No.148 | March 2021
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Hello and welcome to your latest edition of Hospice News In this edition we’ll be reflecting on 2020 and the things that you enabled us to achieve despite the extreme restrictions we were all under. And we’re also looking ahead to 2021, we’ve got big plans around our shops 40th anniversary, and we want you to join us in celebrating and sharing the work of the Hospice in your community. We have an army of amazing volunteers that keep the Hospice going, from shop volunteers to drivers, therapists and more. Our volunteers have seen us through the constant closing and opening of our shops, they’ve kept the Hospice gardens looking stunning, and they’ve supported our patients when it mattered most. If you’d like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you on volunteer@stpershospice.org.
Contents 2020 round up
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Dave’s story
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Our shops
8-9
Fundraising
10-13
Angela’s story
14-15
Grief and the pandemic
16-17
Puzzle
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Leaving a legacy
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I hope you enjoy reading your latest Hospice News. Russell Cowan Head of Volunteering
Enquiries: 0117 915 9400 24/7 Clinical Advice Line: 0117 915 9430 stpetershospice.org 2
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WE'RE HERE WHEN IT MATTERS MOST. For the past six months, you have been supporting our patients and carers in some of the most creative and generous ways we have ever seen. Lockdown restrictions have not stopped you from being there for us! You donated, set up regular gifts, played our Local Lotto, ran, walked, danced and gamed all in an effort to help us address the £2 million deficit the pandemic left us with. And what an incredible amount you’ve raised. We are delighted to let you know that since October last year you have given a total of £500,000 in response to the campaign! To say we are humbled by your generosity is an understatement. Thank you, so much, from every staff member, volunteer, patient and family member here at the Hospice.
It will come as no surprise to you that with our shops closing for the third time since last March, we still have a lot of work to do to protect our patients and the services they rely on. Every time we close our shops, or cancel or postpone a fundraising event, we lose more money. But, the support you have given us so far has inspired us all. We know we are not out of the woods yet, and 2021 is going to be another tough year, but with you by our side, we can be there for the people in our community when it matters most.
THANK YOU stpetershospice.org/donate #whenitmattersmost
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CEO Frank looks back at last year Last year we faced the extraordinary challenge of sustaining our patient and family services in the midst of a pandemic, while suffering a dramatic loss of income from the closure of our shops and fundraising events. However, with your support we were able to continue our vital care to patients and their families. You stayed with us, supported us and we are truly grateful for your kindness. I would like to share with you a review of our services in 2020, that without you, we could not have provided. And as we look towards a ‘new future’, one that is hard to predict, we know that our staff will always do what they do best - offer the very best compassionate care and support to our patients and their loved ones.
232 Inpatient Unit admissions Despite reduced beds, and visiting restrictions, the Inpatient Unit still supported 232 patients. 4,348 Advice Line calls Advice Line support has continued to have a huge demand throughout the pandemic. Calls we received increased by 64.3% from 2019. 5,411 face-to-face visits at home Despite the challenges last year, we were still able to carry out some home visits in a safe way, this included physiotherapy sessions.
2,960 individuals referred to the Hospice 412 of these referrals were friends or family members of patients who were able to receive emotional and physiological support.
14,022 Hospice at Home care hours Out of the 5,411 face-to-face visits we provided 2,304 were from Hospice at Home which equates to 14,022 care hours. These are direct care hours delivered to patients in their last days of life.
2,440 bereavement sessions delivered This includes sessions for children and young people, and sessions led by trained volunteers. This is a 22% increase from 2019.
563 video consultations This includes video consultations delivered – for example, a Community Nurse Specialist nurse directly calling a patient, or someone attending Day Services virtually.
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Hospice News
individuals referred to the Hospice
4,348 Advice Line calls
2,440
bereavement sessions delivered
563 video consultations
5,411
Face-to-face visits at home
232
Inpatient Unit admissions
Hospice at Home care hours Follow us
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Dave’s story Dave was diagnosed with Oesophegeal cancer in February 2019, and he was then referred to the Hospice for support. He is currently attending our Zoom Day Services.
