INSIDE:
Mission Unbreakable:
Autumn 2019
Our latest news for supporters and friends of North Devon Hospice
news
New look obstacle challenge has just got tougher
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Supportive Care: Steve shares on the importance of men reaching out for help
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Working together:
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New Hospice nurse now based at Hospital
‘The hospice is amazing. There’s nothing that’s too much for them’ Vicky aged 24 has lived in Bideford all her life. She told us “I love socialising and partying and I really have some great friends and family.” Vicky was enjoying life but she and her family were stunned when she was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, at the age of just 21. The cancer was initially discovered in her leg muscle but then it spread to her hip, resulting in the need for Vicky to have a hip replacement. She then began a series of chemotherapy and radiotherapy session. After a period of remission, the cancer returned in February this year and Vicky has since been confined to a wheelchair. Vicky’s Mum, Susan recalled “Vicky was making good progress with the chemo for a while and then she began to get worse. The hospital did everything they could for Vicky but she was then transferred to North Devon Hospice’s Bedded Unit where she has stayed over the last month.”
Vicky pictured with her idols, Phil & Holly
Vicky was full of praise for the hospice “The hospice is amazing. There’s nothing that’s too much for them. If you need anything they will do it for you. They’re quite simply amazing. They’ve really helped me with the intense pain I’ve been experiencing. They’ve really helped to ease it for me. There’s no way that I could be at home and I’m really taking each day as it comes.” Vicky’s story continues on page 3
CEO Stephen Roberts 2
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Welcome to the Autumn edition of our Newsletter which we wanted to use to show how your support continues to make such an amazing difference to the lives of the people we care for and their loved ones.We are committed to making sure that anyone in North Devon who is facing a life limiting illness is able to get the specialist help that they need and deserve.We believe that nobody should have to face a life limiting illness alone. It was in the Autumn, 35 years ago, when North Devon Hospice recruited its very first nurse,Wynne Withers, who travelled the length and breadth of North Devon to care for people in their own homes.Today we recruit 52 nurses who support over 2,000 people every year thanks to the generous and continued support of our local community. I hope that reading some of our patient stories in this newsletter, helps to show you that we are continuing to give people the highest level of care in their time of need.Thank you!
Still missing – the £1,000 golden ticket! Since releasing the latest 2,000 boxes of North Devon Monopoly, we’re still waiting for the secret £1,000 golden ticket to be found hidden in one of the boxes. If you haven’t bought your own North Devon Monopoly board yet, what better time to buy one as an early Christmas present – and who knows, there might be a £1,000 golden ticket inside. Head of Retail, Amanda Shearing said “We can’t believe it hasn’t been found yet as we’ve sold lots so far this year – and it has to be in one of the remaining boxes. Someone is going to be in with a shock and it’s going to happen quite soon. It costs just £30 and not only does it liven up a cold Autumn evening, but it’s also a great way to support your Hospice!”
To find the location of your nearest Monopoly selling shop, visit our website or purchase online at www.northdevonmonopoly.co.uk
(continued from front page) Vicky’s Mum, Susan was
celebrating her 60th birthday in July whilst Vicky was at the hospice and the nursing team put on a party for her which Vicky and her friends and family were able to attend. Susan has appreciated the support of the Bedded Unit Team. She said “To begin with it was difficult and strange for Vicky. The hospice has been such a help though. We couldn’t have taken her home with her illness, we don’t know what we would have done. She could never have managed the stairs at home and the pain has been horrendous for her. Last night she was in so much pain, I can’t contemplate what it would have been like if she was at home. We wouldn’t have known what to do.Vicky has deteriorated a lot and quite quickly and the hospice has been fantastic in the way that they’ve stepped in.” Vicky recently fulfilled one thing on her bucket list by meeting TV presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby just a few months ago.Vicky said “I love both of them, they are really amazing and I was so glad to have had the opportunity to meet them.” Watch on our social media the moment when Vicky watched a surprise message from Philip Schofield organised by the hospice.
