The Primrose Bulletin - Issue 7 Spring/Summer 24

Welcome to the Spring Summer edition of the Primrose Bulletin.

I joined the Hospice as a volunteer in 2018 and the following year took up a place on the Board as trustee. I volunteer on reception in the Coppice Centre every week, some of you may have met me there

My role as trustee involves quarterly board meetings as well as a few sub-committees I sit on. The Board has recently taken on some new trustees whom I look forward to working with They will bring a diversity of experience to enhance the current trustees in their governing work

These dual roles have allowed me a keen insight as to the workings of Primrose, an organisation I knew little about until a close friend of mine became ill and he and his family received support from the Hospice Reception work means you meet people who access our services and appreciate how it supports and helps them. One of my best experiences is the annual Treecycle collection. The Hospice brings together over 50 volunteers who this year recycled nearly a thousand trees in two days!

Staff here are highly caring and compassionate and always have a friendly face to greet you. This Bulletin will highlight some of their wonderful work and give you the chance to get crafty for Yellow Week You will also meet Paul, one of our Day Hospice volunteers; read his story and perhaps be inspired to join the volunteer team.

Did you know Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre is an independent charity? We rely on the help and kindness of our community to raise the income needed annually to offer our vital care and support for free for those that need it. There are lots of ways you can get involved with helping to fundraise for us. Continue reading to find out more.

I hope you enjoy this Bulletin and can think of supporting Primrose in some manner – we are always open to new ideas Please get in touch and come and see us.

Mark Duncan VolunteerandTrustee PrimroseHospice&FamilySupportCentre

What it costs

Could pay for the equipment required to provide an initial nurse assessment for patients living with a life-limiting illness.

Could pay for a counselling session for an adult or child when they know someone with a lifelimiting illness or are bereaved. £17 £17

Could pay for a patient to visit our Day Hospice, providing not only tailored sessions and support for them but also respite time for their carers. £90 £90

Is how much it costs each year to fund our services, with only 14% being received via statutory routes. £1.95m £10 £10

Mindful Minecraft

At Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre, we're always pushing the boundaries to grow the way we support our community. Today we're letting you know how we’ve delved into the world of Minecraft!

What is Minecraft, we hear you say? Minecraft is an online game launched in 2011 and is one of the best-selling videogames in history, with up to 140 million monthly active players (Microsoft, 2021).

In our Family Support team, as well as supporting patients, we also support children and families when they know someone with a life-limiting illness or are bereaved. We know many of the people we support are already Minecraft users, so when we learnt that Minecraft can be used therapeutically, we couldn’t wait to learn more. We’ve since received training provided by Ellie Finch who specalises in counselling through video games, such as Minecraft

Ellie said:

“I have found Minecraft can be a fantastic way to engage children and even adults, in counselling. Using Minecraft therapeutically creates a service that is attractive and accessible to users whom traditional services fail to reach Minecraft is like lego, a sandtray, a place to play and have adventures all rolled in to one popular videogame.”

Jenni, Primrose Hospice’s Children & Young People's Practitioner Team Lead said:

“We find that many of the young people we support struggle to communicate their emotions and they will often want to seek solace in the comfort of their homes playing videogames. However, by integrating Minecraft into our support, we’ve discovered a powerful tool for breaking down these emotional barriers that may stop them from accessing our vital support ”

We’re looking forward to using Minecraft more to support both children and patients in the future, with the aim of allowing them to feel less isolated and alone.

Learn more about our support: T: 01527 889 797 primrosehospice org

Paul’s Primrose Journey

“My motivation stems from the incredible support my family received during my wife's breast cancer journey. It's not just about easing the patient's experience, but also providing a listening ear to family members too ”

Paul – Volunteer with Primrose Hospice.

Today we want to invite you to learn a little more about our incredible volunteers who help Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre provide tailored care and support to over 1,400 patients and families every single year.

We simply wouldn’t be able to provide our range of support without our ‘Primrose People’, including each and every volunteer who gives their time freely to help others

Keep reading to meet Paul, an integral member of our team.