‘When I first started Day Services I was lucky because I was able to attend in person. I was quite nervous as I didn’t know what to expect, but as soon as I walked in I relaxed. It was a craft session that afternoon and I also got to have a coffee and a chat with others who were in the same situation as me. It was nice that other people cared about how I felt and I didn’t feel alone. I was treated as an individual, not just a person with cancer. When COVID hit, Day Services stopped for some time but I was called by one of the Hospice Community Nurse Specialists to see if there was anything I needed. It was great to know the support was still there, I didn’t feel abandoned despite everything being put on hold. I’m now on my second six week Day Services programme through Zoom. Being able to communicate with other people again and see familiar faces is fantastic. I know in my mind that I’m going to die earlier than most people,
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but when I’m with others who are also going through what I’m going through, it doesn’t scare me anymore. Day Services helps me so much because I’ve been isolating for nearly a year now. The sessions give my week structure and they’re something to look forward to. The Hospice also really made me appreciate the time I’ve had with my family, and the limited time we’ve got left together. If I could say one thing to Katie and Caroline from the Hospice it would be thank you for being there when I needed it most.’ Dave’s wife and carer Angela tells us about how she was also feeling scared and apprehensive when Dave first had to go to the Hospice. ‘I went with him to make sure he settled in okay. We didn’t know what to expect but straight away my mind was put at ease. The Hospice also offers virtual sessions for carers which I’ve been taking part
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'I didn't feel abandoned despite everything being put on hold' Dave
in. I’d never done Zoom before so I was quite shy about being on camera but by the end, I relaxed and I felt a lot more comfortable. I was able to get stuff off of my chest about how I felt, things I’d held in before. Before when people asked me if I was OK I would say I’m fine, I didn’t like to let my barriers down. But after doing the Carer sessions with others who were going through what I’m going through,
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I realised I wasn’t okay and that I could tell everyone that, it was a huge weight off my shoulders. The sessions are a safe space where I can talk openly about how I feel but also have a laugh! I find the programmes absolutely brilliant. Katie and Caroline who run the sessions have been so supportive. You can talk to them about anything, even if it’s something silly. They’re heroes in my eyes'.
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Hospice News
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This year is the 40th anniversary of our shops! We’re proud to say we’ve now established 48 amazing stores in Bristol, including a coffee shop, where people can shop in a relaxing space. We’re proud to serve the needs of our local community. But our shops belong to you, as without you, they wouldn’t exist.
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A St Peter’s Hospice shop is not just a place to buy second hand items, it provides jobs and volunteering opportunities, it’s a sustainable way to shop and importantly, it’s a hub at the heart of its local community. So as restrictions ease and our shops start to buzz with excitement again, keep an eye out for lots of activities where together, we’ll be able to celebrate 40 years of our wonderful shops!
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Make a donation: 01275 391 400
Always open! You can get your St Peter’s Hospice charity shop fix 24 hours a day, seven days a week by browsing our online shops. 1. Ebay Our Ebay shop is constantly updated with slightly higher value items that we wouldn’t put out on the shop floor. It’s full of vintage, retro and eclectic finds. If you have some higher value items you’d like to donate, our Ebay team are always on the look-out for the next new find. stpetershospice.org/ ebay
2. Our website We’re excited to bring online some of the ranges you’d usually find in our charity shops. Head over to browse the latest items. shop.stpetershospice.org 3. Gumtree The perfect place to go for preloved furniture and electrical items. Whether you're looking for 'as new' items or a project to upcycle, there’s a huge range to choose from. Delivery and collection are available. stpetershospice.org/ gumtree
How to donate Our shops may be temporarily closed, but you can still donate pre-loved treasures for free through the post. We've partnered with Clicksit so that you can post your donations to us free of charge. Simply pack up your goods, request a free label and take your parcel to your nearest Click + Drop off point. Visit stpetershospice.org/donateitems for more info.
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House clearance When a loved one dies, deciding what to do with their home and possessions can be upsetting and overwhelming. Our aim is to help make this process as stress-free as possible for you. We tailor our house clearance service to your needs, so no two clearances are the same. Some of the services we offer include: •P acking and clearing of all items within a property • Garden clearance •G arage / outbuildings clearance For more information, email shops.collections@ stpetershospice. org or call us on 0800 583 0015.
