Cheers to the tea-rrific Pilgrims Hospices teams: Celebrating Afternoon Tea Week 2024 with love, laughter, and a feast of flavours!
A huge round of applause to the wonderful Pilgrims Hospices Therapy Centre teams from Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet for treating our patients to the most delightful afternoon teas across all three sites!
Afternoon Tea Week took place nationally from 12 – 18 August 2024; the dedication, warmth, and creativity truly shone through, making the experience unforgettable for everyone involved.
Robyn Moore, Healthcare Assistant
The events were enjoyed by patients who are currently attending Wellbeing groups at each hospice, which provide an opportunity to connect with others who are going through similar experiences. The therapy teams organise visits from guest speakers, who deliver talks and interactive workshops on a variety of topics, helping patients to open up and share their own interests. Importantly, the groups also offer a space to relax and switch off for a few hours.
Patients at the Canterbury hospice welcomed visitors from Retreat into Wonderland, an animal rescue charity based in Herne Bay, to their afternoon tea event. Shetland ponies greeted everyone in the hospice gardens, contributing to a calm and comforting atmosphere.
The Thanet hospice enjoyed an interesting and informative talk from the Kent Police fraud team, and Ashford patients were entertained by a classical guitarist.
Sharon Smith, Wellbeing Practitioner Team Leader, said: “Afternoon Tea Week celebrates the great British tradition of afternoon tea and is the perfect excuse to catch up with loved ones over a cup of tea and some delicacies.”
A special shout-out to our amazing catering team, whose planning and passion turned these afternoon teas into a feast of flavours and joy. Every bite was a reminder of the love and care that goes into everything you do. The smiles on everyone’s faces said it all!
Let’s raise our teacups high in celebration of this cherished tradition and the incredible efforts of our teams who make moments like these so special. Thank you for being the heart and soul of our community!
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
13th August 2024
Kass walks 10 miles for Pilgrims Hospices to say thank you for mum’s care
Kass Rose from Westgate-on-Sea will take on a 10-mile walking challenge from Westgate to Herne Bay on 28 August 2024, raising vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices. She has already exceeded her £250 fundraising target, and hopes to raise even more.
Her mum, Sue Warren from Cliffsend, is being supported by the local hospice charity after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in January 2023.
Kass, who is a Duty Manager at the Turner Contemporary in Margate, will walk with her friend, Catriona. She said: “The walk is a big challenge for me as I have a disability myself, but I’m excited to do it and get going.
“When Mum was first diagnosed, it was a very scary, shocking time for our family. But she’s still going strong, drinking her wine and enjoying life, despite her illness.
“She really looks forward to attending Living Well, a Wellbeing group at the Thanet hospice, each week. It’s so good for her mental health. Pilgrims has been very supportive of her and her needs, and she comes out smiling.
“I know they will continue to support her through her cancer journey, making her life comfortable and happy.”
Sue is a keen creative; she belongs to patchwork groups in Thanet and has led a felt art workshop at the Living Well group. She also plans to join the Time to Create therapeutic art group and get involved with Look Club, a Turner Contemporary initiative that is collaborating with Pilgrims to facilitate art experiences for patients.
Sue showcases her felt artwork at the Thanet hospice
Sue, who worked as an A&E nurse for most of her career, said: “When palliative care was first mentioned to me, the nurse said, “Don’t be alarmed”, but I didn’t need to think about it – I said, “Yes, please.” Pilgrims has so much to offer. I’ve enjoyed music and dancing, and we’ve had some very good speakers; the Powell-Cotton Museum gave a really interesting history talk. I’ve also had reiki therapy, which was lovely. Pilgrims gives me hope and purpose.”
Kass added: “I’ve seen first-hand how Pilgrims support patients and their families. It’s a place where you can go to get the extra support you need for yourself and loved ones. They don’t just offer end-of-life care, but also help people to live well. I hope that any money I raise and donate will enable others to benefit from Pilgrims care in the future.”
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
Kent Community Foundation helps to fund Pilgrims Hospices kitchen garden
Generous funding from the Environment Fund administered by the Kent Community Foundation has allowed the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury to create a kitchen garden, providing the hospice with homegrown, fresh, seasonal produce that will be enjoyed year-round by patients, volunteers, visitors and staff.
Several plants and herbs, such as rhubarb, salvia, parsley, chives, basil, rosemary and leeks, have already been planted. The many fragrant herbs and spices, which have been carefully chosen, will not only be used in the kitchen but, due to their scent, colour and textures, can also help create a calming and reflective area for patients and families to enjoy a space away from the clinical areas.
We are already noticing the positive difference the kitchen garden is starting to make to the charity. Not only is it helping to save vital costs, meaning more funds can be used directly towards providing care for patients, we are starting to have fresh, home-grown produce readily available for meals.