Hello! I’m Paul, I joined Primrose Hospice as a volunteer arou two years ago, after my wife Mel was supported at Primrose Hospice on her breast cancer journey, before she sadly died

The team at Primrose provided individualised support for both Mel and my family. The fantastic support they gave guided us through what was an incredibly difficult time for us

The reason I wanted to volunteer was because I really wanted to help and make a difference to patients. I had see the enjoyment that Mel had got from attending sessions at P This was the ideal opportunity for me to offer my humble life experience and time to help It's not just about easing the patient's experience, but also providing a listening ear to family members too

Can you tell us about what you do at Primrose Hospice?

A typical day of volunteering for me starts on a Thursday morning where I help staff and other volunteers get everything ready for a Day Hospice session

I then welcome patients, make sure they’ve got a warm cuppa and a biscuit then spend the rest of the morning ensuring they have what they need throughout the session, before they sit down for a delicious home-cooked lunch.

The Clinical Team here are truly wonderful They provide wraparound personalised support for not only the patient but also their carers and families.

Primrose is unique as the people we support here are able to build a trusting relationship with staff and volunteers as they see the same people every time they visit us

Paul’s Primrose Journey

It’s a real privilege to be a volunteer and to be part of patients’ lives at such a vulnerable and most difficult time of their life. It’s so rewarding that you can actually be connected and be part of that journey and make it a bit better for them.

Along with our team we help them navigate their journey and put them at ease which makes me feel like I’ something worthwhile. It’s amazing to hear th and I learn a lot from them!

There was a gentleman who came to Primro at first he didn't engage at all with clinical sta myself and other volunteers. So we worked to put him at ease and the clinical team ensure he was given the right support. Fast forward about three weeks when he came in, he wa more open with everyone, and I think, we re helped him overcome those first concerns about attending a hospice, which I think he was quite unnerved about.

What’s your most memorable moment fro volunteering at Primrose?

There are lots of lovely moments, but one that sticks with me is when I first started volunteering at Primrose. I was aware of the high level of quality care being delivered and one of the nursing staff actually said to me she thought I was an undercover CQC inspector! Which as you can imagine made me laugh and we haven’t stopped laughing since

Why do you think our community needs Primrose Hospice?

I think Primrose is rare because we know we can’t cure the life-limiting illnesses our patients are living with, but what we can do is help them lead a more fulfilling life Primrose will quite often become a real life-line for people They rely on attending various support sessions and it also provides vital respite time for carers who are looking after their loved ones.

Our team communicate with local healthcare professionals, which means our patients and families who we support receive the best possible care they can

Driving home after a volunteer session gives me a sense of enormous wellbeing in the feeling that the volunteer team have made patients smile, laugh and feel comfortable in our great Hospice environment

Did you know?

Our volunteers provide us with 2,668,478 hours of support every year saving us £266,847!

Paul’s Primrose Journey

What other r l th t P i ?

As well as vol support the f fantastic fund I will go along with my son, from Orchard Treecycle, th endless.

I love going t these events not only to he raise funds fo brilliant chari also to enga members of misconceptio

There are so many roles you can get involved with, so please do consider joining me as a volunteer for Primrose Hospice, you won’t regret it!

To hear more from Paul and learn about our support visit: primrosehospice.org/ primrosepeople/

How can I access your support?

If you are interested in receiving support from Primrose Hospice you can refer yourself to our support services.

You can call us 01527 871051 or visit to find out more: www.primrosehospice.org

Alternatively, you can ask any healthcare professional to make a referral on your behalf.

CHARITY SHOP MAGIC:

A Magpie Explores

Amber, local charity shop guru and supporter of Primrose Hospice has been out to visit our shops to pick up that perfect bargain. Keep reading to see what she found...

Visiting a charity shop in search of something special is part treasure hunt, part pot luck. You might know the kind of thing you’re after, but you have no idea what you’ll find! For magpies like me, that’s where the magic happens

In a world where fast fashion offers too many choices and high potential for waste, a charity shop gives you something different. Circular econom funding a good cause, the thrill of the hunt - what’s not to love?

