Life Magazine, Summer 2018

SUMMER 2018 VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE HOSPICE COFFEE, CAKE AND CONNECTIONS INSPIRED BY THE HILLS AND GLENS

IN THIS ISSUE 03 WELCOME 04 NEWS FROM THE HOSPICE 06 ENERGY TRIAL 07 BEHIND THE SCENES 08 TAKE A 360 TOUR OF THE HOSPICE 09 COMMUNITY SERVICES 10 COFFEE, CAKE AND CONNECTIONS 12 INSPIRED BY THE HILLS AND GLENS 14 GLITZ AND GLAMOUR 15 ART FRIENDS IS BACK! 16 COMMUNITY CORNER 18 VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE HOSPICE 19 HAVE YOUR SAY… 20 EVENTS CALENDAR 22 CORPORATE CORNER 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 On the cover: Robert 'Rab' Hastie.

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 SUMMER 2018 EDITION OF LIFE MAGAZINE IN THIS ISSUE, WE’LL BE TAKING A LOOK AT SOME OF THE INSPIRING WORK GOING ON ACROSS THE HOSPICE TO REACH MORE OF THE PEOPLE WHO NEED US THROUGHOUT EDINBURGH AND THE LOTHIANS. A significant part of our ambition is about ensuring that our services best meet the needs of our ever-growing community. In order to do so, we’ve been focusing on how our community team delivers care and support and so it feels like a good time to discuss the importance of our work in the community and the huge impact it has. You can find out more about this vital service on page 9.

Our Education and Research Team has got several interesting projects in progress and you can read about our innovative ENeRgy Trial on page 6, in which we’re studying the effects of nutrition and exercise on common symptoms of cancer. We’re also delving into the exciting world of Virtual Reality and asking what benefits this could bring to our patients - find out more about the pilot on page 18.

Our recent Ladies Lunch, An Afternoon with the Stars, was a huge success in part due to the enormous generosity of those who donated such fabulous prizes! A big thank you to everyone that came along. The event raised £21,750 for the Hospice, turn to page 14 for a round-up of the day’s events.

join us in making every moment count! We’ve also got a Walk to Remember event taking place for the first time in East Lothian (from Portobello to Aberlady) on Saturday 1 September, a Book Fair and our ever popular Art Friends event to look forward to.

I’m also delighted to bring you the news that three of our inspirational volunteers were presented with the Lord Provost’s Inspiring Volunteer Award in a special ceremony held at The City Chambers. We’re over the moon to have their dedication to St Columba’s Hospice celebrated and acknowledged in such a lovely way.

We hope you enjoy this issue and thank you again for your ongoing support.

Jackie Stone Chief Executive

The summer is ramping up to be action-packed in the world of community fundraising with the return of our wonderful Summer to Remember campaign. This year's event is taking place at Starbank Park on 19 August. With live music, activities and refreshments it's sure to be a great day out for the whole family - we hope you will

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 03

NEWS FROM THE HOSPICE

WE VALUE OUR VOLUNTEERS Volunteers’ Week runs annually from 1–7 June and this year, in addition to celebrating the work and dedication of over 650 volunteers, we were thrilled that three of our volunteers (Carol Graham, Rosemary MacKay, and Liz Brock) and the volunteers in the Volunteer Services team received the Lord Provost’s Inspiring Volunteer Award. A huge well done to all!

At the start of the year, we also asked our volunteers to complete a Satisfaction Survey to find out if they are happy with their experiences and if they have any suggestions or improvements. We received some overwhelmingly positive feedback and suggestions about training, support and involvement. In response to the survey, our Volunteer Services team is now working with managers across the organisation to review the results and make sure we’re best catering for our volunteers’ needs and wants.

Our Top Stats •

98% of volunteers have a clear idea what is expected of them in their role

98% enjoy volunteering at the Hospice • 96% receive enough information and •

support to perform their role

•

95% would recommend volunteering for St Columba’s Hospice

We also found that 95% of the team are made to feel welcome and appreciated by the staff they meet and work with. In addition, 90% had recently been thanked for their work, which is a fantastic reflection on staff across the Hospice.

