St Columba's Hospice Life Magazine

SUMMER 2016 TRIBUTE FUNDS ART FOR THE HEART YOUR FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES FROM EDINBURGH TO UGANDA

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IN THIS ISSUE 03 WELCOME 04 NEWS 06 OUR TRIBUTE GARDEN BLOOMS 07 CARE AND COMPASSION MATTERS 08 WELCOME TO THE TEAM BECKY! 09 HELP US SUPPORT GRIEVING CHILDREN 10 PUTTING ART AT THE HEART OF THE HOSPICE 11 GET READY FOR THE PUSH 12 FROM EDINBURGH TO UGANDA 13 CELTIC CHALLENGE – THEY DID IT! 14 YOUR FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES! 18 WIN A BENTLEY! 19 PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE 20 THREE CHEERS FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS! 22 HOW THE HOSPICE HELPED ME 22 EVENTS DIARY 2016/17 23 A REGULAR GIFT FOR AN EXTRA-SPECIAL SERVICE 24 YOUR CHANCE TO WIN £1,000 EACH WEEK

Keep in touch with us online for our latest news: www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk Find us on Facebook facebook.com/stcolumbas Follow us on Twitter @StColumbas

St Columba’s Hospice 15 Boswall Road Edinburgh EH5 3RW T: 0131 551 1381 E: fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk Scottish charity number: SC003634 Registered in Scotland No. 48700 Design by teviotcreative.com

If you would like to receive your edition of Life via email rather than post, please let us know by contacting fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk

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WELCOME TO THE SUMMER 2016 EDITION OF LIFE MAGAZINE I AM SO PLEASED TO BE WRITING TO YOU IN THE LATEST EDITION OF OUR MAGAZINE, NOW THAT SUMMER IS FINALLY HERE! The sunshine has been a welcome addition to life at St Columba’s Hospice. It has been making our Tribute Garden look even more stunning, our art installation look even more colourful and has been encouraging patients, families, staff, volunteers and visitors to enjoy our gardens.

It gives me great pleasure and a greater sense of pride to see our new Tribute Garden, which has ‘grown’ in our courtyard. The installation of 800 ceramic forget-me-not flowers marks the launch of Tribute Funds at the Hospice, and I hope you will take some time to visit the garden and admire the flowers. You can read more about our Tribute Garden and the Tribute Funds on page 6.

I do hope you will enjoy the forget-me-nots as much as I do.

In May a group of 24 brave people set off from the Hospice to take on one of our toughest sporting events – the Celtic Challenge. Lots of staff and volunteers gathered in front of the Hospice on the morning of 11 May to cheer and wave as the cyclists set off on their journey to pedal 200 miles across Scotland. The cyclists covered 50 miles a day, with their destination being the lovely isle of Iona, where our namesake St Columba settled and lived. It was a tough and emotional experience for all those who took part.

You can see some of the pictures on page 13. I’d like to say a huge well done and thank you to all those who took on the Celtic Challenge and those who supported the participants and helped them raise lots of money for the Hospice!

Fundraising practices have been in the news a lot recently and I want to personally assure you that when you donate to the Hospice, we will never sell your personal details to any other organisation or third party. We are proud to be members of the Fundraising Standards Board and we work carefully to ensure we only send you the information you have opted-in to receiving. We want to reassure you that your information is safe with us, and we are incredibly

grateful for your kind gift. If you have any questions about this please email fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk.

The whole Hospice team has been working really hard to continue improving our services, environment and culture for our patients, families, volunteers, staff and visitors. One of the many things we have introduced as part of our five year strategy, Care & Compassion Matters, is complimentary hot drinks in the Iona Café.

So if you’re nearby or visiting the Hospice, please do call in to the Iona Café for a complimentary tea, coffee or hot chocolate and a chatter with friends and family.

I’m also delighted to say we have been expanding our teams so we can provide more services to more people, and have welcomed our new head of supportive care Becky Chaddock. We also welcome Valerie Gibson to our physiotherapy team, Jennifer MacLean to our occupational therapy team and Dr Anna Lloyd joins us as a research fellow in our department of education and research.

We are delighted the second phase of our interior design work is progressing which will see our day services and gatehouse being redeveloped. Throughout the summer lots of our supporters are getting outside and raising money for us and I wish you all the best of luck with all of the challenges and events you are organising!

Providing care, compassion and support to our patients and families is at the heart of everything we do, and we could not do it without your continued and unwavering support – so on behalf of everyone at the Hospice – thank you.

Jackie Husband Chief Executive WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

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NEWS FROM THE HOSPICE OUR NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX We know lots of our supporters like to be kept up-to-date with news from the Hospice on a regular basis. If you don’t already receive our monthly email newsletter then please do sign-up. We only send two emails a month, one is our monthly newsletter and the other is about a specific theme or topic.

For example it might be about an appeal or our sports challenge events.

If you’d like to be kept up-to-date by email then please go to our website to sign-up. We want you to know that your details are safe with us and we will never sell your information to anyone else.

DR ERNA WRITES ABOUT HOW FAMILIES AND DOCTORS SHOULD WORK TOGETHER WHEN SOMEONE IS DYING The Hospice’s Director of Education and Research, Dr Erna Haraldsdottir recently published an article in a specialist journal for palliative care. Dr Erna wrote about her personal experiences with the death of a loved one, and about how clinical staff can work closely with a patient’s family when a person is dying. You can read Dr Erna’s article on the news section of the Hospice website.

PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST JENNY DAVIS BLOGGED ABOUT THE CELTIC CHALLENGE The Hospice’s Celtic Challenge event took place in May, with participants cycling 200 miles across Scotland from the Hospice to the tiny isle of Iona. Ahead of the event, former professional cyclist Jenny Davis published a blog exclusively for the Hospice. The blog featured mental and physical training tips, guides for how to prepare, and advice from other international athletes. You can read Jenny’s blog on the Hospice website, lots of her tips can be used when preparing for your own challenge events or The Push!

