North Devon Hospice newsletter spring/summer 2013

news For supporters and friends of North Devon Hospice

Spring Summer 2013

Issue 39

look inside for

Beth’s story

New Chief Executive

Devon Country Fayre & English National Sheepdog Trials, 19, 20 & 21 July

Amazing volunteers

being there for all the family

“My friends and family have seen such a complete transformation in me over the last two years.”

Beth pictured (right) with her sister Ann Banks.

Photo courtesy of North Devon Journal

Beth battled through, with the help of the hospice…

“I ended up staying temporarily in a women’s refuge, but when I was ready to leave, the friends I had made through the hospice again came to the rescue. During my final weeks attending Day Hospice, I was due to move into a beautiful flat of my own. Not having any furniture or household things at all, my fellow patients in the hospice group rallied round. Before I knew it, they had donated two car loads of furniture, crockery and bedding to help get me on my feet. It was an incredible gesture and I felt so blessed to have come across an environment like the hospice where such a thing could happen.

“My health had improved so much that I was officially in remission. While this was wonderful news, it also meant that I no longer needed the support of the hospice.

They allowed me to gradually withdraw at my

own pace, as I took the first steps in my new life full of confidence and optimism.

“My friends and family have seen such a complete transformation in me over the last two years. Physically, there has been a dramatic change and I feel so much happier with how I look, but I feel I have also grown emotionally and spiritually too. I have continued to live each God-given day to the full. It took a horrible illness like cancer for me to realise this, but I am eternally grateful that I had North Devon Hospice there to help me and my whole family along the way.

I hope my story gives people an insight into the difference the hospice makes to the lives of local people just like me. It is one of the treasures of our community and we should look after it the way they look after us, with love, care and affection.”

When Beth Hammett was diagnosed with cancer in February 2011, she felt at her lowest ebb. Little did she know that it would lead her on a journey that would result in a new life, with newfound confidence. This is Beth’s incredible tale in her own words…

Stephen Steps Up

“Like many people, I had resisted talk of the hospice because I thought it was only somewhere to go if you are dying. How wrong I was! Having gone through chemotherapy and surgery to treat my cancer, I had no hair, was over weight and my confidence had never been lower.

hospice can offer, like one-to-one counselling, support groups and relaxing complementary therapies. But it was little things that meant a great deal to me too, like sewing in the art room and talking to my new-found friends.

Angela Webb, Chair of North Devon Hospice’s Trustees, said of the appointment, “This is a truly unique position in a very special charity. We are delighted that Stephen has become our new Chief Executive because he has the right local knowledge and ideas to lead us in a very exciting period.”

“All of this gave me confidence and made me grow as a person. It resulted in me having the bravery to come out of a an abusive marriage. Of course, this decision left me with other difficulties, but the hospice was still there for me. They arranged for me to talk to professionals about money, debt and the emotional turmoil that comes with such moments.

Stephen, who was schooled in Devon, plays rugby for Barnstaple RFC and is married to a local GP, becomes just the third Chief Executive in the hospice’s 30-year history. “It is such a privilege for me, because North Devon Hospice has a place in the hearts of so many people in our community,” he said. “The care provided by the hospice has grown hugely over the years and now we are focussing on providing as many services as close as possible to people’s homes. This could include outreach services to make our care even more accessible. These are tough economic times, and the healthcare sector is also rapidly changing, but we feel confident we are well-placed to meet these challenges and seize some of the exciting opportunities that are out there.”

When I first started attending Day Hospice sessions at I felt I didn’t have anything in my life. But I was greeted every Wednesday by a friendly smile, and people who really wanted to know how I was. It was great to make real bonds with other people who knew what I was going through. I took advantage of the many benefits that the

www.northdevonhospice.org.uk . .being there for for all the 1 www.northdevonhospice.org.uk being there allfamily the family

Stephen Roberts, Commercial Director at the hospice for the last 3 years, has been appointed as our new Chief Executive.

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Working with GP’s & District Nurses WORKING ALONGSIDE LOCAL GPS AND DISTRICT NURSES ARE THE HOSPICES TEAM OF SPECIALIST NURSES. “Many people don’t realise how closely we work with local GP practices and District Nurses. They are our clinical partners and together we ensure that our patients living throughout North Devon receive specialist care and advice throughout their illness.”

Martin Peters is one of our Clinical Nurse Specialists, based in the Bideford and Hartland area.

