The Lord Mayor’s end-of-summer afternoon tea supports Pilgrims Hospices
Pilgrims Hospices alongside The Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Jean Butcher, hosted a lovely end-of-summer afternoon tea event on September 21st at Tower House in Westgate Gardens, Canterbury. The event was organised in support of Pilgrims Hospices, which is the Lord Mayor’s chosen charity for the year 2023. Pilgrims Hospices provide palliative care services from three sites in, Canterbury Ashford and Thanet, in the community, and people’s homes across east Kent.
The event was attended by members of Canterbury City Council, charitable trusts, High Sheriffs, and respected members of the community.
During the afternoon tea, volunteers from the charity prepared a beautiful spread, which was served on traditional china tableware. These traditional touches added to the elegance and charm of the event.
The Pilgrims Hospices Team With Lady Mayoress Di Baldock
Rosie Duffield MP With Pilgrims Nurses Lorna Moss And Laura Gouch
Pilgrims Trustee Elizabeth Sharp With Rosie Duffield MP
Nadra Ahmed CBE, DL, High Sherriff With Cllr Michael Dixey, Deputy Leader Canterbury Council, Elizabeth Sharp, Pilgrims Trustee
Nadra Ahmed CBE, DL, High Sherriff Of Kent With Lord Mayor Canterbury Jean Butcher
Lord Mayor Of Canterbury, Jean Butcher With Sue Sharp Director Of Income Generation Pilgrims Hospices
Lord Mayor Jean Butcher With Pilgrims Fundraising Manager Kate Duddell
Jon Sillett Pilgrims Deputy CEO With Lord Mayor Jean Butcher
One of the highlights of the event was a presentation by Sue Sharp, Pilgrims Director of Income Generation, and Jon Sillett, Deputy Chief Executive for Pilgrims Hospices. They spoke passionately about the care provided by Pilgrims, and focused on how community and corporate stakeholders can contribute to Pilgrims Hospices’ essential fundraising efforts, and support the hospice’s mission. Sue also explained how the support of 1300 dedicated volunteers is vital to the running of the hospice services, from catering, administration, patient support and within the retail shops across Kent.
The Lord Mayor also spoke fondly of her years of work as a Health Care Assistant at the Canterbury hospice, and shared smiles with Senior Ward Nurse Laura Gouch, and Health Care Assistant, Lorna Moss who were guests attending on behalf of their colleagues. It was a delightful and meaningful event, that brought together community members to support a worthy cause.
Many of the attendees said, it was indeed a heart-warming and meaningful gathering, bringing together the community to support a vital cause and a most enjoyable afternoon tea.
If you would like to become involved and help support end-of-life care services at Pilgrims Hospices, please contact Fundraising@pilgrimshospices.org the charity would love to have your support.
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.
12th October 2021
Hospice nurse retires after almost 50 years of caring service
Sue Clark from Canterbury has enjoyed a long career in nursing; starting out as a children’s nurse, she then moved to caring for elderly patients. Finally, Sue spent the last 15 years of her career at Pilgrims Hospices, supporting adults approaching the end of life.
Now, aged 65, she is looking forward to retirement with a sense of gratitude and appreciation that has come from working with hospice patients.
Originally from Bracknell, Berkshire, at 16 years old Sue became a nursing cadet. She trained in orthopaedic and general nursing at Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children, qualifying in 1978.
Sue moved to east Kent with her best friend from nursing school, whose father managed the local cottage hospitals and got Sue a job at Herne Hospital. She also worked at Nunnery Fields Hospital in Canterbury, and further afield in south-east London, before moving to Kent and Canterbury Hospital in the 1990s.
She said: “I initially wanted to be an air stewardess! But I really loved caring for people and became interested in children’s nursing. It’s funny – I started out working with children and ended up at the other side of life.”
At Pilgrims, we care for the patient and the whole family. It’s not like in hospital; we can get involved, we have the time to get to know families.
Sue
In between, Sue did some community nursing work with Marie Curie, supporting patients with terminal illnesses. This was her first experience of working in palliative care, and in 2006 she joined Pilgrims as a Registered General Nurse (RGN).
In 2019, she gave up her registration and spent her last two years of service working as a Healthcare Assistant (HCA).
Sue continued: “At Pilgrims, we care for the patient and the whole family. It’s not like in hospital; we can get involved, we have the time to get to know families. We’re also able to provide aftercare for loved ones, too.
“I love being hands on with basic nursing care, and the HCA role enabled me to do even more of this so I really enjoyed it.”
Working at Pilgrims, you realise that life is so short. I just want to enjoy retirement with my husband and make the most of every moment.
Sue
Kate White, Head of Nursing at Pilgrims, said: “To dedicate 50 years to nursing is a huge achievement and shows strength of character. I cannot imagine how many patients and their families have been cared for by Sue in all this time!
“We wish her all the very best for a well-deserved retirement and thank her for her commitment to Pilgrims.”
Now that she has retired, Sue is looking forward to catching up with friends, spending time with family and planning a few mini-breaks.
She added: “Working at Pilgrims, you realise that life is so short. I just want to enjoy retirement with my husband and make the most of every moment.”
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.
18th October 2019
Uniquely Pilgrims fashion exhibition
Canterbury College students upcycle for charity, they are bringing a new lease of life to charity shop donations after setting themselves an upcycling challenge in aid of Pilgrims Hospices.
In partnership with Pilgrims Hospices, Level 1 & 3, Canterbury School of Visual Arts (CSVA) students have been adding their own creative flair to items and fabrics that need a bit of love and attention; they’ve been choosing their pieces from Pilgrims vintage shop in Burgate, Canterbury.
During Canterbury Festival, the project will culminate in the Uniquely Pilgrims Fashion Exhibition at Pilgrims Hospices on Friday 1st November, where the students will be able to showcase their creations for viewing.
We are very excited to be supporting Pilgrims Hospices.
Sue Freeman, Canterbury College
Both Canterbury College and Pilgrims Hospices would like to invite the general public to come along to this event and see the finished products. The Pilgrims retail team will also be there on the night so viewers will also have the chance to browse our vintage rails and purchase something special.
Basing their creations on Kent Garden of England theme, the students led by college tutor, Sue Freeman have been experimenting with all things nature. From bees to birds to shrubbery and brambles, the students will be creating embellished and fabric manipulated accessories such as cushions, aprons, t-shirts and lots more.
Sue Freeman, college tutor, said: “This has been a lovely project to do with L1 & L3 students.
“We have been inspired by artists and designers who get their ideas from the natural world.
“It has also been an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful abundance of fruit, vegetables and wildlife we have in Kent.
“The students have been amazing with their responses and we are very excited to be supporting Pilgrims Hospices and hope that visitors enjoy it too.”
Once the items have been showcased, they will be available to purchase either on the night or in Pilgrims Hospices vintage shop in Burgate.
Funds raised through this project will support the work of Pilgrims Hospices to continue delivering specialist nursing care to patients living with incurable illness in east Kent.
Event details:
Friday 1st November, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Pilgrims Hospices, 56 London Road, Canterbury CT2 8JA
Suggested donation of £5 on the door.
Nibbles and drinks will be served on the night.
If you or someone you know is coping with a life limiting illness and you think you may benefit from Pilgrims free services, talk to your GP or Healthcare Professional about your options or click here to read about our Wellbeing Programme.
