I’m Jo, and it gives me great pleasure to introduce you to your latest Messenger.
Whether you’ve been a supporter of St Michael’s for many years, or you’re picking up your first copy, this publication will bring you right up-to-date with everything that’s going on at this fabulous charity.
Perhaps like you, I feel a special connection to St Michael’s. It’s been a lifeline for me.
In 2012, my mum spent her last couple of days in the care of the Hospice. I was incredibly grateful for the kindness we both experienced in those final days. I suspect, like many people, we thought this exceptional end-of-life care was the only service on offer to the Herefordshire community by St Michael’s.
Fast forward to 2023, when my husband Al received a devastating diagnosis of early onset dementia. I think we were both traumatised in those first few months, and I felt completely alone and close to mental collapse. Then, when I needed them most, St Michael’s stepped in, inviting me into a safe space with other carers who knew exactly what I was experiencing.
It felt like a huge weight had been lifted, and I don’t think I would have reached the place we are today without St Michael’s Hospice. Our life is still challenging, but I feel equipped to cope and support Al. Thank you St Michael’s - and to all of you who support the charity.
I hope you enjoy reading Messenger!
Jo (R) & her Mum (L)
Jo (R) & Al (L)
Counselling at St Michael’s: Growing courses and careers
St Michael’s Hospice is hosting new counselling courses after we received approval from the UK’s leading counselling awarding body.
The Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills began in September, with the Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies set to follow in the New Year.
Level 2 will equip learners to use counselling skills across various roles and contexts. It’s suitable for those beginning professional counsellor training, individuals in helping professionals seeking to enhance their practice, and anyone aiming to improve personal and professional relationships.
Level 3 is designed for individuals who have already completed a recognised counselling skills course and wish to progress
Counsellors
Karen (R) & Clare (L)
Lucy (L) & Laura (R)
towards becoming a professional counsellor.
Each course lasts 20 weeks. Register your interest herebit.ly/SMH_CounsellingTraining
Meanwhile, two St Michael’s Palliative Care Support Workers have become qualified counsellors.
Lucy Rocke and Laura Emmett are set to complete four years of training this autumn, having combined studies with their care roles at St Michael’s.
“Completing this course, whilst continuing the roles we play in our community team, shows that St Michael’s is dedicated to helping its employees progress their careers and expand their skillsets,” said Lucy. “It’s been such an amazing journey for myself and Laura, from Hospice at Home care nearly ten years ago, to completing our personcentred degrees together.
“Doing this together has made all the difference, and I feel so incredibly lucky to be here at St Michael’s doing what I love.”
Lasting legacy unveiled to founders
A permanent reminder of the vital roles played by two of our co-founders was set to be unveiled as this Messenger went to print.
Our Education Centre will be named in honour of Dr Richard Miller, while the Centre’s library will be dedicated to Freda Pearce. Both Richard and Freda, along with Dr Jeff Kramer, were hugely instrumental in establishing St Michael’s, although sadly, Freda never saw the fruits of her fundraising endeavours as she died shortly before the Hospice opened in 1984.
“We are delighted that St Michael’s is naming its Education Centre after Dad and that he will be remembered in this way by the Hospice,” said Richard’s daughters, Louise Clements and Sophie Hastie.
“He devoted his life to improving palliative care for the people of Herefordshire, and was passionate that education was key to making that a reality. He would be overwhelmed to know about this.”
Matt Fellows, the Hospice’s Chief Executive, said “We felt it particularly appropriate that a venue where people extend their learning about palliative care should be named after someone who devoted his life to it.”
The library now features a quote from a letter written by Dr Richard Miller to the Hereford Times in 1984, which says: “There would be no Hospice without Freda.”
Dr Richard Miller at the Hospice opening in 1984
Freda cutting 1st sod
Dr Richard Miller
Miles Ahead! You helped us reach our target
Over one long weekend in August, you helped us beat our £21,000 fundraising target towards the running of our Hospice at Home cars. And that’s not all…
A group of generous supporters match-funded this amount, bringing the total for our Fuel the Journey Power the Care campaign to £43,250.
“To everyone who gave to our campaign, your support and dedication is so inspiring,” said Rachel Jones, our Income Generation, Marketing and Communications Director.
“This backing will go straight towards the community teams, to ensure they can continue providing their expert care in all four corners of Herefordshire and beyond.
