Pilgrims Hospices’ Wellbeing team help patients celebrate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Time to Create sessions at Pilgrims Hospices, run by the Wellbeing team, offer patients an opportunity to express themselves through arts and crafts activities in a group setting. This can help with the physical, emotional and spiritual challenges they may face after a diagnosis and referral to hospice care.
The team at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet has been busy getting ready to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Patients have designed custom pieces of art using the Queen’s famous silhouette as inspiration; drawing on different artistic techniques and styles, the team curated a unique collection to display in the Therapy Centre at the Thanet hospice.
Janis, a patient, shared what she has enjoyed about the project:
“The Queen has been a constant and stabilising presence for the country through so much adversity. It has been fun painting her.”
Billy Williams, Wellbeing Practitioner, said:
“Working on such an iconic and world-famous image has been so much fun. Celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee is something that brings the whole country together; everyone at the hospice has been admiring the finished pieces, which we’ve displayed throughout the Therapy Centre.
“Time to Create sessions are a great way for patients to improve their overall wellbeing, meet people going through similar experiences and unwind in a calm and friendly environment. The group has really enjoyed working on these pieces; patients have experienced reduced anxiety and stress, and been able to focus on something positive.”
The feedback from patients is overwhelmingly positive, too:
“I was introduced to Billy and Time to Create after attending a breathlessness management group. I had no idea the hospice offered a wide range of Wellbeing activities. Time to Create is a wonderful way to spend a few hours every Thursday afternoon. I can completely switch off and enjoy the company of the group. It’s been fabulous.”
– Angela
“This is my first time at Time to Create and I have found it friendly and relaxing. I have really enjoyed it.”
– Donna
“Great company and great fun! I come to Time to Create to do many different arts and crafts, completely out of my comfort zone but so enjoyable.”
– Janis
“We all enjoy Time to Create, such fun and super company.”
– Henry
Wellbeing at Pilgrims is an essential part of the holistic care provided by the charity; mental health and wellbeing are vital in helping patients to live well, cultivate a positive mental attitude and develop a sense of purpose.
Pilgrims’ Wellbeing team offer a variety of both patient and carer-focused support, including art-based therapeutic activities like Time to Create and walking groups for carers. They work alongside the wider therapies team to ensure a holistic and person-centred approach is taken when supporting patients, carers and families.
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.
11th May 2022
Nurse Shayla shares what she loves about working for Pilgrims Hospices
Helping to improve someone’s quality of life, at a point when it’s most precious, can lead to great job satisfaction.
Shayla Raine, from Margate is a Pilgrims’ Palliative Specialist Nurse (PSN) at the Thanet hospice in Margate. She joined the team recently from a district nurse background. Shayla shares how she became interested in end-of-life care and what she loves about her role.
Shayla said: “I thought I knew end-of-life care well, it’s only being here at Pilgrims Hospices, that I realised that there is so much more to know and learn, so much more that families need support-wise and so much more time that is needed with the patient and relatives to enable a peaceful end.”
Palliative care nurses provide care that helps patients maintain physical, mental, and emotional health. They take the time to understand the needs of each patient in order to provide a customised treatment plan that provides lasting relief.
Shayla, who is originally from Suffolk, moved to Kent as a young girl and told us:
“Nursing was never something I thought of doing as I grew up, I sort of, fell into the job. I was a cleaner at QEQM hospital for about two years; loved what I was seeing and wanted to be a healthcare assistant. Whilst cleaning the ward one day, a visitor said ‘come and work for me’. When I asked what she meant, she informed me she was a nursing home manager. I said I wanted to be a carer not a cleaner anymore and I was offered an interview there and then.
“I worked for the nursing home for about two years, made my way to a senior position and often helped the trained nurses with their duties. One day, one of the nurses asked why I hadn’t done my nursing training? I never thought I would be able to, the manager arranged for me to complete my access level three course and helped me apply for nursing. I managed the course over four months and started my nurse training very quickly. Thirteen years on, I have never looked back.”
Kate White, Head of Nursing, says: “It is a pleasure to welcome Shayla to our community nursing team in Thanet. She joins a team of experts providing high quality service to the people of east Kent and I am sure will be a great asset with her wealth of experience.”
Shayla added: “I have always been a community nurse since qualifying in 2010, became team lead in 2015 and completed my District Nurse degree in 2018-2019.
“I became an end-of-life champion for the community nurses and really loved the EOL/palliative side of my role. When I decided it was time to change my pathway, I saw the job advertised for the palliative specialist role and jumped at the chance.
