Bolton Hospice Newsletter Autumn 2023

NEWS BOLTON HOSPICE

IN THIS ISSUE :

URGENT APPEAL – CAN YOU HELP US THROUGH THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS? PAGES 4-5

NEW! CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING SCHEME PAGE 6

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: JINGLE BELL JOG

PAGE 11

JOIN US AS A SHOP VOLUNTEER!

Are you someone with a flair for fashion & an eye for detail?

Do you possess the creative touch to craft captivating window displays?

If you’re passionate about the thrill of thrift shopping and have a knack for uncovering hidden treasures and designer gems, then we have the perfect role for you.

As the cost of living continues to rise, and a growing number of people opt for budget-friendly and pre-loved shopping, our Bolton charity shops are in need of more volunteers to help run them!

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU?

• MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY

• EXPAND YOUR SOCIAL CIRCLE & MEET NEW FRIENDS

• TRAVEL EXPENSES PAID FOR

• UPSKILL YOUR CV WITH RETAIL EXPERIENCE

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY PLEASE VISIT

www.boltonhospice.org.uk/volunteer

It’s been a busy few months here at Bolton Hospice. As you may be aware, following the news that we expect our costs to be £1.2 million more than our income this year, we launched an urgent Cost of Living appeal.

The response we’ve received from our community has been heart-warming and a true reminder of the strength and spirit of our community – thank you for your unwavering support.

You can find out more about our Cost of Living appeal and how you can help on pages 4-5, as well as a number of exciting upcoming events on page 11, such as the Jingle Bell Jog & the overseas Sahara Trek, which I’m very pleased to announce I’ll be taking part in myself!

I’d also like to say a special thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who gift their time every week to help Bolton Hospice. Whether you volunteer in our charity shops, at the hospice, at our fundraising events or behind the scenes in an administration role – thank you. Your support is invaluable and makes a huge difference!

Yours Sincerely,

URGENT APPEAL

Can you help us through the Cost of Living crisis?

Over the past few months, you may have seen Bolton Hospice making headlines about the difficult financial situation we are facing this year. In an interview with the Bolton News, our CEO Leigh Vallance explained more about our financial situation given the Cost of Living Crisis, and the current funding model for hospices which she describes as “broken”.

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ON THE BOLTON NEWS WEBSITE

The current cost of living crisis, high fuel and energy costs, and high inflation rates, combined with over 15 years of below inflation increases to our government NHS funding have placed a worrying, substantial financial burden on us.

These external factors beyond our control mean we expect our costs this year to be £1.2 million more than our income.

Despite incredible support from our local community, year after year, our fundraising efforts simply cannot keep up with our ever-increasing costs. Whilst we have some money in the bank to see us through short-term financial difficulty, clearly it wouldn’t be wise to spend it without addressing the underlying issue, as it will simply run out.

We are working hard to get a fairer financial contribution from the government, and as always, we are being careful about how we spend every penny.

However, if no further government or NHS funding is forthcoming, and we can’t generate additional money from our own fundraising activity, we will have no option other than to consider cutting some of our services.

Closing or reducing our services would not only deny patients and families access to our specialist care and support when they need it most, it would also inevitably increase demand on an already overstretched NHS.

We understand finances are stretched for many of us, so a one-off donation may not be possible right now. With that in mind, if you are able to, we are asking supporters to contribute a small monthly donation over the next 12 months to help us through a difficult year. Your monthly donation will provide a steady income that will help us keep our vital services running.

£1,600 A MONTH –THAT’S £19,200 A YEAR! - and that’s forecast to rise even more throughout the year. We cannot keep pace with these increases without your help.

£7 A MONTH could help the hospice continue to provide fresh home-cooked meals for our patients

£11 A MONTH could help pay for a Hospice at Home nurse to help support a dying patient at home with their family

£27 A MONTH could pay for vital oxygen for all of our patients for 7 days

If you are able to, please support our urgent appeal. Your monthly donation will provide a steady income that will help us keep our vital services running.

For more information please visit www.boltonhospice.org.uk/ cost-of-living-appeal

THANK YOU

That is a last resort for us, so we are asking for your help now.

OUR FOOD COSTS ALONE HAVE RISEN BY

to everyone who has already supported our urgent appeal, your donations are helping us to continue caring for families when they need us most.

OUR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Bolton Hospice is committed to minimizing the impact of its activities on the environment, and is working hard on initiatives to minimize waste, save money and reduce our carbon footprint.

