April Network 166

April 2016

Issue 166

High hopes as ne w consultan t Mary joins the Hospice team

www.stnicholashospicecare.org.uk

Organisational and general news Contents

3

Hello:

Meet Mary

THREE

5

FIVE

6

Girls Night Out has launched

Creative Works – volume three

SIX

7

Phil, Ray and Georgina

SEVEN

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Behind the Job – Laura Michel

EIGHT

Opportunities n Events Fundraiser (internal only) £19,736-£22,592 / 37 hours per week Informal conversation with George Bissell n Shop Manager, Sudbury £19,736 / 37 hours per week (to include Saturdays) Informal conversation with Karen Saintly n Physiotherapist £28,000-32,000 pro rata / 30 hours per week Informal conversation with Angela Jiggins Closing date for above posts: 15 April, midday n Press & PR Officer (12 months’ maternity cover) £25,097-£28,722 / 37 hours per week Informal conversation with Aaron Bridgeforth Closing date: 29 April, at midday

George Chilvers, Community Fundraiser; Gillian Wilkins, Hospice Nurse; Karen Hammond, Domestic Aide; Mary McGregor, Consultant in Palliative Medicine; Andrea Clarke, Hospice Care Assistant (formerly bank); Charlotte Mortin, Volunteer Sylvan Ward Carer; David Harwood, Catering Volunteer; Lillias Pawsey, Shop Volunteer; Stella Hjaltun, Volunteer Sylvan Ward General Helper; Susan Tanis, Hospice Neighbour; Nicholas Law, Hospice Neighbour; Martin Whitehorn, Shop Volunteer; Jacob Mower, Volunteer Sylvan Ward Carer; Veronica Burge, Shop Volunteer; Jane Perryman, Shop Volunteer; Christine Stean, Hospice Neighbour; Sheila Whitelaw, Burton Centre Volunteer Receptionist; Diane Benson, Shop Volunteer

Goodbye: Jane Gaunt, Shop Manager; Kathryn Hodgson, Hospice Physiotherapist; Dan Taylor, Hospice Nurse; Margaret Hibbert, Hospice Care Assistant; Julia Arthur, Shop Volunteer; Elizabeth Robertson, Bereavement Visitor; Ann Woods, Volunteer Driver; Brian Wonnacott, Volunteer Driver; Iseult Anderson, Hospice Neighbour; Diane McBride, Volunteer Receptionist; Megan Barker, Hospice Neighbour; Helen Havers, Crafts Volunteer; Vanessa Graham, Hospice Neighbours Co-ordinator; Jacque Keith, Volunteer Ward Reception Adminstrator; Lesley Hepburn, Shop Volunteer; Gillian Stanmore, Shop Volunteer; Alicia Dickson, Burton Centre Volunteer Receptionist

Goodbye and good luck The Hospice had a pink flavour on 7 April as staff wore pink clothing or pyjamas to raise funds and bid farewell to Rebecca Sumpter.

Rebecca was a familiar face to many at the Hospice, having worked on reception, Sylvan Ward Reception and in HR. Staff and volunteers gathered in Bradbury Green for tea and cake to say goodbye.

We wish her well in her new position.

Senior manager on call Jane Doughty Georgina Bissell Kevin Clements Debra Garside Rachel Spencer Debra Garside Pippa Wilding Jane Doughty

8-15 April 15-22 April 22-29 April 29 April-6 May 6-13 May 13-20 May 20-27 May 27 May-3 June

Staff support counsellor Julia Dansie 2

April 2016

01787 228334

You are welcome Our next Welcome Morning is on Friday 29 April, from 9.15am, at the Burton Centre, in Haverhill.

This is a great opportunity for new volunteers or staff to learn about the history of the Hospice and all the areas and services that make up the organisation.

Even if you have been volunteering or working with us for some time, you are still welcome to join us and be inspired by our speakers. n Contact Laura Michel on ext 214 to book a place.

Organisational and general news

Mary and Sarah are set to help more patients A new consultant at the Hospice and West Suffolk Hospital will bring benefit to more patients in need of palliative care.

Dr Mary McGregor, who is employed by the Hospice as a Consultant in Palliative Medicine, will be supporting Hospice patients and those at the hospital needing end-of-life care.

Mary and Dr Sarah Mollart, our existing Consultant in Palliative Medicine, will between them offer daily support to West Suffolk Hospital alongside their work at the Hospice.

Mary, who started her new role on 4 April, said: “Sarah and I are looking forward to the Hospice and hospital teams working together more closely and see this as a fantastic opportunity to ensure the best care and support is offered to those who need us.

“The aim is that we are a cohesive team and there will be a more consistent consultant presence in the hospital to support the excellent nursing team that’s already there.

We hope it will make discharging patients with complex needs from hospital a more seamless process, due to the join-up between the two teams.”

Mary has just finished her specialist training, which she undertook in South Yorkshire.

