North Devon Hospice Annual Review 2008-2009

being there 2008 . 2009

‘Knowing someone is there makes all the difference’ - a patient

BEING THERE FOR ALL THE FAMILY Being there… for all the family

North Devon Hospice is there for all the family.

We care for people with life-threatening illnesses, primarily cancer, and do all we can to support the needs of their families too. All of our services are provided free of charge.

When someone is living with a life-threatening illness, life is never the same again. There are feelings of loss, confusion and uncertainty as everything that was thought to be secure becomes unstable and shaken. Family and friends, adults and children, can also be deeply affected, shocked and devastated. It is our hope that, within this uncertainty, North Devon Hospice can provide care and support for the whole family.

We believe every person in our care is unique, and therefore strive to make it possible for each individual’s independence and dignity to be maintained. In addition, we offer support to family and friends (including children), as together we try and discover what is needed by everyone in the most difficult of circumstances.

So whether the support comes from specialist medical attention (in the community or the bedded unit), from mutual sharing, from enjoying tasty lunches, from relaxing with complementary therapies, from one-to-one counselling or from helping children through play...we hope to continue to be there for all the family.

Image: ‘A jump in memory of my gran who died at the hospice’ James

‘I no longer feel desperately alone’ - a carer ‘When I am with you I can be myself’ - a patient

From the Chairman

Dear friends, I am honoured that my first year as Chairman has coincided with the hospice’s 25th anniversary, which has meant celebrating our history as well as looking forward to our next era.

I believe that the key to the future of the hospice actually lies in our past.The roots that we have in the local community will ensure that we can flourish together and support each other in the years to come. Because that is what hospice care is all about – us supporting the community, and the community supporting us.

The start of our 25th anniversary celebrations were marked when Lady Arran and Bishop Bob Evens (our former and current Presidents respectively) planted the final tree in our new Community Orchard at Deer Park. As those trees begin to bear fruit, we hope the hospice’s relationship with the community will also continue to flourish for the benefit of local patients and their families.

Image: Ladies Driving Day at RMB Chivenor

‘Within such a short time, a group of strangers became friends, supporting each other’ a comment from the Patients’ Group

BEING THERE IN THE COMMUNITY Community Clinical Nurse Specialists

This year, our nine Community Clinical Nurse Specialists made over 6,100 home visits to patients and their families Travelling throughout North Devon, from Hartland to East Anstey, from Berrynarbor to Brushford, each nurse has liaised with community hospitals, care homes, local GP surgeries and other health professionals to provide the best possible care.

From symptom control and practical advice to emotional support for individuals and their families, the team has journeyed almost 50,000 miles to deliver this specialist care.

We have been providing specialist care in homes across North Devon for 25 years. Today, it is still where the majority of our care takes place.

Image: Our annual Great North Devon Knit-In involved over 200 knitters

‘We are all here to help and support each other’

- a patient

BEING THERE FOR THE DAY Day Hospice Day Hospice on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays has offered the opportunity to spend the day at Deer Park, and this year there were nearly 1,000 Day Hospice attendances Our aim has been to provide a safe, friendly environment, where people were able to come and feel part of a community, share experiences and realise they are not alone. With specialist nurses on hand for information and advice, many have enjoyed delicious home-made lunches, walked or sat in the gardens, experimented in the art room, relaxed with a complementary therapy, chatted with each other or even slept for a while.

BEING THERE TO RELAX Complementary Therapies

During the past year 800 sessions of massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, acupuncture and reiki have been given to patients and their main carers Complementary therapies can relieve stress and anxiety and create a sense of well-being.

Image: Making music with a sycamore wooden sounding bowl at Day Hospice

‘With you I can laugh or cry; it’s such a relief’ - a patient

BEING THERE WITH 24 HOUR CARE Bedded Unit

Our Bedded Unit has continued to be a vital resource for North Devon, as we have received 169 patient admissions in the past twelve months From offering day treatments and the management of complex symptoms to providing twenty-four hour care for those who are dying, it has been our intention to respond sensitively to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients, their families and their friends.

BEING THERE FOR THE JOURNEY Emotional and Spiritual Support

Nearly 3,200 sessions were provided this year by our Emotional and Spiritual Support team For the 630 men, women and children, the range of care included counselling, bereavement support, self-help techniques, healing and group work.

Our team of highly skilled volunteer bereavement counsellors also gave a considerable amount of their time, 400 hours in all, and we are extremely grateful for their dedication and expertise.

