How your support is enriching lives
Fulfilling Navy veteran’s dying wish
Improving end-of-life care across North Devon
Barbara and Pete find strength to move forward
92-year-old Bill from Barnstaple served in the Royal Navy, but misplaced his Navy cap and was devastated that his uniform was His family had tried without luck to find a replacement, and this mission became even more poignant when Bill was diagnosed with terminal
Trevor brought Bill’s request to North Devon Hospice’s Marketing Team. A lot of military research and plenty of phone calls followed. Soon after, a genuine Royal Navy cap, complete with the correct insignia, was sourced for Bill to finally complete his uniform.
Bill’s daughter Annette said: “Dad received care at home from his wonderful North Devon Hospice nurse, Trevor. He did so much to make Dad comfortable and was a huge support for us as a family.”
Annette added: “During one of his visits, Trevor asked if there were any wishes Dad really wanted to fulfil and we mentioned the missing Navy cap. I never imagined how it would turn out though!”
“TO HAVE SOMEONE DO SOMETHING SO SPECIAL, JUST FOR HIM, WAS REALLY HUMBLING.”
The cap was delivered and presented to Bill just in time, a matter of days before he died. Annette said: “This was the greatest thing Trevor and the hospice could have done for Dad. To have someone do something so special, just for him, was really humbling. His face when he received his treasured Navy cap will forever be one of my favourite memories. It was like he’d won the lottery. We will never forget what the hospice did for Dad, and us as a family.”
When Hospice to Home team member Jenny visited patient Betty at home, she brought some visitors from the hospice comms team. Little did they know a mesmerising experience was about to play out, and how the world would react.
captivated by Jo’s beautiful playing, closing her eyes and becoming entirely enthralled. She lifted her hands as though she was playing the piano herself, while Betty’s husband sat down next to her, mesmerised by the joy spreading across his wife’s face.
Betty from Ashreigney had terminal cancer and was no longer able to play her beloved piano, which took pride of place in her lounge.
But photographer Jo, who was profiling Jenny that day, had an idea. “I’m no professional, but I can play the piano a bit,” she said. That was quite the understatement. Betty was
Luckily, the magic was captured for Betty by Saf, from the hospice comms team. She said, “I could sense this was going to be a special moment and wanted to record it as a keepsake for the family.”
Betty wanted everyone to share this moment with her so the video was posted on the hospice’s social media.
A staggering three million people have now seen Betty enraptured by her piano being played once again. “It’s been wonderful, seeing people from across the world resonate with Betty and her love for music” said Saf. “More than anything, it’s a rare opportunity to see what hospice care is really about, which is making people comfortable and helping them live every day to the fullest.”
When you’re facing a life-limiting illness, having a network of emotional support around you can make a big difference to how you are feeling. Thanks to you, our supportive care team have been able to launch a new programme of events and activities to help support patients and families journeying through loss.
“Our hope is to work with families to help build people’s emotional and physical resilience at what is always an incredibly challenging time,” said Charlie, Head of Supportive Care at the hospice. “Whether you’re a
diagnosis can feel frightening and overwhelming. We’re here to help families come to terms with this and focus on what’s important in their lives right now.”
“With this in mind, our new programme includes a diverse range of wellbeing activities, therapeutic groups, and social events that we hope will bring moments of release for those in our care. From support groups and art sessions to mindfulness and gentle yoga, there’s something for everyone to try, wherever you are on your journey.”
59-year-old Lindsay from Bude has been taking part in our mindfulness sessions after her daughter, Gemma, passed away in 2019 from a rare life-limiting illness.
“I relive the moment we lost Gemma every single day, but the mindfulness has helped me to find moments of peace and just shut out the noise for a moment,” said Lindsay. “It recharges the batteries and helps me to feel calmer and ultimately, keep living. I would encourage anyone to try itthe benefits are truly amazing.”
NORTH
A MISSION. They’re providing interactive, informative training to healthcare professionals across the area. The goal is to ensure all those facing a life-limiting illness get the very best care, no matter where that takes place.