I’d like to thank our very generous match-funders too for doubling this amount, and ensuring we continue to be prepared to face the challenge of caring for more people than ever before.”
Rachel said our supporters pushed us so far over the initial fundraising target that an additional £3,500 went towards the running costs of a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.
From us all - Thank You.
Bleed kit at Leominster shop in memory of Reuben
A potentially lifesaving kit to help anyone suffering a severe bleed has been unveiled in Leominster by the mum of a 17-year-old stabbing victim.
Reuben Higgins, who lived in Leominster, died last October having been stabbed in the leg, arm and chest. He was chased into a shop in the Marston Green area of Solihull before being attacked. Three teenagers have been found guilty of his murder.
Reuben’s mum, Sarah, has now unveiled an Emergency Bleed Control Kit, which is attached to the wall of our Station Yard shop in Leominster.
instrumental in securing a defibrillator which is also attached to the Station Yard shop’s front wall.
Sarah and her family funded the Bleed Control Kit. She says it can play a pivotal role in providing aid to someone experiencing life-threatening external bleeding, and can be used by members of the public and medical professionals.
“My children wanted to help anyone who might be in the same situation as their brother was,” said Sarah. “So, I did a bit of research into it and then happened to be in the St Michael’s Hospice shop in Leominster and began chatting to Bob about it.”
Bob Miles is a St Michael’s volunteer at the Station Yard shop and is a Community First Responder. As well as the Bleed Control Kit, he has been
“I want to get as many of these kits around as possible,” added Sarah. “If there was one nearby when Reuben was stabbed, it may have saved his life. He was an amazing son; my best friend, and we miss him so much.”
Reuby’s Foundation has been set up in memory of Reuben and to support others who have experienced a sudden unexpected loss.
Reubysfoundation.com
Reuben Higgins
Nicky’s vision sees cornea donation story featured
by NHS
would have loved other people to be given the gift of sight, so they could see their families, their children, their grandchildren.”
Lorna Banham, Advanced Clinical Practitioner here at St Michael’s, also featured in the video, and explained that few patients realise organ donations are a possibility.
Nicky, a member of our Inpatient Unit care team, has featured in a nationwide NHS campaign promoting cornea donations.
Nicky’s mum, Pauline, gave permission for her corneas to be donated after her death, and her eldest daughter says it was a rewarding experience.
“Overall, the process has been really positive,” said Nicky, a Palliative Care Support Worker, in a video filmed by the NHS at St Michael’s.
“We just feel so good that Mum’s memory can live on now. My Mum and Dad were very generous people, and I know my Mum
“Having these conversations with patients can be quite a surprise to them. To donate tissue or eyes is something they never thought they could do.
Often, after our chats, you can see patients have an element of hope and light. To know they’ve been able to leave that legacy through the sight of someone else is amazing for them.”
Lorna Banham
You can view the video on the News page of our website.
Scan the QR code or visit
Bit.ly/SMH_News_CorneaDonation
For more information on being a cornea donor, visit organdonation.nhs.uk
Café’s new look in Natalie’s memory
Patients, colleagues and visitors will receive an even brighter welcome to St Michael’s thanks to a facelift given to our café.
The space, just opposite Reception, has been renamed Havelock’s in memory of Natalie Havelock, who was cared for at St Michael’s ten years ago. Natalie’s family has helped fund the improvements thanks to a significant donation.
The family had been talking to us about how their very generous donation could be best-used.
Natalie’s husband, Anthony, said the family “jumped at the idea” when café plans were mentioned.
“Natalie loved to meet friends, clients and, overall, help people
at coffee mornings, lunches etc, so having a café in her memory was and is a perfect legacy,” said Anthony.
“Natalie would be happy and honoured to be recognised in such a way. I hope it will be a popular venue with laughter and enjoyment and a place for collaboration and kindness.”
Anthony’s family were among the first to benefit from our Inpatient Unit, which opened in 2015.
“It was just such a comfortable and serene place to be,” said Anthony.
“From the moment we arrived and were taken into the Hospice’s care, I would honestly say the care, attention and overall service we received was nothing short of outstanding. They ultimately made what was an incredibly sad and challenging month or so as happy, comfortable and peaceful as it could have been.”
Natalie Havelock
Singing to Remember
Around half of the 2,500 patients we’ve cared for in the last year have a non-cancer diagnosisand that number is growing.
