Life Magazine

SPRING 2017 TIME IS ALL AROUND 40 FOR 40 DAY HOSPICE DELIGHTS

IN THIS ISSUE 03 WELCOME 04 NEWS 06 FRIENDS OF ST COLUMBA'S HOSPICE 08 DAY HOSPICE DELIGHTS 09 SPEAKING OUT FOR ST COLUMBA’S HOSPICE 09 MACMILLAN PARTNERS WITH THE HOSPICE 10 FORTH BRIDGE ABSEIL 11 CHAPLAINCY AND SPIRITUAL CARE 12 RUN FOR IT! 13 LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION 14 A WALK TO REMEMBER 16 THE BIG SIZZLE 17 40 FOR 40 18 WILL YOU WALK THE KILTWALK? 19 TIME IS ALL AROUND 20 BEHIND-THE-SCENES 22 EVENTS CALENDAR 2017 24 GIANT PUB QUIZ IS BACK

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

02 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

WELCOME TO THE SPRING 2017 EDITION OF LIFE MAGAZINE 2017 IS A SPECIAL YEAR FOR ST COLUMBA’S HOSPICE – IT'S 40 YEARS SINCE WE OPENED OUR DOORS AND WELCOMED OUR FIRST PATIENTS. Of course, a lot of hard work had been done before we opened, with the very first meeting about a hospice opening in Edinburgh taking place in 1968. From that initial meeting to today the focus has been to provide a palliative care facility in Edinburgh that serves the people of the city and beyond.

Right from the very start, the support of the local community was incredibly important and the people of Edinburgh have given their time, money and energy to the Hospice to help us provide our services and grow to meet the changing needs of all the people who use our services.

From the first pound given through fundraising to the awe-inspiring things people do for us today (like cycling across Scotland to raise money for us or volunteering in our wards) we have been supported by people who care about our vision – to put patients and families at the centre of everything we do, giving them time to explore what is important to them and the choices they have.

Through our inpatient unit, outpatients’ facility, day hospice and community nursing team we reach people who need our help. In our Centre for Education & Research, we work with health and social care practitioners from all over the world to help them develop the care and support

they give to patients and families. In short, St Columba’s Hospice cares for the people of Edinburgh and the Lothians, and it also helps to shape the care people receive across the globe.

We are so proud of all the amazing things we have achieved since we opened in 1977 and we could not have done so without the support of people like you. In this special year, we invite you to get involved and help us to ensure we can be here for the next four decades.

In this edition of Life magazine, you can read about lots of ways you can get involved with St Columba’s Hospice. This edition also includes the latest news from the Hospice; information about updates to our services; a feature about the experience of a day hospice patient; and the first instalment from our new series of staff blogs in which we will be sharing some of what goes on behind-the-scenes at the Hospice.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us – from that first meeting in 1968, through to 2017 and beyond!

Jackie Husband Chief Executive

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 03

NEWS FROM THE HOSPICE CHARTING THE HISTORY OF THE HOSPICE 2017 is a special year for the Hospice, as we mark 40 years of providing care and support for our community.

To mark the occasion, we have created an interactive timeline which charts key moments from our history. Some of the moments included in the timeline include notes from the first meeting held about having a hospice in Edinburgh, a picture of patients arriving on the first day of our day hospice service, several royal visits, and a local author cutting the first sod during our recent rebuild project.

You can see the timeline by visiting our website – www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk.

21212 DONATIONS

SCOTTISH HOSPICES TOGETHER

In 2016, Hospice chef Alan was preparing to take part in the Celtic Challenge and as part of his fundraising efforts, Alan approached restaurant 21212 asking them if they would donate a raffle prize to help raise funds.

The team at the restaurant kindly obliged, and were keen to know more about what we do - of course the chefs were particularly interested in the food we serve to patients.

We are delighted to announce that St Columba’s Hospice is involved in a very special partnership - Scotland’s Hospices Together. The partnership involves 10 independent hospices from across Scotland, each providing end of life care and support to patients and their families just as we do here at St Columba’s Hospice. We hope that by working together our local message can be heard nationally, helping us to raise the vital funds that we all need to support and care for our local communities. In this edition of Life, you will see our very first joint fundraiser: The Big Sizzle. We hope that you will dust of your BBQ this June and help support hospice care in Scotland this summer.

Following a visit to the Hospice by head chef Paul Kitching, we are incredibly grateful to the team at 21212 for their regular donations of fresh bread, heart-warming soup, delicious cakes and more tasty treats – almost always enjoyed by our patients and, if there’s any left over the staff and volunteers are always keen to enjoy the donations too!