Thanks to everyone involved in the survey.

Get involved in 2018 If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, we’d love to hear from you! Vacancies are updated regularly on our website and you can get in touch with our volunteer coordinator Maggie Young on 0131 551 1381 or email vol@stcolumbashospice.org.uk

04 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

STOCKBRIDGE IS NOW OPEN ON A SUNDAY! We’re excited to announce, that due to popular demand, our Stockbridge shop is now open on Sundays from 10-4pm. We’re sure this news will be welcomed by vintage lovers, particularly following a recent interview with international fashion designer Holly Fulton who was wearing a silk Jaeger top she picked up in the shop around 15 years ago! So, whether you’re out for a stroll around Stockbridge or on the hunt for something a bit unique, make sure you pop in for a browse.

AN UPDATE FROM GOLDENACRE BOOK SHOP MANAGER, ANDY CROSBY.

"It takes a lot of patience to go through donations and a sharp eye, but it’s really rewarding to make an unusual find or spot something that adds value to the item such as a signature on the inner sleeve of a book. One of our volunteers also found a Zimbabwean 100 Trillion Dollar note tucked away in a donated book that sold for £60.

"Although these finds can be few and far between, when we do come across them it can be fun to create a bit of buzz around an item and ultimately raise more money for the Hospice. But, what we really rely on, is regular donations of books, DVDs and music in good condition. These items are great sellers and help boost our everyday sales in the bookshop.

“I enjoy working with donated books and music having previously managed bookshops for another charity in Edinburgh and London.

"Goldenacre is a great place to work, particularly because it’s so close to the Botanic Gardens and in such a supportive residential area.

"I’m always impressed by the quality and variety of donations and I enjoy the fact that you never know what you are going to receive.

"Recently, we had a rare set of British Viz Comics handed in that sold for £700 in an online auction.

"Going forward we’re also hoping to raise some additional funds by holding a special Book Fair on 13–14 October. The sale will be held in the Academy on Henderson Row (near Stockbridge) and will feature a selection of popular, rare and collectable books. We’ll have more information coming soon so please save the date and come along if you can."

If you’d like to make a donation, you can visit any of our seven charity shops, alternatively, you can arrange a collection by calling

0131 555 1526 or emailing

smunro@stcolumbashospice.org.uk

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 05

ENeRgy TRIAL WE’VE LAUNCHED AN INNOVATIVE TRIAL EXAMINING THE EFFECT OF EXERCISE AND DIET ON THE REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS WITH CANCER. The Exercise and Nutritional Rehabilitation in patients with cancer (ENeRgy) Trial is a voluntary rehabilitation study involving outpatients with cancer. It’s the first trial of its kind in the UK and invites patients to pilot the effect of a combination of methods (exercise and diet advice, including a nutritional supplement) on common symptoms experienced by cancer patients such as weight loss, lack of appetite and fatigue.

The trial has been set up by a large team led

by Dr Barry Laird, Professor Marie Fallon and Dr Charlie Hall. The team also includes a Research Nurse, Jane Cook, who has been seconded from our inpatient unit, a Physiotherapy Assistant, Val Gibson, an experienced member of our Day Therapies Team and a Research Dietitian, Honor Blackwood. We are also delighted to

06 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

welcome our ENeRgy Volunteer, Gillian Reid to the team, to help with the smooth running of the trial clinics.

Participants receive an eight-week tailored rehabilitation programme which gives them exercises to do at home as well as dietary advice and supplements. It also includes weekly check-ins with the team. Participants have commented that they enjoy the programme, which is tailored to their abilities and we’ve also found that they appreciate the opportunity to visit the Hospice and experience the peaceful environment.

We’ll be recruiting new patients for the trial until February 2019. The information gathered from the trial will prove beneficial for providing optimal care and rehabilitation to patients with cancer in the future.

BEHIND THE SCENES WHEN DID YOU START AT THE HOSPICE, AND WHERE DID YOU JOIN US FROM? I joined the Hospice team in April 2018, so I am quite a new face at Reception! Prior to this, I worked in an administrative role for a few large online brands, but my background is in Nursing and also in the Voluntary sector, where I worked for the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre.