‘FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY’: Dr Mary McGregor and Dr Sarah Mollart, who between them are providing daily support to patients at West Suffolk Hospital

Reflecting at our tree one year on People remembering loved ones were joined by members of the public at an open morning at the Hospice on 19 March.

The occasion marked the first anniversary of our Tree of Reflection, where aluminium or copper leaves can be engraved in memory of those who have died.

Nick Duncan, Legacy Officer, said: “We had a really good turn-out throughout the morning. It was a chance for people to get together – some brought their family members who hadn’t yet seen their leaves – and it also gave people a reason to come and see the tree.”

For more information about the Tree of Reflection, contact Nick on 01284 715559 or email nick.duncan@stnh.org.uk stnicholashospicecare.org.uk 3

Fundraising news

Inspirational Zena 10 campaign comes to a close A family which embarked on a summer of fundraising for a cause close to their hearts has raised more than £35,000 for us.

Father and daughter Darren and Connie Gibbs launched their Zena 10 fundraising last June, which marked the 10th anniversary of the death of Darren’s partner and Connie’s mother Zena Butcher, 37.

They launched a series of events, including a 10km run, 1,000-mile cycling challenge, 10 peaks walk, giant team for Girls Night Out, non-uniform days and a charity ball in October.

They initially hoped to raise £10,000 for the Hospice, which helped the family through Zena’s six-year battle with a malignant brain tumour. However, on 3 April, Darren, Connie, family and friends visited the Hospice to hand over the grand total of £38,655.97 and see where the funds would be spent.

Darren said: “We have been overwhelmed with the help, support and generosity of all those who got involved in the 36 events and, of course, all those who kindly donated. It is a fitting tribute to Zena and we hope the money can be used to continue the amazing work of the Hospice.”

IN MEMORY: Tracey Butcher and Mandy Smart, Zena’s sisters, join Connie and Darren Gibbs to hand over more than £38,000, above. The Zena 10 team at Girls Night Out, left

Thank you to: Katie, kids, Tom, school and you!

This month, we have several big thank yous to send out.

First up is Katie Byford of Newmarket who, at her grandfather’s request, organised a disco night to raise funds.

She handed over £1,465.

Secondly we have the children of the EPIC group, in Thetford, who gave up their Easter holidays to organise fundraising events for us, raising £866.

Then we have Tom Murray and Our Bury St Edmunds, whose combined efforts at a photographic exhibition resulted in a £500 donation to the Hospice.

Our fourth thank you is to Abbots Green 4

April 2016

Primary School, in Bury St Edmunds, which handed over £1,745 raised through donations at school productions.

Finally, our Easter Draw finished on 31 March, having raised more than £30,000.

Fundraising news

Girls Night Out is back!

Girls Night Out 2016 has launched, and we are aiming for more walkers than ever before to take part.

So, we are calling for all women to join us on Saturday 10 September for what promises to be the biggest and best Girls Night Out yet.

We hope 2,000 women will register to take part, so please talk to your aunties, cousins, nieces, sisters, daughters and mothers to help us to reach that goal.

And if you are a man, please do not feel left out – we need you too! You might not be able to walk with us on the 11.2 or six-mile routes around Bury St Edmunds, but you could help us by volunteering as a marshal or behind the scenes.

Girls Night Out could not be a success without the help and support of our army of volunteers.

Contact jenny.baskett@stnh.org.uk for more information The date: 10 September, 2016 The time: 8pm (sign in from 6.30pm) The place: Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds What is Girls Night Out? A sponsored walk for women around Bury, with the choice of walking 11.2 or six miles What should I wear? Your pyjamas and comfortable footwear. Or one of our special Girls Night Out T-shirts (given to all walkers) How do I sign up? Go to www.girlsnightoutwalk.co.uk or pick up a form from the Hospice or any of our shops What does it cost? £10 before 31 May, £15 from 1 June What does registration include? A Girls Night Out T-shirt, registration pack (including enamel pin badge) and a pair of flashing bunny ears issued on the night

www.girlsnightoutwalk.co.uk

Could you take on the ultimate challenge? months to turn that £50 into as much money for the Hospice as possible.

Please help us to spread the word – if you know of a business or organisation which might like to take part, we would love to hear from them.

For more information, contact Rachel Card, Corporate Fundraiser, at rachel.card@stnh.org.uk

It’s that time of year when we send out an appeal for businesses and organisations across our region to take on the Accumulator Challenge.

The sixth Accumulator kicks off on 15 June, and we are seeking participants.

Each team will be given a crisp £50 note at the start of the challenge, and we then give them three supported by

stnicholashospicecare.org.uk 5

#JAaccumulator

News from across the Hospice

Book launch The Hospice saw the launch of a thought-provoking and poignant collection of writing last month.

The Writing Group launched its third ‘Creative Works’ book at the Orchard Centre.

