Pilgrims care team hope to capture ‘Matching Hearts’ for hospice patients
As visiting is currently restricted on Pilgrims Hospices sites across east Kent; the charity looks to find alternative ways to offer patients, their families and friends simple and creative ways to help everyone feel connected and to find heart-warming comfort during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Carole Lightfoot, Health Care Assistant at Pilgrims Hospices
The care team were so inspired by the successful campaign introduced by NHS intensive care nurse Kat Lamb from the QEQM Hospital in Margate, they decided to ask for support from volunteers and keen crafters to make ‘Matching Hearts’ for Pilgrims Hospices end of life care patients.
Justine Robinson, Pilgrims Occupational Therapy Lead said: “The ‘Matching Hearts’ are absolutely perfect for sharing with our patients, their families and friends. We are asking for your support to craft fabric or woolen ‘Matching Hearts’ for our care team to share with patients. One heart will be given to the patient and the matching one will be sent to their family.”
Although the hearts are no substitute for being surrounded by loved ones, Pilgrims hope these precious gestures will give patients something special to focus upon and help those who are unable to be close to forge an emotional link.”
Justine added: “The COVID-19 restrictions are difficult for our nurses as well and our patients, offering a token small heart to those in our care may bring a smile and perhaps help them share a few words of their own family magic with us, it will also help to lift our spirits in these difficult times.
The ‘Matching Hearts’ are absolutely perfect for sharing with our patients, their families and friends.
“We know there so many wonderful people out there who will want to support Pilgrims with their crafting skills. I send my thanks in advance and look forward to sharing your heart-warming treasures and the thoughts behind them.”
Hearts can be knitted; crocheted, embroidered, fabric or felt, and each heart should have at least one matching pair.
If you’d like to share your crafty skills and make ‘Matching Hearts’ for Pilgrims patients; you will need to pop them into plastic bags (sandwich bags) and clearly mark with the date of packaging. The hearts will be quarantined for 72 hours before they are given to the patient, to ensure any risk of infection is minimised.
A drop-off box for hearts will be outside each hospice from Monday 27 April, 8am – 4pm, or you can post them to the Hospice Service Manager on each site:
Hythe Road, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0NE
56 London Road, Canterbury CT2 8JA
Ramsgate Road, Margate CT9 4AD
We are very proud to work closely with our NHS colleagues as we continue to provide end of life care across east Kent.
This year alone, Pilgrims Hospices has to raise £11 million through voluntary donations in order to run our services. Please help us to continue our work throughout these difficult times by donating to our Still Here, Still Caring appeal.
26th May 2017
Laid-back dog Rodney makes friends at the hospice
Retired pharmaceutical industry worker and Pilgrims Hospices volunteer Martyn Ponting has owned dogs for years.
Then, when he was looking for a new way to give his time and energy to the hospice in Ashford, his canine friend Rodney gave him the perfect opportunity.
Rodney, a two-year-old black labrador, is now a regular visitor to Pilgrims Hospice Ashford. As a Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog, he enjoys his regular Wednesday social morning in Pilgrims Therapy Centre and also visits patients on the ward.
Martyn from Sellindge said: “My career in the pharmaceutical industry often took me to environments where PAT dogs attended. Knowing how special the service is and how uplifting seeing a friendly furry face can be for patients, I thought I’d enlist Rodney’s gentle skills.”
Rodney’s owner Martyn can often be found at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford, whether it’s as part of the volunteer gardening force that keeps the Ashford grounds in such beautiful condition or to bring along Rodney, the very much loved PAT dog for patients, families and of course Pilgrims staff to enjoy.
“Rodney is very well behaved and absolutely loves his time with everyone at the hospice. He was such a laid-back puppy, I thought he would be a perfect candidate to become a Pets As Therapy dog. His huge calm eyes and affectionate nature, I knew he had to come home with me.
Rodney’s a very gentle soul and thoroughly enjoys his visits to Pilgrims.
Martyn
Rodney often receives compliments from the care team; Pilgrims doctors say animals are often a great icebreaker and help with patient communication. Everyone seems to relax with Rodney in the room.
Martyn added: “Rodney’s a very gentle soul and thoroughly enjoys his visit to Pilgrims. There’s always time for a cuddle. His favourite treat is a smelly stinky old tennis ball; it’s definitely his favourite thing in life, along with a good swim. I really enjoy my visits to Pilgrims too. I meet such interesting people and enjoy their company. I bring Rodney along and he just works his way around the room to enjoy as many tummy rubs and ear tickles as he can.
I’m very proud of Rodney.
Martyn
Every hour and every minute of volunteering for Pilgrims Hospices is hugely valued and goes a long way for the people needing our care.
Our volunteers play a part in every aspect of life in our hospices: they offer support, skills, kindness, care and they raise money; they can be a friendly face helping in our shops and working on our receptions. By generously giving their time, volunteers support our staff as they work to provide the outstanding levels of care for which we are well known.
Volunteers’ Week is a chance to say thank you for the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. It takes place 1-7 June every year and is an opportunity to celebrate volunteering in all its diversity.
We’re accredited by REVAMP, a quality mark for Volunteer Involving Organisations developed by Stronger Kent Communities, a leading provider of support for the voluntary sector in Kent.
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.