Christmas Tree Recycling

We are very pleased to announce we will be introducing a Christmas Tree Recycling Scheme for 2023!

Installing Solar Panels

We have successfully secured funding to install a solar panel system at Bolton Hospice! The funds were kindly awarded primarily from The Wolfson Foundation who have previously helped fund our building for the future project, as well as additional funding from local trust Bradshaw Gass.

The Solar PV system will generate approximately 45,000kWh per year, reducing our electricity bills so we can help more families when they need us most.

Every Christmas Tree we recycle saves them ending up in landfill, helps our local green spaces by re-using the chippings and raises vital funds for Bolton Hospice!

We’ll be out collecting your Christmas Trees in January for a suggested minimum donation of £15 to Bolton Hospice. We’ll be booking collections in early December, please check our website for updates.

Reducing waste in our retail operations

We are proud to be working on a number of sustainability initiatives in our retail operations:

• Our Books recycling partner have a zero landfill policy so items are either resold or recycled into packaging.

• Last year we diverted 154 tons of clothing and accessories away from landfill. That’s the weight of a Boeing 787!

• All our shops utilise pre-used equipment and fixtures and fittings where appropriate.

A HUGE THANK YOU FOR FUNDING THIS EXCITING PROJECT, HELPING US TO BECOME MORE SUSTAINABLE & SAVING VITAL POUNDS IN THE PROCESS!

OUR PATIENTS:

EILEEN’S STORY

Eileen, 74, is a retired hospitality lecturer. Eileen is living with terminal cancer and has experienced Bolton Hospice’s specialist care and support both in the inpatient unit and at our drop-in services at the wellbeing hub.

Eileen has stayed at our inpatient unit twice to help manage her pain and stabilize her symptoms, as well as accessing drop-in services such as 121 support, complementary therapies and creative therapy.

The hospice has been a huge help to me throughout my illness. I have stayed at the inpatient unit twice and nothing is too much trouble. The consultant and clinical staff have helped me immeasurably, enabling me to feel better and live well with my condition. I’m very grateful for all the advice and support I’ve been given. Even down to the little things, like having a warm home-cooked meal three times a day, having help with my washing or support with managing my catheter has been an invaluable helping hand which has helped me feel more confident and lifted my mood.

the company of other patients and the interactions with staff, everyone is lovely and it’s a weight off to be able to dropin weekly to talk to someone about any worries or concerns I have.

If you are wondering if the hospice may be of help to you or your loved one, I’d urge you to have no fears. You don’t have to do it alone, the hospice is a wonderful community of people waiting to help support you throughout your illness.

BECOME A BOLTON HOSPICE PATRON

Joining our patron scheme is a wonderful way to support Bolton Hospice through the Cost of Living crisis and beyond! All our patrons receive a number of benefits, but the real benefit is knowing you are helping to fund specialist care for patients and families when they need it most.

We have 4 levels to choose from; DIAMOND, EMERALD, PLATINUM and GOLD.

Bolton University were the first to join as a brand new Diamond Patron, and Stateside Foods kindly uplifted their current patronage to Diamond to support the hospice in the face of our financial difficulties this year. A huge thank you to them for their generous support, their patronage will help us continue to provide our vital services for local people.

When you join the patron scheme you’ll be in good company!

Thank you to local businesses:

MJ May, Lostock Skips, Lancasters Estate Agents, Barlow Andrews, Incontinence Shop & Roccia for signing up to the new scheme as well as many other local companies for their continued support!

For more information & to sign up online please visit www.boltonhospice.org.uk/patron

BOLTON UNIVERSITY & STATESIDE FOODS ARE THE FIRST ORGANISATIONS TO SIGN UP TO OUR FANTASTIC NEW DIAMOND PATRONAGE!

JOIN THE Light Up A Life Appeal

Remembering your loved ones this winter time

This winter we invite you to join hundreds of others in celebrating the lives and memories of loved ones through our Light Up A Life appeal. Your dedication and donation will brighten Christmas for our patients and their families, ensuring lasting, meaningful memories.

As we navigate financial challenges due to the Cost of Living crisis and 15 years of below inflation increases to our government NHS funding, your support is more important than ever.

Demand for our specialised care grows each and every year. On Christmas Day alone, it will cost £17,000, to make sure we are delivering vital care to patients here at the hospice and in their own homes.