Tell us about your role – what’s a day in the life for you?

I’m in Wednesdays to Saturdays from 8:30am, but every day at Reception is different! The most important role we have here is greeting visitors to the Hospice. Outwith this, we have to juggle calls, emails, appointment bookings and a whole array of ad-hoc tasks!

How does your role help patients and families?

I love to think that we offer a warm welcome to the Hospice, for patients and loved ones alike. We are quite often the first to interact with people as they come in to the Hospice, so we strive hard to make it a welcoming, friendly environment where our visitors can feel at home.

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE HOSPICE? DIANE EWART RECENTLY JOINED OUR TEAM AS THE NEW RECEPTION SERVICES SUPERVISOR, BRINGING HER FRIENDLY SMILE AND CALM NATURE TO OUR FRONT DESK. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DIANE AND HOW SHE’S SETTLED IN TO HER NEW ROLE.

What’s your favourite part of being at reception?

Reception is a busy place, and I love meeting people from all walks of life – including all our wonderful volunteers! Our four-legged visitors also make for lovely guests!

What do you like to do outside of work?

With two young children in tow, spare time is a bit of a novelty at home; I love spending time with my family, and when I do find time I love practising yoga and horse riding.

Anything else you’d like us to know?

I’ve really enjoyed meeting everyone here at the Hospice - staff, volunteers, patients, and regular visitors alike, and look forward to meeting more of you as the weeks go on!

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 07

TAKE A

360 TOUR

OF ST COLUMBA’S HOSPICE!

WE’VE CREATED A VIRTUAL TOUR OF OUR HOSPICE SO THAT YOU CAN GET AN IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT FOR YOU, A FAMILY MEMBER OR LOVED ONE. Many people get worried when they hear the word hospice. Our resistance in society to discuss matters related to death often creates negative and inaccurate perceptions of hospices and palliative care. So, to help dispel these myths and show you what life is really like in Scotland’s first modern hospice we’ve put together a fantastic virtual tour as part of our commitment to improving patient experience. It will enable you to get a real feel for our great facilities, people and services for yourself before you visit and will hopefully alleviate any feelings of fear or uncertainty that may surround referral to the hospice.

We’re here to care for people from the point at which their illness is diagnosed as terminal to the end of their life, however long that may be.

We hope that by having a look around our wonderful building you’ll see that coming to the Hospice as an inpatient, or to access one of our many outpatient activities, doesn’t mean your life is limited to a certain period of time.

Our focus is on enabling you to live as fully as possible to the end, but not just at the end.

08 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

It’s care on your terms. And while hospice palliative care can be provided in any place you call home, we want to make you feel as comfortable as possible in your surroundings, no matter which environment you choose to receive care.

Our aim through creating the virtual reality video is to help make patients feel more comfortable, confident and informed when they come through our doors. It’s also a great way for us to invite our supporters and the wider community in to see the difference our services make to people across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

We hope you’ll see it’s a friendly and inviting place – a home from home! Visit our website for the full tour www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Our Community Team made almost 2000 visits to patients and their families last year.

As you may well know, our Community Team has been providing expert hospice care for local people in Edinburgh and the Lothians for over 40 years. During this time, the development and expansion of our services to meet the ever-growing needs of our community has been at the centre of our strategy. The team is made up of doctors, nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Last year alone, the team made almost 2000 visits to patients and their families at home, in addition to supporting outpatients, and the demand continues to grow.

Many of our patients may never need admission to our inpatient unit but they, and their families, will need or at least benefit from support to remain in their own homes. And that’s where our Community Team comes in. They deliver person-centred palliative care to patients and families in any environment a person lives in and our priority is ensuring that we optimise comfort and dignity in line with patient and family choices, needs and goals. In fact, working in collaboration with the NHS and other health and social care providers, our team is often fundamental in satisfying and enabling choices for those that choose to receive care outwith a hospice or hospital setting.

For every patient the team sees, they have one single goal – to give them the chance to live life to the fullest, every day they can. They can’t change the end point of their patient’s journey, but they can change how they get there by making a difference to the quality of life they have along the way. And at the end, they want to bring as much peace, comfort and dignity as possible to each patient.