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MOUNTAINEER JAMIE ANDREW LAUNCHES THE PUSH In the spring we launched The Push 2016 with Jamie Andrew. Jamie is an inspirational mountaineer, having lost both his hands and feet following a terrible mountaineering incident in the French Alps. Jamie is still a mountaineer to this day and has encouraged all supporters of the Hospice to take on The Push 2016! Jamie said: “As a mountaineer I have taken on many challenges and have found that when I set myself a target it’s a great way to keep getting outside and training.

The Push is a really great challenge for all those who participate, whether you do 14 miles, 20 miles or 26.2 miles – set yourself the challenge and get training!”

ANCHORS AWAY FOR MODEL BOAT DONATION The Hospice was delighted to be gifted an intricate model boat, carefully handmade by one of the day service patients. The boat was made by 94-year-old David Flucker, and took 18 months to carefully craft. The boat is on display in the outpatient area of the Hospice, do come and take a look.

DEATH AWARENESS WEEK 9 – 15 May was Death Awareness Week across the UK and St Columba’s Hospice took part in several ways. In partnership with the city’s Queen Margaret University we hosted a touring exhibition of photographs focussed on the theme of death and dying, and we had staff from the Hospice on hand to discuss death, dying and bereavement with students and staff at the university. We also published our mythbusting guide to hospice care on our website, titled ‘8 questions you might have about hospice care’. Aimed at answering some of the public’s most commonly asked questions about hospices, the guide answers questions such as ‘how are hospices different to hospitals?’ and ‘why might someone need hospice care?’ – check it out on our website.

OLD’S COOL In the spring the Citadel Youth Centre used the Hospice’s Centre for Education & Research for their Old’s Cool intergenerational project, bringing together local older people and young people. The project supports young people at risk of not achieving a positive destination.

All the participants met at the Hospice to take part in a series of activity sessions together, including discussion about how schools have changed, a session on reminiscence, and a craft session painting and making photo frames.

ARE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS UP-TO-DATE? If you have moved house, changed emails or got a new phone number recently, please do let us know! If any of your details have changed please call the fundraising team on 0131 551 1381 or email fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk.

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Tribute Garden brings colour and memories to The Hospice Gardens The 800 forget-me-not flowers will each represent a Tribute Fund. A Tribute Fund is a new and special way for you to raise money in memory of your loved ones who have died at the Hospice.

Each Tribute Fund set up by a family will be represented by a ceramic flower in the Tribute Garden, and when the first donation is made to the Tribute Fund, a delicate copper leaf will be added to the flower with an engraving of your loved one’s name.

Since the last issue of Life magazine, we have officially launched Tribute Funds, and our stunning Tribute Garden has been ‘planted’.

Our Tribute Garden takes pride of place in the Hospice’s courtyard garden, as the raised flower beds are at the perfect height to enable visitors to get close to the flowers and admire them.

Many people have commented on how beautiful the flowers look, especially on a sunny day.

The Hospice also chose the courtyard as the ideal place for the Tribute Garden, as patients, families, staff, volunteers and visitors can all view and admire the garden. The Tribute Garden is a poignant and powerful display that will remain in place for many years to come.

Each of the flowers was handmade by the team who also made the Tower of London World War One poppy installation. The flowers were carefully glazed with three layers of paint to ensure the flowers will stand up to Edinburgh’s weather.

The forget-me-not flowers were placed by hand by volunteers who gave up their weekends – we’d like to say a big thank you to volunteers Margaret Kidd, Anna Arthey, Mary Martin, Anne Campbell, Kay Lund and June Gibb-Low for their time and dedication to planting each ceramic flower.

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Fay Paget, a volunteer at the Hospice and the first person to set up a Tribute Fund, made a special visit to the Tribute Garden in April with her family.

Fay’s son Gary, daughter Nicola, granddaughter Joanne, daughter-in-law Eleisha and son-in-law Paul all came together to attach an engraved copper leave on to their ceramic forget-me-not flower. Together, they chose which flower the leaf should be on and attached the leaf. Fay said: “Attaching the leaf to Robert’s flower was a very moving and emotional experience. When I am walking past Robert’s forget-me-not flower on my way to the Iona Café, I get a real sense of comfort knowing there is something so special at the Hospice which connects us with Robert.”

With a Tribute Fund, you can raise money and see all of your fundraising activities and totals in one place. Tribute Funds can be set up and managed online through a special page where you can share messages, light virtual candles, post pictures and see how other people have been contributing to your Tribute Fund. An online Tribute Fund can be shared with whoever you choose - perhaps you decide to share the online page with your friends, family and colleagues - or you can choose to keep it private.

Setting up an online Tribute Fund is easy and only takes a few minutes – to set yours up today go to www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk/tributefunds.

If you would prefer to set up an offline Tribute Fund we are happy to help with this, please call the Fundraising Team on 0131 551 1381 or email fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk.

CARE AND COMPASSION MATTERS Since October 2015 a lot of work has been ongoing at the Hospice to ensure our environment, culture and services best meet the needs of our community of patients, families, visitors, volunteers and staff.

Recent visitors to the Hospice will have noticed we’ve been giving the Hospice a lick of paint and a spruce up. We are so happy to have completed the first phase of our interior design project meaning we now have lovely, welcoming receptions, cosy family lounges, relaxing spa-style assisted bathrooms, patient bedrooms that look like a home-from-home, and comfortable and relaxed kitchen areas for families, and four new family bedrooms for when loved ones need to stay over at the Hospice.

The next phase of our interior design work includes our day services and outpatients area, the decorators will be in the Hospice from the end of summer to transform these areas. Our plans for the decoration of the outpatients and day services area include painting the walls, adding in a variety of new chairs comfortable seating, adding in new soft furnishings and textures, and ensuring the best is made of the incredible view the day services lounge has over the Firth of Forth.