The kitchen team have already been able to add a homemade leek and parmesan risotto, and homemade fish cakes with chips, peas and parsley sauce to the menu using leeks and parsley picked fresh from the garden. They have also created a delicious salmon niçoise salad using green beans straight from the garden. We have picked our very first crop of fruit, which includes strawberries and cherries. We find many patients enjoy having these added to their salads, cereals and desserts.
In the future, we will be able to grow so many vegetables and salad items that we can make into dishes for our patients. Ian Ashton, Catering Services Manager, explains: “It’s so nice to be cooking in the kitchen and be able to quickly pop outside to go and pick some fresh parsley to add to a dish. It really is wonderful being able to say that the herbs or vegetables have come straight from our very own kitchen garden.”
Involving patients in all aspects of the care is so important to Pilgrims Hospices. Once the garden becomes even more established, patients who wish to will be able to help the kitchen team and pick their own produce for their meals, creating a mindful and reflective experience in a supported environment.
The kitchen garden has been installed in an area that is accessible for patients and their loved ones to enjoy the outdoors. Hopefully, in spring and summer 2025, we will start to see patients, including those attending Therapy Centre, sessions exploring and enjoying their new garden as well as helping to maintain the garden.
We are extremely grateful for the Canterbury Army Careers Volunteers who helped with the building of our new kitchen garden. They were joined by Canterbury’s own kitchen team and volunteer gardeners, including Liz from the Pilgrims finance team, who together took on a wide variety of jobs including clearing ground, building the raised beds, and much more.
Inspired to volunteer for Pilgrims Hospices? Check out current volunteering opportunities at pilgrimshospices.org/volunteer.
Find out more about Kent Community Foundation by visiting their website and Facebook page.
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 supports patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
9th August 2024
Therapy team takes the plunge to support Pilgrims Hospices!
In September 2024, three brave members of the Pilgrims Hospices therapy team will conquer their fears and soar through the skies in a daring tandem skydive at Headcorn.
Their mission? To raise essential funds for Pilgrims Hospices, a charity dedicated to providing compassionate end-of-life care.
The team, comprised of physiotherapist assistant, Louise Jordan from Herne Bay, wellbeing practitioner team leader, Sharon Smith from Margate, and physiotherapy volunteer, Viera Howsam from Canterbury, is aiming to raise essential funds to support the life-changing work of Pilgrims Hospices.
Pilgrims Hospices, a charity providing compassionate and skilled end-of-life care to over 2,500 patients annually across its three inpatient units in Canterbury, Thanet, and Ashford, its Wellbeing centres and within patients homes, relies on voluntary contributions for 80% of its funding. Community support is vital to enabling the charity to continue its mission of helping people with life-limiting illnesses live well in both mind and body, making the most of the time they have.
I dream of raising enough for a minibus, many of our patients struggle with limited transport facilities in rural areas. It would be wonderful to make a huge difference in helping more patients access our therapy sessions, which are so important for their wellbeing.
Sharon Smith, Wellbeing Practitioner Team Leader
The inspiration for the skydive came from Viera, whose dedication as a volunteer supporting the Pilgrims therapy team with seated exercise groups fuelled her desire to do even more for those in their care.
“When Viera, our lovely volunteer, suggested the skydive, I was hesitant at first,” said Louise. “But as we talked about it, we realised we all had different goals — whether it was funding for the hospice patients’ gym or raising funds to purchase a minibus to help patients travel to therapy groups.
“We decided to take on the challenge together.”
Sharon said, “Honestly, Viera’s the wild one! She suggested it one afternoon, and the next thing we knew, we were all in! We are very excited and wish to thank everyone who has donated to our fundraising page and been so supportive of our slight moment of madness!”
The funds raised from the skydive will go towards improving services for patients.
Sharon said: “I dream of raising enough for a minibus, many of our patients struggle with limited transport facilities in rural areas. It would be wonderful to make a huge difference in helping more patients access our therapy sessions, which are so important for their wellbeing.”
Justine Robinson, Therapy and Wellbeing Services Manager, said:
“I know my team won’t keep their feet on the ground this time! They’ve been amazing, sharing their upcoming challenge with patients and keeping spirits high. Engaging patients with these stories is such an important part of our work, and it’s been a joy to hear patients share their own experiences. I wish the girls the very best on their high-flying adventure this September!”
The Therapy team’s skydive has already gathered significant support, with more than £3,000 raised so far. They hope to raise even more as the big day approaches. The event promises to be thrilling, with friends, family, and supporters cheering them on as they free-fall from 12,000 feet—all for a great cause.
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 supports patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
Walker Construction Trust bring comfort to the Canterbury Pilgrims Hospice
The team from Walker Construction were delighted to be able to support Pilgrims Hospices with a donation of £5,070.