Roni Turnbull, Clinical Nurse Specialist, has been working in our Community Team for nine years.

With over 22 years of community experience and knowledge, she said: “It’s hugely rewarding to provide specialist palliative care in the home, where patients and carers have control over what happens to them. Our team recognise the privilege of being welcomed into a person’s home and becoming part of their life at such a difficult time. We work closely with patients and families to deliver person-centred care that meets their unique needs and ambitions.”

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 09

COFFEE, CAKE AND CONNECTIONS LAST YEAR, OUR COUNSELLING SERVICE MANAGER, PAULINE GIBB, INTRODUCED AN INFORMAL SUPPORT GROUP WHERE PEOPLE WERE INVITED TO GET TOGETHER REGULARLY FOR A CHAT, MEET NEW PEOPLE AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER. 12 MONTHS LATER IT’S STILL GOING STRONG. The drop in coffee morning came about in response to part of the Hospice’s five year strategy. As a service, we wanted to be able to offer a different kind of support for bereaved people, one that was not classed as therapeutic.

In researching how we could take this forward, we identified that the group of people we thought would most benefit from this form of bereavement support, were people who had lost a partner.

The initial plan was to offer a space in the Hospice where people could ‘drop in’ and get together with people in a similar situation to have a coffee and chat about their experience of loss and share how they are dealing with it.

new hobbies, e.g. aqua aerobics, line dancing, places of interest, etc.

Many of the new people now attending have voiced they have felt helped by the fact that they can see how people further down the line in the grieving process have progressed and have a full understanding of how they feel.

We’re encouraged by these results and hope to be able to continue expanding the group through regular catch ups in the future.

Watch this space…

Making Connections started in April 2017 with seven people attending, one year later we have continued to invite people and the numbers are now at over fifteen. Many of the group attend regularly and often have lunch together after meet ups in the Iona Café. The feedback from the first questionnaire we carried out after six months was very positive - they felt they were supporting each other, offering advice and making suggestions of other places they could go to meet new people, socialise and try out

We were all sad to say goodbye to Pauline who left her position as Counselling Service Manager in May and whose professionalism and expertise will be greatly missed! Pauline said: “After ten very happy years of working at the Hospice, I feel the time is right to move on. During my time here, I have had the privilege of supporting many people at the most difficult of times. I want to wish everyone I’ve worked with and supported over the years the very best for the future. The new manager will take over sometime in August, and I know they will bring exciting new proposals to the service.”

10 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

ARTISTIC ANTICS ON PENTLAND WARD Our fabulous art room is bursting at the seams with materials for card-making and crafting, drawing and painting! It’s open daily for use by those in the IPU and their visitors as we continue to build on a strong tradition of artistic endeavours at the Hospice. New for summer 2018, we welcome volunteer, Gwen (pictured with Paul), who facilitates sessions for those from the IPU/ Community and Day Therapies Services, giving people a chance to develop skills they might not even know they had.

Art&Soul sessions for bereaved relatives on a Monday afternoon offer a chance to paint, create, and chat over coffee and biscuits. Some of their work is now on display in Ocean Terminal along with paintings and photographs by those from the IPU and Day Therapies Services.

Feedback about our bright and welcoming art room has been overwhelmingly positive. Whether for family fun with glue and glitter, or as quiet space in the middle of a difficult day, we know the room is being enjoyed, valued and most importantly, used. And as for future plans…

We are looking forward to being able to offer more opportunities for the arts including art and music therapy.

For more information about our current facilitated art sessions please contact Suzie Stark on 0131 551 1381.

“What to paint? What to draw?

At times like these it’s difficult to know.

Don’t worry about it! Just let yourself go and enjoy the process!”

Family Member whose work is currently on display in the Art Room.

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 11

INSPIRED BY THE HILLS AND GLENS DAVID GAFFNEY’S FATHER MICHAEL WAS CARED FOR AT THE END OF LIFE BY ST COLUMBA’S HOSPICE.

