Hundreds join together to celebrate treasured memories with sunflowers
Pilgrims Hospices were visited by more than 600 people in their gardens at Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford to find their loved one’s dedicated sunflower memory markers. Despite predictions of a slightly damp weekend ahead, the rain stayed away and there was a lovely atmosphere at each event with the opportunity for friends and family to remember and celebrate their loved ones’ lives.
Visitors were welcomed with tea, cake and strawberries with cream served by Pilgrims volunteers in the charity’s Therapy Centres. These spaces, most often used by the Wellbeing Teams for their Living Well and creative art sessions, hosted beautiful displays of sunflower-themed artworks made by patients and carers.
Members of the Wellbeing Team were present on the day, to speak to visitors about their work, and hear their memories of lost loved ones. Jane, Wellbeing Practitioner at the Thanet Hospice, said: “Families talked about the calm and peaceful feelings they had about being back at the hospice, that it is a safe space for them to talk in, how they felt cared for and that carers too were treated with such dignity both before and after their loved one had died. Some had found it hard to return but then were able to cry, laugh and feel they had made a positive step forward by attending the event. It was a day that was right for both those whose feelings were still incredibly raw, and for those who were returning after 10 years of attending.”
In the lead up to the events, the team at Pilgrims reached out to the local community to help support the event. Ellie Cane, who runs the events at the Hospice, extended her thanks saying:
“Thank you to everyone who kindly donated which helped make the events such a success. To all the keen crafters and knitters who produced beautiful items to sell for donations on the day; Meadow Grange Nursery and our volunteer gardeners who grew over 200 sunflowers plants; and to the Tesco Community Champions and S & A Farms who provided the strawberries for us to serve to our visitors. I’m delighted to say this year’s Sunflower Memories Appealhas so far raised in excess of £36,000, with donations still coming in. This just would not have been possible without the collective effort of our staff, volunteers and our amazing local community.”
There is still time to donate to have a dedicated sunflower memory marker sent to you in memory of your loved one. For more information contact the Pilgrims Hospices Supporter Relations Team on 01227 782062, or at supporter.relations@pilgrimshospices.org.
Pilgrims Hospices cares for thousands of local people each year, free of charge, during the most challenging time in their lives. They offer care and support in people’s own homes, in the community and in their inpatient units as well as running a 24-hour advice line.
Happy 1st Birthday to Store50
After a dynamic year of trading, Store50, Pilgrims Hospices’ newest shop, celebrates its 1st Birthday on Friday 4th August. Located at 50 St. Peter’s Street, Canterbury, in the heart of the city, the charity shop really has taken pre-loved fashion to the next level. While aiming to make second-hand fashion affordable, chic and eco-friendly at the same time, Store50 has sold goods to the sum of £151,568.08 in its first year of trading.
In the busy year of stocking a diverse range of clothing for all, with a focus on ‘slow fashion’, advocating respect for people and the environment, often through reducing, reusing and recycling, rather than purchasing new items. This trendy little shop has served more than 16,500 customers, and sold almost 28,000 items, whilst saving large quantities of clothing from being sent to land fill.
As part of the birthday celebrations, and to thank our customers, we are giving FREE goody bags; to every customer that purchases on the 4th August. As sustainability is the main focus of Store50, all bags will contain pre-loved items for shoppers.
The store will also be celebrating the success of sportswear sales, by opening a brand new stand along department for branded and chic sports gear. The sportswear hub for savvy Pilgrims shoppers, will be located in the rear of the shop.
The shop has eight volunteers who support across all elements of the retail shop, helping the manger Amy Eldridge to keep the stock vibrant, tagged, sized and priced and steaming ready for sale.
Mandy Hawkett, Retail Area Manager said: “We are so proud of our volunteers, with their support we are achieving something very special for local shoppers, and raising funds for hospice care within the local community. We really appreciate everything they do, and would like to take this opportunity to thank them publicly. The volunteers run the till, meet and greet customers, tidy the shop floor, and keep our shelves stocked. They are always smiling and welcoming; they are the face that customers’ see when they walk through our shop doorway. We couldn’t run our store without their amazing efforts!
Although we thought the shop would particularly appeal to Canterbury’s thriving student population, we are delighted to say our trendy threads appeal to everyone’s budget and suit every wardrobe, our customers come from all walks of life.
Currently trending on our rails are dresses, sportswear and the ever popular rag denim, were you can purchase items from as little as £3.
We’re very excited to be launching the new sportwear department. We hope that by encouraging shoppers to thrift, and be mindful about their purchases, we can help to build a more sustainable retail economy that benefits people and our planet. By shopping with us, you will help to stop items going to landfill, save precious pennies, and also contribute to Pilgrims’ vital services across east Kent – supporting our charity to provide compassionate care to patients and families where and when they need it the most.
Don’t forget to bring your student card, you will receive 10% discount too!
Store50 is open 10:00-18:00 Monday-Saturday and 10:00-16:00 on Sundays.
Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of local people each year, free of charge, during the most challenging time in their lives. They offer care and support in people’s own homes, in the community, and in their inpatient units as well as running a 24-hour advice line.
Could you be a bereavement support volunteer?
Pilgrims Stepping Stones Bereavement Support services started in 2019 to offer support to bereaved adults in east Kent.
The aim of these services are to help people following the death of a loved one, understand the feelings they have are normal and that being able to share their stories with others in a similar situation can be therapeutic. It also provides an opportunity to gain awareness of other services that might prove helpful, all in welcoming environments. New friendships are often created in such groups and a sense of belonging can overcome natural feelings of isolation.