04 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

SINGING LOUD AND CLEAR TO SPREAD CHRISTMAS CHEER In December our halls were decorated, we had Christmas trees all over the Hospice and the final festive touch that we needed was some carol singing! Volunteers Carol and Rosemary kindly organised a carol concert for us, arranging for four choirs and two

lp? ou he Can y ed more e n We to help teers volun Dalry Road t c e run th ase conta n o ple shop, p manager o 5 h s 8 6 e th 70 3 3 1 are 013 can sp if you hours. a few

duets to perform. Performances took place in Pentland Ward reception and the main Hospice reception and were enjoyed by patients, families, staff and volunteers. Thank you to all those who helped to organise the event and those who took part.

TERRIFIC TEDDIES! Visitors to our shops may have spotted baskets of knitted teddies for sale.

These soft teddies have been knitted by Janet Walker, whose daughter had seen our Dalry Road shop and suggested that her mum knit the teddies to donate to the shops for selling. Every teddy is unique and has its own design, and takes Janet five hours to knit! All the wool used is new and the teddies are stuffed using upcycled material from duvets and pillows. Janet has knitted lots of teddies for the Hospice to sell so far, thank you Janet!

TRIBUTE FUND CORRECTION In the last edition of Life we incorrectly named Dorothy Turner. We apologise for the mistake.

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 05

IN 1977, OUR DOORS WERE OPENED BY OUR FOUNDERS ANN WEATHERILL AND DR DEREK DOYLE. THEY HAD A VISION TO HELP PEOPLE LIVE UNTIL THEY DIE, IN AN ENVIRONMENT WITH SPECIALIST END OF LIFE CARE AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES. The Hospice was opened after many years of hard work and fundraising. At that time we had enough money in the bank to provide our services for just three months.

During those three months, more funds were raised to enable the Hospice to remain open.

Over the last four decades, we have been incredibly grateful to be on the receiving end of the public’s generosity and have been funded by charitable donations since 1977.

These donations ensure that we can provide the care and support patients and their families need. The donations given to us are used to pay for our services - that is the nurses that care for patients; the equipment and medications needed to ease pain; the ingredients used to make meals for patients; the arts and crafts materials used in creative therapy sessions in day hospice and much, much more.

This year, as we mark 40 years of our care and support, we are launching our Friends of St Columba’s Hospice initiative.

Many people who have been giving a regular donation to the Hospice have already become Friends of St Columba’s Hospice, and now is the time for you to join and become our Friend.

Regular gifts to the Hospice help us in so many ways, and your regular gift helps us to know how much money we have to spend on care and services. By becoming a Friend of St Columba’s Hospice, you are helping us to ensure that the physical, psychological, social and spiritual care

we provide can continue for the very many people who will require our services in the future.

You can chose how much your regular gift will be, and a gift can be given as frequently as you choose – from £5 a month, £50 a quarter or £500 a year – it’s up to you. By setting up a direct debit to the Hospice, your gift will automatically be transferred from your bank account, and you can change it easily at any time.

It costs £22,000 a day to provide our services, all of which are free of charge. Without the kindness of people like you, we simply couldn’t help patients and families.

When you become a Friend of St Columba’s Hospice, we’ll send you: • a welcome letter and pack • a car sticker for you to highlight your support for the Hospice • a yearly update on how much money you have donated and what that money has helped us to achieve* • a copy of Life magazine, three times a year, so you can read about all the latest news, stories and updates from the Hospice*.

If you would like to become a Friend of St Columba's Hospice please complete the form included with your magazine and post it back in the envelope provided. If you have any questions please call the fundraising team on 0131 551 1381. *You will only receive updates from us through the post if you have chosen not to opt-out of receiving mail from the Hospice. You can change your preferences at any time.

06 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

HOW YOUR GIFT IS SPENT £10

£15

£10 could pay for an arts and crafts session in our day hospice or on the ward. Patients find our arts and crafts sessions relaxing and a way to release their creativity.

£20

£30

£20 could pay to support and educate a volunteer. With over 680 volunteers supporting the Hospice, a lot of time and effort is spent making sure our volunteers are able to help us in the best possible way.

£42 could pay for a patient’s meals for one week. Our chefs make hundreds of homecooked meals every week for patients, from scratch, in our kitchen.

£15 could pay for us to get green-fingered and plant flowers and plants in our gardens. All of our inpatient rooms have a view of our gardens, so it’s really important we keep them looking lovely!

£30 could pay for a complementary therapy session for a patient or family member. These sessions include Indian head massage, reflexology, Reiki and more – each offering pain relief and time-out for the patient or family member.

£50 could pay for one of our dedicated team of community nurses to visit a patient in their own home. Many patients are cared for in the community and visits from our nurses help patients to be where they want to be.

£100 could pay for a nurse for a day. All our patients are cared for by a team of doctors and nurses with round the clock care offered every day of the year. Our nurses help patients and families in many ways.

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 07

DAY HOSPICE DELIGHTS ANN SHARES HER EXPERIENCE OF LIFE AS A DAY HOSPICE PATIENT On my first visits to the day hospice, I brought a book with me. After a couple of visits I began talking to other patients and I quickly discovered that I could get used to coming in to the day hospice each week. Now, I am glad to meet the lovely volunteers, patients and staff who work there and I look forward to going.

