Many people imagine a ward and beds, a space where people spend their last days, but that is just a small part of what they offer.
Our hospices feature beautiful, tranquil landscaped gardens, professional kitchens where fresh meals are prepared daily, family lounges where patients can spend precious moments with their loved ones, Therapy Centres where we run our popular wellbeing groups, areas for spiritual reflection, and so much more.
Kate White, Head of Nursing, explains how our new virtual tours can be a helpful first step for someone considering coming into one of our hospices, and also for healthcare professionals when referring patients to Pilgrims’ services:
“The prospect of coming to a hospice can be daunting, so being able to see what it looks like can help to alleviate that. The virtual tours give people an idea of what to expect when they come to the building, and hopefully to see how the hospice is a home from home with plenty of creature comforts. To be able to view the hospice this way can also save patients and families valuable time when this is most precious.
“The tours can also enable healthcare professionals in hospitals and other settings to show patients at the bedside what the hospice looks like, to explain facilities and view the environment before physically entering the hospice. This brings the conversation to life, aids the discussion and may help to lessen the fear of the unknown. They help to show that the hospice is a calm and homely environment with a range of facilities, allowing patients and families to make the best of one of the most difficult times in their lives.”
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.
27th February 2023
Introducing the Mental Health First Aider role to support Pilgrims’ staff and volunteers
The need for mental health support became prevalent during and after the COVID-19 pandemic; in meetings, it consistently came up that staff were feeling exhausted and had low morale. Karena Marks, Clinical Business Manager, was already trained as a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA), and she saw there was a gap it could fill within the charity.
We asked staff for expressions of interest in becoming a MHFA; once a team was in place, they completed a two-day training course to gain the tools needed to support their colleagues and our volunteers. The role is now included within our wellbeing strategy.
Karena explains what the role involves and how it is supporting Pilgrims’ teams:
“All workplaces have a first aider onsite to deal with accidents or injuries. It’s just as important to have someone to help people with their mental or emotional wellbeing, too.
“Mental ill health is the highest cause of sickness absence, and it can affect anyone. Companies are realising that their employees may be struggling to cope, especially in healthcare professions and within the current cost of living crisis.
“High-profile, public figures regularly speak out about their own struggles with mental ill health and social media awareness campaigns are growing.
“There is a dedicated World Mental Health Day on 10th October each year, too.
“We all need to be open about our mental health and willing to create a supportive environment where we can look after each other; this is where the MHFAs come in.
“MHFAs are trained to spot the early signs of mental ill health in others. They are a first point of contact and reassurance for people experiencing emotional distress or suffering with mental health problems including stress, anxiety and depression. This interaction could range from having an initial conversation through to supporting the person to get appropriate help. The MHFA role also acts as an advocate for mental health in the workplace, helping to reduce stigma and cultivate positive change. MHFAs work to create an environment where we are all looking after each other.
“Our MHFAs are not trained counsellors or therapists, but they provide a confidential and safe place to talk and just ‘be’. They take time to listen and give the emotional support needed, without judgement.
“They are also trained to assess the risk of self-harm, physical safety or even a risk to life to you or others around you. If there is a serious concern, this is reviewed confidentially and action will be taken to protect you and/or others. MHFAs know how to contact appropriate emergency services, if required.
“Many people find that just having a supportive, listening ear and a safe space is all that they need, but our MHFAs are available for continued support, if helpful.”
What’s next?
The MHFA role at Pilgrims is constantly evolving; the team meet bi-monthly to discuss how we can ensure everyone is aware that ‘we are here if you need us’.
We are aiming to ensure that the MHFA role is explained as part of our induction for new staff and volunteers, so that new starters know about the support available to them.
We have branded posters and contact cards that will be shared around Pilgrims’ sites, and we’re planning a roadshow – we will visit each site to give out the cards and explain what MHFA is, to further embed the support we offer.
We use relevant apps to ensure we have the latest signposting information to hand when needed.
To find out more about Mental Health First Aid, click here.
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.
We’re enjoying the cooler autumnal evenings and looking forward to more great events. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating all things Pilgrims in the coming months.
Our fundraising activities and your generosity, mean that we are able to continue to offer our end-of-life services to our local communities when and where they need it. With your help and support, we intend to continually develop and improve our services so that we are still here, still caring, both now and in the future.
Please keep safe and well.
Best wishes,
The Pilgrims Hospices team
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.
We’re enjoying the lighter days and looking forward to a summer of great events. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating all things Pilgrims in the coming months.
In this edition, you’ll find:
Introducing Always Caring, our new supporter programme
Our fundraising activities and your generosity, mean that we are able to continue to offer our end-of-life services to our local communities when and where they need it. With your help and support, we intend to continually develop and improve our services so that we are still here, still caring, both now and in the future.
Please keep safe and well.
Best wishes,
The Pilgrims Hospices team
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.
2nd September 2020
Welcome to Pilgrims Matters virtual edition for Autumn 2020
Looking to the future
Welcome to this, the first virtual edition of Pilgrims Matters! As Christmas approaches, we take time to focus on the positives and share the many ways our community comes together in support of others.
In this edition you will see:
How Pilgrims’ own research nurse is helping lead the fight against Coronavirus;
the many ways that you have helped change the face of fundraising;
the steps we have taken at Pilgrims to ensure our patients are still receiving our expert care and support;
and a look at the success of the UK’s first hospice remembrance film and our next annual remembrance, Trees of Love.
This has been a year of firsts for many of us, giving us new perspectives and ideas. COVID-19 has dominated our conversations, our thoughts, and has had a huge impact on how we go about our everyday business. We hope this first online Pilgrims Matters provides some inspiration for other ways you can get involved, and tells you a little more about how your incredible support has enabled Pilgrims to be Still here, Still caring.