Andrew’s journey with the hospice It was 25 years ago when Andrew and his wife Penny moved from the New Forest in Hampshire for a life by the sea. They took up ownership of a coffee shop in Bude, followed by the acquisition of a bakery business just a year later. Andrew recalls “It was a very busy first Summer and I remember it so well as my wife Penny was working in the shop with me whilst being heavily pregnant with our eldest son.” Penny’s Mum became ill and moved in with Andrew and Penny 12 years ago after she was diagnosed with bladder cancer. It was thanks to the support of the hospice’s palliative care nurse that Penny’s Mum was able to stay at home. Little did the family realise at the time, but this was the beginning of a lengthy period of support by the hospice. Penny’s mother died in 2007 with Andrew recalling “The care Penny’s Mum received from the hospice was lovely. This was my first involvement with a hospice – the care was so good, it was the best care.” “When you first realise what’s happening you need some form of
anchoring, stability and knowledge, which they gave us. Mum wanted to know if it was good or not so good, and the honesty helped us deal with it all.” It was only a short time after Andrew and Penny moved to Chilsworthy, when Penny too was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. Penny then went through major treatment in Derriford and that was the start of a long period of further hospice support for the family which lasted another 10 ½ years. Andrew’s story continues on page 4 3
really found the massage treatment helpful because of the swollen legs caused by her medication. Everything the hospice offered helped her so much.”
Andrew and Penny (continued from page 3) Andrew recalls though
how the hospice was there every step of the way. He said “We would go to the Wellbeing Sessions at The Long House in Holsworthy. Penny was keen to sign up for everything that they offered as it all helped so much and got her into the support network that she found so useful. It connected her with the counsellors but also with the other patients which she found so useful.” “Penny had lots of chemo following her diagnosis and the support she had was lovely. She enjoyed all the complementary therapies including nails, hair and 4
Following a visit to their house by a family friend who was a GP, Andrew and Penny were advised that Penny should no longer stay at home. Andrew said “We weren’t coping at all – we thought we were but our GP told us that it wasn’t safe anymore and that Penny needed more support with medication and care. Things were getting so difficult and her illness was progressing so quickly. It was such a shock. We knew it was coming but didn’t realise it was going to be quite so sudden.” Following a short stay in a nursing home it was apparent that Penny then needed further support and was transferred to the hospice’s Bedded Unit in Barnstaple. Penny’s daughter Angela Brown told us “The last week was wonderful, we were so blessed to have the hospice there. I would recommend the hospice to absolutely anyone. I remember the ambulance nurse said to me when we arrived with Mum, just how lucky we were to come to the hospice. I remember
thinking it was an odd thing to say at the time, but when my Mum was dying at the end, I really got it. Mum was in the right place and was happy. Nothing was too much trouble for any of the staff.” Penny died in the Bedded Unit at the end of April and within the sadness, Andrew reflected that Penny’s last moments along with his families had been made special. He said “The Bedded Unit was wonderful. The first thing Penny said when she arrived was how much she loved the view from her room. Penny knew the end was coming and it was a sense of relief to me that we were here. Penny had said to us that she wanted to either die at home or in the hospice. Everything happened so quickly that we didn’t have all the discussions we needed to. It felt safe and secure at the hospice and we were cared for so well. The medical and spiritual care was there but it was wonderful knowing that Charlie (the counsellor) and other people were there too to give us that support. Without the hospice we would have really struggled. It wasn’t a pleasant ending but the fact we were all able to be there with the support of the hospice staff was really quite amazing.”
to travel the 800 square miles of North Devon next year, giving vital support to our patients and their loved ones.” To sign up visit www.missionunbreakable.org.uk
Thank you nightwalkers!
S U N DAy
13 10 19 We’re looking for heroes! Are you brave enough to become an ‘unbreakable’ for the hospice? We have just a few hundred places left for our spectacular commando supported Mission: Unbreakable - which takes place in North Molton on Sunday 13th October. This year Chivenor’s 2 4 commandos will put participants through their paces and we have some fantastic new challenges en-route in our 10k course, culminating in our fearsome and spectacular new travellator. We are also pleased to have Wollens Solicitors on board as our headline sponsor.
Head of Fundraising, Ali Hunt said “Every day our nurses give their all to ensure our patients and their families are given the support they need – we’re asking for you to do the same on our fantastic assault course challenge. Everyone who registers will be combining to help us raise £80,000 to support our frontline nurses. These nurses along with our wider team, within one year, will be able to touch the lives of over 2,000 people who are facing a life limiting illness from across North Devon. Your support at Mission: Unbreakable will not only push you to the limit, culminating in a well-earned ‘unbreakable’ medal, but will also help fund our own nursing heroes
We want to reach out to our nightwalkers and thank you for your amazing support this year. Around 1,000 walkers embraced our 80s theme as we celebrated 35 years of hospice care in North Devon (since 1984). A brilliant atmosphere and 80s entertainment along the route helped to make it a spectacular evening which we hope will end up raising £80,000. If you still haven’t returned your sponsorship, please do this as soon as you can. To take a look back at the evening, visit any of our social media pages.