“There’s never a dull moment in our sessions!” said Sarah Laverty, a nurse of 16 years experience, who is now in charge of delivering North Devon Hospice’s expanding education programme. “We’re proud of how dynamic we make our teaching because we’re all so passionate about this subject. We believe the final days, weeks, and months of someone’s life can be full of meaning, warmth, laughter, and wonderful moments. It’s a privilege to help other healthcare professionals make that happen.”
The hospice’s education programme trains everyone from care home assistants to district nurses, hospital staff, doctors, and more. Basically, anybody who may be supporting someone in North Devon when they’re facing a life-limiting illness.
Dr Jessica Danielson is a GP at Wooda Surgery in Bideford. She is one of many local healthcare professionals who’ve benefited from training at North Devon Hospice this year. “End-of-life care is so important; we only get one chance to get it right,” she said. “I was so impressed with the training offered by the hospice. They really are the experts in this, but most of all, it was engaging, interesting and really interactive. I cannot recommend it highly enough and thank the hospice team for making such an effort to improve end-of-life care across North Devon.”
CHECK OUT THE FULL RANGE OF EDUCATION SESSIONS AVAILABLE TO BOOK AT northdevonhospice.org.uk.
BECS, SHELLY AND KAREN PROUDLY HOLD THEIR TRAINING CERTIFICATES
Your support makes amazing things happen. Thank you! Here’s just a few precious moments your generosity has created in the last few months...
For patient Angela, this moment felt like home. Overcome with happiness, she forgot her worries and began to relax when Pet Therapy dog Daisy delivered all the doggy cuddles she was missing with her own dog, Rufus.
Jenny from our Hospice to Home Team picked fresh raspberries from her garden for patient Bernard’s breakfast. It’s gestures like these that make the days a little brighter.
We organised a special 6th birthday tea for Grace, so she could celebrate with mum Sarah, who is facing a life-limiting illness. They enjoyed a selection of yummy treats lovingly prepared by our catering team.
A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY TEA FOR GRACE
Despite a chilly start, Hospice to Home Team members Hayley and Lisa weren’t going to let the ice and snow stop them! They were still able to visit patients, to give vital care, comfort, and day-brightening smiles.
This gorgeous rainbow made the view of our hospice gardens even more beautiful for patients and families, and helped to remind us all to keep looking up.
Laughter, comfort, and joy. That’s what your support made possible for patients and loved ones who attended our special Winter Gathering at The Long House in Holsworthy. A wonderful afternoon with plenty of smiles.
Pet Therapy dog, Obie, gave lots of Christmas cuddles to patients staying on our Bedded Unit, earning himself the nickname ‘Elfin John’ with his fabulously festive glasses!
We gathered at the hospice for a very special Light Up A Life service, to mark the memory of those we miss. We lit candles, sang songs, and took a moment to find comfort, together.
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.
2024 MARKS NORTH DEVON HOSPICE’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY. THANKS TO INCREDIBLE PEOPLE LIKE YOU, THAT’S FOUR DECADES OF CARE, FOR THOUSANDS OF LOCAL PEOPLE AND THEIR LOVED ONES, AS THEY FACE A LIFE-LIMITING ILLNESS.
Back in 1984, our first ever hospice nurse was appointed, to provide care in people’s own homes right across North Devon. This trailblazer’s name was Wynne Withers. After many years of service, Wynne completed an extraordinary circle of care when she herself was supported by the hospice in her final months. She died on our
purpose-built Bedded Unit in 2007, something which would have been unimaginable when she became our solitary hospice nurse all those years before.
This year is a momentous one for Ali Hunt, our Head of Fundraising, who marks 25 years of service to the hospice and is also set for her well-earned retirement, after being such an incredible figurehead for the charity.
“The developments at the hospice down the years have been a privilege to witness.” said Ali. The way we’re able to support more people, in even more ways tailored to each individual, is just heartwarming. It has been an honour to have been a small part of that. It is so important that we recognise all those in our community who have helped us achieve so much over so many years but I will leave by emphasising to everyone that this 40th anniversary year is about looking forwards. Our hospice faces considerable challenges, with
WYNNE
more people needing care and costs always rising. We all need to act now. Please consider any way you can to support North Devon Hospice this year. The future can never be taken for granted.