Martin goes on to speak about the rest of the nursing team. “All the hospice nurses meet every morning to review caseloads and from that point onwards we are all on the road visiting patients at home and liaising with GPs. Our team works from Lynton and Lynmouth all the way to Holsworthy, including every town and village in between. We go where our patients are, and in such a rural area, it gives people such comfort to know that we are close by and there to help them when they need us most.”

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www.northdevonhospice.org.uk . being there for all the family

The ‘Hospice to Home Service’ We continue to focus on expanding our frontline care services so we can provide more care closer to the homes of our patients. Our new Hospice to Home Service has been established for nearly one year and in a relatively short space of time has made such a difference to our patients and their families.

The service provides day and night care in the homes of our patients who are in the final days of their journey. This is often such a comfort to the patient and their loved ones, knowing we are there and at hand if and when they need us. Barnstaple GP, Dr Sophia Erdozain said “Many people want to spend their

final days in the comfort and familiarity of their own home, surrounded by their loved ones. This service is making that wish possible. The hospice team work closely with GP’s and District Nurses, so together we aim to provide the right care for patients who wish to be at home in the final days. This round the clock support through the Hospice to Home Service is essential.”

Local healthcare professionals referred 122 patients to this service last year.

Every person had expressed that they wanted to be cared for in their own home and of those 122 people, every single person was.

Did you know...

The hospice Nurses travelled over 50,000 miles on patient visits Our patients ranged from 20 years old to 80 years old Our specialist nurses made nearly 5,000 visits last year

Woolacombe

Braunton BARNSTAPLE

North Devon Hospice achieved 100% compliance following a Care Quality Hartland Commission inspection for the second year in a row!

Bude

ILFRACOMBE

BIDEFORD

N O R T H D E V O N High Bickington

South Molton

Great Torrington Chulmleigh

T O R R I D G E

Holsworthy Beaworthy

GP Practices working with North Devon Hospice

You can support the hospice through your normal shopping habits?

Here’s how…

4 WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT YOUR HOSPICE

Floating Bye Sunday 7th July, from 5.30pm on Instow beach

A poignant and moving event, where we remember those we love by placing a flower and a message on a raft before it is floated out to sea. Join us on Instow beach at sunset for this memorable occasion.

Tel: 01271 347204 or email: rebeccaworth@northdevonhospice.org.uk

www.floatingbye.co.uk Buy your greetings cards from www.hospicecards.co.uk Pick from a great selection and personalise your cards with your own photos and messages £1 is donated to North Devon Hospice with every card purchased + your card will be sent out via first class post

Visit our shops for a great range of brand new products and pre-loved items.

Pick up fantastic furniture and homeware from our Furniture Centres at St George’s Road, Barnstaple or The Square, Holsworthy.

Every pound raised through our shops helps the hospice support local patients and families

Come Dine At Mine Throughout 2013

Coming Soon We are in the midst of producing our own range of beautiful greetings cards.

Look out for our own range of hospice cards to buy in North Devon Hospice shops!

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Beautiful personalised gifts from a local company, Letterfest.

www.letterfest.co.uk Everything you buy helps support the hospice as Letterfest kindly donate some of their profits.

Put in the code NDH20 and you can get 20% off your purchases too!

www.northdevonhospice.org.uk . being there for all the family

Come Dine at Mine is a a fun, culinary experience. Get together with friends and family for a fun-filled evening or lunch, whilst at the same time raising money for the hospice. Invite friends round for your “Come Dine At Mine.” They can then make a donation to North Devon Hospice in return for your hospitality!

Call Gerard on 01271 347224 or email gerardfawcitt@northdevonhospice.org.uk for more information and to help you plan your get together.

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Amazing volunteers It is a little-known fact that we have volunteers helping out in every single aspect of hospice life. It is fair to say that they are the backbone of the charity as they offer their time, skills and expertise for the love of the hospice.

The most recent example of how volunteers make a real difference to the lives of our patients is the new Complementary Therapy team. Made up of volunteers from a wide variety of backgrounds, they all bring considerable skills and knowledge to provide extremely professional treatments.

Beth Kelso, the Complementary Therapy Team Leader, praised the impact these volunteers have had. “I wanted to assemble a team of people who could bring their expertise to help our patients. But I was just overwhelmed by the response and cannot believe what an amazing team of talented people we now have.” she said.

“They are here because they want to make a difference to the lives of others, and to give up their free time to do this is just amazing.”

Interested in volunteering?

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for North Devon Hospice, please contact Kim Jones on 01271 347226 for an informal chat, or email kimjones@northdevonhospice.org.uk

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Beth added, “We now offer such treatments as massage, aromatherapy, reflexology and reiki. These are offered completely free of charge, not just to our patients but also to their carer. We hear time and again how complementary therapies have helped to relax and de-stress people who are going through treatment for cancer and other illnesses.