I have only missed one day since I began coming in - and would not miss it for the world now.

Who would have thought?

I was delighted to be asked to take part in a new film about the Hospice, and to write this article.

When I was asked, my first reaction was - I want to give something back to make up for the kindness and help I have encountered at St Columba’s Hospice.

I also wanted to give some advice to other people who might be reading this, so here are my top tips: Anne, right with Yassie the therapy dog and volunteer Ruth

When I first heard about St Columba’s Hospice I wondered why my GP, consultant and nurses thought I should go as a day patient. I looked up hospices online and was horrified to read it was a place for the terminally ill. “Hey! Wait a minute Jimmy, I’m not dead yet,” I thought.

I was indignant about the whole thing and only agreed to meet someone from the Hospice because a friend persuaded me. I did not want to be written off, with everyone feeling sorry for me.

When I became ill, and started coming to the Hospice, my friends started talking more gently and kindly; they did the ironing; cut the grass; and said, ‘sit down let me do that’. This was an alien world to me: I have lived on my own since 1969 and always done my own thing or employed someone to do things for me.

After my first visit to the Hospice, I realised how wrong we all were in our ideas of what the Hospice would be like – this is a wonderful place.

08 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

1. Enjoy a shower every day if you can - one of the best things I’ve done in years was to take out the bath and have a wet-room fitted. Have a shower every morning and let the warm water soothe your body. Never feel guilty about it. Use a gentle soap - take your time to find a soap you like and that agrees with your skin. After a good wash you will feel better don’t forget about brushing your teeth and use a soft toothbrush.

2. Drink lots of water - have a bottle of water and a glass near where you sit. If you have an ileostomy you must drink a lot of water.

Try to buy the small water bottles, or when your friends ask what to bring you - ask for 12 small bottles of water. Let them put them in the fridge for you, and don’t feel bad about it. They will be pleased to buy you something that is going to help you. Tea and coffee does not count, it has to be water. Wine or any other booze doesn’t count and anything with caffeine is a no-no.

SPEAKING OUT FOR ST COLUMBA’S HOSPICE! People all over Edinburgh and the Lothians have supported the Hospice since we welcomed our first patients in 1977, and even before then as we raised money to build the Hospice.

Now, some four decades later, we want to remind everyone across the area why the Hospice is so important to the local community.

We also want people who don’t know what we do, to find out about the Hospice - many people aren’t aware of the wide range of services that the Hospice provides, and this is something we would love to change.

For 2017, we have developed a speaker programme to train a group of people to represent St Columba’s Hospice and deliver talks in the local community. We want to reach lots of

people and the support of our speakers who are passionate about St Columba’s Hospice will help us to do this.

Our speakers will attend local community groups, such as social and religious groups, Probus, Rotary and various other social clubs in and around Edinburgh and the Lothians. A speaker can attend your group meetings and share our story – why we exist, how we help people, how you can get involved and why it’s so special to support St Columba’s Hospice.

If you are part of a group in Edinburgh and the Lothians and would like one of our informative speakers to come along to one of your meetings and tell you more about St Columba’s Hospice – we would love to hear from you!

To arrange a talk, please contact the fundraising team on 0131 551 1381 or email fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk

HOSPICE PARTNERS WITH MACMILLAN TO HELP PATIENTS AND FAMILIES The Hospice is pleased to be partnering with Macmillan, to enable patients to access all the financial support they are eligible for.

Macmillan is a charity that supports people with cancer, however in their partnership with the Hospice their support and advice regarding benefits and financial support is available to all of the Hospice’s patients – whatever illness you have.

The benefits clinics take place in the Hospice on three days each month. The team from Macmillan is based in the Information Hub, near to the outpatients’ area and just around the corner from the Iona Café. The Macmillan team is also able to visit patients in the community through the support of our community nursing team.

This lottery funded initiative will help patients, family members and carers access all of the financial support they may need. There is no charge for this service and all enquiries will be dealt with in complete confidence.

The Macmillan clinics have already started and will run throughout the year. The clinics are on different days each week so that all patients can see an advisor if they wish to. For more information about the service Macmillan provides for benefits and financial support, visit the Macmillan website at www.macmillan.org.uk or speak to a member of the Hospice team.

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 09

CHAPLAINCY AND SPIRITUAL CARE THE HOSPICE’S NEW CHAPLAIN, SUZIE STARK, REFLECTS ON WHAT CHAPLAINCY AND SPIRITUAL CARE IS AT THE HOSPICE The other day I caught myself saying to someone on the ward, “I have no agenda”. Now, that is not strictly true or I would be out of a job, but there can be a problem when people hear the word ‘chaplain’.

I’m not sure if there is an expectation (or fear) that we are here to preach to people or judge them. That is why, when we introduce the chaplaincy service, we reassure people that we are neither here to preach, nor to judge, that we accept each person for who they are and where they are on their own journey.