For this bulletin, I was challenged to find Spring/Summer occasion wear at the Primrose Hospice stores. It was February at the time of writing so my expectations were limited, but I needn’t have worried.

I found some stunning treasures A pale green empire waist gown, by a US bridal label, was giving modernised Bridgerton vibes. A classic shift dress in purple with matching jacket - very Lady Di - was waiting for a mother of the bride.

o recital? 50th birthday party? Cruise? Gorgeous dre re lining up, and the shoes to go with them The Dro has a ‘glitz rail’ at the back, perfect for formalwear, some great finds too, including a red satin dress fo

Volunteer, visit or donate to our shops:

Something I really enjoyed about this experience is how different each Primrose Hospice store is, from creative displays to colour-themed layouts and a tattooed mannequin. The managers and volunteers put so much of themselves into the place, and take great pride in creating a quality perience - think boutique, not rummage sale.

is to be open-minded, and take inspiration from may not have come away with a frock my size, but I did get an excellent pair of black leather lo eyes open, charity shop magic can happen

Written by Amber Coakes, visit her Instagram page to learn more about finding that perfect charity shop bargain @amberinred

Did you know by adding Gift Aid to your shop donations we can raise an extra 25p in every pound?

Ask our team about Gift Aid!

Let's hear it for our Fundraisers!

The Queen B’s Crowning Calendar

A group of brave Bromsgrove women, known as the Queen B’s, got together in 2023 to create an unusual calendar, showing more than just their pearly whites. With support from local businesses, they raised a huge for Primrose Hospice!

£34,604

Bev Nibbs founder of the group said:

"It has been a fantastic project that involved a lot of hard work, dedication, and commitment from so many Queen Bs I will always be thankful to each one of them and in particular my committee who made it happen

We were all unstoppable in our desire to make a difference. We have some Queen Bs in our group that have been so well-supported by Primrose, so they were always our chosen charity We are immensely proud that the money raised will make such a difference to the lives of many ”

2,000

A total of calendars were sold across the UK and even travelling as far as Australia! Thank you to everyone who was involved in creating and buying the calendar

A magnificent marathon (or six)

In 2023 Nigel Watson bravely took on what is described as ‘The Toughest ‘Footrace on Earth’ otherwise known as The Marathon des Sables. Runners have to complete six marathon-distances in just seven days in the gruelling Sahara Desert

Nigel was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018, but he hasn’t let that stop him. Along the way he raised over for several different charities including Primrose and this is what he said when we asked him what his motivation is:

£7,000

“Your eyes are on the front of your head for a reason, to look forward. You can't change the cards that life gives you, but what you can change is how you deal with it, and what the outcomes look like.”

He ran alongside his good friend Chris, as well as carrying six orders of service of friends in his life who have sadly died.

Emily’s Festive Fayre

When Emily heard her Grandma was going to be fundraising for Primros Hospice through the famous Queen B’s calendar she decided she wanted to do her own fundraising for us

Emily’s Grandma Lynda said:

“Emily decided to set up a festive fayre at o family Christmas party. She’s a super kind little girl and she was delighte to be able to make a difference to Primrose.”

Her Christmas party selling sweet cones, Christmas decorations and cakes raised a fantastic

£133!

Picture courtesy of the Bromsgrove Standard

A helping hand from Handelsbanken

Global banking group Handelsbanken’s Bromsgrove branch have been b supporting Primrose Hospice over the past year. They got brains ticking wi their annual quiz raising They’ve also dedicated many volunteer hours at our events including Treecycle and our Christmas Wrapping stall hael Carr, Corporate Banking Manager said:

£3,608!

“As a local, relationship driven Bank, we take great pride in actively carrying out our corporate social responsibilities with the hospice Understanding the great work and care they provide to the local community makes them a worthy cause and we look forward to continuing our support throughout 2024'

A hole in 1 for Bromsgrove Golf Centre

Could your workplace support us?

Whether you are looking for a new charity of the year, are interested in volunteering or would like to host your own event we have something for you!

She said:

“We had a lot of fun raising funds by holding a Ladies’ Royal Ascot race day where we all dressed up in our posh frocks and hats. We also held other events including two race nights, a fashion show, a quiz, and raffles.