12 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

such was his desire to share with them the places he loved and the joy those places brought him.

"It came as a surprise to dad when we gathered those words into a small booklet, alongside his own photographs, to mark his 70th birthday a few years ago.

"I’ll never forget my first proper trip into the Cairngorms. It was May 1988, I had recently turned 10, and had climbed one more Munro (the 282 Scottish hills that are more than 3,000 feet high) than my age at that point.

"Munro number 12 was to be The Devil’s Point, a mountain – indeed an expedition – the likes of which young boys remember until they are old men.

"The catalyst for all this youthful hillwalking was my dad, a committed outdoors enthusiast who encouraged those around him to share in the joys of Scotland’s natural landscape.

"Looking back at the photographs today, and knowing what I now know about the dangers of those hills, I can scarcely believe he was brave enough to take me. Or that mum let me go. But I’m eternally grateful that they did.

"Dad’s passion for the Cairngorm mountains, and the area that surrounds them, knew no bounds.

He wanted his children to experience the same feeling of awe he had felt when presented with those same hills, lochs and glens as a boy himself some 40 years previously. That’s why he took me with him that day, when he could easily have concluded that a 10-year-old companion would be more hassle than he was worth. And it was why he introduced my brother Mark and my sister Jenny to the wide-ranging delights of Speyside before they could even walk.

"Dad’s enthusiasm for the area was infectious.

A few years ago, friends of my parents were visiting Aviemore for a few days. They asked dad if he might suggest a couple of walks they could do while they were in the area. He emailed them enough routes to fill a fortnight,

"Last Christmas, which he spent at St Columba’s Hospice, dad presented copies of the book to several nurses, doctors, auxiliaries, volunteers, and chaplains there, as a token of his appreciation for the brilliant work they do day-in, day-out.

"Dad was keen for the hospice to benefit from sales of the book and was overwhelmed when the team supported us in publishing a new edition of the book that could be sold to support their work.

"Seeing the finished product printed and on sale in the Hospice café just days before he died made dad incredibly proud and added to the great sense of fulfilment he could feel at the end of his life.

"Our family feels fortunate that dad was cared for at St Columba’s Hospice and we, like him, are grateful to think that this book might in some small way help others access the same attention and compassion he benefited from in his final weeks."

David Gaffney, May 2018

Walks in the Cairngorms National Park and Speyside Area

by Michael Gaffney is available from our website, charity shops and in the Iona Café, priced at £5.

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 13

Glitz

Glamour and

We are delighted to announce that our first ever Ladies Lunch, hosted by Michelle McManus and sponsored by Edinburgh Gin, raised an incredible ÂŁ21,750!

A huge thank you to everyone involved and to Bleeker for providing the fantastic live music.

14 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

SAVE TH DATE! E

We ho pe to se e you our ne at xt Lad ies Lun Friday ch on 22 Ma rch 20 19 Email . fund@ stcolu mbash ospice to rese .org.uk rve a ta ble tod ay!

Our annual Art Friends of St Columba’s Hospice exhibition, now in its 32nd year, is set to return to The Edinburgh Academy in Stockbridge from 19 – 21 October 2018. Last year, the Edinburgh Academy provided us with the space to hang more works of art than ever before, as well as affording us breakout rooms to dedicate to various artistic works such as sculpture and jewellery.

The exhibition is one of our most loved events and welcomes over 120 local artists exhibiting more than 300 artworks, with jewellers, ceramicists and printmakers also selling their work. 2017 was our most successful exhibition to date, raising £23,649.

SAV THEE DAT E!

We hope to raise even more money this year by inviting more professional artists and jewellers to exhibit their fantastic work.

We hope you can show us your support by coming along for another great exhibition!

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 15

COMMUNITY CORNER PETANQUE MELEE IN AID OF ST. COLUMBA’S HOSPICE

WITH THANKS

Celebrate 25 years of fundraising for St. Columba’s Hospice by taking part in a Petanque (French boules) competition in Inverleith Park on Sunday 16 September, from 11:00am.

Ernie (pictured) set up this annual fundraiser in 1993 as a thank you to the Hospice and he still takes part every year.