I work alongside two chaplaincy volunteers, Jan and Mike, and we are here for everyone, irrespective of an individual’s beliefs. We offer support and care to anyone who might find that helpful. Patients on the wards and in the community, their families and friends, staff and volunteers, all have access to the chaplaincy team and we respond to each person, to their own unique concerns and circumstances and offer our support if it is wanted.

For some people that support will be related to their faith; we might be asked to contact their Imam, Priest or Minister or we might ask our local Parish Priest, Father George, to come in.

We might be asked for Communion, or to conduct a wedding or to assist with advice on planning a funeral.

For other people there might be the need to talk about things that weigh heavily on their mind.

Often these are issues with which they might not wish to burden family and friends; worries about

their illness, fears about the future; concerns for a loved one.

Sometimes people want to share their life story and it is a privilege to have the time to listen to their reminiscences. The chaplains are also part of the bereavement support team and we are involved with both pre- and post-bereavement support as well as with the Times of Remembrance events which are held two or three times each year. Sometimes we are highly visible while at other times our work is conducted quietly and in confidence.

At the heart of all we do are the individuals we encounter with their own unique needs, both spiritual and practical. As we get to know what makes someone tick, we find ways of enabling them to continue to do things that bring pleasure or are important: painting, sketching, knitting, card-making, using the new art room, playing the piano or spending time in the Columba Room - our beautiful, quiet, reflective space. In the day hospice we work with colleagues from the occupational therapy team and with our volunteers to assist with all manner of arts and crafts projects as we mark the changing seasons.

I try to get involved with as many Hospice activities as possible, from cheering people over the start and finish lines at A Walk to Remember, to helping at the Art Friends event, and hosting a table at the Giant Pub Quiz. As the Hospice’s Chaplain it is important to be involved in all aspects of Hospice life so that people get to know me, build a relationship and trust.

The chaplaincy team is here, alongside our many colleagues, offering additional support and care to anyone and everyone who might welcome it. And our agenda? Of course, we do have an agenda but that is set not by us, but by you, by each individual we encounter.

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 11

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! At the end of November 2016 we invited a film crew in to make some new films about the Hospice.

Tanami, a local film production company, worked with the Hospice to make three new films – one about what we do; another focussing on a patient’s experience; and the third is a short film to thank all of our supporters.

The team at the Hospice organised a full day of filming, which took place throughout the Hospice buildings. We brought together a patient, a family member, members of staff, volunteers and even two of our therapy dogs to take part. All the participants were invited to share their experience of the Hospice.

The day of filming started with the crew getting film footage of the outside of the Hospice. Later in the day, the film crew ventured on to the roof of the Hospice to film the amazing views we have across the Firth of Forth. The highlight of the day was the time spent interviewing the participants, and hearing how the Hospice had helped the patient and the family member, and also how our staff and volunteers contribute to the community of the Hospice.

If you would like to watch our new films, please visit our website: www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 13

A WALK TO REMEMBER BOOK YOUR PLACES NOW FOR OUR WALK ON 17 JUNE! Our annual event, A Walk to Remember, is a fun family day out which raises money for the Hospice!

The event sees lots of families and groups of friends walking through the heart of Edinburgh, from our start point at Balerno High School, to our end point at The Shore, Leith.

We have two distances to choose from…

• The Big Yin – 12.5 miles from Balerno to Leith • The Wee Yin – 7 miles from the Water of Leith Visitor Centre to Leith.

The walk follows the Water of Leith and provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy the sunshine (hopefully) and the peaceful surroundings of the water. The event raises vital money for the Hospice, helping us to provide care and support for patients and their families.

On this picturesque route through the heart of Edinburgh you’ll take in some of the city’s best-loved sites including Colinton Village and Dell, the Union Canal, Saughton Winter Gardens, Murrayfield Stadium, the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art, Dean Village, Stockbridge, and Leith.

14 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

On the day you will receive your event t-shirt, route map, and refreshments to keep your energy up along the walk. We will also have some entertaining puzzles and games for children to complete along the route to keep them entertained.

We will have tea, coffee and cake at the finish line in Leith waiting for you – well deserved after your walk! For our four-legged friends, there will be dog bowls and snacks to keep those tails wagging!

As 2017 is our 40th anniversary year, we want to get more people than ever before to take part in A Walk To Remember – so please join us and bring all of your friends and family!

Register now for A Walk to Remember Registration costs £15 per adult (16+) and £10 per child. Children under 5 are free and dogs on leads are welcome too. You’ll receive a fundraising kit, a t-shirt, refreshments and a medal. We ask that each adult aims to raise at least £50 and each child at least £25 for this event. Register your family or team today online at www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk/awtr or call the fundraising team on 0131 551 1381.