Dot Partington, Director of Clinical Services at the Hospice, said: “Over the last few months we have seen the final touches being added to our inpatient

unit to create a more homely and welcoming environment with stunning patient lounges, bedrooms and reception areas. We are really excited about the plans for the second phase of the project, in which we will make the day unit and outpatient areas ready for the exciting new services planned as part of Care and Compassion Matters. Our gatehouse will be transformed into a new hub for bereavement counselling, creating a homely and safe space where we can help families, children and young people to cope with their loss. The feedback we have received regarding the inpatient unit has been overwhelmingly positive and we look forward to working with the design team and our patients and families to achieve the same results in the remaining areas. We are extremely grateful to all our supporters who have made these changes possible.”

We will also soon be starting to overhaul the gatehouse and turn it into our patient and family support services hub. In the gatehouse we will create a family therapy area, an area for children’s bereavement counselling and a relaxed kitchen and meeting space for group get-togethers.

Since the start of 2016 the Hospice has also been providing complimentary hot drinks to all patients, families, visitors, volunteers and staff in our Iona Café. We did a trial run of this offering and although feedback from all groups on the whole was positive, some people raised concerns about the cost to the Hospice of providing complimentary tea and coffee.

We are very pleased to report that over the three month trial donations in the Iona Café increased by over 200%, in comparison to the same months in 2015. In addition, takings from food sales and other items in the Iona Café have increased by over 30%.

As a supportive, compassionate and welcoming organisation, we are delighted to continue providing complimentary hot drinks to everyone who uses our Iona Café. The Iona Café is open every day until 8pm, so do get your friends together for a brew and a catch up at the Hospice.

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WELCOME TO THE TEAM

BECKY!

IN MAY, BECKY CHADDOCK JOINED THE HOSPICE TEAM AS THE HEAD OF SUPPORTIVE CARE. HERE, BECKY INTRODUCES HERSELF AND TELLS US ABOUT HOW SHE WILL BE HELPING THE HOSPICE TO DEVELOP… I started as Head of Supportive Care on 3 May – so I still feel very new! I’m a social worker by background, and have had all kinds of jobs - all of which were a good training ground for social work where you need to be able to cope with whatever is thrown at you!

I’ve come from Eden Valley Hospice in Carlisle where I worked for nine years. I was a social worker, part of the Family Support Team at the Hospice.

I am a big advocate of the importance of palliative care for all. Looking after someone as they approach the end of their life is costly, it takes courage, thought and time. Done well it can be life changing; not just for the person who is dying, but also for the people surrounding them, and those looking after them.

In palliative care, we seek to consider ‘whole people’ and not only treat the physical symptoms. We look at the impact of what’s happening to people emotionally, spiritually, and in terms of their social world as well as the physical disease. This can be profound and often people find that dying well, inevitably means discovering what it means to live well until we die.

My role here at St Columba’s Hospice is a new post which has been established to help meet the objectives set out in Care and Compassion Matters.

The Supportive Care Team includes a social worker, chaplain, counsellor, occupational therapists and

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physiotherapists. In addition, I’m going to be working with the clinical teams on the wards, in the day hospice and with the community nursing team to help develop our services and widen people’s access to supportive care.

The role of the Supportive Care Team is to support people to live as they choose, to be where they want to be, to access the resources and services they need so they can live as independently as possible for as long as they can. Part of that might be planning for the future, and getting things in order and ready for whatever might be round the corner. We also help the patient’s network of family, friends and carers, to support their needs too.

All the plans we’ll be making over the next few months will be designed to widen access to the Hospice’s team and services, to better connect the services we provide, and to add new services.

This will mean we will continue to provide the high standard of care to people, and at the same time help more people in more ways.

I’m learning more about St Columba’s Hospice every day and I’m really looking forward to working together with the Supportive Care Team and with our colleagues, patients and families, to build on the hard work that has already been going on.

I’m particularly looking forward to seeing each part of the service flourish and grow as we carry on growing and developing within each discipline.

HELP US TO SUPPORT CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE GRIEVING FOR A LOVED ONE This year’s appeal also will help us to develop our services in the community more. Many of the Hospice’s patients are supported to stay in their own homes, and we want to provide them with the same care they would receive if they were staying in our inpatient wards. We are working to provide physiotherapy and occupational therapy in people’s own homes, so people can be supported to stay at home if they choose too.

For all our patients, we are working towards offering art therapy and workshops. Patients and their families will be able to take part in art workshops, where they can express their feelings in a creative way. The workshops will also help families to create happy memories together.

Thank you to everyone who has already made a donation to this year’s Forget-Me-Not Appeal.

With your support, we will be able to develop our services so we can help more people.

At the Hospice, one of the services we are planning to develop is the care and support we provide for children and young people who have lost a loved one.

We are caring for more and more patients who have young families and need a different kind of support from us. Often, we are supporting families with children who may not understand what is happening to their mum, dad or family member.

Liam, the Hospice’s Patient and Family Support Assistant, said: “I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s really important for us to achieve these goals so that we can provide the best possible care to people wherever they are, whenever they need it. With your support, this year’s appeal will help us to set up and run these important initiatives. We know that there are more people who can benefit from our services and we know that there are more services we can offer to those who need us, but to do this we need your help. We hope you’ll remember a loved one and support this year’s Forget-Me-Not Appeal.”

We want to be able to help children and young people, to ensure they are able to understand their grief of losing a parent or family member. Being a teenager can be hard enough as it is, we need to support young people to ensure they learn to cope with the death of a loved one.

We can only help these children and young people with your help.

Your support for our Forget-Me-Not Appeal means we can provide the specialist services that children and young people need when they are experiencing grief.

To donate to our appeal please call 0131 551 1381 or visit www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk. Thank you.

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PUTTING ART AT THE HEART OF THE HOSPICE

At St Columba’s Hospice, art is more than hanging a pretty picture on the wall. To us, it should be at the heart of everything we do.

The Hospice even has a strategy for including art in our services, environment and culture. This strategy has seen the installation of a beautiful display of 83 words along the glass corridor from reception to the Iona Café. The installation is called Our Hospice in Words and the words were chosen by you – our supporters – when we asked you to describe what the Hospice means to you in just one word.