To support those with dementia, and those caring for them, one of our increasingly popular day groups will soon include an exciting project with music at its heart. A singing group, led by our Bereavement Group choirmaster, Jo Lowry, will take place during our regular dementia café sessions.
CELTIC VALE
“Singing can provide a great deal of benefits for those with dementia,” said Sarah Farnsworth, our Dementia and Wellbeing Sister. “It can form a reconnection with memories from earlier in their life, and a reduction in anxiety.
We’re excited to see the benefits singing with Jo will have on our patients living with dementia.”
Called ‘Singing to Remember’, the groups will run on a monthly basis, with those currently attending the dementia café groups invited to attend.
The project will run initially for one year, thanks to funding secured by The McLay Dementia Trust.
Anna conquers fear of heights in memory of dad
“I hate heights, yet I said; ‘let’s go for it’,” said Anna, who completed the skydive in early August along with 13 other fundraising friends and family.
“It was the least I could do to thank St Michael’s. The care they provided was above and beyond. We really felt as though dad was at home when he was here.“
Hospice supporter Anna Williams hates heights, but was determined to carry out her dad’s wishes of jumping out of a plane during a thrill-seeking fundraiser.
Andrew Lewis, Anna’s dad, spent his final weeks at St Michael’s earlier this year, and suggested his daughter braved a skydive to raise funds for St Michael’s.
The group’s fundraising total was well on the way to its £10,000 target even before the jump, thanks to a number of events boosting the total including a Vicar of Dibley-themed quiz night in St Weonards. In total, the group raised over £20,000.
If you’re inspired by Anna and her team, why not challenge yourself for St Michael’s.
Scan the QR code or click here for tips and support bit.ly/SMH_ChallengeYourself
Andrew & wife (R-L)
Anna
Driving fundraising forward
A car-mad father and son drove to Germany and back during a motorsport challenge which benefitted St Michael’s.
Tony and Theo Cook, who own Ross-on-Wye-based Bowen’s Garage, took part in the Motor Trade Mille; a 1,000-mile jaunt from the UK to the Nurburgring in Germany, and back again.
The trip had just two rules; you had to work in the motor trade to take part, and the car you bought especially for the challenge could cost you a maximum of £1,000. This car would then be auctioned for your favourite charity upon returning to the UK, with Tony and Theo choosing St Michael’s.
As this edition of Messenger went to print, the pair were due to be on the road. The grand adventure was held over one weekend in September and would take in Spa in Belgium, the German city of Cologne, and then the famous motor circuit of the Nurburgring.
“When we heard about the Motor Trade Mille, we both jumped at the chance to take part,” said Tony, ahead of them setting off.
“We were only ever going to choose St Michael’s as the beneficiary of the car auction at the end. They do such great work in the community, and it will be a privilege to help them by raising funds to support their work.”
Scan the QR code or click here bit.ly/SMH_News_DrivingFundraising to read how the challenge went, and how much the car fetched for St Michael’s at auction.
1-11 Whitecross Road, Hereford Proud to be associated with St Michael’s Hospice
Find us on Facbook: bit.ly/4m8MRla
Tony (R) & Theo Cook
With the power of your suppor t...
Our Hospice at Home team suppor ted over 558 in their patients own homes.
Around 400 people supported by our team of counsellors
We’ve provided inpatient care to 159
Around
800 generous volunteers gave their time to support our Hospice.
Figures for the six months from 31st January to 31st July 2025.
Our Day Services team supported 368 patients visiting St Michael’s Hospice.
100th Birthday
Randy Langford, who devoted 30 years of his life to the Hospice, marked his 100th birthday with a party at St Michael’s.
Dozens of friends and family joined the centurion for a special get together to mark the milestone. It took place in the same room as he received his British Empire Medal (BEM) two years ago in recognition of his sterling work picking up collecting tins for St Michael’s for three decades.
Randy told those attending that he was honoured to be joined by so many people he held dear.
“I’m also delighted that this party could be held here at St Michael’s; a place which means so much to me,” he added.
Randy has now stepped back from collecting duties but for 30 years
he helped bring around £400k to St Michael’s by picking up tins from schools, places of work and community centres across Herefordshire.
At any one time, Randy had more than 200 Hospice tins in shops and workplaces across Hereford and beyond.
He has also been a member of the Hereford-based Probus Club for many years.
Randy’s collecting journey began in the early 1990s following a chat with John Caiger, then a member of the Hospice’s Development Trust.