Raised by their staff for their community, colleagues of the Lympne-based company do various fundraising activities throughout the year to generate funds distributed by the Walker Construction Trust.
This particular donation was very special to everyone and was in memory of a dear friend and colleague, Danny Byatt, who was cared for at Pilgrims Hospices in Canterbury. After one of their charity events, it was decided that the funds raised would be donated to Pilgrims to support the charity that cared for him in his final weeks.
Steve Walker, Chairman of Walker Construction, visited the hospice along with Danny’s wife, Kim, and sister-in-law, Tracy, to proudly hand over the donation.
No words could ever thank the staff enough for the care, love and dignity they showed to Dan and myself. I will be forever grateful to them.
Kim
Steve said: “The Walker Trust is delighted to support Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury in paying for air conditioning in memory of our former employee and friend, Danny Byatt. We are extremely grateful for the care he received during his time with them, which helped not only him but his family immensely at an extremely difficult time.”
The donation will be used to fully fund ceiling air conditioning for one of the bays in the inpatient units at the Canterbury hospice. This will be very welcomed and will create a comfortable environment for the patients we care for.
Leila Ilkhan, Corporate and Trusts Partnerships Manager, said: “We are forever grateful for the support of Walker Construction Trust, who are helping us to continue delivering quality end-of-life care to those who need it. We constantly strive to ensure we are delivering the best possible care, and without the generosity of people like Steve and his team, we wouldn’t be able to do so.”
Tracy and Kim remembered Danny at Sunflower Memories at the Canterbury hospice in July 2024
While here, Steve, Kim, and Tracy reminisced about Danny, who was a keen golfer and spent his entire 48 year working life at Walker. Joining at the age of 16 years, Steve recalled how, “Danny lived Walkers and he was part of the family and someone I saw as an older brother.”
Kim described how “no words could ever thank the staff enough for the care, love, and dignity they showed to Dan and myself. I will be forever grateful to them.”
Danny spent three weeks in the Canterbury hospice and died on 25 May, FA Cup Final Day. He saw his beloved Manchester United win against Manchester City, and as the United manager collected the trophy, Danny passed away.
Steve continues, “Through our donation, we can make life more comfortable for future patients and the hard-working staff. It is an honour for us to support the hospice in this way and for us to be able to remember and cherish our dearly missed colleague and friend, Danny Byatt.”
Walker Construction will be joining Pilgrims Hospices on 13 September to tee off for local hospice care at our annual Golf Day at Cantebury Golf Club.
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 supports patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
8th August 2024
Nick and Stephanie help bring fun, games and football to Pilgrims Hospices
Nick and Stephanie Marshall first knew of Pilgrims Hospices when they met our late founder, Ann Robertson.
Ann was a lay reader at their church, and through Tenterden’s social community, they crossed paths many times. One memorable occasion was a talk Ann gave about the work of Pilgrims Hospices – the charity she begun in 1982, to provide end-of-life care to the people of east Kent.
Later, the opportunity arose for Nick and Stephanie to be able to support a local charity, and they chose Pilgrims because they knew about the difference we make in the lives of those with life-limiting illness.
Speaking with the Fundraising team, they learned about Interactive Tables. These are mobile units with a 39″ touchscreen tablet with a variety of uses, including in-built calling functions, interactive games, and streaming apps. Having had careers that embraced communications in various forms, and with their personal interest in tech over recent years, this resonated with them and was a project they really wanted to support.
The Table has really changed everything for us, there’s nothing it can’t do! For the recent Euros matches, we set it up in the Bay for everyone to watch together.
Laura, Senior Ward Sister
Part of our efforts to help people live well until their last moments, is looking at new ways we can improve their wellbeing. Thanks to Nick and Stephanie’s kind generosity, this is now a reality for our three hospices. The Tables are used every day by patients, staff and families alike, bringing everyone closer together.
Laura, Senior Ward Sister at the Canterbury hospice, said: “The Table has really changed everything for us, there’s nothing it can’t do! For the recent Euros matches, we set it up in the Bay for everyone to watch together. Everyone was waving their England flags and enjoyed the occasion as a community.”
Due to the diverse range of applications on the Tables, they have so many uses across our services. The Wellbeing team can set them up to break the ice, get people talking and start building trust with our patients.
For those staying on our wards, special moments can be shared with family and friends using the video call function.
We’ve also found that the Tables provide a light distraction for younger family members visiting loved ones at the hospices. With a variety of games and puzzles to play, it allows them to break away for a few minutes from what can be a strange environment. Memory games and crosswords also help keep our patients’ minds active, even when their bodies are not as strong.
Nick and Stephanie said: “It was great to see and appreciate the amazing versatility of the Interactive Table and to hear about the many different uses the hospice team has for the advanced technology. We are delighted to know that the Tables are playing a part in the wonderful care Pilgrims Hospices provides.”
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 supports patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