We are also delighted that we now have a dedicated art room on the Pentland Ward, which is for all Hospice patients and families to use. The art room is where art therapy and creative workshops can take place, and as it’s on our first floor ward it has lovely views over the Hospice, the Firth of Forth and to Fife - when the weather’s nice!

The art therapy and creativity workshops will be run by artists who will encourage families and patients to express themselves in a creative way.

Dr Erna Haraldsdottir, Director of Education and Research at the Hospice, said: “Using the medium of art can offer a safe way to engage with difficult feelings and express them, and art is increasingly being used in health care and more specifically in palliative care. We are very excited by the opportunity to be able to build up the use of art at the Hospice through partnership with artists and art organisations. By being able to offer art workshops, installations and therapy at the Hospice, we are expanding the ways we can care for our patients and their families. Not only can engagement with creative art offer patients and families a unique way to express feelings and thoughts, it also enhances wellbeing, and it can be fun too.”

The Hospice has also been working very closely with Edinburgh Printmakers. In partnership with the

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organisation, artists who make work in Edinburgh Printmakers’ studio have been invited to produce pieces of artwork that represent the ethos of St Columba’s Hospice and hospice care.

Also with Edinburgh Printmakers we are working towards having our own Artist in Residence. The artist will produce a series of art pieces which will be for permanent display in the Hospice and the grounds. The artist will be inspired by the work of the Hospice, the staff, patients, volunteers, families and our community, creating special one-off pieces that will be powerful and meaningful pieces of art.

Judith Liddle from Edinburgh Printmakers said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with St Columba’s Hospice. Over 400 artists use our fine art print studio every year, and during every 12 month period we support, inform and inspire their practice through a meaningful partnership project, culminating in a curated suite of art works for our winter show. This year, Time Is All Around has linked our creative professionals with St Columba’s Hospice, giving artists a meaningful understanding of palliative care and the humanity and beauty that can become intrinsic when embracing who we are in the face of mortality.

“Edinburgh Printmakers’ member artists will work closely with St Columba’s Hospice to explore how we find meaning in our own personal experiences, the love of family and friends, freedom and peace.

“From when we first engaged in discussion about the Hospice’s plans to develop and sustain an artistic strategy, the Hospice’s ambition and earnestness has been clear and infectious. The benefits of these endeavours for families and patients are unmistakable.”

The exhibition, Time Is All Around, will be on show at Edinburgh Printmakers from 28 October to 23 December and all are welcome. The exhibition will then tour to St. Columba’s Hospice in 2017.

IT’S TIME TO GET READY FOR

THE PUSH AND THE NUDGE This September, will you take on one of Scotland’s toughest outdoor challenge events to raise money for St Columba’s Hospice?

In 2016, The Push is back and it’s better than ever!

The Push is a fantastic challenge event, taking place on Edinburgh’s doorstep over the stunning Pentland Hills on Saturday 10 September. The event has three distances to choose from – 14 miles, 20 miles and 26.2 miles.

With the off-road terrain, inclines and distance, this event is a real challenge but is also an incredible achievement for all those who take part, no matter which distance you chose to do.

Whether you walk it or run it The Push is your chance to do something amazing for St Columba’s Hospice, whilst discovering yourself!

We have also improved The Nudge for 2016 too! This year’s event is free to enter making it a fabulous event for school groups, community groups and families with children. The five mile route across the Pentland Hills is fun and a little bit challenging – a great way to burn of some energy on a Saturday! To find out more and to register to take part, visit our website.

Don’t just take our word for it, here’s what some participants in last year’s event have to say…

Nadine Pearce: “If a marathon is on your bucket list or even if you've never considered one before - then this is definitely the way to do it walking a stunning route through the beautiful Pentland Hills with a great bunch of folks and all in aid of a really amazing local charity.”

Jennifer Learmonth: “When doing The Push you will discover the hills whilst discovering yourself! I discovered myself on a section of The Push approaching the 20 mile mark. We were all exhausted and had two massive hills ahead of us and our spirits were beginning to drop. I remember having an overpowering need to just get the hills done, and I found an inner strength I'd never experienced before! My

team recalls me racing up the hills and I remember picturing all those people who had sponsored me and who I was doing it for, it was like a big rope pulling me up!”

Jane Hepburn: “There are so many things I can say – it was the most difficult event I have ever done, possibly because I am not young anymore! I really feel that if I can do it, anyone can! The Push is difficult and if it wasn’t, it would not be a challenge. There are some people who do events like The Push every weekend, and there are those of us who have never done anything like it - and to those people I say: you will never feel such a sense of exhilaration, pride, excitement, achievement and tears of joy as when you pass over the finishing line, no matter how long you take, and I took a very long time! I am extremely proud of being the spirit of The Push 2015!”

For 2016 The Push has…

• New routes • New lower registration costs • A new fundraising platform So what are you waiting for? Sign-up today for The Push 2016 and help us raise money, have a fabulous day on the Pentland Hills and achieve something amazing!

To register for The Push or The Nudge, go to www.pentlandpush.com, call 0131 551 1381 or email push@stcolumbashospice.org.uk

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TAKING HOSPICE CARE FROM

EDINBURGH TO UGANDA St Columba’s Hospice has been involved with the development and teaching of hospice care all over the world. This year, we have been out to Uganda to help with the development of hospice care there. Janice Logan tells all…

St Columba’s Hospice is one of four hospices from across the UK which is involved in The Uganda Palliative Care Nurse Leadership Programme. The programme will develop nurse leaders in palliative care in Uganda, helping them to develop the palliative care practices in the country. Nurses in Uganda have an important role in palliative care, being described as forming the ‘backbone’ of palliative care, especially in rural areas where there is a shortage of doctors. It is hoped this programme will support the ongoing development of palliative care, and improve the quality of life of those with palliative care needs.

I became involved in the programme after seeing an article about it online. A short while afterwards, I met Professor Julia Downing along with Dr Erna Haraldsdottir, the Hospice’s Director of Education and Research. After months of work on the project I was finally able to travel to Uganda for two weeks in January 2016.