“The team at Thanet are amazing, I have never felt so supported.”
Shayla explained: “It’s really important to look after your own wellbeing, and when I’m not working, I enjoy riding my motorbike, reading, and watch a lot of comedy to relax. I have lots of reptiles too, so I am always pre-occupied looking after someone or something!”
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:
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.
28th April 2022
A big Pilgrims Hospices thank you to the The Hospital Saturday Fund
At its heart, Pilgrims Hospices is dedicated to ensuring people living with a terminal illness can access the quality care and comfort they deserve, so it is with deep gratitude that we have been awarded another amazing grant from The Hospital Saturday Fund, which has been used to purchase an Ocean VIP Shower Chair for use on the inpatient unit at Pilgrims Hospice Thanet.
To manage many of the symptoms of an incurable disease, Pilgrims aims to be able to provide the best equipment to its patients. We need to guarantee that our patients’ care and comfort is uppermost. This is one of the main costs associated with our work; as specialist equipment is expensive to purchase and is well-used.
This vital piece of equipment is already being used on a regular basis to move our patients safely from their beds to the toilet/shower with extra gentle care and dignity. The shower chair is also helping to reduce physical strain on the clinical teams’ necks and backs when moving patients.
We’re so grateful to The Hospital Saturday Fund for choosing to support Pilgrims Hospices once again, and helping to ensure we remain here for our patients and their families, now and in the future. Together, we make a difference.
Thank you!
Pictured below: Occupational therapists from Pilgrims Hospice Thanet with the new shower chair
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.
2nd February 2022
Kathleen retires after 13 years with Pilgrims Hospices Wellbeing team
Pilgrims Hospices much loved Wellbeing Practitioner, Kathleen Steele, recently retired from the Thanet hospice after 13 years of caring and supporting patients’ wellbeing needs. She leaves behind a wealth of creative knowledge and a legacy of virtual therapy videos for patients to help them interact with the Wellbeing team from the comfort of their own homes.
Kathleen joined Pilgrims from a career in supported learning services for people with learning disabilities.
She told us: “I noticed the vacancy with Pilgrims and immediately felt it was a good match for my skills and I definitely wanted to remain in vocational services.
“I have loved my time with Pilgrims, it’s such a rewarding role helping to support people to live as actively as possible earlier in the course of their illness and assisting them to remain independent and positive by sharing time with our support team and others using our services.”
During her time with Pilgrims, Kathleen contributed to the wellbeing of thousands of service users who have come to the Therapy Centre day services for a wide variety of therapy sessions.
Kath from Cliffsend, said that she’s looking forward to spending more time with her husband Alan, and becoming even more proficient on her paddleboard; they have some well-earned holidays planned too. She has been studying the ancient Chinese art of brush painting, and looks forward to spending more time on her creative hobby.
Kath said: “I’ve always been a creative person and the Chinese brush painting is so therapeutic, and relaxing. The art form has been around for more than 6,000 years, it’s the traditional art of painting on rice paper or silk with a natural animal-hair brush and ink. I describe my style as abstract and I’m looking forward to challenging myself with some imaginative painting with my newfound free time.”
Kyla from Pilgrims’ Complementary Therapy team said: “I’ve worked closely with Kathleen on many projects and her legacy of ideas and creative thinking will continue to be part of Pilgrims Wellbeing programmes. I wish Kathleen a very happy retirement, and hopefully she will pop in to see some of her friends here at the hospice now and again.”
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,comm 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.
18th November 2021
Verlander family’s fantastic fundraising for Pilgrims Hospices
Luke Verlander from Broadstairs experienced Pilgrims Hospices’ care first-hand when his mum, Sherrie, was supported by the charity in 2013.
To give back and say thank you, Luke and his family have since raised more than £8,000 for local hospice services in east Kent, and their fantastic fundraising continues.
On Sunday 12 December 2021, Luke and his sons, Kieran (10) and Nate (7), will take part inSantas on the Seashore! in Margate, part of Pilgrims’Festive Tri-Series of family-friendly 5k events to raise vital funds for the charity.
Sherrie was diagnosed with late stage bowel, liver and lung cancer in 2013, after attending a scan for suspected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). She died just 50 days later on 18 March, aged 55.
Sherrie was referred to Pilgrims Hospice Thanet a few weeks after her diagnosis.