The club welcomes players of all standards to the competition and holds practice evenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

If you're interested in going along, drop a note to Stephen Burden: StephenBurden@blueyonder.co.uk

The team at RUSHfest Scotland (pictured) chose to support the Hospice for their 2018 event raising £6,500 through a raffle, head shave, auction and more.

Our supporters Richard and Jojo also raised £5,500 at their comedy gala, Carry On For Kelly.

Thanks to everyone who made these events such a success!

SUPER SCHOOLS Schools across Edinburgh and the Lothians have supported us this year with Wear Blue days, bake sales and more. We have also had some brilliant young students competing in The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) including pupils from Craigmount High School (below) who made it through to the finals. Thank you and well done to all of our YPI groups!

WHAT CAN YOU DO? WEAR

BLUE!

If you want to support us, why not host a blue fashion show with friends, have a blue dress down day at work or school, organise a blue themed quiz or create your own blue fundraiser?

Every penny you raise helps us to continue to provide care and support to those who need it most in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

To find out how to get involved email fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk or call the fundraising team on 0131 551 1381.

16 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

GO GIFFORD A big thanks goes to our friends in Gifford who have made a big splash for a small village.

Lanterne Rouge and the Co-op in Gifford proudly display our collection tins and have raised an incredible £366.21 between them in 2018! Cameron at Lanterne Rouge also hosts ‘pay what you like’ events at the café to raise funds for the Hospice.

ANNA MATHER COLOUR SPECIALIST Anna and Courtney from Anna Mather Colour Specialist in Gifford had their heads shaved to raise funds for the Hospice.

“We have lost two of our dear clients to cancer and want to give something back!...

The hospice is beautiful and the staff are exceptional people.”

THE NOT SO FAR EAST… LOTHIAN We have benefited from amazing support from East Lothian over the past months and are delighted to be engaging with people and businesses throughout the region. Some highlights have been our information stand in Haddington Library, Elena Di Rollo raffling an 8kg chocolate Easter egg which raised £600 and The Rotary Club of Dunbar inviting one of our speakers along to tell them about the work that we do.

Could you organise an event to support St Columba’s Hospice?

Contact Hannah for lots of tips, ideas and support to help get you started on 0131 551 1381 or email hgraham@stcolumbashospice.org.uk WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 17

VIRTUAL REALITY

IN THE HOSPICE Dr Anna Lloyd, a Research Fellow for St Columba’s Hospice is currently leading on an innovative project looking into the benefits of Virtual Reality in a hospice setting.

The research is supported by Billy Agnew of Viarama, Scotland's first virtual reality company, and the world's first virtual reality Social Enterprise. Viarama uses the innovative power of virtual reality as a force for good within our communities.

Anna said: "We're excited to be moving forward in our partnership with Viarama to begin to look at the benefits of introducing virtual reality into our service.

"Initially developed as a form of entertainment, virtual reality places the user in a 360 degree computer generated virtual world, as close to actually 'being there' as possible.

"This technology is beginning to be adopted as a treatment in healthcare settings in a variety of ways, from alleviating pain, to physical rehabilitation, to treating mental health issues and reducing stress while undergoing difficult therapies such as chemotherapy. It is also thought to promote emotional well-being and induce positive emotions for people in hospital.

"Until now, virtual reality has not been used in research in a hospice setting. The feedback so far has been positive and we look forward to sharing our findings.�

18 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

SIDE BY SIDE

HOW CAN WE SUPPORT YOU? Here at St Columba’s Hospice, we aim to deliver services shaped by the people who use them.

We would love to know what you think, and so we are developing a variety of ways for you to get involved.

We believe everyone should get care that is person-centred, which meets their individual needs, regardless of their age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or social circumstances. We want to take action to improve our services by increasing your voice.

You can share your experience with us in many different ways, including via our new drop in group, which is open to patients, carers, families and anyone who has used our Hospice services.

The dates are listed below. Please contact Jacklyn Calvard on 0131 551 1381, if you would like to participate.

