National Afternoon Tea Week, what a wonderful thing to celebrate! Pilgrims Hospices shared tea with their Living Well groups, and agreed it was a great opportunity to bring people together and enjoy delicious treats. It’s heart-warming to hear that Pilgrims Hospices’ Wellbeing Group recently organised a special afternoon tea for their patients at the Canterbury Ashford and Thanet hospices.
Jane Stanley, Pilgrims Wellbeing Practitioner told us: ”I just want to say, a huge thank you to Pilgrims catering teams, for putting together such a lovely afternoon tea for our service users. The chefs are always ready to help make our patients feel very special, nothing is too much trouble.
“They are normally tirelessly working behind the scenes ensuring each and every day that patients are well fed, have their strength built up, and even in their last days, patients can enjoy every moment and enjoy having tasty food to eat. During National Afternoon Tea Week, the catering teams at Thanet, Canterbury and Ashford were thrust into the spotlight, were their kindness and skills were truly recognised.
“With short notice, they prepared an afternoon tea for the patients who attended the Living Well groups across the hospice sites. They exceeded expectations, offering sausage rolls, sandwiches, dips, a cheese board, freshly made scones, cakes and a fruit platter. The standard of cooking and presentation was 5 Star, said one patient who tucked in.”
Afternoon tea is a cherished British tradition, and it can bring a lot of joy and comfort to those in hospice care. Scones and sausage rolls are classic choices for afternoon tea, and serving tea alongside these treats makes it a delightful experience for everyone involved.
Celebrations like this not only provide a chance to enjoy delicious food but also create a sense of community and support among the patients and staff. The hospice environment can be challenging, and such events can lift the spirits and foster a warm and caring atmosphere.
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It’s heartening to see organisations like Pilgrims Hospices making an effort to provide these special moments for their patients, ensuring they have the best possible quality of life during their time at the hospice. National Afternoon Tea Week is a perfect occasion to cherish those moments and celebrate life together.
A huge thank you to Pilgrims Catering Teams
Jane – Pilgrims
It was made extra special when patients were able to thank the chefs in person, when they delivered the trollies of tasty treats. Gasps of joy and wonder could be heard as many were rendered speechless by the standard of work, one patient said, he had been on a luxury cruise where the food was not nearly so delicious or skilfully presented. Comments from those who enjoyed the fruits of the teams’ labours included “Absolutely brilliant” “A delicious array” “Scrumptious” “Lovely Jubbly” “Most enjoyable” and “Wow so much effort, so much care and attention.”
Ian Ashton, Pilgrims Head of Catering Services said: “This shows the wonderful team spirit fostered within our catering staff, they truly value each other, this is what makes our hospice kitchens so successful.”
Alison Griffiths, a Living Well Support Volunteer said: “Part of my role each week is to help support the patients who attend the Living Well Group with their lunch requirements. In the course of my doing so, I will often go and see the kitchen staff with requests on behalf of the patients. I have always found all the catering staff who work in Pilgrims Hospices kitchens to be extremely obliging and helpful. They always do their best to meet the individual needs and requests of the patients.
“Whilst the kitchen staff are always very busy catering for the whole of the Hospice, the team are always cheerful and welcoming. As a volunteer it is clear how all the kitchen staff really make a significant contribution to the enjoyment of the patients who attend the Living Well Groups. The patients frequently ask me to pass on their compliments to everyone in the kitchen.”
The Wellbeing Teams know that without volunteers like Alison, who give their time and skills so kindly, the groups run at the hospices would not be as successful or run as smoothly. There is nowhere quite like Pilgrims with such a beautiful team spirit and genuine care of people.
Visit the Pilgrims Hospices Wellbeing Programme more information on care and services. Would you like to become a hospice volunteer? Opportunities are listed on the website here:
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.
18th August 2023
Rev’d Angie becomes spiritual care chaplain at Pilgrims Hospices
Recently Bishop Rose of Dover, came to the Canterbury hospice to undertake Angie Stupple’s licensing ceremony. It was a small, intimate and personal service, attended by a close party of her friends and family. To support this special celebration Karen Warden, Chair of the Trustees, Sue Sharp, Pilgrims Director, Angie’s new colleagues in the spiritual care team, and a group of staff gathered to welcome her to her role in supporting both patients, their families, staff in the hospices and within the local community.
Up until quite recently Angie was still working with her husband, Gerry, running their hair salon and barbers in Dover town centre. She said: “Many years in the salon, interacting with people from all walks of life, was a great grounding for my life in ministry”. The business continues now that they have both retired.