The Stepping Stones services currently consist of the following:
Monthly Bereavement Support Groupsheld at each of our three Hospice sites:
Ashford – The first Friday of every month 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Canterbury – The first Saturday of every month 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Thanet – The last Friday of every month 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Weekly Bereavement Support Groups Walking Groupsin tranquil settings take place:
Ashford – Tuesday morning 10:30am – 12:00pm
Canterbury – Tuesday afternoons 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Thanet – Thursday mornings 10:30am – 12:00pm
These important services are facilitated by trained volunteers and supported by the team at Pilgrims.
Stepping Stones volunteers come to us from a variety of backgrounds to use their existing skills and develop new ones, following the training we provide.
If you would like to find out more about these volunteer roles, and how you could become involved in these worthwhile services, please get in touch with our Bereavement Services Coordinator via email Steppingstones@pilgrimshospices.org
Enquiries and expressions of interested by 31st August 2023
Click here for details on Stepping Stones volunteer roles along with other volunteer roles for Pilgrims Hospices.
We very much look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Grief is a very natural, normal and necessary reaction to a bereavement Grief is not a single event. It is a process which takes time to work through, during which we find out how to adapt to our loss. There is no right way or wrong way to grieve. Our feelings of grief are as personal and individual as any other feelings.
27th July 2023
Wellbeing team get well deserved recognition
Congratulations to Pilgrims Hospices Wellbeing team, on being selected as a finalist for the prestigious NAPA Member Awards! This recognition is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and exceptional contributions the team has made, in the field of patient wellbeing. Being among the top contenders for this esteemed award is a true honour and a reflection of the hard work and commitment of everyone involved in patient care at Pilgrims Hospices.
It’s wonderful to see that the National Activity Providers Association has extended their warmest congratulations on your outstanding achievements. Being nominated for The Activity Team Award is a significant accomplishment and highlights the positive impact the team has made in the activity provider industry.
The awards ceremony at the Museum of Brands in London, which is set to take place in October, promises to be a memorable event. It will be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of all the finalists and to network with others in the industry. Pilgrims Wellbeing team have earned this recognition, and it’s a well-deserved moment to be acknowledged for their hard work and contributions.
Best of luck to the Wellbeing team at the awards ceremony! Regardless of the outcome, the recognition itself is a testament to the collective effort and commitment of your team in providing excellent patient care and promoting wellbeing. Enjoy the celebration and congratulations once again on this fantastic achievement!
7th July 2023
Hythe Open Studios Event – 23- 25 June 2023
Hythe open studios held a 3-day event in June for lovers of art and garden enthusiasts when accomplished artists and makers opened their studio doors and gardens to the public. The event was to raise money in support of the Pilgrims Hospice Charity.
The free art show spread around 10 venues in Hythe, Seabrook, and Westenhanger was a chance to see the work of 16 artists which included paintings, printmakers, mixed media, ceramic glass, plus a jeweller. Local artist Nikki Griffiths said; “The event was to raise funds for the charity, but it was also a chance to introduce our local artists which we have in abundance”.
The staff at Pilgrims Hospices were wonderful
Nikki Griffiths
The open exhibition was a unique chance for the visitors to chat with artists, and gain new insights into creative processes, at the studio where it was all created – many workplaces set in lovely gardens which were in full bloom this time of the year. Nikki went on to say: “My husband died 7 years ago and the staff at Pilgrims Hospices were wonderful, so in my view, this is a win-win event for everybody”.
The organisers said: “The 3-day treat for art and garden lovers was a complete success and we thank all those who supported the event held in support of Pilgrims Hospices.
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.
4th July 2023
Great cause brings art community and supporters together
On Saturday 1st July, Pilgrims Hospices, held the 100 Pieces of Art, charity auction. Early indications, show the event will raise an incredible £8,000 for local hospice care. Held at the Anthony Giles Studio in Margate, visitors, artists and those who had donated, came together, to experience the excitement of a charity auction.
Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager said: “It has been very exciting to collaborate with Anthony Giles; his studio was a perfect venue and location to showcase the wonderful pieces of artwork so generously donated.
“Visitors came to view the collection throughout the week prior to the auction, which started at 1pm on Saturday. Auctioneer, James Linington, from The Canterbury Auction Galleries; whose presence brought wonderful charm, humour to the day, and delight when bringing down the gavel marking the end of bidding on an item, and congratulating the winning bidders. The sense of accomplishment for the successful bidders was often shared and celebrated by the audience.”
The auction included a diverse range of artwork and collectables donated by local, and some more prominent artists. The afternoon brought some exciting moments, with the room filled by applause as the successful bidder was announced. Bidders engaged in friendly competition, signalling their interest in an item and outbidding one another.
Karen added: “People not only had the opportunity to add exceptional artwork to their collections, but also contributed to the important work of Pilgrims Hospices.
“I would like to thank Anthony Giles and James Linington for their support throughout, it has been a fantastic way to raise funds for Pilgrims. The event was made special by the support of many Pilgrims volunteers, the Copy Shop printers, and most importantly, everyone who submitted art or generously made a bid.
Pre Auction Drinks For WebPre - event drinks and nibbles
Pilgrims Chair Of Trustees Karen Warden Anthony Giles Artists And Studio Owner Karen Kenward Pilgrims Fundraising Manager For WebKaren Walden, Chair of Pilgrims Trustees with Anthony Giles and Karen Kenward
Karen Kenward With Some Of Pilgrims Amazing Volunteers For WebKaren with some of Pilgrims' amazing volunteeers
Artist Katrina Dalamore With Her Painting Dusk For Web (1)Artist and contributor Katrina Dalamore with her painting - Dusk
“Overall, the combination of lively bidding, the sound of auctioneer’s gavel, and the announcement of the winning bids created a thrilling atmosphere, that contributed to the excitement and enjoyment of the auction.
“Thank you once again, we hope those who made a purchase, enjoy their art as much as we did in receiving it, and displaying it.”
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.