Tuesday 31 July (2pm-3pm) Friday 28 September (10am-11am) Friday 30 November (10am-11am) Over the next few months, we are actively seeking comments, suggestions, feedback and innovative ideas from all we know, to gather information which will in turn help us respond to the needs of the people who use our services.

This will help us to not only build on what works well, but also to change things. We are also developing a drop in service for people who have had a recent diagnosis, and their carers. If this is something that you would be interested in, please contact Valerie Gibson on 0131 551 7724, and leave a message.

We are delighted to hear feedback at any point, so please let someone know your thoughts.

Together, side by side, we can ensure that we create what’s right for everyone.

St Columba’s Hospice and YOUR SUPPORTER Data St Columba’s Hospice holds some limited data about you, which we only use in ways which we believe you would expect; thanking you for your support and keeping you informed about the work of the Hospice and other selected opportunities to get involved.

If you want to find out more about how we handle your data, including how long we hold it for, how to opt out or how to ask for your data to be deleted, then please visit our website www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk, call 0131 551 1381, or email fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk.

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 19

EVENTS CALENDAR A Summer to Remember SUNDAY 19 AUGUST, STARBANK PARK, LAVEROCK BANK ROAD, 1 – 3PM Join us for our Summer to Remember Appeal event in the park to celebrate our loved ones and enjoy an afternoon of music, entertainment and refreshments with glorious views across the Firth of Forth.

A Walk to Remember (East Lothian) SATURDAY 1 SEPTEMBER, FROM PORTOBELLO TO ABERLADY, REGISTRATION IS £15 FOR ADULTS AND £10 FOR CHILDREN. Join us for another fantastic day out with family, friends and loved ones. Whether you are walking to celebrate and remember those no longer with us, or just looking for a great day out enjoying the coastline, our 12.5 mile, 7 mile and 3 mile routes offer something for everyone to enjoy.

The Edinburgh Kiltwalk SUNDAY 16 SEPTEMBER, EDINBURGH CITY, £31.65 ENTRY FEE Take on the Mighty Stride (24 miles), the Big Stroll (15.5 miles) or the Wee Wander (5 miles) in aid of St Columba’s Hospice. This year, the Kiltwalk features brand new routes, making it a great challenge for new or repeat walkers alike! Take to the streets of the capital and make your miles count for the Hospice as you walk past some of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks and make your way to the finish line at Murrayfield where the legendary Kiltwalk party is waiting for you.

St COLUMBA'S HOSPICE DRAGON BOAT RACE SATURDAY 22 SEPTEMBER, OCEAN TERMINAL, TEAMS OF 17, ENTRY FEE £20 PER PERSON We’re hosting our very first Dragon Boat Race at Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh. It’s a fun and exhilarating water sport but be warned, the competition will be fierce! Round up a team and get fired up on the Forth!

20 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

Doors Open Day SATURDAY 29 SEPTEMBER, ST COLUMBA’S HOSPICE We will once again be opening our doors and inviting people to come and take a look around our fantastic buildings! Meet staff and volunteers, see rooms not normally open to the public, the historical Challenger Lodge (our original building) and day therapy and outpatient areas.

St Columba’s Hospice Book Fair 13 – 14 OCTOBER, THE EDINBURGH ACADEMY, STOCKBRIDGE, FREE ADMISSION A book fair to raise money for the Hospice with a wide selection of books and music. There will be a mix of collectable and rare titles, a must for book lovers in and around Edinburgh.

The Art Friends of St Columba’s Hospice 19 – 21 OCTOBER, THE EDINBURGH ACADEMY, STOCKBRIDGE, FREE ADMISSION Our Art Friends exhibition showcases the very best of Scottish talent, alongside emerging new artists. This year sees artists, print makers, jewellers, sculptors and potters exhibiting their work with us. We will be holding an informal drinks reception from 6-8pm on Friday 19th so come down and enjoy our fantastic exhibition with a glass of wine! A percentage of every sale of artwork comes to the Hospice.

The Giant Pub Quiz THURSDAY 8 NOVEMBER, EDINBURGH CORN EXCHANGE, £15 PER PERSON, £75 FOR A TEAM OF 6.

