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Welcome to ellenor’s new magazine: Life & Living. The title is very important to me, because here at ellenor, even with a life-limiting diagnosis, people can still enjoy life, laugh, smile, have something to look forward to and make wonderful memories.
2025 is very special for us – we are celebrating our 40th birthday!
We are lucky to be supported by our local community and we’re privileged to care for people at one of the most difficult times of their life. We really are very thankful for the help we receive from people, who give their time, donate, join in with our events, visit our shops and help in many other ways. The last 40 years has flown by – and we hope to be here for another 40.
We’ve come a long way since 1985, starting with one nurse looking after five families at home. Our Hospice @ Home care remains the main way we look after adults in North Kent, and children and their families in North Kent and Bexley. In fact, 93% of care for patients, their carers and families is provided in the community; support with symptoms, respite and a range of therapeutic interventions including physiotherapy and other forms of therapy. (more on page 17).
My hope as Director of Care is that we can look after people at the earliest stage of a diagnosis, so that they can benefit from our huge range of wellbeing and therapeutic services that ensure life is lived.
Our new Wellbeing Centre has rooms for bereavement counselling, fitness, financial advice, counselling, complementary therapies and a wellbeing programme with groups that improve movement and function, and reduce social isolation (more on page 8).
Our care always extends to those close to the patients too. Support, care, information on what’s going on and what they can do. It’s not just the patient living through a diagnosis – it’s those around them too.
Even if clinical care isn’t provided by ellenor for a life-limiting condition, therapeutic services are still available to you.
I am sometimes asked: ‘Why didn’t you add more beds?’ – but wellbeing is so vital to people. Also, most people want to be cared for at home and die at home.
ellenor is the lovely, warm, welcoming place it is because of the people – patients, families, staff, volunteers, supporters, and our local community.
Please enjoy reading their stories to find out who we are and what we do.
Here's to the next 40 years…thank you.
Linda Coffey, Director of Care
TO ELLENOR - WE REALLY COULDN’T DO WHAT WE DO WITHOUT THEM!
Some of our volunteers come to us with skills they already have, whilst others come and learn something new – we welcome everyone.
Volunteering with ellenor is highly rewarding and most importantly, very enjoyable. It is also a great way to give back to your local community and meet new people.
Our volunteers give the time they have – a few hours a month, week or day…whatever time you have to give, we will take you up on!
Volunteering roles at ellenor:
• Fundraising / events
• Shop assistant
• Befriending
• Driving (minibus or own car)
• Bereavement support
• Youth group activities and outings
• Receptionist
• Cafe volunteer
• Housekeeping & catering
• Facilities & maintenance
• Administration
• Therapist
We currently have 343 volunteers. Our youngest volunteer is 16 and our oldest is 90!
On average, volunteers stay with us for 16 years.
The longest-serving volunteer was with us for 36 years.
LESLEY GOODAYLE – Front Desk Volunteer, ellenor
People visiting ellenor will sometimes be greeted by Lesley – she’ll welcome you in, check you have what you need and answer any questions. She’s been with us for five years – and has no plans to go anywhere.
She said: “People are walking into a place they might never have been to before or are wary of. They may also have the wrong idea of what a hospice is, so we aim to give everyone that comes here a warm welcome. It puts them at ease; they lower their guard. We make them feel welcome, and that helps them realise it’s not this scary place they’ve perhaps been fearing it is.
“I plan to volunteer at ellenor forever - you’ll have to drag me out of here!”
STEVE BROWN – Shop Assistant, Bexley
Steve’s been with ellenor for five years, and works half a day each week at our Bexley shop, where his friendly smile has become a familiar welcome.
Having left a high-pressured job, Steve still wanted to work, so came to us – and he now enjoys the part he plays in local sustainability.
He said: “People used to only see charity shop buys as temporary things, to briefly fill vacant spots until they found something better to put there.
“Now, though, more and more people are recognising the important role charity shops have to play in combating fast fashion.
“You’re recycling when you shop with ellenor. Charity shops are also cheaper – and there’s always so much good stuff in them!”
Find out more about shopping with ellenor - page 6
SAM BRIAR – Complementary Therapist, ellenor Sam came to ellenor two years ago and volunteers for two mornings each month, providing reflexology to those who need it at ellenor – patients, plus those close to them who can benefit from its calming effects.
Her husband suffered a brain injury several years ago – a year-long recovery followed and he is now back to full health.
It was this, and her Christian beliefs to help others, that inspired her to come to ellenor.