HEADLINE SPONSOR
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Marking 35 years of hospice care in North Devon
We caught up with our CEO, Stephen Roberts who reflects back on the 35 year journey when North Devon Hospice first began operating from a small property in Barnstaple – and looks ahead to the next 35 years of hospice care.
What do you think are the key things the hospice has achieved in 35 years? Our first community nurse, the late Wynne Withers, gave support to 52 patients during the first year in 1984 – fast forward 35 years and today we’re giving care to over 2,000 patients from across North Devon based from our hospice in Barnstaple and from the The Long House outreach centre in Holsworthy. Not only do we support patients in our bedded unit, but the biggest part of our care sees our clinical teams travelling the 800 square miles of North Devon each day, directly into patient homes to give them the vital care they need.
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The late Wynne Withers, our very first community nurse
What has amazed you the most about the hospice during your time here? Without a doubt it is the dedication and compassion of every single member of staff in putting the patient first. Everyday I see how all staff go above and beyond to support our patients and their loved ones. It is very humbling. Also very humbling is the passion and generosity of our 550 volunteers. They give us the greatest gift of all, time. Each and everyone of them should be immensely proud of the positive impact their volunteering is having on people’s lives. Finally, we would not be here for 1 year nevermind 35 if it wasn’t for the people of North Devon.
Your support is never taken for granted so when you choose to support North Devon Hospice you can be assured that it is hugely appreciated.Yes, by everyone here at but more importantly by the people we are able to care for. That is amazing.
What do you think are the key challenges that North Devon Hospice will face over the next 35 years? We know that with an aging population, resulting in people facing more complex illnesses as they get older, the pressure will mount on our services. With the squeeze on the NHS too and a big question mark over statutory funding from the government, there’s great uncertainty on what our future might look like. There’s also going to be continuing uncertainty around the UK economy – and with us having to raise such a lot of money each year to run our services, it’s always going to remain a concern.
It’s good for men to talk We offer bereavement support to our patients and loved ones who are facing a life limiting illness. We caught up with Steve who challenges men to make sure they reach out for support after being bereaved.
When Steve Burdon’s wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he admitted to ‘not functioning very well with the situation.’ But after accessing emotional support from North Devon Hospice, the ex-military man found new resolve, and is encouraging other local men in his situation to open up and confront their feelings. Steve tells us “Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. She responded really well to treatment and everything was looking up but she developed a cough the following year and got diagnosed with secondary cancer which proved to be terminal. Being an army man for 24 years, I’d solved every problem put in front of me. But I couldn’t solve this one - just how do you function when you can’t actually solve things?”
Steve Burdon
Sharon and Steve had been married for 32 years and have two sons. When they were referred to the hospice they had shared that, although they had supported the hospice for many years, they didn’t really have
a great understanding of the breadth of services on offer. Steve said “I’ve donated to the hospice lottery for a long time. I was putting money in the pot simply to help people who die at the hospice. I never ever thought about the Hospice to Home team, the night sits, the Supportive Care, the counselling, the way they look after the children and the grandchildren. I think it is very difficult to promote everything this place does.” After attending an induction day for patients and families at the hospice, the Burdon family accessed a wide range of support which helped them through a difficult time. He said “I had counselling sessions and the counsellor just got me. She helped me to function by making our days better. Then we started on a conveyor belt of care. I went to the Carers Group - I don’t know what I’d have done without that - and we went to lots of activity sessions as a family where we could talk, laugh and make memories.”
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Win £3,500 in our Autumn Raffle We’ve got some great prizes up for grabs in our Autumn Raffle, including a top prize of £3,500. If you’ve received this newsletter in the post, then you might have already received some raffle tickets that you might want to buy. All money from the raffle tickets will help to support our patients and their families facing a life limiting illness – and who knows you could be our autumn winner! If you haven’t received your raffle tickets yet, or want to buy some more, please email us at fundraising@northdevonhospice.org.uk or call 01271 347232. Kindly sponsored by
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Farewell and thank you Doctor Murray! We said a fond farewell to our retiring Medical Director and Palliative Care Consultant, Doctor Murray Fletcher in the Summer, following 10 years of service. Doctor Murray led our Bedded Unit and as the area’s leading expert in end of life care, meant he touched the lives of countless patients and families in North Devon. Doctor Murray said ‘My highlights have been working with a great team committed to providing the highest possible standards of compassionate care for all patients. I hope I have helped to create a culture where all staff are treated with respect, feel valued, and are able to bring their talents and ideas to our work. It has been a privilege for me to be able to spend 10
fulfilling years here. I’m leaving the hospice in great hands and the future looks bright’.