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Hospice News
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Choose Your Challenge After a year of lockdown, we’re excited to be back this summer with our top events and some new challenges for you to take part in for the Hospice. Bristol Three Peaks: April and May Experience the beautiful countryside here on our doorstep in full bloom this spring! Follow the 16 mile circular Bristol Three Peaks route to climb three local hills with stunning views over the city. Tour de Bristol: 26 and 27 June (main pic) An epic ride through the countryside, choose from three distances as well as the option of taking part from home. We’ve made the ride COVID-secure with smaller numbers and staggered start times. Thank you to our event sponsors Total Produce. Cotswold Way Challenge: 26 and 27 June If walking is your thing, get your
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boots ready for a beautiful challenge in the heart of the Cotswolds. You can walk or run 25, 50 or 100km through lush countryside with rolling hills all around. National Three Peaks: 3 to 5 September (top right) Take on the ultimate climbing challenge of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in just over 24 hours! This iconic trek is fast-paced and challenging but incredibly rewarding. Midnight Walk: 11 September Midnight Walk is a fun five- or 10-mile walk through the heart of Bristol at night. It’s festival themed so dig out your sparkliest outfits. Head out on a brand new route and stop off at our silent disco station for a night time boogie!
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Virgin Money London Marathon: 3 October The iconic London Marathon is back, though slightly different this year! We have one traditional place and three virtual places. 50,000 runners in the virtual event will be running their own way, and another 50,000 participants will run the traditional London route from Blackheath to the Mall. Visit stpeterhospice. org/londonmarathon to apply for a place. Applications close on April 2 at 5pm.
Great Bristol Run: 19 September (left) Bristol’s much-loved 10k and half marathon are now on the same day. We’d love to see you run for the Hospice, and we’ll be there on the day to cheer you on. No matter which distance you choose, you’ll be helping to raise vital funds for patient care within our community.
Himalaya Trek: 15 to 24 April 2022 Join us for an unforgettable challenge in the stunning Annapurna region of the Himalayas in Nepal, home to some of the highest mountains in the world. Together we will trek along the foothills of the Himalayas through charming Nepalese villages where you’ll get to experience the local culture. Make memories to last a lifetime while raising funds for the Hospice.
Visit stpetershospice.org/chooseyourchallenge for more information and challenge ideas or get in touch via email community@stpetershospice.org
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of fundraising ideas The past year has been a challenge beyond all expectation, but we have been astounded by your creativity and resilience as you find new ways to fundraise. Here are some recent amazing achievements to inspire you...
Toby Fletcher, age 10, ran a Christmas Marathon to raise funds for the Hospice and raised a fantastic £3,745.50. Jeff Way Group organised an office raffle raising a brilliant £1,895. Mathew Horstead organised a 24 hour livestreamed gaming event, raising over £3,800 in memory of his wife Carol who was supported by us in her final days.
If you want to raise money to support your Hospice, but you’re stuck for fresh ideas then check out our new A- Z Fundraising ideas guide. Whether it’s your first fundraiser or your fourteenth, everybody needs a little inspiration sometimes.
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Fundraising Guide
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Ben Seabourne did 3,000 press-ups in his front room in a month. He raised over £800 in memory of a family friend.
Some ideas ... E: Easy Fundraising When buying gifts or ordering a take away, shop through sites that will donate a small percentage to us when you choose St Peter’s Hospice as your charity. Visit www.smileamazon. co.uk, www.easyfundraising.co.uk or www.giveasyoulive.com
contribution to St Peter’s Hospice. For details, email corporate@stpetershospice.org
G: Give a Car Need to scrap an old car? Sign up to support St Peter’s Hospice through Give a Car and we will receive a portion of the proceeds. Visit www.giveacar.co.uk
W: Walking Nothing’s better for our wellbeing than getting outside, so why not challenge yourself and walk with a purpose? Whether you’re walking your own way or signed up to an organised challenge, you’ll be supporting patients and families when it matters most.
P: Payroll Giving Talk to your employer about donating through Payroll Giving. It’s an easy and simple way to make a regular
Not the activity for you? Visit our website to find the full A-Z list where you’ll be sure to find an idea that inspires you.
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Angela's story Angela, Hollie's mum, was sadly diagnosed with cancer in February 2020. Here, Hollie writes about her mum's journey with the Hospice. 'Mum underwent a course of chemotherapy, but later scans showed that the treatment had not worked. She was offered a different type of chemotherapy which we declined because it would have been very invasive. She was then referred to the Hospice in September.
