Students volunteer to support hospice pamper day
Therapy students from Canterbury College spent a day giving free treatments to carers for the latest Pilgrims Hospices pamper day.
The beauty, catering and hospitality students gave their time so carers could take some time out to relax and enjoy a neck massage, facial or manicure and pedicure and some delicious cakes.
Pamper days are a regular part of Pilgrims new Wellbeing and Social programme available from its Therapy Centres in Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet. Each centre offers a range of free services for people who are in the later stage of life limiting illness and their families aimed at enhanceing their wellbeing, in mind and body.
Wendy Hills, Pilgrims Director of Nursing and Care, explains: “Family and friends play an essential role in supporting someone when they are coping with an incurable illness. We also know that being a carer can affect your own health and wellbeing. Days like this pamper day aim to reduce the sense of isolation of being a carer and offer a supportive environment.”
She added: “It’s been wonderful to see how much everyone created by this day and especially to have the support of the college in making this happen. It’s so important that the hospice is part of the community. We need to get the word out that as well as coming here for end of life care, people at earlier stage in a terminal illness can also come here to do a lot of living.”
The students, aged between 16 and 19, were volunteering as part of a community day to help them to gain more practical experience while giving something back to the local charity.
Martyn Yates, Pilgrims Hospices Complimentary Therapy lead, organised the event with Canterbury College. He said: “The students were fantastic, and so professional we are delighted to have their support. Our carers all enjoyed their chill out time and the company of these very bright and confident young people.”
Every day in east Kent, as many as 19 people could receive the news that they have an illness that cannot be cured and that they may have less than a year to live. The Wellbeing and Social Programme is free for anyone in the later stage of life limiting illness and their family. It aims to enhance their wellbeing in mind and body. If you, or someone you know could benefit from this support, the first step is to talk to your GP or healthcare professional. They can advise whether the programme is right for you. More information is available here. Or contact Pilgrims for more at therapy.centres@pilgrimshospice.org.