She said: “Volunteering at ellenor is so rewarding and you really feel like you are doing something to help others who are going through a really hard time. That’s what’s important to me and is why I do it.
I can particularly identify with family members and carers who come to ellenor. I know that we can support them throughout this challenging time.”
Find out more about our new wellbeing centre where Sam volunteers for us - page 8.
If you're a therapist looking for a therapy room to hire, contact info@ellenor.org
If you’re interested in becoming an ellenor volunteer, have a look at our
website. ellenor.org/jobs/volunteers
It’s easy to apply online, or if you need more information, get in touch: 01474 320007 or hr@ellenor.org
ellenor now has 15 shops plus a new warehouse, each filled with pre-loved gems ready for you to find. Clothes, shoes, books, toys, household items – it’s all there waiting to be discovered, having been donated by our generous local community.
We’ve got shops across Kent, from Welling in North Kent, through Dartford and Gravesham, onto Strood in Medway, plus a warehouse in Gravesend where we sort through donations and send out to our shops. We also run our online Vinted and ebay shops from the warehouse –because ellenor is now on these platforms too!
Find a nice new coat, sparkly bag, trainers, books for your summer holiday or a gift for someone. You might even find something for your home –we have some lovely homewares that you might like to add to your kitchen, lounge, dining room or bedroom.
Got a few hours to spare? Find out about volunteering at one of our shops.
Pop in, have a browse and pick up a bargain – we really do have some wonderful donations.
You’ll be in good company – we had 250,000 shoppers through our doors last year, who between them, bought 500,000 items.
Our shops give many people the chance to support us easily – and who doesn’t like a charity shop to find a treasure or bargain?
Every item sold, helps us to support the care we give to our patients and their families.
Visit one of our shops
Find your nearest one on our website, where you’ll find the address and opening hours.
Find your nearest ellenor shop
Charity shops like ellenor save UK councils upwards of £31 million every year. 339,000 tonnes of clothing textiles is diverted from landfill*.
Donations can be taken to any shop during opening hours.
Warehouse
Donations can be taken to our warehouse in Gravesend. Call ahead if possible, but otherwise, please visit us during our opening hours. Unit 11, Canal Industrial Park, Gravesend, DA12 2PA
T: 01474 643932
Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4.30pm
Free furniture collection:
If you have furniture to donate, contact our dedicated Furniture Line or complete the form on our website.
01322 626502
Blackfen: 258a Blackfen Rd, DA15 9NA
Welling: 5 Upper Wickham Ln, DA16 3AA
Bexley: 18-20 High St, DA5 1AD
Bexleyheath: 37 Pickford Ln, DA7 4QU
Northumberland Heath: 287 Bexley Rd, DA8 3EX
Swanley: Swanley Centre, BR8 7TG
New Ash Green: 7 The Row,
New Ash Green Shopping Centre, DA3 8JB
Crayford: 134 Crayford Rd, DA1 4ES
Dartford: The Priory Centre, DA1 2HS
Dartford: 82 High St, DA1 1DE
Dartford: Darent Valley Hospital, DA2 8DA
Swanscombe: 44 High St, DA10 0AB
Northfleet: 73 Pelham Rd South, DA11 8QT
Gravesend: 27 King St, DA12 2DU
Strood: 98 High St, ME2 4TP
Gravesend Warehouse: Unit 11, Canal Industrial Park, DA12 2PA
After an 18-month build, our brand new Wellbeing Centre is now open!
We desperately needed more space to provide our services to our patients, their families and people in the community who need us.
We had a wonderful opening ceremony in November and since then, we have welcomed in many people for everything from counselling, to fitness, to knitting, cooking and finance meetings.
It's all the extras that we provide on top of our clinical care – because both patients and those close to them need more support.
A wide range of free and drop-in activities is available in a safe environment where medical needs can be catered for – activities that might have been too hard or impossible without them being available at ellenor.
Wellbeing services are available to people within ellenor’s local community who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, plus their carers and family.
You don’t have to be receiving medical care from ellenor to use our wellbeing services.
The main aim is to help people to live well for longer – despite their diagnosis.
View the wellbeing centre timetable here – just pop along if you see something you’d like to join in with.
Wellbeing services are available to people within ellenor’s local community who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, plus their carers and family.
You don’t have to be receiving medical care from ellenor to use our wellbeing services.
Our bereavement service is open to the community – you may have been recently bereaved, or your bereavement may have been some time ago. If you are struggling, our door is open.
The groups for friends, family and carers enable people to come together for peer support, chat to someone who understands what they are experiencing and to enjoy something together unrelated to care for a while.