CARING FOR YOU. TIME AFTER TIME
After her cancer spread, Barbara, 63, was admitted to the hospice’s Bedded Unit to help manage her pain and symptoms. Knowing that her family is being cared for just as much as she is during her stay has made all the difference.
“This place takes my breath away,” said Barbara. “There’s so many in our family, but we’ve all been taken care of so well. The team here are just angels, there’s no other way to describe them.”
Barbara’s husband, Pete, said the nurses have welcomed the family with open arms and nothing’s too much trouble.
“Having that support has been like an immense force inside. It’s given us the strength to go forward,” said Pete.
As well as visits from her beloved dogs, Barbara’s time at the hospice has
been made even more memorable when her sister, Marge, arrived from Brazil. Having not seen her for two years, Barbara’s nurses did all they could to make this an occasion to remember.
“The nurses were just as excited for Marge’s arrival as we were!” said Maria, Barbara’s younger sister. “They even made a special banner to welcome Marge and the hospice catering team prepared an amazing afternoon tea! It was just wonderful.
A great example of how the team here don’t just look at the individual, they look at the whole family and make it special for us all.”
SADLY, SINCE SPEAKING TO US, BARBARA HAS DIED. WITH YOUR SUPPORT WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE THERE FOR HER LOVED ONES, JUST LIKE SHE WANTED.
Margaret enjoys yoga, reiki, and reflexology at Deer Park, but it’s about far more than relaxation for her. The hospice has felt like an extended family and gives wholesome human interaction.
After suffering a collapsed lung, Margaret was being supported at home in Ilfracombe by our Hospice to Home Team. The feeling was that Margaret may be approaching her final weeks. “They didn’t think I had long to live, but thanks to the hospice nurses, it was actually a very restful time. They also supported my family greatly, and I defied expectations as my condition improved quite considerably.”
Amazingly, that was 6 years ago! Although Margaret’s condition is incurable, she’s been determined to make the most of every day, just as she has done for the whole of her adventurous life. “Since becoming ill, the hospice has
been there for me. In the early days, it was about practical help and support for my family, but I’ve enjoyed all sorts of activities at the hospice over the years. I love coming for reiki and reflexology because I find them so relaxing. Recently, I started coming to the new yoga sessions too. It’s physical, and I can really feel the benefits, but it’s also very calming too. The teacher, Arwen, focusses a lot on breathing techniques, which are useful for someone like me with lung problems.”
She added, “I do feel like this is an extended family for me. I can talk to them about anything, and I get a great deal of human contact through the hospice, which is so important.”
SINCE SPEAKING TO US FOR THIS STORY, MARGARET DIED PEACEFULLY AT HOME. YOUR SUPPORT HELPED TO MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY MOMENT RIGHT UP TO HER FINAL DAY.
Having been diagnosed with a rare life-limiting illness, the prognosis was taking a toll on both Colin and his wife, Sandra. The hospice has since made them feel secure and supported, enabling many enjoyable moments together along the way.
“With my health deteriorating, it was tough for Sandra and me. But the hospice stepped in and immediately we felt the weight lift from our shoulders,” says Colin, from Barnstaple. He says they’ve both particularly benefitted from Complementary Therapy sessions at the hospice. “I had pretty bad oedema in my lower legs, but that’s disappeared since seeing Hannah - my Reflexologist. We also have interesting conversations during my therapies, which I really enjoy. It all adds to the warm, welcoming and homely feel of the hospice.”
This sense of safety at the hospice has led to some lovely moments for the couple, such as when they attended our special Candlelit Dinner. “It’s difficult for us to get out much, so occasions like that mean a lot to us,” said Colin. “It also gives us the confidence to get out more and to make the most of every day.”
Colin says his main worry for the future is for Sandra, but that he feels reassured the hospice will be there for both of
them. “They understand what we’re going through, and we know we can count on them whatever happens next. That helps to take away a lot of the anxiety, because the unknown can be quite overwhelming. The hospice is caring, nurturing, compassionate, and empathetic. That makes such a difference to us both.”
THANK YOU FOR HELPING COLIN AND SANDRA FEEL SO AT PEACE DURING SUCH DIFFICULT TIMES.