He asked Randy whether he would be interested in picking up collecting tins from shops and workplaces, but Randy found very little in the way of full collecting tins early on.
”I phoned John, told him things weren’t good, and asked if I could use my initiative and take the tins into some new places, which he agreed to,” said Randy.
The rest, as they say, is history and Randy regularly brought dozens of full tins back to the Hospice’s Fundraising team office.
Rob’s sheep video goes viral
Social media sensation Rob says his video showing how St Michael’s has enabled him to continue his passion for sheep farming has proved a hit.
“I was at the Three Counties Show showing my sheep, and a woman came up to me saying she’d seen my video,” said Rob, whose lambing season film has been watched almost 15,000 times on Facebook alone.
“She told me it was thanks to the video that she learnt there was a physio team at the Hospice. She’s now set to attend St Michael’s and benefit from the services just as I and so many people have.”
In the video, filmed during Spring, Rob explains how the Physio team at St Michael’s has supported
him as he recovered from a heart attack. He also praised the weekly Day Services group he attends.
Coming to St Michael’s is the best thing I’ve ever done,” he says. “I’ve got a life-threatening disease - you can’t cure it. But they talk to you about different things you can do.
So, St Michael’s Hospice has been brilliant for me as far as I’m concerned.
View Rob’s video here: bit.ly/YT_SMH_RobsSheep
Rob (L) & Nephew, Daniel
Gary, his Mum & wider family
held out hope that one day a job would come up at St Michael’s.
“It was my dream jobbeing a chef in a place that means so much to me. I’d always said to my partner that if I won the Lottery, I’d work in the St Michael’s Hospice kitchen for free. That’s how special the place is. Now, I’ve been here a year, and I still love it as much as I did on my first day.”
Gary’s Kitchen
“I was only 12 when mum died. She had been looked after so well by St Michael’s. Now, I work in the Hospice’s kitchen, and create every meal as though I’m making it for her.”
A year ago, Gary Smith put on his apron and joined our catering team in Bartestree.
He was given a tour of the site, but in reality it wasn’t needed.
“I got to know St Michael’s well during my mum’s stay, which was about 18 years ago,” said Gary. “She died at home, but her time here extended her life by several weeks, giving us more precious time together.”
For much of his adult life, Gary knew he wanted to work in catering, and
If the food I produce can bring just one person some happiness, then it’s worth it, isn’t it?
I owe the Hospice everything. What they gave me; the care they showed my mum; I can’t thank them enough.
Mum’s often on my mind when I’m here. I create every meal as though I’m making it for her. When I’m at St Michael’s, I feel I’m with her. So this job allows me to work with my mum every day - and that’s the best feeling ever.”
It’s such a special place to be, and I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.
“It really is the best job in the world.”
Gary Smith
Why shouldn’t care continue after death?
For our clinical staff, providing quality loving care is their top priority. But why should this stop once someone dies?
Paula, a Palliative Care Support Worker who works on our Inpatient Unit, says one of her most special roles is the care given to patients after they’ve died.
Formally called ‘Last Offices’, it can involve washing a person, dressing them, and even adding make-up or giving them a shave.
She says loved ones are often very grateful for the Last Offices, and often don’t realise this is a role carried out by staff here.
“It can be very important for a family; particularly if it’s been a traumatic death. To see their loved one looking calm and at peace is important as this might be a family’s last memory of that person. So I take great pride in it. We all do.
It’s such a special thing to do, and it’s the right thing to do.
After all, we care so much for our patients before they die; why shouldn’t that continue after death?
“It’s very special to me,” says Paula. “It could be the final thing someone does for that person, and it is genuinely a privilege and an honour.”
What’s new in our shops
Lots has been happening within our charity shops over the last six months. The Leominster Home & Living shop has now been revamped, transforming the space into one incredible emporium featuring clothing, homeware, furniture, books and media. The Malvern shop has also been extended to two floors of great pre-loved finds. We have now vacated the Berrington Street premises in Hereford, meaning both our online and furniture collection call centre teams are now based at Whitestone. This has resulted in significant cost savings for the Hospice, and the teams are loving their new home!
Don’t forget, if you have quality pre-loved furniture to collect we now use Boxmove. We have received great feedback on the service and friendliness of the drivers, so try it out!
Large items of furniture to donate?
Let us collect it with the help of Boxmove just call 01432 656546