Luke said: “Mum fought bravely. The Pilgrims staff and volunteers were absolutely fantastic; they were really good for, and with, her and my dad Jim, who rarely moved from her bedside. They were friendly, helpful and, most importantly, passionate about their roles.
“Without a doubt, Pilgrims offers the very best service that you hope to never need. They were so good for our family.”
Over the years, Luke has taken on several fundraising events for Pilgrims. He ran the London Marathon in 2016 and 2017, braved a 120mph Wing Walk and participated in the charity’s It’s a Knockout! event with family, friends and colleagues.
Luke has also organised his own events, including football tournaments, lottery games, raffles and more. He even invented a Pilgrims Hospices Shield trophy for the football matches.
He continued: “My son, Kieran, enjoys running with me. In 2019, when he was eight, we did Santas on the Run! and raised £260! He wanted to do it again, and this year he’ll be joined by his youngest brother, Nate, who is just seven years old.
“We’re supported in our fundraising by friends, family, colleagues, my employer with matched funding, complete strangers (friends of friends via Facebook posts) and local businesses that donated prizes for the raffles or directly sponsored events.
“As a family, we’ve raised around £8,500 for Pilgrims to date. I can only thank all who have supported us over the years; it truly is a very deserving cause.”
Karen Kenward, Community Fundraising Manager, added: “I have had the pleasure of knowing Luke and his family for many years now and have seen his family grow and grow up along the way. Luke has taken on many challenges to help support vital end of life care for the next person that needs us.
“Luke and his family are always looking for that next challenge and other ways they can continue to support our charity, and most importantly raise awareness. We really could not continue to run our services if we did not have the ongoing support from our overwhelming local community. Thank you.”
Luke and his family choose to support Pilgrims so that the charity can continue providing its vital care to local families who will need it in the future.
He added: “Pilgrims needs funding through donations to continue offering this vital care. My family support them so that they can continue providing this to local families who will need it in the future.”
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 support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
4th November 2021
Tom’s memorial golf day continues to raise vital funds for hospice care
Tom Coker from Ramsgate held the ninth Graham Coker Memorial Golf Day at St. Augustine’s Golf Club, Cliffsend, Ramsgate, in August 2021, raising an incredible £4,000 for Pilgrims Hospices care.
Tom’s golf day was held in memory of his father, Graham.
For the last three or four years the money raised has been donated to Pilgrims, during that time, the event has raised an amazing £7,894 in support of local hospice care.
Tom said: “The Graham Coker Cup started after we sadly lost my dad in 2012. The idea to hold a memorial golf day was started by some of his friends who he played golf with at St. Augustine’s.
“In the first year, we had just 15 players; it’s grown from strength to strength, this year we had 103 golfers teeing off.”
Karen Kenward, Pilgrims Community Fundraising Manager said: “This really is a huge achievement by everyone who has supported the event from 2012 to 2021. Tom, his family, friends, supporters and the venue itself are so supportive of our charity, it’s really been lovely to see this event grow each year. Tom is already working on a date for next year.
This generous donation will enable us to help provide vital services for those who need our care in the future. Thank you from all of us at Pilgrims Hospices.”
We have all been affected one way or another and can’t tell you how much we appreciate Pilgrims Hospices. They really do the most amazing work and all my family and friends are more than happy to help as much as we can, we feel their services are invaluable to people when they’re at their lowest ebb.
Tom
Tom, who owns a local building and carpentry firm, said: “I would like to thank all the people who supported this special day. To all the players (new and old), the people who kindly donated prizes to the competition and raffle, and the staff at St. Augustine’s Golf Club for their help and support to organise this great day.”
As the event has grown, Tom has been able to add to the event with prizes for the top 10 players with the best individual score and a team game involving turns to finish the hole with a pink ball.
The top 3 teams with the best score and managing to get the pink ball back to the clubhouse without losing it also win prizes. With nearest to the pin and longest drive holes to keep the golfers challenged.
Tom added: “We had wonderful donations from friends and family including cash, drinks, jewellery and giant teddies. We even had a washing machine one year.
“The BBQ was ready for players when they got off the course, with all the meat kindly donated by Hogman’s our local butchers.
“After the golfers’ prize giving, we held the raffle for the wonderful donated prices, a pretty eventful and charitable day!
“We have all been affected one way or another and can’t tell you how much we appreciate Pilgrims Hospices. They really do the most amazing work and all my family and friends are more than happy to help as much as we can, we feel their services are invaluable to people when they’re at their lowest ebb.”
Pilgrims Hospices care for more than 2,500 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.