One of the programme’s aims is the modelling of nurse leadership through the creation of mentor relationships with palliative care nurse leaders from the UK. The purpose of my visit was to meet and lay foundations for the mentor relationship with three of the programme participants. Two of the participants are palliative care nurses at Hospice Africa Uganda in Kampala, an organisation providing community and day care services along with education and international mentoring. The other participant is a senior nursing officer in Kalongo Hospital, a 271 bed private community hospital in the northern Agago district of Uganda. As a mentor my role is to encourage individual projects aimed at advancing palliative care practice. A national project is now underway, and technology enables collaborative working between the participants in Uganda and with myself and Erna here in Scotland.

When I was in Uganda, I joined the nurses during clinical visits, whether to the patient’s

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home, in day care or in hospital. I witnessed excellent examples of palliative care delivery when resources were at a minimum or not available. The values expressed by health care professionals, patients and families were humbling and have left me with much to consider for our work here at St Columba’s Hospice.

Time spent with each participant in the programme gave me an appreciation of their role and the provision of palliative care to patients and their family at home, in day care and in hospital. Whilst in Uganda, I travelled to Kampala for five days with 20 of the participants in the programme. In Kampala, we had classes and tutorials, and I met each participant and helped to teach the classes. It was a great experience to be part of.

Without exception mentees spoke of the positive experience this programme has been for them - the direct gain of education and transferring their learning to their practice; the development and implementation of their individual projects; and learning how they can be involved in a national project. The participants were also able to meet with nurses from other areas of the country who normally they wouldn’t be able to meet because of poor transport links between the different regions.

It was a superb learning experience for me too.

I learnt more than I could ever have thought possible. Overall I witnessed a very different culture and healthcare system, alongside the values expressed by patients, families and healthcare staff which left me feeling humbled in a way I will never forget.

As a mentor I will keep contributing to the facilitation of learning. Sharing knowledge is the only way we learn, and I am not sure that those I met are aware of how much of an impact this experience had for me.

Erna and I are lucky enough to be able to go back to Uganda in the summer and we are really looking forward to meeting our mentees again to see how they are benefiting from this programme.

"Endless positivity throughout the four days made the cycling easy. I’ve returned refreshed, re-energised and looking forward to doing it all again next year. Loved it!"

CELTIC CHALLENGE

THEY DID IT! Congratulations and well done to all of this year’s participants in the Celtic Challenge! Our intrepid cyclists took on a huge challenge – to cycle 200 miles across Scotland from the Hospice to the isle of Iona on the west coast.

Here are some of the pictures taken along the route. If you’re feeling inspired by what our cyclists have achieved then have a look at our website and see what other challenge events are coming up!

Will you be part of our Celtic Challenge team in 2017 – our 40th anniversary year?

Email fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk to register your interest.

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YOUR FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES! SISTERS RACHEL AND LINDSEY WILLIAMSON TOOK PART IN THE COLOUR ME RAD 5K IN ABERDEEN

At the end of May Rachel and Lindsey completed the 5k run to raise money for the Hospice in memory of their uncle Iain, who passed away in October 2015, and their grandparents who also passed away at the Hospice.

Throughout the run, the sisters were showered with coloured powder, making for an incredible vision as thousands of people ran through Aberdeen all covered head-to-toe in multicoloured paint!

The Colour Me Rad run is loosely based on the Hindu Festival of Colours and the festive colours represent the end of winter and the new beginnings of spring. The run is also about

having fun as well as challenging yourself and raising money for charity.

Rachel and Lindsey set up an online giving page, and trained for the run whilst studying for university exams.

Rachel said: “We decided to raise money for St Columba's Hospice in gratitude for the wonderful care and comfort that the team there gave our Uncle Iain in October, and the support they gave his partner Maureen and our family. We were hugely taken by the beauty of the building and the dedication of the staff to making sure all the patients and their families were made to feel welcome and part of what was going on, in very sad circumstances. Sadly both our Dad's parents also died at St Columba's Hospice, so our family know the way the Hospice works. The care and professionalism of the team is constantly at the very top.

“We decided to do the Colour Me Rad run as it looked a lot of fun and was a good challenge to set ourselves, as neither of us can run!”

Motivation to keep training and fundraising came from Rachel and Lindsey’s family and friends, through their generosity and continued support.

Rachel said: “After completing the race, we have a great sense of achievement and are very proud to have done something to raise funds for a wonderful hospice.”

JIMMY WINTON’S HIB-TASTIC FUNDRAISING EVENING Jimmy Winton held a fundraising event in memory of his father, Jimmy Winton, at the Hibs Supporters’ Club in April. From ticket sales, a raffle, a disco and a game of Irish Bingo, Jimmy and his family raised £3,820 for the Hospice.

LAURA TAYLOR’S FUNDRAISING NIGHT Laura Taylor organised a fundraising night in aid of the Hospice, after her dad Dave Taylor passed away. The night was held at the Beechwood Bowling Club in March and raised £2,276.54.

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CHEESE AND WINE CREATES £19K FOR THE HOSPICE!

Jean Gorman recently visited the Hospice to present us with a cheque for £19,841.41 – all raised over the last eight years at her annual cheese and wine fundraising nights!

Jean’s son Mark said: “My mum started the cheese and wine nights almost 30 years ago to raise funds for the Matt Talbot Association in Leith. Year after year the events raised between

£1,000 and £3,000 but the day came, some 2025 years later, when the Talbot Association ran its course and that more or less coincided with my father also moving on to an observational, rather than participatory, role from the great parish of St Peter's in the sky. But this was meant to be, I think, because my Dad left this mortal coil at the venerable St Columba’s Hospice and, with the timing so appropriate, we shifted our new found energies to raising the evening’s funds for St Columba’s Hospice.

“My mum doesn’t go for bigging herself up, but, as she approaches her 80th birthday, and having finally taken a rest, I think she deserves a wee tip of the hat in acknowledgement of her determined achievements. And I also think the generosity of the parish of Holy Cross should not go unacknowledged. Of course, she has not achieved this alone. Many people have been part of her team - Vic, Dougie, Gerry, Arthur, Annie, Robert, Chris, Angelo and more, many more.