Devon Digital Carers We’ve teamed up with our local NHS service, to offer nearly 100 new videos on a range of health and wellbeing topics associated with an illness. It can be a confusing and disorientating time when someone is facing a serious illness. With so much information out there, it can be a minefield, knowing what information to
trust. The new range of videos are not just related to healthcare topics associated with a life limiting illness, but cover a very broad spectrum of health issues. Why not have a look? nd-hospice.healthandcarevideos.com
Where The Wind Blows A wave of colourful ribbons blowing gently against the backdrop of a beautiful river was the perfect setting for North Devon Hospice’s first memorial event in Bude, earlier this year. ‘Where The Wind Blows’ gave an opportunity for people to gather and remember loved ones no longer with us. A community choir sang and poetry was read out as around 50 people stood alongside ribboned bamboos holding messages remembering loved ones. Amy Higgins from Bude who attended the event said “My husband George was cared for by the hospice for 5-6 weeks at the end of his life. I was struggling to look after him at night so it was great that the hospice was there.The care was all so good in the Bedded Unit and they made George so comfortable and even had him laughing at the end. He was such a happy man and the nurses were amazing.”
If you or a loved one are facing a life limiting illness or if you have faced bereavement and would like to talk to someone, please contact our Supportive Care Team on 01271 344248 or visit our website at www.northdevonhospice.org.uk
Gill Smith who lives in Bude also attended ‘Where The Wind Blows’ with her family. She told us “My husband died just a year ago. My two grandchildren Ashton and Mia wanted to do something to remember their grandad and when we were contacted by the hospice about this event, we really wanted to come along and say something to Grampy.”
It’s been ‘all action’ in some of our shops over the last few months. Not only have we opened a brand new store in Mill Street, Bideford, but we have also carried out a major refurb on our two shops in Holsworthy.
She added “It’s brilliant that the hospice is here for people in this area.The location we live in can make things difficult when you’re facing an illness like Bill had. It’s fantastic to know that there is always someone at the hospice on the phone should I ever need to talk things through. People say such wonderful things about The Long House hospice outreach centre in Holsworthy, it’s fantastic that it’s here.”
New store openings and refurbs!
We have 12 shops located across North Devon which all help to raise around £1.5 million each year towards the total we need to run the hospice each and every year. Two great ways to support our shops is to either pick up a bargain yourself at one of our shops, or if you have some items you no longer need, then please think of donating them to us. To find the location of your nearest shop, including details of our online shop visit www.northdevonhospice.org.uk/shops 9
Meet the man with the many hats Colin Ford who lives in Morwenstow on the North Devon/North Cornwall border, has been volunteering for the hospice over the last 2 years. He wears many hats for the hospice, where he offers his time as a driver, phone counsellor, befriender and also as a host at The Long House outreach centre based in Holsworthy. Having retired 7 years ago, in a number of roles including a former Probation Officer and counsellor with the Samaritans, Colin wanted to give something back and thought that offering his time for the hospice was the best route to go. Colin told us “The hospice movement is such a wonderful thing and the difference hospice’s make is so vital at such difficult times in people’s lives. Being a volunteer works in two ways, not only do you get to help people, but I also get the satisfaction of knowing that our work is making a 1010
difference each and every day.” In Colin’s driving role, he transports patients to and from the hospice in Barnstaple as well as appointments at The Long House. In the last 12 months alone, the hospice organised 985 trips for patients so that they could get to use its specialist services. Colin said “For some patients they are just too ill to drive and for others they can’t drive at all. I’ve travelled as far as Camelford to take people to and from appointments, there’s not many places I haven’t been. Often these car journeys can open up some important conversations which I think can really help.” When Colin’s not driving, he can also be found regularly supporting the hospice’s Clinical Nurse Specialist team as one of its 9 Respite Care Befrienders. Colin said “For many family members or carers who are looking after a poorly patient, it can become very tiring for them both physically and emotionally. As a befriender, we simply come in and allow the carer(s) to get a break. Sometimes a patient might want to just sleep and other times, they’re wanting to chat. I’ve heard lots of life histories, but it’s just so rewarding. Just at the moment, the 3 patients I’ve been
Colin Ford, Hospice volunteer
supporting have all died quite quickly which is sad, but part of our role is coming in at a later stage of a patients’ life when families might really be struggling unfortunately it’s part of what we have to face.” The other role Colin takes on for the hospice is in giving phone support to those people who have recently been bereaved. Colin said “I make around 20 calls per month and simply ring to check up how people are doing around 3 months after their loss. For some people, they’ve got good networks around them, but for others, they are not coping and need further support from us. This is where we once again, step in to ensure that nobody we care for is left isolated and alone.”
