SUPPORTING OUR PATIENTS
CANCER WELLBEING SERVICE GARDEN PROJECT BLOOMS DURING PANDEMIC The Cancer Wellbeing Service at Peterborough City Hospital has continued with its Garden Project, despite the pandemic. Mary Green, who volunteers at the service, is part of a team of volunteers who wanted to use their love of art, and in particular mosaics, to create an outdoor wellbeing space for service users to enjoy. Mary said: “I had to use the centre myself, and while I was there I started teaching people mosaics. One day I was looking through the window into the garden and saw what a state it was in. I said: ‘wouldn’t it be lovely to do something with it.’ And as a group we devised the project. A special mention must go to, Jennie Grainger, our super gardener who has spent many hours digging and planting.” Since the project started in July 2019, the team have added colour to the space, with artwork and flowers. With the support of generous wellwishers they are transforming this centre’s garden into a tranquil area for meditation, thought, and happiness. Covid-19 has meant that fewer people can go onto the Cancer Wellbeing Service site, but the transformation continues to take shape, as currently
volunteers and centre users are creating much of the art for the garden at home, with mosaics picked up and transported to the centre. If you wish to support the Cancer Wellbeing Service’s Garden Project then you can follow the team’s progress via their Facebook page, or support them via JustGiving. To find these pages, search for ‘Cancer Wellbeing Service Garden Project’ on the respective site.
Meet the team supporting patients with cancer Patients receiving cancer treatment expect to see clinical staff during hospital visits, but there is a small group of Cancer Support Workers who also play an important part in patient care. The Survivorship team works across Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke Hospitals supporting patients and their carers living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis, offering both practical and emotional support. Alanna Farrow, a support work based at Peterborough City Hospital said: “A cancer diagnosis can be life-changing; we work with patients to identify what matters to them, ensuring information is tailored to their needs and supports their wider health and wellbeing.” Patients are contacted to offer a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) which helps them reflect on any physical, financial, psychosocial, information and support needs they have. Where concerns are identified the team offers a personalised care plan and support, signposting to available local and national resources.
The Survivorship Team at Peterborough City Hospital
Nicole Hayden, a Support Worker at Hinchingbrooke Hospital said: “Patients who may be struggling with sadness and need emotional support can be introduced to the wellbeing service and counselling via our team. It gives us the utmost satisfaction knowing we make a difficult situation more manageable, our aim is to help patients when they are at their most vulnerable.” Any patient interested in the scheme should mention it to their clinical team for referral.
Young volunteers support patients During the COVID-19 pandemic the Trust’s Young Volunteers Programme has been inundated with applications to come into the hospital and help out! In August, our Young Volunteers, alongside some of our regular volunteers, welcomed visitors back to the hospitals. The volunteer’s role was to help visitors understand the new restrictions and also to spend time with patients if they didn’t have any visitors. For many young people this was a great way to spend their six-week summer break, with one young volunteer saying: “I was able to gain valuable experience speaking to a variety of different patients, so I could develop my communication and consultation skills in preparation for medical school.” During the second lockdown young volunteers were again helping out around the hospital delivering Letters for Loved Ones and patient belongings, as well as Wayfinding. The volunteering team has also joined forces with the apprenticeship team to offer young volunteers a more rounded experience by combining six weeks of volunteering on wards prior to completing an intensive fourday work experience. If you are interested in joining the Trust’s Young Volunteer Programme please contact our Young Person Co-Ordinator, Taite Hawes: taite.hawes@ nhs.net
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