North Devon Hospice Autumn Winter Newsletter 2023

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How your support is enriching lives Autumn/Winter ‘23

Forming friendships that give Janet strength - p3 Giving Angela her confidence back - p7 Hocking's special hospice delivery for a much-loved customer - p8

Unconditional love “

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We've made lovely memories at the hospice and spending time with Obie has definitely been one of the most precious.

“Obie is a gentle giant and absolutely loves a fuss from anyone he meets,” said Ceri, Obie’s owner.

“I love seeing how much comfort he brings to people at the hospice.

There’s something so positive that comes from spending time with animals, especially if you’re feeling anxious. Obie just seems to know how to put someone at ease. He hasn’t failed to make a patient smile yet!”

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As well as enjoying a stroke and pat, Obie also likes to pop his paws up on patients’ laps and can even sit back on his hind legs to ask for a treat.

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Cover photo: Sally and Obie sharing a special moment. The care she recieved inspired Sally and her mum to give an incredibly generous donation to the hospice.

We're so grateful.

We loved having a visit from Obie,” said Chris, who recently stayed on the hospice’s Bedded Unit. “He was such a friendly boy and he sat so patiently while my wife and I were enjoying our lunch, I had to treat him to some leftovers! We’ve managed to make some lovely memories while I’ve been here and spending time with Obie has definitely been one of the most precious.

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Dogs don't see an illness. They just see a person. A person to love unconditionally, to give joy and support to. This is certainly the case for our affectionate pet therapy dog, Obie, who brings smiles, cuddles, and a familiar sense of home every week to patients and families.

Forming friendships that give you strength After she was diagnosed with cancer, Janet started to visit The Long House, North Devon Hospice's outreach centre in Holsworthy, to meet others facing a life-limiting illness. The friendships she's formed here have made all the difference.

“I’m a real people person and always have been, so I love the social aspect of coming here,” said Janet. “You meet people and the friendships last – it’s nice to experience this journey together. You can talk about things that you probably wouldn’t talk to anyone else about, because you’ve got that deeper understanding of each other. That gives me a lot of relief.”

As well as receiving support through regular patient groups, Janet also

£30

A donation from you could help give the emotional support that Janet needs

attends wellbeing days where she enjoys relaxing treatments like massages, reflexology and pedicures.

“It’s always so tranquil when you walk in, and now I’ve had my feet done I’ll be walking on air for the rest of the day!” said Janet. “There are so many good things about this place, but the staff are on another level. The time and effort they all put in, to make things special for us, it’s so appreciated.” For Janet, The Long House is a sanctuary where she can unwind and be herself,

even on the bad days. “It’s lovely to have somewhere like this, I can’t imagine being without it now,” said Janet.

“It gives you that extra strength, because you can come to unload and don’t have to put on a front.

People often tiptoe around dying but here, we can smile about it and make something heavy feel lighter.”

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60-year-old Kevin has a life-limiting respiratory disease. The diagnosis shook the lives of his whole family. But thanks to you he has found comfort, which is ‘worth its weight in gold’ at the hospice.

“I have a devoted wife, two beautiful daughters and a wonderful granddaughter who I’m lucky enough to spend a lot of time with. But when this news hit, I didn’t want to leave the house. I felt incredibly low and couldn’t shift my mood,” said Kevin.

“North Devon Hospice reached out to me, offering counselling and the opportunity to attend some wellbeing groups, and that made such a tremendous difference,” he added.

“I’ve never felt alone, I’ve had help anytime I’ve needed it and the support from the hospice has given me such a different outlook. The groups have been a wonderful way to lighten the load that comes with an illness, I love chatting and meeting people and feeling part of something.”

Kevin has received support at the hospice’s outreach centre, The Long House, in Holsworthy. “I know moving forward that I can pick up the phone or walk through the door and

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someone will always be there for me.

I have felt listened to, they have understood my worries, and have been such a constant in my life.”

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The hospice is worth its weight in gold for people like me and every single penny really does help to make a difference to families just like mine. If you can support them in any way then please do, so they can continue to make a difference.

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Emotional support becomes a lifeline for Kevin

Please donate today You'll help Kevin to get the support he needs, allowing him to make the most of every day.