STEVIE BURNS TOOK PART IN A WALK TO REMEMBER IN 2016, HE SHARES HIS EXPERIENCE… My father Hughie was resident in the Hospice for the last two months of his life, he passed away on 17 May 2016. On our first visit it was immediately obvious what a fantastic facility St Columba’s Hospice is, and we were pretty blown away by the place. However, it was also clear that it must take a substantial amount of money to sustain the level of care provided and we felt we had to do something to help. Our Granny Burns had died at the Hospice back in 1978 so there was already a connection with, and affection for, the Hospice but that feeling increased considerably while we visited Dad there.

While Dad was still at the Hospice, it was my sister Sarah who first mooted the idea of taking part in A Walk to Remember. It seemed an obvious thing to do – a great way to raise funds for the Hospice while enjoying yourself at the same time. And, of course, we had the incentive of knowing we would be going to the pub for a hot meal and a drink at the other end!

My wife Maria, son Patrick, and my sister Sarah all took part in the event, as well as Sarah’s friends Clare and Laura. In addition, my Uncle Mike and Auntie Lesley helped out as stewards on the route as it approached the final stages in Leith. My brother Tony would have been with us too, but he was away for the weekend and therefore unable to take part. I was particularly proud of Patrick, who at 12 years old did really well to complete the whole course; he was determined to do it for his granddad, with whom he had a very special and unique relationship.

Being part of a team was great – we kept each other going when any of us started to flag, and had a good laugh! There was also a camaraderie amongst all the participants, regardless of

whether you knew each other or not, as we were all working towards the same purpose. Everyone seemed in high spirits, and of course it is a beautiful (if challenging!) route to walk.

By the end of the walk we were knackered – and thirsty! – but with a real sense of achievement.

There were a lot of tired but happy people in and around Leith Docks that day!

The support from family, friends and colleagues – both emotional and financial – was tremendous.

There aren’t many people out there who haven’t been touched by cancer in some shape or form and, locally, many of those will have had reason to visit someone in St Columba’s Hospice, so it is no great secret what a deserving cause it is.

I don’t think our family feel we could ever repay the Hospice for the way Dad was looked after (and indeed how we as relatives were treated) during his final difficult months. Dad had been visiting his good friend Gordon at the Hospice in early 2015 and said at the time that, if he was ever in that position, he would hope that this would be the place he would end his days.

Sadly, those sentiments were to prove prophetic all too soon thereafter. But the staff and volunteers are special people and do all they can to make a distressing and emotional time as bearable as possible. St Columba’s Hospice is simply a wonderful place, and it was a privilege to be able to give a little back through A Walk to Remember.

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 15

..

.le

t’ s

th e

r!

W

r...

ver the weathe e t ha

g s i z z le to

e

Sizzle for St Columba’s Hospice!

Help raise funds for St Columba’s Hospice by hosting a BBQ at home, work or local gala days this June!

Sizzle this summer and support your local hospice throughout the month of June in this fantastic new campaign bringing all of Scotland’s hospices together in ‘The Big Sizzle’!

Savour the flavour at your own Big Sizzle BBQ and get together with your friends, family or colleagues and raise much needed funds and, remember, whatever the weather... ...let’s sizzle together!

For your free ‘Big Sizzle’ fundraising pack or for further information contact us...

Tel: 0131 551 1381 Email: fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk

Scotland’s Hospices Together Big BBQ poster - St Columba's.indd 1

St Columba’s Hospice Scottish Charity No. SC003634

07/02/2017 09:52:34

40 FOR 40 1 2

As part of our 40th anniversary we are launching a special initiative for companies in our local community. We are inviting 40 local businesses and organisations to join our 40 for 40 club, with each company making a commitment to raise £1,000 by the end of 2017 – we hope that together, our 40 for 40 club members will raise at least £40,000 to support our services.

Companies or organisations of all shapes and sizes are able to join our club and the fundraising team at the Hospice will help you every step of the way. The initiative is an engaging way for your employees to help a local cause whilst having fun and boosting team spirits. There is no set way to raise the £1,000 target - whether you host an event, organise a sponsored walk, hold a dress up day, a sweepstake or hold several bake sales throughout the year - it’s entirely up to you how you achieve the £1,000 goal. Once the fundraising ball has started rolling you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can reach your target.

3 4

Once you sign up to our 40 for 40 club, the Hospice team will provide you with a free fundraising pack full of ideas, helpful information, and practical tips to get you started. You will also have your own dedicated contact within the fundraising team to help with any queries that you might have, and should you need any materials such as balloons, t-shirts, collection buckets or raffle tickets, we can help with those too. We can arrange for one of our team to visit your workplace to show you why your support is needed and the difference you will be making.

We already have lots of organisations signed up and your company could help us reach our goal of getting 40 companies involved hopefully you are now inspired to take this to your staff room and start inspiring others to help their local hospice!

To find out more email fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk or phone Barbara Brockie on 0131 551 1381.