Well done Mum!”

ST NINIAN’S CHURCH, CORSTORPHINE, RAISED £34,000 FOR THE HOSPICE 32 years ago Margaret Hunter’s mum passed away at the Hospice and Margaret and her family were so well looked after, Margaret felt she would never be able to repay the Hospice for the ‘unbelievable care’ her mum received.

A short while later, Margaret and her husband Jim decided to organise a coffee morning at the St Ninian’s Church in Corstorphine, Edinburgh.

Tickets were £1 and there was a baking stall, plants and flowers for sale. The event was a success and Margaret and Jim decided to organise another coffee morning the next year. After many years, the coffee morning has continued to grow, with extra stalls and a whole team of people helping to organise the event, run it and of course all the kind people who have supported the event, many of whom come from across the city to attend every year. Each year the event raised more than the previous year, and after 17 years the church event has raised a whopping £34,200 for the Hospice! Margaret and Jim credit this success to the generosity of the congregation of St Ninian’s Church in Corstorphine, saying: “Everyone plays their part in making the coffee morning a huge success,

we especially like it when the minister announces the fundraising total in church the day after the event and everyone gasps with delight! We are convinced people are so generous because it’s for the Hospice, it really is a great feeling to work together and raise this much for such a worthwhile cause.”

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DAVID MAINDS COMPLETED THE EDINBURGH MARATHON David took to the streets of Edinburgh and ran 26.2 miles in the city’s marathon, to raise money for the Hospice after his colleague Brian passed away last year.

David said: “I really liked and got on well with Brian, who sadly died last year after a great deal of care from the Hospice. Brian was a very wellliked colleague who was always a good friend to me at work. He was supportive, a voice of reason - a sympathetic and compassionate one too, and just someone who was always very human in his dealings with you. He was no angel, none of us are, but he was always a good colleague to me and one whose company I always enjoyed when we had a chat and put the world to rights.

“As I am turning 40 this year, I always thought I'd do a marathon at some point and some of my colleagues are doing the marathon relay so it seemed appropriate to get involved this way.”

As a Type 1 Diabetic, David had a number of challenges to contend with during his training.

“When I was disciplined about the training I did ok. One of my longest runs during training was 23 miles which is a distance I never could have run before, or have even considered possible for the likes of me.”

David’s colleagues also helped with his training and nutrition regime, by eating all the foods he wasn’t allowed to! He said: “I constantly updated my colleagues on WhatsApp about my longer runs, and they responded encouragingly, they

TSB HIKE IT AND BIKE IT! The team at TSB on Semple Street, Edinburgh chose the Hospice as one of their charity of the year partners. In April they decided to do a hike it or bike it challenge, where they would cycle 750km on exercise bikes in the lobby of their office. Using three bikes and pedalling all day, the team managed to beat their target distance and cycle 900km - that is the equivalent to cycling from Edinburgh Castle to Land’s End in Cornwall! The team also had several people doing 10km runs too, and the team has raised £2,800 for the Hospice.

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helped by eating up all biscuits and cakes so I wasn’t tempted to fill myself up on all the wrong stuff.

My lovely wife made sure I was eating healthily and helped me to juggle training with all my various commitments I have. She also encouraged me in my ‘no alcohol while I'm training’ policy. As I am not naturally fit and I love my food – the training was surprisingly alright!”

After the marathon, David felt “knackered, relieved and a wee bit chuffed with myself.

26.2 miles is a ridiculous distance for anybody to run!”

David added: “I feel very strongly about palliative care and how important it is, the massive difference it makes to those who are dying and how we can all still experience a dignified death.

The service provided by hospices is something we should all be doing more to support. Life is precious and probably felt more keenly when people are dying. The care that staff give at St Columba's Hospice is excellent and it is well worth running 26.2 miles to do something to enable them to continue doing what they do, because I know it makes a massive impact on many, many lives.”

COUSINS KATE STEVENSON AND JO MAGAIN CREATED TEAMS OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO RUN IN THE EDINBURGH HALF MARATHON. Kate’s father Martin Baker, and Jo’s mother Margaret Magain, were both patients at the Hospice and died within a day of each other.

After running the Edinburgh half marathon in 2015 with her friend for a different charity, Kate decided to run it again for St Columba’s Hospice.

After getting together a group of friends and family, team ‘Miles for Martin’ was born and the training and fundraising began. Kate was joined on her team by her brother Lincoln Baker, friends Sarah-Jane Forrest, Keith Forrest and Nina Dodds. Kate said: “I ran the Edinburgh half marathon last year for a different charity for my friend. I asked her if she would be up for doing the same again but in memory of my dad, she agreed along with my brother and other friends. I had also been talking to my cousin Jo at a family function and told her my plans, she thought it was a great idea so we all did it together. Jo trained with her best friend, Emma Gallacher, who also agreed to do the run.”

Training for the half marathon included lots of runs and Kate, Nina and Sarah-Jane clocked up a lot of miles ahead of the big day with long training runs at the weekend, balanced with working full time and Nina and Sarah-Jane being mums. Kate said: “It was a great feeling each week when we clocked on another kilometre.

Keith is an avid runner and kept on top of his training in-between running his business. Lincoln, after purchasing some new running shoes,

clocked-up the miles by running circles round his local golf course, having done a marathon some years ago he knew what he was up against!”

‘Team Jo & Emma’ did their training together, pounding the streets of Edinburgh before and after work. They were pleased with their progress in the lead up to the event, and having never run a half marathon before had no expectations about what time they would run on the day, they were focused on completing the course and supporting each other through it.

As well as support from their team mates, both teams were really pro-active with their fundraising efforts too. Both teams set up a Just Giving online fundraising page, and Jo and Emma were delighted to smash their fundraising target just by sending the link around to their work colleagues. Smashing their target so quickly spurred them on with their physical training for the event too!

Team 'Miles for Martin' and their extended family also had collection buckets at their work places, and used social media to spread the word about their fundraising efforts.