To celebrate the launch, group members and guests gathered to read extracts and share their experiences.

Thank you to group members June Horsfall and Julie Grimsey who helped CREATIVE: Members of our Writing Group celebrate the launch of their third book last month

to compile the book and to everyone who contributed.

Scorching performance

Centre clearance sale Our Donation Centre, in Bury St Edmunds, opened its doors to the public at the weekend, April 8, 9 and 10, for a clearance sale.

Thanks to continuing generous donations of unwanted items from Hospice supporters and to several large house clearances, our Retail Team decided to give everyone the chance to snap up a bargain and boost our funds at the same time.

Items on offer included furniture, soft furnishings, bric a brac, garden tools and more.

More than £3,800 was taken over the three days.

OPEN: Members of our Retail Team help to promote the clearance sale at our Chapel Pond Hill Donation Centre, in Bury, from April 8-10 6

April 2016

Youngsters gave up some of their Easter holidays to visit the Hospice for a musical performance.

Phoenix Folk group performed popular and less well-known tunes including: Streets of London, Dirty Old Town and Consider Yourself.

Patients, visitors, staff and volunteers were entertained in Bradbury Green during the hour-long performance.

The group even accommodated a request from one of our patients, which was played as an encore.

Thank you to Phoenix Folk.

Our people

Phil set to take on 26.2 miles One of the well-known faces on our volunteering team will be running his first marathon in a matter of weeks.

Phil Hymers, Volunteer Reception Host on Thursdays, Hospice Neighbour Coordinator and Hospice Neighbour, will run the Milton Keynes marathon on Bank Holiday Monday, May 2, one month before his 65th birthday.

He is raising money for St Nicholas Hospice Care and the MS Society, with funds split equally.

You can sponsor Phill at: https:// mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/philhymers1 Alternatively, he will have paper sponsorship forms on Reception on Thursdays.

The Milton Keynes Marathon bills itself as one of the fastest courses in the country, but Phil said if that means there are no hills that would suit him fine.

Artist and shop manager helps Hospice One of our shop managers has showcased his creative talents to the general public.

Ray Sinclair, who manages the Hardwick Parade shop, exhibited his oil and watercolour paintings in Bury St Edmunds from April 1-7.

Ray, 31, studied art at West Suffolk College and has a degree in graphic design from UEA. He exhibited his paintings of landmarks and inspired by stories from newspapers at The Edmund Gallery, adjacent to St Edmundsbury Cathedral.

Proceeds from all sales came to the Hospice – a total donation of £300.

For more information about Ray and his work, go to www.raymondsinclair.com

Go for it, George!

Our Community Fundraising Manager Georgina Bissell will face a tough physical challenge next weekend.

George is tackling the London Marathon on Sunday 24 April, despite the fact she almost certainly has a stress fracture.

Naturally George is raising money for the Hospice and is grateful for any sponsorship.

There is a form in the Fundraising office, or sponsor her online at: stnicholashospicecare. echoleft.com/events/the-london-marathon-08b047aa-5c64-4027-ba81-c9f8790f4e85 stnicholashospicecare.org.uk

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Behind the Job

Laura Michel

Training Co-ordinator I came to work at St Nicholas Hospice Care in November 2014, having taken a seven year career break to have my children and to look after them.

I work part-time, three days a week in Human Resources (HR) and I am responsible for the internal training that goes on for staff and volunteers. My main priority is ensuring all mandatory and statutory training, especially on the clinical side, is kept up to date and meets the strict criteria of the Care Quality Commission. I also organise all other internal training required, such as mini-bites and management training, and co-ordinate induction meetings for new staff and welcome mornings for volunteers.

While I try to ensure the job is primarily proactive (planning ahead, writing guidelines etc.) it can also be quite reactive at times and I can organise courses as and when requested by various departments or individuals. I also see an important part of my work as helping to make learning and development a more robust and enjoyable experience.

I was born in Watford and, no, I don’t know Elton John, although Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice), did go to my school. I read geography at Newnham College, Cambridge, and after university I joined a graduate training scheme in HR, where I passed my Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) exams. I worked in HR for about nine years, beginning in the corporate sector but ending in the humanitarian aid sector (much more my cup of tea).

I am married to Barry, who is in the RAF, and we have two brilliant children – Amy, eight, and Toby, five. Amy insisted on having two goldfish for her first pets, but I do most of the looking after! We like spending family time together, especially outdoors, with walking and rock climbing high on our agenda, particularly in the Peak District. With the children we also like camping and beach holidays, while we are looking to take them skiing some time soon. Before they came along, though, Barry and I went to Nepal, trekking to Anapurna Base Camp in the foothills of the Himalayas. And, before even Barry came along, I spent six months in Peru, working with children through a local church. It was through church in Watford that Barry and I met. We are all still heavily involved with our local church, and I run a mums and tots group on one of my days off.

Interview by Vincent Fallon

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April 2016

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