Join us at our winter Giant Pub Quiz! Round up your most intelligent friends (or those with knowledge of the obscure) for this fantastic evening, testing your general knowledge for a chance to win some fantastic prizes! Tickets include a pie and a pint but be quick, this event is one of most popular offerings and sells out in advance of the night. Book now to avoid disappointment!

Light Up A Life MONDAY 10 DECEMBER, CHARLOTTE SQUARE GARDENS, FREE ADMISSION Join us for this special evening as we light up our Tree of Remembrance in Charlotte Square Gardens, Edinburgh. The tree is lit in memory of family and friends who have passed away. Carol singers and a wonderful atmosphere make this a special evening not to be missed.

St Columba's Hospice Ladies Lunch FRIDAY 22 MARCH 2019, THE HUB Following the success of our Ladies Lunch, we'll be returning to The Hub next year for another fun-filled afternoon of games, entertainment and delicious food.

More information soon, save the date!

To register for any of our events, or to find out more information, you get in touch by emailing fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk or calling us on 0131 551 1381.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our events throughout the coming year!

Edinburgh Marathon Festival 25 – 26 MAY 2019 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.

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 21

CORPORATE CORNER EACH YEAR, WE WORK WITH A VARIETY OF CORPORATE PARTNERS WHO PLEDGE TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE HOSPICE AND SUPPORT US IN DIFFERENT WAYS. From taking part in, and organising events, to voting for us as their charity of the year, to volunteering and providing professional services free of charge, we’re constantly impressed by the ingenuity of some of the corporate teams when taking on fundraising challenges for the Hospice. Here are just some of the ways local businesses have been supporting us so far this year!

Inviting people to bake sweet treats like cakes, biscuits and muffins tends to be a popular and successful fundraising activity. It’s also been known to stir up quite a bit of competition among our corporate friends! (We blame the Great British Bake Off!) Just look at the fantastic creations keen bakers in BlackRock’s team came up with for their office bake sale.

We are delighted to have been chosen as the Ocean Terminal Charity of the Year and in March we opened our exhibition on the first floor. Photographs portraying all aspects of Hospice life are on display alongside some wonderful artwork created by patients and their families. We also have a hugely impressive train set on display, created and generously donated by David Flucker – this could be yours to own!

Raffle tickets are on sale at the information desk in Ocean Terminal.

22 |

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

Another great way to help the Hospice and encourage team building is taking part in our popular charity shop Challenge Days. We’ve had two very successful and energetic days this year with teams from Royal Bank of Scotland and Ernst & Young split between our seven charity shops to see who can raise the most money in a day.

All the managers love having enthusiastic corporate teams joining them for a day. A warning though… this is another one that has proved very competitive!

Of course, we’re also grateful for the hardy corporate teams who brave wind, snow, rain and sometimes enjoy the odd bit of sunshine to help with our outdoor gardening and painting activities. Billy, our steward responsible for maintaining the grounds around the Hospice, is always delighted to receive help from our corporate teams and enjoys thinking up interesting tasks for corporate volunteering days.

It also makes such a difference when our corporate supporters are able to apply for match-funding for their fundraising activities, as well as for their volunteering hours – it adds a considerable amount to the fundraising total and is very much appreciated.

As you can see there are loads of ways to help your local Hospice and if you’re part of a corporate group looking for a challenge, we’d love to hear from you. We’d be happy to come out and chat to you about the services we provide across Edinburgh and the Lothians and the ways you can get involved.

Please contact our Corporate Fundraiser Barbara Brockie for further information, email bbrockie@stcolumbashospice.org.uk

Does your business choose a charity of the year? These partnerships raise valuable funds for us so if the answer is yes, please nominate

St Columba’s Hospice!

WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

| 23

A Walk to Remember Saturday 1 September 9AM - 4PM

A family-friendly walking event along the East Lothian coast Portobello to Aberlady - 13 miles Cockenzie to Aberlady - 7 miles Under 8’s free Dogs on leads welcome Register now: visit: www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk email: fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk call: 0131 551 1381 Photo: Katherine, Flickr

Registered charity number SC003634 Registered in Scotland 48700