Great friendships have been made at the groups which have run at various community locations in the local areas, and these will continue at ellenor.
Four of our ambassadors joined us in celebrating the opening. TV presenter Charlotte Hawkins, Amanda Cottrell OBE, Paralympian JohnBoy Smith and former ellenor Chief Executive Carol Stone toured the centre.
Find out more about our ambassador JohnBoy Smith –what he can’t start his day without, what makes him laugh and his ambitions for the 2028 Paralympics.
THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING GOING ON AT ELLENOR! AND IT’S NO SURPRISE... WE HAVE WONDERFUL PEOPLE DOING AMAZING
Here's the round-up!
Café on the Green has been refurbished and re-opened! There’s a full lunch menu, delicious cakes and snacks on offer, alongside hot and cold drinks.
The café is open to everyone, so just pop in, Monday-Friday, 10am – 2pm for lunch, a cake, a meet-up or quiet place to enjoy a lovely café.
If you’re on Spotify, search ‘These Are Our Lives’ – and you will find a track written and performed by ellenor’s Music Matters group.
The song, co-ordinated by ellenor’s music therapist Andy Ruddy, tells the story of their lives, and shares their childhoods, careers, families, and experiences at ellenor.
Our brand new Wellbeing Centre is busy with patients and their families using it, but the rooms can also be hired.
They're available for our community to use for business or personal use. The small rooms can be used for therapy, counselling or small meetings, or maybe somewhere to be quiet or work alone for the day. Therapists can book to use the gym or rooms for private clients, a cinema room can be enjoyed for a staff event, family celebration or watching a film in a small, private place, plus a huge ‘multi-purpose’ room might be the right size for local clubs or hobby groups, business meetings or activities.
To find out more, contact info@ellenor.org
We now have raffle tickets available to buy online. We currently send out raffle tickets in the post and have stubs returned, but online purchasing will be quicker, easier and save on postal costs too.
Check the website for our next grand prize draw.
ellenor’s garden was given a good tidy up ready for spring planting, thanks to help from Sidcup company ITRM.
They held a team-building day with us, bringing colleagues from across the UK together, helping ellenor at the same time.
Gravesend Rugby Club has another year of fundraising planned – in the second year of a three-year partnership.
The support follows a generous donation of £25,000 raised by The Moles team – made up of ‘dads and lads’.
Look out for ellenor at Dartford Football Club over the next 3 years as they’ve agreed to support us as a Priority Charity Partner!
ellenor joined up with 6 other hospices in Kent, to launch a national campaign aimed at asking people to remember their local hospice in their will. It’s the first time we’ve come together and won’t be the last. Did you see the story on BBC South East?
You’ll see our lovely logo pitch-side, on their socials and around the grounds as they help us spread the word about our services to people in Dartford.
Plus we’ll be at the club meeting people and letting them know anything they need to about hospice care.
Our shops in Strood and Swanley are now open, full of treasures waiting to be found. We’ve got an ambitious plan to open more shops – our retail side is the way most people get involved with ellenor, and provide a large slice of the funds we need to offer our services.
Our Needles & Knots group, run by our wellbeing team, has been busy crocheting orange pin flowers ready for sale in our shops.
The pins will be sold so that people can show their support for ellenor – and have been created by the group, made up of loved ones of people ellenor is supporting with a life-limiting condition.
Here at ellenor, we have so much going on, so many services, with many people involved – it’s quite a list!
How well do you know ellenor and what we do?
Take a moment to see what you know – many people we talk to in our shops, in the community or who come into the hospice are surprised at just how much we are involved with, and what we can do for people and their families.
Last year, we supported many people and their families through our wide range of services:
1,923 patients seen by our Hospice @ Home & Care Home Support Team
17,177 face-to-face, telephone or virtual contacts by our Hospice @ Home Team
2,543 face-to-face contacts made by our Care Home Support Service
2,413 contacts made by our Children’s Services
45 children cared for across all our boroughs
26 siblings supported by the GEMS service*
173 people supported with complementary therapies
1,823 attendances at the Bereavement Cuppa events
167 patients supported for palliative care and end of-life care admissions
*GEMS – Grief Every Memory is Special
• The majority of our care is provided in the community, rather than in our in-patient ward.
• Many of our in-patients stay with us on the ward for just a short while, in-between leaving hospital and going home.
• Our care is free to all.
• ellenor’s care includes some aspects that hospitals don’t provide, including 24-hr phone assistance and holistic care for both the patient and those around them.