Image: ‘On target’ tractor pull at Keypitts Quads and Stables, Ilfracombe

‘I soon realised it was really normal to have all these thoughts and emotions...and that everyone else had them too; thank goodness for that!’ - a patient

BEING THERE BECAUSE OF YOU Volunteering Our volunteers have continued to be our most valuable asset, and this year have generously given us more than 165,000 hours of their time That means their support has been equivalent to well over £1m, so again their contribution has underpinned our organisation.

Carrying out a multitude of tasks, many unseen, their support has been so appreciated in our shops, in transporting patients, in providing administrative back-up, in caring for patients and families in the community and at Deer Park and, of course, in helping with fundraising events.

Fundraising

This year we have received over £2.7m through donations, legacies, the hospice shops and the hospice lottery This has meant that provision of our essential services has again been possible through the kindness and generosity of you, the people of North Devon. Despite the difficult financial climate nearly 10,000 people have contributed £1 a week to our Lottery Club, whilst legacies and the continued donating to and buying from our 11 shops has also formed an important part of our income. A notable single fundraising event was Nightwalk in April, when more than 1,800 women, (supported by some 200 volunteers), raised over £150,000.

Nevertheless, we are so aware that it is everyone’s support, through donations of time and money, (both large and small), that has made it possible for us to care for over 100 local people every day during the past twelve months.

We are here for and because of you. Thank you so very much.

Image: Some of the many tealights ready for those who gathered at one of our ‘Light up a Life’ services

Legacies £831,702

Financial review

Donations £687,636 Hospice lottery £330,016 Hospice shops £174,390 Devon Primary Care Trust £879,187 Investments £183,298 Other £11,547

Income £3.10m

Care 82% Fundraising 13.6% Education 2.6% Governance 1.8%

Your continued support has meant we were able to raise £3.10 million this year.

Despite tough times in the wider world our income again matched, and even exceeded, our expenditure. We receive an annual grant from the Devon Primary Care Trust, but over 70% of our running costs come as a result of the support of the local community. However, we are also indebted to our fundraising team, our shop staff and volunteers. This generous support means we are able to care for over 100 local people every day.

By carefully monitoring our costs, we were able to keep expenditure to £2.89 million this year – which is at the same level as last year.

And we are proud of the fact that nearly 85% of total costs are spent on patient care and education.

Expenditure £2.89m

This summary financial information is based on the statutory accounts for the year ending 31st March 2009 audited by Thomas Westcott. The Financial Statements and Trustees’ Report are available online at www.northdevonhospice.org.uk or by application to the Company Secretary, North Devon Hospice.

President The Right Reverend Robert Evens Bishop of Crediton

I would like to help North Devon Hospice ❑

I enclose a gift of £ (please make cheques payable to North Devon Hospice)

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I would like to make a regular contribution (we will send you a standing order form)

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Vice Presidents

Trustees

Geoffrey Cox QC MP Gavyn Davies OBE Nick Harvey MP Philip Jewell Ron Ley David Morgan Mark Parkhouse DL John Riley The Hon John Rous DL Lady Stucley David Whiteley

Dr John Womersley (Chairman) Stephen Scoffield (Treasurer) Barbara Bollom Dr Eric Holmes Philip Loft Allister McNeill Doreen Coull Barbara Sheppard Helen Tanner Lesley Taylor David Trueman Angela Webb (Deputy Chair)

I would like to volunteer to help the hospice (we will contact you)

Please send me more details about: The hospice lottery ❑ ❑

Leaving a gift in my will

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In memoriam giving

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Community and events fundraising

Title:

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I would like this and future donations to be treated as Gift Aid. I am a UK tax payer and want North Devon Hospice to claim 25p in every £1 of my donation/s back in tax at no extra cost to myself.

LYNTON

If you are unsure whether your donations qualify for gift aid please contact us. You must pay income tax or capital gains tax equal to the amount that we can reclaim. Please let us know if your circumstances change and you no longer pay income tax or capital gains tax equal to that amount. You may cancel this declaration at any time. Last year, we claimed more than £35,000 from the Inland Revenue thanks to your gift aided donations.

BRAUNTON

WESTWARD HO! CLOVELLY SOUTH MOLTON

HARTLAND GREAT TORRINGTON

Signed: ❑

BUDE HOLSWORTHY

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Please return this form to:

caring for you across North Devon

North Devon Hospice, Deer Park, Barnstaple EX32 0HU

being there for all the family

Deer Park, Newport, Barnstaple, North Devon EX32 0HU

Telephone: 01271 344248

Fax: 01271 347200

www.northdevonhospice.org.uk

Registered Charity Number: 286554 Cover photo: Torridge Pilot Gig Club get ready to help with the ‘Floating Bye’ raft