5

1 The TSB Leith branch present a cheque to the Hospice

6

2 Two Morrisons stores held a charity football match 3 The Spar in Dalkeith raised £2,000 through the 5p carrier bag charge 4 Sainsbury’s Longstone made us their charity of the year 5 Jenners in Edinburgh raffled a cake shaped like a sofa to raise funds for the Hospice 6 Staff from the Bank of Scotland helped with gardening WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 17

WILL YOU WALK

THE KILTWALK? with snacks and drinks, an encouraging smile and chat to keep the spirits high throughout your experience.

Have you heard about the Kiltwalk? It’s a fantastic challenge event and, in 2017 for the first time ever, you can take part in the Kiltwalk and raise money for St Columba’s Hospice!

We are thrilled that in our 40th year we will be able to cheer on those of you who take part in the Kiltwalk as you walk through the streets of Edinburgh clad in your finest tartan attire.

The Edinburgh Kiltwalk takes place on Sunday 17 September, and you have a choice of three challenging distances through the city - 5, 12 or 26 miles – with all distances starting and finishing in the iconic Murrayfield Stadium. If you decide to take on the 12 or 26 mile distances, you will walk right past the Hospice, along Lower Granton Road, and will be sure to hear plenty of cheering as you pass!

Join hundreds of other people on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk and you will be well looked after in the run up to the big day and along the route. After you register for the Kiltwalk, you will receive plenty of top tips and useful hints from both the Kiltwalk team and the fundraising team at St Columba’s Hospice, to help you through your training, preparation and fundraising efforts.

When you are taking part in the Kiltwalk, along the route on challenge day you will be able to make use of the pitt stops, where the Kiltwalk team will keep your energy levels topped-up

18 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

As you approach the finish line in Murrayfield Stadium, you’ll spot the famous Kiltwalk Village, where you will complete your challenge and be presented with your well-earned medal. You can sit back, relax, enjoy some live music, a hearty meal and say cheers with your team mates as you celebrate your achievements. The Village is also a great area for your friends and family to cheer you across the finish line!

If you are looking to take on a challenge and to raise money for St Columba’s Hospice, the Kiltwalk is a fantastic event to take part in. It’s a great day out, walking through Edinburgh, with a fantastic atmosphere. Every penny that you raise for the Hospice will come directly to us – so all the money you raise will help us to provide care and support for patients and families from across the city to the Lothians. Unlike many other challenge events, for the Kiltwalk there is no fundraising target – whatever you raise will help the Hospice.

Did you know that £10 could pay for an arts and crafts session in the day hospice, and that £50 could pay for a nurse to visit a patient in the community?

We look forward to cheering for you as you walk past the Hospice on Sunday 17 September and across the finishing line!

To find out more about the Kiltwalk and to register online go to www.thekiltwalk.co.uk or email fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk Registration costs £31.62 for the 12 mile and 26 mile routes, and £13.20 for the five mile route.

If you don’t live in Edinburgh the Kiltwalk also takes place in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee!

TIME IS ALL AROUND DANUTA ORLOWSKA, A LECTURER IN PALLIATIVE CARE AT THE HOSPICE, REFLECTS ON TWO ART EXHIBITIONS WE HAVE HOSTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EDINBURGH PRINTMAKERS. Time is a fascinating concept - precious, passing all-too-quickly or interminably slowly. Time flies and time stands still. Time is spent, regretted, enjoyed and wasted. As the earth revolves around the sun, our individual lives on this planet come to an end after various lengths of time which we measure in years, months and days.

A hospice setting is one in which the concept of time can be particularly poignant: we might have reflections on time which has passed and memories of people dear to us who have died, remembering their birthdays and marking the anniversaries of their deaths. We might think that we never have enough time to juggle all the things we mean to do in our lives. Or our minds could take us into the future and our hopes for ourselves, others and the planet.

Time is all around us and research shows that our perception of time speeds up as we grow older. Scientists, poets, artists, authors, psychologists, anthropologists and others also have perspectives on time drawn from their own specialist fields. When asked to point to the future – which way do we point? Chances are that we point ahead of us. Yet I remember being fascinated to read that for the Aymara people of the Andes, the future lies behind them as it cannot be seen. For them the past lies in front, as it is already known and can be seen.

This image by Alison Bramire was included in the Time Is All Around exhibition

This winter, the Hospice has been in collaboration with Edinburgh Printmakers on two exhibitions.

The exhibitions allowed us to glimpse something of the inspiration of artists when offered the work of the Hospice as a theme. Dr Erna Haraldsdottir, director of education and research at the Hospice, spoke to artists at Edinburgh Printmakers and then invited them to visit. The result is Time Is All Around – a varied collection of prints including landscapes, botanical images and abstracts.

Displayed in the autumn at the Edinburgh Printmakers’ gallery, we are delighted that the exhibition was also shown at the Hospice.

The other exhibition which the Hospice worked with Edinburgh Printmakers on was a small exhibition of prints which were displayed during To Absent Friends Week in November 2016.