• We support the whole family, not just the patient through wellbeing, counselling and peer groups, to name a few.
• ellenor is inclusive of all faiths.
• ellenor is partially funded by the NHS – we rely on generous donations to cover our operating costs.
• You don’t have to be an ellenor patient for us to help you – if you are affected by a life-limiting illness, we are here for you.
• You can make your own referral to us – it doesn’t have to be a healthcare professional
• ellenor is full of life and living – when you come in, you’ll see that it’s bright, light, very welcoming and happy.
• Our café is open to all – not just those visiting people at ellenor…pop in for a spot of lunch, cuppa and cake! (Plus look out for our treat boxes too – delicious!)
Our annual running costs for 2025/2026 are estimated at £9.6m
We’re so enormously grateful to our amazing and loyal community - you continue to stand by us. Your generosity through donating, fundraising, leaving gifts in wills, playing our lottery and visiting our shops, is heartening and awe-inspiring.
It is thanks to your generous support, with ellenor in your hearts, that we have been able to grow our services over the years to meet the increasing needs of our community. Our promise to you, is that we are doing everything we can to make sure your hospice is here for many years to come – another 40 at least!
Our patient survey last year revealed: 92% of patients and families rated our care services favourably 96% would recommend our services
What our patients and their families say about ellenor
Where access to children’s palliative care is so incredibly sparce, ellenor was a lifeline to us and we knew our beautiful boy was safe and happy in your care.
ellenor is our family, helping us through our most difficult times and helping to create amazing memories as a family.
The ellenor team at Northfleet could not be faulted at all. I have so much to thank them for, they made a huge difference to my mum’s end of life care, and I am forever grateful to
Living life to the full while I can, knowing that ellenor will be there throughout my changing situation.
It’s a little bit of heaven.
100% positive feedback for our new Night Sitting Service
Last year, our Hospice @ Home team launched a Night Sitting Service. An experienced health care assistant trained in providing end of life care, is at the patient’s home overnight from 10pm-6am twice a week. Their role is to support their carer when they are struggling to cope. Their role is to support the person caring for them when they are struggling to cope. Care involves managing the symptoms associated with end of life including pain, nausea, and shortness of breath – as well as providing comfort and companionship during what can be a distressing and anxious time.
We'd
When we were at our wit’s end and with nowhere to turn for help, we were directed to ellenor who were a god send, helping us in day-to-day life with friendly care and medications.
unmeasurable. Every person we came into contact with could not be faulted. The service ellenor provides to the community is such an amazing resource.
It offers the patient and their family a sense of comfort and security, enabling them to rest properly overnight, or enjoy some company, conversation, or read or listen to music together.
We’ve had 100% feedback –here’s what people said: “I was able to sleep and not worry. ”
“It was of great support.” “I was upset and the nurse was able to offer support and wash mum. Having someone there stopped her being anxious and frightened.”
“I was able to sleep without
listening out for my mum if she got out of bed or if she was distressed.”
“I had complete confidence in the nurse so was able to sleep deeply and solidly.
Just knowing that the night nurse was with us, giving that extra support took a lot of anxiety away.”
“I slept well, woke refreshed and with peace of mind knowing my wife was in good hands, being cared for.”
“My dad was able to have support with fluids and personal care overnight if needed. I could rest well, knowing someone was there overnight.”
Every day, ellenor is working alongside other healthcare practitioners in the local community, taking hospice care to people at home or in a care home.
Across Dartford, Swanley and Gravesham, we are supporting our adult patients and their families with Palliative Care, End of Life Care, Crisis Support, Night Sitting, Counselling, Bereavement Support.
Specialised health care and emotional support is taken directly to patients' homes, allowing them to remain in familiar surroundings during their final stages of life. Healthcare professionals including nurses, doctors, and therapists, work collaboratively to manage symptoms, alleviate discomfort, and enhance quality of life, all while honouring the patient’s preferences and dignity.
• Specialised Care
• 24/7 Support
• Pain & Symptom Management
• Emotional & Psychological Support
• Respite Care
• Bereavement Support
Care home residents can also receive ellenor’s specialised care, ensuring they receive the same level of compassionate support and attention as our in-patients or at-home patients.
Medical care, emotional support, and practical assistance is delivered by professionals from different specialist services, dedicated to enhancing comfort and wellbeing.
The team can assess anyone in a nursing home from admission, but also work with local residential homes, learning disability homes and nearby secure mental health units.
