their wellbeing is vitally important to us. That is why at the end of 2021, we launched a dedicated Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
More than ever, COVID has taught us that we must support our employees and volunteers to balance their physical, mental and psychological health and wellbeing to ensure our workforce remains healthy and well.
Using the local and employee survey feedback, we have identified four key areas;
Emotional and Mental Wellbeing – Ensuring every member of the workforce has access to tools and services to support and improve their emotional and mental wellbeing.
Supporting Our Workforce – Recognising that people are living and working longer, and that with the right support, these workers can continue to make an invaluable contribution to the organisation.
Reward and Recognition – Motivating and improving the morale of staff and volunteers by ensuring each individual feels valued and recognised for their contribution.
Successful Leadership – Empowering managers with the skills they need to promote wellbeing within their teams and to create a positive, healthy culture.
Firmly aligned to our strategic objectives, these pillars shape our roadmap for the future. We have become an accredited Mindful Employer, are currently internally recruiting Mental Health First Aiders, and we have identified a range of health initiatives that we will support, ranging from National Nutrition and Hydration Week to Men’s Health Week and Walk to Work Day. By doing what we can to encourage our employees and volunteers to actively look after their physical and mental health, we can continue to provide high quality care to those who need it most in the east Kent community.
Workforce Engagement Survey
Part of our Health and Wellbeing Strategy is to understand what it is like to work for Pilgrims Hospices. As part of our ongoing efforts to engage with, recognise and listen to our staff, we participate in Hospice UK’s national workforce engagement survey. The survey gives our employees and volunteers a voice by which they can share their thoughts and views about working and volunteering with Pilgrims Hospices.
As an organisation, we use the survey to celebrate what we do well and help us identify areas where our employees and volunteers feel we can improve. The survey remains one of our most valuable tools for gathering feedback and gauging the opinions of our staff and volunteers. The Board of Trustees and the Executive Management Team always act upon the feedback received.
This year, the results were hugely positive, especially considering the challenging backdrop of COVID-19 and the significant changes to the ways of working. Some of our highlights were:
• 96% of our staff said they were proud to work for Pilgrims Hospices
• 97% said that they understood the aims of the charity
Our volunteers were equally positive about the organisation:
• 93% of our volunteers said that they felt they were making a difference
• 92% said that they would recommend Pilgrims Hospices as a place to volunteer
The results of the survey are shared openly with all employees and volunteers, who also have the opportunity to determine what is in the action plan for the year ahead.
Working for Pilgrims Hospices is hugely rewarding.
For more information about working life at Pilgrims, contact the Human Resources team on 01227 812 612 or email us at [email protected].
We also have a range of volunteer opportunities available for anyone who would like to donate their time to support Pilgrims.
Collaboration is key: How Pilgrims Hospices support and empower healthcare professionals
The start of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a gap in service provision around palliative care, and demonstrated an urgent need for end-of-life care training in care homes, hospitals and in the community.
Hospices in Kent and Medway, together with Kent Community Health Foundation Trust, worked together to create and deliver simple virtual, bite-sized training sessions throughout the pandemic, from April 2020.
From an initial crisis, an opportunity grew. Having proven the success of delivering education remotely, through Pilgrims’ skills, experience and knowledge, we found that there were high attendance figures and excellent feedback. From this, the idea of working together to both plan and deliver end-of-life care education developed. The Kent and Medway Education Collaborative (KMEC) was then formally established as a multi-provider forum that identifies and agrees the education and training needs for all health and social care professionals in relation to end-of-life care.
In the opening paragraph of this national framework, it states:
Death and dying are inevitable. Palliative and end-of-life care must be a priority. The quality and accessibility of this care will affect all of us, and it must be made consistently better for all of us. The needs of people of all ages who are living with dying, death and bereavement, their families, carers and communities must be addressed, taking into account their priorities, preference and wishes.
The KMEC has accomplished this between April 2020 and March 2021 by ensuring all staff across health and social care bring empathy, skills and expertise and give competent, confident and compassionate care.
The collaborative started building on the work carried out during the pandemic and ensuring core end-of-life care skills are thoroughly embedded in the Kent and Medway health and social care sector and staff. To do this, we have developed the Kent and Medway End-of-Life Care Education Certificate Accreditation System.
After completing the healthcare training, professionals will be equipped to manage patients and their end-of-life needs wherever they want to be, and is considered a cost-saving opportunity due to its recontinuation across east Kent by all care providers.
By helping to shape and develop individual training needs, Pilgrims is proud to offer care professionals improved care skills and empower others to provide great care.
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to thousands of 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.