Giving Angela her confidence back

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The hospice made me feel like I've got a lot more living to do...

It started with having her nails and hair done. It’s gone on to include 24-hour care to ease her pain.

But every step of the way, Angela from Barnstaple says the support of the hospice has let her rediscover her confidence and zest for life.

“The best thing I did was go to a pamper session at the hospice.

After that I joined all the hospice groups I could, so I was doing art therapy classes and all sorts, making new friends and really getting my confidence back.”

Angela has breast cancer, which has spread to her lungs and bones. She was told her cancer was incurable in 2018, but since then she has been supported by

North Devon Hospice to make the most of each day. When we spoke to Angela, she was staying on our Bedded Unit to help manage her symptoms.

“They were able to take my pain away and that was just amazing,” said Angela. “I’ve stayed here three weeks and am heading home tomorrow, so it’s also nice to know my daughter’s been given a break too. It makes me feel like I’ve got a lot more living to do. The hospice has given me my confidence back, and that means everything.”

[Thank you for putting life into Angela’s days. This is the difference your support makes]

Thank you for putting life into Angela's days. This is the difference your support makes.

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Precious moments...

Your support has brought comfort, smiles, normality and escapism for local patients and families. Here are just a few of the amazing moments you’ve made happen recently.

...all thanks to you

A surprise visit from the Hocking’s ice cream van brought delight to patients and families.

There was even enough for our nurses to indulge too!

Almost 1,000 women lit up the Tarka Trail at Nightwalk, including Julie who was walking in memory of her son’s best friend, who was cared for by the hospice.

The care provided by the hospice prompted such incredible feedback, that we were awarded the iWantGreatCare Certificate of Excellence

iWantGreatCare Your support is providing 5 star care

A home from home for visiting families Families wanting to stay close to their loved ones while they’re at the hospice can do so in comfort, thanks to two brand-new beds in our spacious family room. We’re so grateful to Barrow Clark for this generous donation

Wildlife continued to delight patients, families and staff at the hospice. We’ve been blessed to be regularly visited by deer, foxes, badgers and more – and even captured them on our new wildlife cameras!

We gathered on Instow beach for Floating Bye, a beautiful tribute to those we miss. Together we wrote messages and attached them to a flower on our raft, which was towed out to sea. A truly moving moment

Thanks to Woolley Animals for visiting us!

These beautiful alpacas made themselves at home on our Bedded Unit, bringing smiles, cuddles and even kisses to our enraptured patients

We made the news, highlighting how we are caring for more people than ever before, and that we need to see an urgent increase in donations to meet this demand

We're caring for more people than ever. Your support is needed to meet this demand. A donation today means more precious moments for patients and families who are facing a life-limiting illness like cancer.

Hocking's make special hospice delivery for much-loved customer June was a huge part of the Torrington community. Having lived there for over 50 years, her life was woven through the fabric of the town.

One of her favourite things was a visit to the Hocking’s ice cream van on Torrington common during her daily dog walks, enjoying a cone and a catch-up with van driver, Christian.

June's daughter Becki (left) with nurse Lisa

When she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year and came to be cared for on the hospice’s Bedded Unit, her absence from the community did not go unnoticed. When Christian heard the news, he took time out specially, to come and pay a visit to his ‘best customer’.

June’s daughter, Becki, told us: “Being quite poorly and frail, Mum hadn’t felt well enough for many visitors during her time at the hospice. But when she saw Christian, laden with tubs of Hocking’s for all the patients, her face absolutely lit up! He even brought her a miniature model of a Hocking’s van too, which she had at the side of her bed.

It was such a wonderful gesture, something he did out of the kindness of his heart.”

“It was lovely to see how a community she loved so much stepped up for her when she needed it with the simplest act.”

Becki concluded: “We know that when mum died, she was in a calm and peaceful place, free from pain and with the knowledge that she was able to enjoy Hocking’s ice cream right until the end. That’s something she didn’t think she would get to do again. We can’t thank Christian and the hospice enough for making this all possible.”

Thanks to your support, June was able to spend her final days pain-free in the comfort of the hospice... enjoying Hocking's ice cream too.