Volunteers, staff and patients were invited to vote for their top five prints from a long-list created by Edinburgh Printmakers. The votes were then counted and an exhibition of works were displayed. The selection process and exhibition engaged us with art which we might not otherwise have seen.

Judith Liddle, programme co-ordinator at Edinburgh Printmakers, said: “Through exploration at the emotional and philosophical issues present in palliative care, artists from Edinburgh Printmakers have responded in deeply thoughtful, personal and compelling ways. As Edinburgh Printmakers celebrate their 50th anniversary, we reflect on how society and contemporary art have changed during this period. In Time Is All Around we considered what the passage of time means for us as individuals, how we value our experiences, and what meaning we can find.

The artworks produced in this collaboration encourage us to find beauty in finitude."

For us at St Columba’s Hospice, it’s wonderful having more art around us and we’re exploring further opportunities for ways in which art can enhance our environment.

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 19

BEHIND-THE-SCENES Have you ever wondered what happens at the Hospice behind-the-scenes, or what it would be like to work here? In 2017 we hope to shed some light on how staff from across the organisation help the Hospice to run. We will be publishing blogs each month on our website, written by members of staff from across all the Hospice’s teams. We have published extracts from two of the first blogs below, make sure you visit our website to read them in full and see the latest blogs!

meaning. I support patients whilst they stay at the Hospice and this can include accompanying them to external appointments, or taking them from the wards to spend time in our day hospice.

I also help to show people around the Hospice who are anticipating their future care, if they want to see what we do; or if they are visiting on behalf of their loved ones. My role allows me to be involved in many different projects within the Hospice which is really interesting and makes every day different – this is just a portion of what my job involves!

LIAM

PATIENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT ASSISTANT

What would surprise people about your role?

My role involves working with people from all walks of life, it can be extremely varied. At the beginning of last year, a lady came into the

Tell us about your role at the Hospice

Hospice as an inpatient and I organised for her

The patient and family support assistant role is

pet cat to go to a temporary foster home until

fairly new and it combines a mixture of different

the lady was to be discharged. Sadly the lady

areas but mostly it’s a mix of coordinating

died, so I found a new home for her wee cat.

admissions, and patient and family support.

Something like that is very unusual and I always

When I am arranging and coordinating admissions

get a pleasantly surprised response if it comes

to the Hospice, this involves attending the daily

up in conversation.

meetings each morning where the team discusses who is being admitted to the Hospice, why they

What is it like working at the Hospice?

are coming here and when. The most important

Despite many people’s perception of Hospices,

part of a patient being admitted is for me to

it’s a happy place to work. My colleagues and the

welcome them on arrival. In the future, I will also

volunteers are all so friendly, so for me, it makes

become much more involved when we discharge

the Hospice an inviting place to be. It can be

patients too.

tough working at the Hospice as there are times which are stressful or emotional but with our

The patient and family support part of my job can

colleagues, there’s always a listening ear, good

mean anything, because support has such a broad

steady support and a big hug to get you through the day.

20 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

How does your role help patients and families?

Patients and families are very grateful for our help, they will often comment about how spotless the Hospice is. When I worked in patients’ rooms, the patients liked to have a chat and catch up. I have always got the sense that the family and friends of the patients are very grateful for the work we do, it’s very satisfying.

What would surprise people about your role?

It’s not like what you think it will be, we have a laugh and it’s not all doom and gloom – it’s the total opposite really. You’ve got to have a laugh and people often say they never thought it would be like this. There’s nothing to be scared of working here at the Hospice.

MAUREEN

What is it like working at the Hospice?

Our team really gets on well, we are just like a big family. There’s some of us who have been here

DOMESTIC TEAM MEMBER

for over 20 years and we can’t imagine leaving!

How long have you worked at the Hospice?

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I have worked at the Hospice for 28 years in total,

My husband Pat and I enjoy socialising, we love

initially for six years and then I took a break. It’s 22

going on holidays especially cruises around the

years since I came back to the Hospice.

Mediterranean. If I have a couple of days off I like taking a walk in to Stockbridge, and my four

Tell us about your role at the Hospice

grandchildren are a big part of my life.

I am one of the domestic team and we do domestic chores all over the Hospice. It’s quite

Is there anything else you would like to

a satisfying job because it’s all for the patients.

add?

I enjoy it very much. I work primarily in the staff

If any of your relatives are coming to the Hospice,

areas but I used to enjoy working on the wards

they will get the very best care from us, our nurses

and in the patient’s rooms. Normally after the

and whole team are very dedicated. We will try to

patient has had breakfast, we would go in to the

make sure there’s nothing for you to worry about,

patient’s rooms and do some of the domestic

and your loved one may be discharged home

work to make sure the room is clean and tidy.

again. People do go home, the misconceptions

Sometimes we will help by getting patients a

about not leaving a hospice are not true.

drink of water or arranging the blankets for them.

It’s all part of the domestic job. It is all about helping the patients and their families.