• Holistic Assessment
• Specialised Nursing Care
• Medication Management
• Emotional & Psychological Support
• End of Life Care Planning
• Training for Care Home Staff
How to make a referral
Call us: 01474 320007
Email us: TELH.clinical-admin@nhs.net
Online referral form: ellenor.org/makea-referral
A film featuring an interview with one of our patients in the last month of her life, was chosen as a finalist at the Smiley Charity Film Awards. The awards, held at O2 Indigo in late March, aim to celebrate film-making in the charity sector, but also highlight the issues within them and the causes they stand for.
Our film Life In Every Breath was a finalist in the £5m£15m income bracket, with a public vote pushing us through to the final stage of the
competition. Gail Price was filmed on the ward at ellenor, with her husband of 48 years, Peter, talking about her experience of being cared for at ellenor. She talked about her care being her choice, having decided to spend the time she had left, enjoying fun and laughter rather than going through more treatment.
You can watch the film here to hear Gail’s experience with us.
Specialist care and support for very special children in their own home.
Our Children’s Team feels right at home – in the homes of the families they support.
It can be very demanding caring for a seriously ill child, and we know how it can impact the whole family.
Along with supporting and empowering families to manage the day-to-day care needs of their child, we also provide expert advice along the way. Not to mention care co-ordination, care planning, respite care and social events and support through various transitions.
ellenor also supports family members with emotional support, holistic and therapeutic care too – complementary therapies, fitness, interest groups, peer support and counselling to name a few, because we’re here for the whole family, not just the patient.
Our Children’s Team is here to:
• Support families from pre-birth to 19 years old
• Support children with a complex condition that may shorten or threaten their life
• Provide individualised support and advice to help manage a child’s condition, optimising their health and quality of life
• Help your child and family to live as normal a life as possible in the place you feel the safest – your own home
How we help:
• Coordination of Care
• Symptom Management
• Advance Care Planning
• Emotional Support
• End of Life Care
• Respite Care
• Social Events
• Transition Support
• Treatment at home
a referral is
320007
ellenor.org/make-a-referral
Where do cows go on Saturday nights?
To the MOOO-vies!
Why is it hard to play cards in the jungle?
There are too many cheetahs!
What time is it when an elephant sits on your fence?
Time to get a new fence!
What is a crocodile’s favourite game?
Snap!
What happens when a frog’s car breaks down? He gets toad away. Send your favourites to us.
Try this cupcake recipe at home. Ask permission, get some help with the hot oven bit, wear an apron and have fun!
Ingredients for 24 cupcakes
450g self-raising flour
400g caster sugar
400g butter
7 large eggs
Beat the butter and caster sugar together in a bowl until you’ve got a creamy mixture. Slowly add the eggs, one by one. Sieve the flour into the mixture and mix it in. Add a splash of milk to add a little more taste – but not too much! Share the mixture evenly into all 24 cupcake cases – a big spoon is a good way to do it!
Bake at 150C for 20 minutes (check at 15 mins – every oven is a little bit different!) Eat them as they are, or pop some icing on the top and sprinkle with some delicious treats! Send us photos of your creations!
Send your jokes and recipes to: pr@ellenor.org
ellenorColdharbourRoad,Gravesend Kent,DA117HQ DoorsOpenfrom6.45pm. StartTime:7pm untilFinis Frequency:FirstMonday monthstartingfrom3M (Exceptfromthemonth duetoBankHolidays).
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Toilets: Availableon request. Nodisabledaccess. Wheelchairs:Nosuitablefor wheelchairacce tepstosu arden. Parking: Parkingavailablein joiningyard.s Webringyou partthree
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6 Bermuda Road, Ransomes Europark, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9RU
Tel: 01473 272222
On 15th October 2024, we were pleased to hand over the finished extension and refurbishment for ellenor. The project enables the hospice to continue delivering vital care to the people of North Kent and Bexley.
No project is straightforward, and construction alongside a sensitive environment delivering end of life care presented hurdles to overcome. Collaboration and constant dialogue with the hospice team was key to ensuring a smooth delivery, limiting construction disruption as much as we could! Thanks to all staff, visitors and patients for bearing with us over the construction period.
“The Wellbeing Centre puts everything people need from us in the same place, whether they are a patient, their carer or family. Everything here is aimed at giving people a better quality of life for as long as possible, from fitness classes, financial help, and enjoying music, to reiki and counselling. And of course, socialising – making new friends at the groups, using our cinema room, or eating a family meal cooked in our bespoke kitchen together.” Andy Lowden, Operational Lead, Wellbeing Services, ellenor.