Primrose were there for me when my husband passed away, I looked forward to my regular phone calls with the wonderful Claire, we would chat, cry and most of all laugh I’m so proud to have raised £3,371.75!”

Could you fundraise for us?

There are a huge variety of ways you could fundraise for Primrose Hospice, whether you prefer to do that solo or with a group of friends, we have something for everyone! Visit our website or contact our fundraising team to find out more!

How do I get in touch with the fundraising team?

Call us: 01527 889796

Email us: enquiries@primrosehospice.org

www.primrosehospice.org

Dates for your diary

Join Primrose Hospice for one of our fundraising events:

Snowdon at Sunrise: Sunday 19th May

Summer Fayre: Saturday 15th June

Yellow Week: 17th - 23rd June

Primrose Memory Walk: Sunday 7th July

Orchardfest: 9th & 10th August

Moulin Rouge Ball: Saturday 28th September

Check our website for more info: primrosehospice org/support-us/events-calendar

Michelle – Lady Captain at Bromsgrove Golf Centre, holds Primrose Hospice close to her heart after our team supported her with counselling after her Husband sadly died.

Make a Jarful of Joy

Our Craft Group is just one of the many groups we run at Primrose Hospice & Family Support centre. They’ve recently been busy creating beautiful jars with an endless amount of uses!

Why not make your own by following our guide below!

Instructions:

1. paper towel.

Clean your jar with warm soapy water and dry with a

2 Wipe your jar over with alcohol rub on a cotton wool ball

3. Prepare your jar by gently sanding around the outside and then wipe with a paper towel.

4 Paint the outside of your jar with acrylic paint using downward strokes Apply 2 coats of paint leaving them to dry in-between applications.

5. Take your 3ply napkins and cut out the sections o pattern you would like to apply to your jar.

What you’ll need:

An empty glass jar of any size

Warm soapy water

Paper towels

Alcohol rub

Cotton wool

Sanding block or fine sandpaper

Acrylic paint (white or a light colour)

Napkins with a pattern

PVA Glue

6 Separate the layers until you’ve got 1 layer Glue your jar with PVA glue. Feel free to get creative at this stage by building up the layers and patterns on your jar.

7. Once you are happy with your design and your PVA glue is dry, cover your jar with a layer of Modge Podge to seal

8 Feel free to add additional decorations of anything you lik

9. And there you have it! You’ve recycled a jar into something beautiful to use time and time again!

Don’t forget to share the creations you've made by tagging us on social media @primrosehospice

Modge podge

Optional additional decorations

If you’d like to find out more about our craft group or any other support at Primrose Hospice, get in touch today!

What you've said

She looks forward to seeing you each week and we all see the difference you are making to her confidence. You and everyone at Primrose have put our faith back in human nature.

I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the love, help and support shown to me since the tragic death of my son You have all been so caring, so thoughtful and so encouraging in my darkest days.

You have all contributed to my wellbeing in many different ways I know I have survived this largely because of you

which is why we heavily rely on donations from our generous public We are really grateful for donations of any size to help us support more people in North East Worcestershire. It’s simple to donate online through our website here: www.primrosehospice.org

If you would like to donate by cheque please make it payable to:

‘Primrose Hospice Ltd’ and post to:

Fundraising Department, Primrose Hospice, St Godwalds Road, Bromsgrove B60 3BW. You can also donate over the phone by calling: 01527 889796. Thank you.

referral to Day Hospice support you can call 01527 871051 or make a referral online here: primrosehospice.org/careand-support/patientreferral-form

You can also talk to your GP, Consultant, District Nurse or any other health care professional involved in your care.

If you would like to access our Family Support Centre you can call: 01527 889799

For more information on all of our services visit: primrosehospice org

events we have going on throughout the year.

You can now sign up to receive email updates on our website

We want to keep our communications as cost effective and environmentally friendly as possible. If you would like to change the way we contact you, let us know what is the best way to contact you by getting in touch with our Fundraising Team: 01527 889796 or email: info@primrosehospice.org Bookyour