As a heartfelt thank you for your contribution to our Light Up A Life appeal we will send you a personalised card featuring your dedicated name, and add your loved ones name to a special dedication book for you to take home and treasure.

Dedications must be made by no later than the 17th November to appear in the take home dedication book.

THE GIFT that keeps on Giving

Bolton Hospice’s lottery gift cards offers not just one, but two gifts in one package! It’s the perfect choice for any occasion –birthdays, Christmas, farewells, in memory moments, or simply to say thank you.

Starting at just £10, these vouchers provide your loved ones with the opportunity to win 28 weekly cash prizes, including the chance to win the top prize of £1,000! Please note our scratch cards are no longer available, so gift vouchers are the ideal alternative.

CHRISTMAS CARDS AND 2024 CALENDARS...

OUR GIFT CARDS ARE OFFERED IN VALUES OF £50, £20, and £10.

Please visit our website for full terms & conditions. Lottery gift cards are only redeemable by those who are over 18 years old.

Our popular range of charity Christmas cards and 2024 calendars are back! Please visit www.boltonhospice.org.uk/shop, visit one of our charity shops or pop into our gift shop at the Wellbeing Hub to buy yours.

Enter

your

chance

£1,000 CASH • £200 CASH

£100 LOVE TO SHOP GIFT VOUCHER

LUXURY HAMPER • CINEMA TICKETS FOR 2 ADULTS & 2 CHILDREN + SNACKS!

£50 CASH • £50 AMAZON VOUCHER PLUS 25 PRIZES OF £10 CASH

Every gift voucher purchased helps Bolton Hospice continue to care for families when they need us most.

To purchase your gift vouchers, please visit www.boltonhospice.org.uk/lottery-giftvouchers Alternatively please contact us on lotteryadmin@boltonhospice.org or call us on 01204 663 077

UPCOMING EVENTS

& Dates for your Diary

10 MILES 10 PUBS CHARITY WALK

30th September

The hugely popular 10 Miles 10 Pubs event will be taking place on 30th September. The charity walk takes supporters mainly off road to some wonderful pubs around Anglezarke, Rivington and Adlington.

STEP tember

Throughout September

Are you looking for a new way to challenge yourself and raise much-needed funds for Bolton Hospice?! Look no further than our brand new virtual challenge, STEPtember!

SAHARA TREK

22nd February

A brave team of supporters will battle scorching temperatures, scale sand dunes and sleep under the stars as they trek 50km through the Moroccan Sahara in aid of Bolton Hospice!

JINGLE BELL JOG

3rd December

Run, walk, dance, jog or jingle your way around our family-friendly 2.5km fun run through Leverhulme Park.

CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION

12th January

We are delighted to announce that we will be offering Christmas Tree Collections for a suggested donation to the hospice. Bookings opening early December!

STRICTLY LEARN TO DANCE

31st March

AROUND SCHOOL

LIGHT UP A LIFE

Wednesday, 6th December, 6:30pm

(This an outdoor event, with no seating available)

Wednesday, 13th

December: Bolton Parish Church, 7pm

Throughout December

Gather your elves to sprinkle a little festive sparkle on a festive sponsored fun run.

LADIES LUNCH 16th May

We are now recruiting for dancers to take part in Strictly Learn to Dance 2024! Each couple will receive 12 free dance lessons starting in January 2024, leading them up to the Grand Finale.

Our ladies will enjoy a fantastic 3 course lunch at Rivington Hall Barn with amazing entertainment and a wonderful selection of stalls to browse.

VISIT OUR SHOPS

Our charity shops provide a regular and sustainable source of income that supports the work of the hospice. We pride ourselves in offering a wide variety of items at the best possible price so visit one of our shops today to pick up a bargain!

DONATING YOUR ITEMS IS EASY!

• CALL TO ARRANGE YOUR FREE HOME COLLECTION ON 01204 663063

• IF YOU HAVE A SPECIAL VALUE ITEM that you wish to donate please label the item ‘eBay’ and drop off at our Tonge Moor Road shop. Alternatively to arrange for the item to be collected, please call our Retail team on 01204 663063

• DROP ITEMS OFF at one of our charity shops during the current opening hours.

SHOP ONLINE FOR CHRISTMAS

CARDS & GIFTS!

Please visit www.boltonhospice.org.uk/shop, visit one of our charity shops or pop into our gift shop at the Wellbeing Hub to buy yours.

FIND US ON

www.boltonhospice.org.uk