Patients benefitting at hospital with new hospice nursing posts Two new hospice nurse posts have been introduced at North Devon Hospital to help improve care for end of life patients facing life limiting illnesses who are being cared for at hospital. One of our nurses, Charlie Raymont who typically can support up to 9 patients each day at the hospital tells us “Most of the hospice’s work involves supporting patients in their own homes, but this new partnership with the hospital helps ensure seamless care for patients and their families based at the hospital at a particularly difficult point in their lives.” Charlie added “Having previously been based at the hospice, I know how the hospice works. So once we get a patient referral at the hospital (facing a life limiting illness) we look at what they need, what they ideally want and where they want
to be looked after. We then evaluate their symptoms, give support to their loved ones and make a call on whether we then transfer them back home with support from our team of nurses. We also review whether their care needs have advanced and a transfer to our Bedded Unit at North Devon Hospice is more appropriate. So we really see ourselves as one integrated team with the hospital staff, to ultimately help improve the process for patients and their families.” Charlie added “Today I have seen a lady
who has been in hospital for approximately 2-3 weeks now. Sadly her disease has progressed and there are no further surgical or oncology options for her. She is displaying a variety of complex symptoms including nausea and vomiting, but also has quite complex psychological needs including not coming to terms with her condition and the acceptance that she is going to die very soon. We are looking to transfer her to the hospice today where we can continue to provide that more robust and complex psychological support for her, whilst at the same time managing her symptom needs.” In summing up the joint partnership, Charlie said “It’s a big team effort and the staff on the wards are absolutely fantastic. We combine well together to just add that little bit of extra support for people and provide the best care we can. That’s why this partnership is really blossoming.” Watch our full video on our website 11
Dates for your diary
Mission: Unbreakable
13 OCT
Join us for our greatest challenge - 10k of mud, marsh, rivers and gruesome obstacles! Be a hero for us and sign up today! North Molton Sports Club missionunbreakable.org.uk
Christmas Crafts
30 NOV
Festive workshops - an international florist will help you craft your own stunning Christmas wreaths and table centrepieces. Manor House Inn, Croyde northdevonhospice.org.uk
Santas on the Beach
09 DEC
Santa Run with a twist it’s on the beach! Fun for the whole family - especially your four-legged friend.
Sign up at northdevonhospice.org.uk
Holsworthy Coffee Morning
23 OCT
Coffee morning in aid of The Long House Outreach Centre. All welcome.
Beaconside House Presents: Laurence Henry
15 NOV
A unique evening at the beautiful Beaconside House. Enjoy a 7 Course taster menu created by 2018 Masterchef Winner Laurence Henry.
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Durrant House Christmas Fayre NOV Get into the Christmas spirit and find unique gifts at the Durrant House Hotel.
Holsworthy Memorial Hall, Holsworthy, North Devon
Get your tickets at northdevonhospice.org.uk
12-4pm northdevonhospice.org.uk
Light Up A Life
Pitch in a Pound
Big Breakfasts
DEC
Celebrate the memory of a loved one this Christmas.
Check our website for dates of Light Up A Life services throughout December
FEB
We’re inviting local workplaces, schools and groups across North Devon to ‘Pitch in a Pound’ for the hospice. Get in touch for more info. Various places in North Devon
Check our website for a Big Breakfast happening near you!
ALL YEAR
Various places in North Devon Check our website for dates
Don’t forget to order your Hospice Christmas Cards Pop into one of our hospice shops to pick your favourites. Packs of 10 with 12 stunning designs to choose from. It’s a great way to support your hospice! To view our full calendar of events visit www.northdevonhospice.org.uk North Devon Hospice, Deer Park, Barnstaple, EX32 0HU Tel: 01271 344248 info@northdevonhospice.org.uk
Registered charity number 286554