Kate said: “Jo and I will forever be grateful for the support that the staff at St Columba’s Hospice gave our parents and both of our families during such a difficult time. If we can do this one small thing to raise a little bit of money to help contribute towards support for other people and their families in the future, we will be pleased with what we have achieved. We both thank our families and friends for all of their support through our training and fundraising.”

Together, the teams raised over £3,500 for the Hospice

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PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE TODAY

PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE CAN SEEM LIKE A DAUNTING TASK BUT IF YOU TAKE A LITTLE TIME TO DO IT NOW, IT WILL SAVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY LOTS OF TIME IN THE FUTURE. Setting up a Will and ensuring your legacy lives on after you die can mean that your wishes are kept.

Many people choose to leave money to St Columba’s Hospice in their Will. Legacy gifts to the Hospice enable us to pay for the medical staff, equipment, medicine and lots more. It costs £8 million a year to run the Hospice, so every legacy gift allows us to keep our doors open and providing the much-needed services we offer.

Andrew McClure from McClure's Solicitors, gives his top three tips for planning ahead...

1. MAKE A WILL

2. HAVE A FREE WILL REVIEW

You already know that every adult should have a Will.

Without a Will the Law decides who inherits your estate after you die. If you have a Will, you have already made those decisions. Make a Will soon, as no-one knows what is round the corner. Watch our video at www.mcclure-solicitors.co.uk/ sch-will to see how easy it is.

Research shows that 1 in 4 Wills are either defective or of poor quality. If you already have a Will, do you keep it updated if your circumstances have changed? Marriages, births and deaths in the family can effect what’s in your Will, so make sure it is accurate for what you want to happen after you die. Some Wills only direct where your assets should go, rather than where they will end up. Again, there’s quite a difference there so make sure your Will is reviewed and it is clear about what you want to happen to your assets.

At McClure Solicitors, we prepare thousands of Wills each year, so you are in good hands.

A standard Will only states who is to benefit when you die.

Alternatively, you could have an Estate Planning Will, which ensures your estate finishes up where you want it – so if you want to make a donation to charity in your Will, we would make sure this happens for you.

There’s quite a lot of difference between a standard Will and an Estate Planning Will, so make sure you chose the right one.

Our team will help and guide you, and all for free. All we ask is that you simply consider making a donation to St Columba’s Hospice.

3. DECIDE YOUR POWER OF ATTORNEY A Power of Attorney is a document which appoints someone else to act for you if you become unable to make decisions or manage your affairs. As we are all living longer, it’s likely to be that more of us are going to need a Power of Attorney. Organising your Power of Attorney now means that if anything happens to you, your family can rest assured knowing that decisions are in the hands of someone you trust. Deciding your Power of Attorney now will save you time and expense in the future.

To see how easy it is to arrange your Power of Attorney, watch our video at www.mccluresolicitors.co.uk/sch-poa.

Our team of experts review thousands of Wills every year and see many with serious errors. It’s important to get your Will reviewed and updated. You can watch a video to see how we can review your will at www.mcclure-solicitors.co. uk/sch-review.

A final word from Andrew: “Please do contact McClure Solicitors for a free informal chat. We will help you put your affairs in order, and then you can then relax and get on with your life! It is what we are good at so let us help you.”

McClure Solicitors are offering supporters of St Columba’s Hospice free services for making and reviewing Wills. All they ask is that you consider making a donation to the Hospice. McClure Solicitors is offering their Power of Attorney services for half price, so do get in touch.

To find out more go to www.mcclure-solicitors.co.uk, call 0800 852 1999 or email: contactus@mclure-solicitors.com WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

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THREE CHEERS FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS! NORVAL BRYSON

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE HOSPICE’S BOARD OF GOVERNORS Norval joined the Hospice as a volunteer Governor after being asked to become Chairman of the Investment Committee.

Norval visited the Hospice expecting to find it a depressing place, but found it was the opposite.

JAN BRUNTSFIELD

VOLUNTEER CHAPLAIN Jan has been a volunteer chaplain at the Hospice for five years, having spent most of her life volunteering for lots of different causes.

Jan said: “I am a practicing Roman Catholic and my faith underpins my life. During my husband’s illness I was in and out of hospitals and after he died in the Hospice I asked my priest if there was any hospital visiting I could do. He suggested I become a Eucharistic Minister, so I would be able to take communion to any Catholic patients at the Hospice. I have had the great privilege being in the chaplaincy team role for five years, visiting and supporting Catholics, those of all faiths and no faith. On a typical day when I am visiting patients on the wards, God may not be mentioned at all, there are life stories to be told and achievements to be acknowledged, and family relationships understood. It is good to get to know people through their lives rather than their illness.”

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Norval said: “My average day involves lots of meetings as my role is to influence the direction of the Hospice and to make sure we can pay for the services we offer. Being a volunteer for the Hospice means I am doing something of great value to other people, I’m very proud of what we have achieved.”

ED WALKER

SHOP VOLUNTEER Ed has volunteered in the shops for 14 years, having started in the Leith Walk shop in 2002 and more recently joining the team at the Morningside Road shop too. Ed worked at a house furnishing company and it was his boss, Keith Frost, who encouraged Ed to become a volunteer. Ed said: “I agreed to volunteer mainly to get some peace from Keith! 14 years later I am still here!

The volunteers made me feel very welcome and we are definitely friends now as well as colleagues! I am so thankful to everyone in the Hospice’s shops for making it such an enjoyable experience.”

GEORGE MCEWAN

MAUREEN MCINTYRE

VOLUNTEER DRIVER

Maureen joined the Hospice after retiring from working in the NHS. When Maureen became a ward volunteer the Hospice was based at Kirklands House, Maureen said: “I found my role very rewarding, so when the Hospice moved back to Boswall Road, I asked to do extra shifts!”

George became a volunteer driver following retirement from his job as a lorry driver of 26 years and having driven almost 2 million miles.

As a volunteer driver, George goes to patients’ homes, has a brew and a chatter, and brings patients to the Hospice to use our day services.