It is also important that carers can benefit from these therapies too, because it can be such a difficult time and their needs are

www.northdevonhospice.org.uk . being there for all the family

important too. One of the new volunteer Complementary Therapists, said: “I’m proud to be using my skills at the hospice because it feels like I’m part of something very special. Helping patients relax and unwind positively affects their entire wellbeing, so it is very rewarding indeed. It is a privilege to be involved and to see how volunteers at the hospice can make such a difference.”

Sonia, a patient who receives

regular complementary therapies at North Devon Hospice, said she feels like a different person after each treatment.

“I am very lucky to be able to access this kind of care,” she said. “The other troubles of life or illness seem to just slide away and I can properly relax. It helps me immensely. They are a wonderful team and what they do is invaluable.”

Volunteers come from all different backgrounds and bring different skills to the hospice. Here are just some of the people who lend their time to make the charity tick…

Paul Williamson- helps in IT

“In my previous career, I ran a multi-million pound IT system, so I’m glad I can put my skills and experience to good use here. It’s really rewarding because I can see that our role is vital in running the charity.”

Terry White - helps with maintenance

Terry has an unusual background, as he had chart success in the late 50’s with his own pop group. He is pictured here with Cliff Richard as he shared a stage with him on live TV. “I have had a number of different careers, including in a pop group which led to playing gigs at the Albert Hall,” said Terry. “Now I have some spare time I lend a hand with the hospice’s maintenance team, which I absolutely love.”

Wendy Sherlock - helps out in the shops

“There is a great variety of work involved, which suits me as it’s great to keep busy,” she said. “I’ve also put my craft skills to use by creating button artwork which I can sell in the shop to help raise more money for the hospice.”

Ken Clarke - helps in Day Hospice

Ken has been involved for many years, and recently took on an even larger role with the hospice. “I have helped out in Day Hospicefor a long time, but in 2011 I took the chance to become a Trustee and get involved with the running of the charity. My years spent with patients help me in this role and I love giving more of my time to a cause I’m passionate about.”

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Sheila Arkless

The hospice family recently celebrated the life of Sheila Arkless, who sadly died earlier this year. Sheila made an incredible contribution to hospice life as a volunteer and fundraiser over many, many years.

It was fitting that the hospice was there for her as she battled with cancer, and she spent the final days of her life being cared for at home, with the support of North Devon Hospice Hospice to Home Service.

Devon Country Fayre & English National Sheepdog Trials

Ali Hunt, Head of Fundraising, said “Sheila was an incredible woman who put her heart and soul into the hospice. She was a volunteer in Day Hospice for a number of years and helped many patients regain their self-esteem through our Look Good, Feel Great days. She will also be remembered by many for the role she played in organising the hugely popular Hartland Ball. This event regularly raises tens of thousands of pounds for the hospice, and has become a fixture in the Hartland calendar. We feel blessed to have known Sheila and are so grateful for what she did for others in her community.”

19, 20 & 21 July

Angel Day

Castle Hill Estate, near Filleigh

This fayre will be awash with attractions for the whole family at this enormous summer spectacle. As well as action from the top sheepdog trainers in the country, there will be the best of Devon’s food and drink, country skills on display, arena displays and the finest local produce on offer. Make sure you and your family book your tickets to what will be the biggest event in North Devon this year!

All proceeds from this 3 day event are going towards the care and support provided by North Devon Hospice.

As part of our ‘In The Making’ workshops, patients created their own Christmas Angel ‘In The Making’ is a series of artistic workshops for patients which offers the chance to learn new skills and create something beautiful. kindly sponsored by:

The latest session, facilitated by Jo Northridge, saw 8 patients painting large wooden angels to their own design.

The festive theme of the workshop went down well, and it was yet another opportunity for patients to express their creative side and socialise with others.

Buy your tickets: Online: www.devoncountryfayre.co.uk Call the hotline: 01392 353700 Or buy your tickets at any of the North Devon Hospice charity shops or Mole Valley stores

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www.northdevonhospice.org.uk . being there for all the family

“This is like my own guardian angel”

- a patient 10

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North Devon Hospice is licensed by the gamblingcommission.gov.uk. T&C’s apply. Registered Charity No. 286554

Contact us being there for all the family Registered Charity No. 286554

North Devon Hospice, Deer Park, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 0HU Tel: 01271 344248 info@northdevonhospice.org.uk www.northdevonhospice.org.uk