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 21

EVENTS DIARY 2017 GIANT PUB QUIZ THURSDAY 27 APRIL EDINBURGH CORN EXCHANGE £15 PER PERSON OR £75 FOR A TEAM OF 6 PEOPLE Our Giant Pub Quiz is a fantastic evening, putting your general knowledge to the test against over 350 other people! With a £600 cash prize, book your table now and start your swotting up!

CELTIC CHALLENGE 2017 10 – 14 MAY EDINBURGH TO IONA

EDINBURGH MARATHON FESTIVAL 27 – 28 MAY EDINBURGH

Take on the Celtic Challenge, our epic 200 mile cycling event! Get on your bike and cycle from the Hospice in Edinburgh to Iona in just four days, taking in some of Scotland’s most stunning cycling routes. This event is suitable for those new to cycling, as long as you train properly for it. Limited places available, so get in touch today.

Are you thinking of taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival? Why not run for St Columba’s Hospice? Fast and flat, the Edinburgh race routes for the 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon were voted the fastest routes in the UK by Runners World, ideal if it’s your first time or for running a new personal best.

STAND UP FOR ST COLUMBA’S HOSPICE FRIDAY 26 MAY PRESTONFIELD HOUSE, EDINBURGH TICKETS £95 EACH

FORTH BRIDGE ABSEIL SUNDAY 28 MAY SOUTH QUEENSFERRY

Join us at Stand Up for St Columba’s Hospice – a glamorous night of entertainment, dancing, frivolity and fundraising! This year’s entertainment is led by chatterbox comedian Des Clarke, who will be joined on stage by one of Scotland’s top comedy stars, Stuart Mitchell and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe favourite musical comedy duo Worbey & Farrell. The evening includes a delicious dinner, live band and entertainment!

22 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

Take part in a unique and thrilling fundraising challenge by abseiling 165ft from the iconic Forth Bridge onto the beach below. The Forth Bridge Abseil is a real adrenaline rush for the daring and the ultimate challenge for the rest of us! No previous experience is necessary to take part and no training is required!

A WALK TO REMEMBER SATURDAY 17 JUNE BALERNO TO LEITH, EDINBURGH £15 FOR ADULTS, £10 FOR CHILDREN, UNDER 5S FREE Our annual walk along the picturesque Water of Leith walkway is perfect for families and dogs are welcome too! Join us for the Big Yin and walk the 12.5 miles from Balerno to Leith, or join us for the Wee Yin and start half way along the route at the Water of Leith visitor centre. Find out more about the event on page 14.

STUDS & BALLS FRIDAY 13 OCTOBER STEWART’S MELVILLE CLUBHOUSE, EDINBURGH Come and join us for our first ever sportsman’s lunch – the perfect way to kick off the 2017 Autumn International Tests. You will enjoy an afternoon of all things sporty, with a three course meal and top sporting names to keep you entertained. There will also be some fantastic sporting prizes up for grabs, so come along and enjoy our brand new event in style.

ART FRIENDS EXHIBITION 20 - 22 OCTOBER EDINBURGH ACADEMY, STOCKBRIDGE FREE ADMISSION

THE EDINBURGH KILTWALK SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER FROM £13.20 PER PERSON The Kiltwalk is a fabulous fundraising event which hundreds of people take part in. For the first time, you can now take part in the Kiltwalk and raise money for any charity – so we’d love you to take part and raise money for the Hospice! Find out more about the Kiltwalk on page 18.

VINTAGE FAIR SEPTEMBER

Our Art Friends exhibition showcases the very best of Scottish talent, alongside emerging new artists. The works including jewellery, paintings, prints and sculpture are all for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Hospice.

The exhibition will be held in a new venue for 2017, the Edinburgh Academy in Stockbridge, over three days and admission is free.

GIANT PUB QUIZ NOVEMBER EDINBURGH CORN EXCHANGE £15 PER PERSON OR £75 FOR A TEAM OF SIX PEOPLE. If you missed our first pub quiz this year, weren’t able to make it along or if you really love quizzes, this is another chance to win £600 by putting your general knowledge to the test! Tickets include a pie and a pint at this fun and relaxed evening.

In keeping with our anniversary year, we will be hosting a vintage fair reflecting the 1970s in style. Browse a variety of vintage stalls, kick back with some classic cocktails or boogie to some of the finest records ever released! A fully themed event harking back to days gone by.

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 23

The Giant

PUB QUIZ THURSDAY 27 APRIL, 6.30PM AT EDINBURGH CORN EXCHANGE

firpsrtize

£600

2ND AND 3RD PL ACE PRIZES AL SO U P FOR G R AB S

For Tickets

FUND@STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK or call 0131 551 1381

A PIE A N D A pint BEER, GLASS OF WINE OR A CIDER

INCLUDED IN THE TICKET PRICE £75 for a team of 6 O R £15 PER HEAD 

St Columba’s Hospice is a registered charity.

Charity No. Sc003634