George returns later in the day to pick up the patients and take them home. George said: “As a former lorry driver, I am really enjoying meeting new people. I love helping the patients, and I would pick patients up every day if they needed it. I love being a volunteer it helps people and it’s enjoyable for me too.”

Maureen began volunteering in the Iona Café, she said: “The Iona Café means I work with a lovely group of volunteers and can chat with patients, families and staff. I’m fortunate to be a Hospice volunteer and although it may only be for a few hours each fortnight, I know from comments from the patients and their families that our chats can really make a difference to someone’s day.”

To read more interviews with our volunteers, please visit our website!

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HOW THE HOSPICE HELPED ME Jay was a patient in both the day hospice and inpatient unit. Jay started coming to day hospice in August 2015 and in spring 2016 required some specialist management of her symptoms so she was admitted to the Cedar Ward for two weeks.

Jay said: “I’ve lived with cancer for many years, when I was first diagnosed with cancer, it was as if the doctor was talking to somebody else - I couldn’t believe it was happening to me. I received a call from a nurse from St Columba’s Hospice about coming to use the day hospice services. At the time, I didn’t feel ready to be a hospice patient, but after we talked about what services were on offer and how the day hospice worked, I changed my mind and I realise now how lucky I was to be given this support. I have been coming in to day hospice every Monday and I get a lot out of the experience.

“It sounds silly but I really do look forward to coming in to the Hospice, it is part of my social life now! Everyone is friendly and chatty, we are

all in the same boat and it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s a funny side to everything!

“Suzie Stark, the chaplain, is great. I’m not religious but I like talking to her and she encourages me to think about how my family might be coping, or what experiences I can have with them, and about life in general.

“When my symptoms needed some extra attention, I was nervous about being an inpatient. I was so pleased that Liam, the Patient and Family Support Assistant, was able to show me around before I was admitted.

The rooms and the wards have everything you need, and it’s nice and quiet. I’m looking forward to being discharged home and the time I have spent here at the Hospice means I can go home with my symptoms under control, making it easier for me to live my life.

“Throughout my whole experience of being ill, I have found that people are afraid of the word cancer. They are afraid to talk about it, and what it means. I find that talking about it with the doctors, nurses and staff at the Hospice has helped me to deal with the cancer and helped me to overcome the fear of the unknown.”

EVENTS DIARY 2016/17 THE PUSH SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER

LIGHT UP A LIFE MONDAY 12 DECEMBER

Take on Scotland’s toughest outdoor challenge event – The Push! Chose from three routes – 14 miles, 20 miles and 26.2 miles all across the Pentland Hills on Edinburgh’s doorstep. Plus, for 2016 we have new routes, a new online fundraising platform and lower registration fees!

Take on the challenge and push yourself!

Take a moment to reflect as we light up our Tree of Remembrance in Charlotte Square Gardens, Edinburgh. Each light on the tree is lit in memory of friends and family who have passed away.

Carol singers and a wonderful atmosphere make this a special evening not to be missed.

GIANT PUB QUIZ THURSDAY 10 NOVEMBER Join us at our winter Giant Pub Quiz! Book your table for this fantastic evening, testing your general knowledge for a chance to win the £600 cash prize! Tickets are £15 each or £75 for a team of six, all tickets include a pie and a pint.

To book tickets and register for events contact the Fundraising Team on 0131 551 1381 or email fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk

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BURNS SUPPER FRIDAY 27 JANUARY Dance away the winter blues at our Burns Supper! Enjoy an evening of live Scottish music, the address to the haggis, a traditional Burns Supper meal and dancing in to the small hours at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange.

STAND UP FOR ST COLUMBA’S HOSPICE FRIDAY 24 MARCH Save the date and book your tables now for our annual evening of comedy, laughter, fine food and dancing! Top comedy talent provide the entertainment, with live music, a three course dinner and dancing.

A REGULAR GIFT FOR AN EXTRA-SPECIAL SERVICE St Columba’s Hospice is incredibly lucky to have the generous support of people like you who have given gifts of time and money to the Hospice. Without you, we simply wouldn’t be able to offer the level of care and support that our patients and their families rely on.

Our generous supporters help us in lots of ways, from running marathons to cheese and wine nights, from skydiving to bake sales – every penny that you raise helps us and we are so grateful for all that you give.

you can support us – by becoming a regular donor. If you become a regular donor, you can support the work of the Hospice without having to even think about it! The easiest way to become a regular donor is to set up a direct debit to the Hospice. The money you donate will come straight out of your bank account and you can relax knowing your donation is being put to good use. Plus, you can set up a direct debit for as often as you would like – weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually – it’s up to you.

A donation of £10 a month can make a big difference to the Hospice. If every one of our supporters set up a direct debit for a £10 per month gift, over the course of a year that would raise nearly £3,600,000 extra for the Hospice!

That would enable us to make even more of a difference to patients and their families who need our support. Don’t forget, you can set up a direct debit for any amount you chose.

The Hospice and our specialist services cost a lot of money to run – over £8 million a year.

The NHS gives us small percentage of our running costs, but we must raise 75% of what we need. To give you an idea of how much it costs to run the Hospice – we must raise the equivalent of nearly £154,000 every week to keep our doors open.

We know that not everyone wants to run a marathon or do a bungee jump to raise money for the Hospice and with that in mind, we like to encourage people to consider the easiest way

Please do consider becoming a regular donor to the Hospice – every penny you give goes towards supporting patients and families, and ensuring our care is there for those who need it.

Setting up a direct debit online only takes a few minutes and can be done through our website.

To find out more go to www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk or call the fundraising team on 0131 551 1381.

What do things cost?

Pays for a complementary therapy session for a patient or family member

Pays for plants for the gardens

£20

£10

Pays to support and educate a volunteer

£100

£42 £30

£15 Pays for an arts and crafts day in the Day Hospice

Pays for a nurse to visit a patient in their home

£50 Pays for a patient’s meals for a week

Pays for a nurse for one day

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Weekly Prize Draw

Win £1,000 Each week!

Sign-up now on the Hospice website: www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk or call 0131 551 1381