Angie started training in 2017 as a lay minister, which is a four year course, and then transferred to ordination training for a further two years. She was ordained two years ago by Bishop Rose. Angie explained: “My original plan was to be licensed in the diocese of Dover, but having experienced hospital chaplaincy as part of my training, I felt drawn to this role and confident that this is where my gifts would be best used.
I understand spirituality as a whole and complete concept. It’s not about pinning a belief down to a particular faith, it is outside the confines and boundaries of having a faith or no faith. In the context of palliative and end-of-life care our greatest connection, our common denominator, is our humanity, expressing our compassion, love and care for each other. Our humanity and our spirituality, particularly at the point of life and death, are inextricably interwoven.
I feel truly privileged to be a part of the multi-disciplinary team at Pilgrim’s Hospices
Angie – Pilgrims
My licensing by Bishop Rose was a very moving service, it was wonderful to share with my family, friends and new colleagues, especially in the holistic environment of the therapy centre at Canterbury hospice. It is an honour to be here and to walk alongside patients, sharing stories and being with them where they lead, hearing their needs and concerns and offering support. In the holistic environment of the hospice, quite often, when people are relieved of physical pain and symptoms, it frees their mind and spirit and that’s when the thoughts and conversations around the meaning of life start to come in. Sometimes there is simply great joy to be found in a shared silence.
Of course, we cannot help the terminally ill patients in a really meaningful way if we do not include family and loved ones. They play a significant role during a time of illness which will affect how a patient copes and responds. This can be a spiritual and emotional roller coaster for everyone involved. The dying patients pain, of course, will come to an end, but the families pain carries on. I hope that I can support loved ones and carers by showing they are not alone, and by offering hope and a sense of normality in a situation which is anything but normal.
I took up my role in late April and I’m finding my feet. Though I am based at Canterbury I will also help at the other sites in Ashford and Thanet as and when the need arises, as well as supporting hospice-at-home patients in the community.
I feel truly privileged to be a part of the multi-disciplinary team at Pilgrim’s Hospices. The staff and volunteers are quite extraordinary in their care and commitment. This is a very special place where staff remain connected to patients and their families throughout their time here and beyond if necessary. Compassionate care is at the heart of everything that happens at Pilgrims.
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.
17th August 2023
Reuse, recycle, upcycle, helping raise funds for Pilgrims’
The reuse revolution came to Pilgrims Hospices, Canterbury on Saturday 12th August. The Reuse Pop-Up shop, organised and in partnership with FCC Environment and Kent County Council featured solely pre-loved items sold at a fraction of the cost of buying new. Items for sale on the day included toys, bikes, electricals, furniture, bric-a-brac, garden items and homeware.
The wide array of items were donated by members of the public at Canterbury and Margate Household and Waste Recycling Centres. The concept of recycling and reusing, helps reduce our overall environmental impact.
Some of the first visitors were The Right Worshipful, The Lord Mayor, Councillor, Mrs. Jean Butcher and Lady Mayoress, Mrs. Di Baldock who both came along to the see the bargains on offer.
The Pop-Up Shop offered opportunities to pick up a variety of preloved bargains, the main objective of the event is to help prevent waste and reduce carbon emissions generated by manufacturing new products, and to raise important funds for Pilgrims Hospices care.
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Kate Duddell, Pilgrims Hospices, Head of Fundraising commented: “There are a huge number of high-quality items that are sent to the local Recycling Centres. The staff at both Canterbury and Margate Centres have a keen eye for detail, and are trained to pick out some of the items that are in good condition, and could be saved to be repurposed, and loved all over again. This can be a great way for people to find affordable goods while contributing to environmental sustainability by reducing the demand for new products, whilst also helping to raise funds.”
By choosing to buy preloved items, people can support the concept of recycling and reusing, which helps in reducing the overall environmental impact.
It’s commendable that organisations like Pilgrims Hospices and FCC Environment Pop-Up Shops, are promoting such initiatives, and with the support of Kent County Council, the event helped raise awareness about the importance of sustainable consumption and waste reduction.
You can continue your sustainable shopping in any of the 31 Pilgrims Hospices shops across east Kent. They stock a wide range of high-quality items, including books, clothes, furniture and vintage curios.
Pilgrims also love to receive donations, so we can turn them into vital funds to support our services. We accept any good quality saleable items including clothes, household goods, furniture, items of interest, electrical items (provided they are in good working condition) and anything else you think could raise money for Pilgrims.
For information on our retail shops and how to donate click here.
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.
28th July 2023
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.