A birthday to remember...

Isabelle’s fourth birthday came when her grandma was staying at North Devon Hospice, and Ruth wanted it to be special for her granddaughter.

“They went above and beyond. We had an amazing afternoon tea with cakes, candles, the works!” said Suzie, Isabelle’s mum and Ruth’s daughter.

Ruth, 62, was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2022 and was told she only had months to live. “It was a real shock,” said Suzie. “At home, her pain relief would often wear off in the night. She’d be in agony, and we had several distressing trips to hospital. We knew that Mum needed to be looked after round-theclock.”

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for makin last Isabelle's with her birthday a grandm l ia c so spe

It was a tough time, but something beautiful came out of it.

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Isabelle loved visiting her grandma Ruth at North Devon Hospice. There was space to run around and play; in grandma’s bedroom, on her balcony, in the gardens. Ruth felt comfortable there too, remarking when she first arrived that she ‘should have moved in months ago!’

Suzie continued, “When we first arrived at North Devon Hospice, it was beautiful. Mum was so impressed with her room and her balcony. They immediately got on top of her pain too, making her feel much more comfortable.”

This meant celebrating Isabelle’s 4th birthday at the hospice was a real joy.

“It felt like a proper family party, really lovely,” said Suzie.

“Mum died just a few days later, so that will always be a precious memory. Though it was a sad time, Mum felt comfortable and had the dignity she deserved.”

Growing memories for families New Children's Trail is yet another reason to visit the hospice gardens...

Natalie and Emily enjoying the Children's Trail

The beautiful hospice gardens will forever hold a special place in the hearts of the Hayes family, who joined us for the opening of our magical Children’s Trail recently.

Natalie told us: “Both my darling grandparents spent their final days at this incredible place, so while I’ve seen the gardens many times, I’ve never truly experienced them until today.

And now we have even more reason to come and visit with the opening

of the lovely new Children’s Trail. Our daughter, Emily, had a great time exploring and immersing herself in the trail. Everything’s been crafted to such a great standard, while remaining respectful of the natural beauty of the grounds.”

She continued, “Emily was quite young when my grandparents were here, so it has been such a wonderful experience to come back and make some memories with her. This is a great free

activity for any family to come and enjoy.”

Our new Children’s Trail is open all year round, FREE for anyone to come and enjoy! Just collect a trail sheet from Reception or the garden, then see what you can discover! You can even grab a bite to eat in our Terrace Café at the same time, open 8.30am 5.00pm daily.

Helping patients enjoy the food they love when it matters most Food is one of life's real pleasures. But for some of our patients, their illness can make it difficult to eat and swallowing can become tricky.

Patient lead chef, Katrina, and our hospice catering team, have been working hard to create a brand-new menu of delicious pureed food. This ensures every person in our care can enjoy the food they love when it matters most.

“We can now offer patients three modified diet options for their meals,” said Katrina. “Each option dictates the consistency of the food and means that whatever the person’s level of swallowing, we can adapt our meals to suit them, making dishes that are safe to eat yet deliciously appetising.”

As well as savoury options like mushroom and chicken pasta with sweet potato, patients can also enjoy sweet dishes including warm spiced apple cake or

chocolate and raspberry pudding.

“The process behind our pureed meals is fascinating,” explained Katrina. “We start by cooking the ingredients in the right way to ensure they are soft before adding them to a specialised blender.

Then, we pass them through a sieve to ensure the consistency is smooth before adding a tasteless thickener if required.

Finally, we pipe the puree in all different shapes and patterns to make it look realistic before serving.”

For everyone in our hospice kitchen, it’s about making every mouthful matter. “If we can make someone’s last meal a safe, satisfying, and special experience, I’ll feel like we’ve done them proud and given them the comfort they deserve.”

£20 from you today could provide a beautifully prepared meal for a patient, served in a way that they can enjoy

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Cannot speak highly enough of the nurses who came daily to look after my brother.

They were all fantastic, worth their weight in gold!

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Registered charity no.286554

North Devon Hospice Deer Park Newport Barnstaple EX32 0HU 01271 344248

North Devon Hospice The Long House Dobles Lane Holsworthy EX22 6GH 01271 344248