Angela pictured second from right with her husband Russell, son Josh and daughter Hollie
I remember the first time the Hospice called. We’d gone out for a walk and we’d stopped to sit down on a bench. Mum was so nervous before she spoke to them, but once the conversation started I could see she was physically relieved. The Hospice answered all of her questions which really put her at ease. She was first offered phone support by the Community Nurse Specialists who also visited a couple of times. The nurses were friendly, there was no waiting, and it was really personal and tailored to her needs. They understood, so it was really reassuring to have their support. Mum’s condition continued to
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'We're eternally grateful for everything the Hospice has done for our family' Hollie
Hospice News
worsen when she was admitted to Southmead Hospital. After two weeks it was decided she would be admitted to the Hospice. My brother Josh and I were terrified. The vision we had in our heads of end of life care, was very different to the care Mum received at the Hospice which was a huge relief. It was so hard being there at first as we were expecting it to be a depressing place, but it wasn’t. The nurses and doctors were so down to earth and honest with us about Mum's prognosis, and they told us what to look out for during her final days. Mum was a massive fan of Christmas so the Hospice organised to bring Christmas Day forward so we could celebrate together. The staff made such an effort to find out about Mum and the sort of person she was. To be able to bring Christmas forward so Mum could be with us was amazing. They put up decorations, we had festive food and played Christmas music. It was so special. We wanted to make things as normal as possible for Mum, despite the circumstances. I was there when Mum passed away at the Hospice in November. It was heartbreaking, I don’t know how we would have coped without the support of everyone there. It was 100 per cent the right place for Mum to be. We’re eternally grateful for everything the Hospice has done for our family'.
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Grieving in a pandemic world Everyone copes with grief and bereavement in different ways, something our Emotional and Psychological Support Team see all of the time at the Hospice. What’s been notable recently though, is how this has been affected by the pandemic, and how people are coping. In this article, Karen, our Head of Patient and Family Support, reflects on the changes her team have witnessed since the outbreak of COVID-19. ‘Generally, it’s made it a lot harder for people to cope. The people we support are less resilient, less hopeful and due to lockdown, less supported. Their coping mechanisms and supportive relationships are less accessible or sometimes not accessible at all. It’s a subtle but significant shift that means our emotional and psychological wellness has shifted. Much of what we might have fallen back on as mental health support, things such as exercise, socialising and leisure, are no longer a viable resource. Those who are bereaved often seek support through social interaction and that is now restricted. This makes it much more difficult for people
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to distract themselves from their thoughts and feelings. One interesting and positive thing to come out of this is that whilst isolating, some people have said that they feel less judged when grieving. They can cry when they want, laugh when they want, and grieve at their own pace. That said, the loss of their support network does compound their grief and can make it overwhelming at times. The experience of a loved one dying has also been intensified. Restrictions on visiting relatives in hospital, care homes or the Hospice has had a big impact and being unable to be close and do things like hug and hold a hand at such a difficult time is a big problem. Having virtual contact with the person who is dying and watching them die on a mobile screen is incredibly sad for all involved. To then have to carry on with day-to-day interaction and indeed, bereavement counselling via a screen can be extremely challenging.
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The Emotional and Psychological Support Team here at the Hospice has continued to provide support to the loved ones of patients who have died under the care of the Hospice throughout the pandemic. We’ve not been able to support people face to face for obvious reasons, but have shifted to telephone and online sessions with people. Evidence is being collated that shows those who accessed online support found it gave them comfort and reassurance, they felt they could share their feelings and didn’t feel so alone. The team here is made up of therapists, student counsellors and trained volunteers. Relatives of former patients of the Hospice can contact us at any point in their grief journey to access our support. Because of the increased challenges mentioned above, our team have had to really think creatively about how they support not just their clients, but each other too. Generally, our volunteers have been picking up more complex cases over the years, but this has accelerated over the past year. We have actively acknowledged this and empowered volunteers to be more flexible in their approach whilst increasing our level of support to them. And this goes for staff members too. The ‘old normal’ has gone and we have to be open to working flexibly and reactively in whatever way is best for the people who need us.’
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'Those who are bereaved often seek support through social interaction and that is now restricted' Karen
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Take a break Take part in our lockdown themed crossword to be in with a chance of winning a £20 voucher to use in any of our shops!*
*PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR AN UP TO DATE LIST OF WHICH SHOPS ARE CURRENTLY OPEN.
Send your completed crossword to us, or take a photo and email it to communications@ stpetershospice.org. Be sure to include your name and contact details. The winner will be picked at random and contacted on 5 May. The discount does not apply to new goods. Your total spend (less the value of any new goods) must be £20 or over. The voucher can only be used once and must be handed to the cashier to claim the offer. Only valid in St Peter’s Hospice shops, not eBay or our coffee shop. Voucher must be used by 01/11/2021. ACROSS 1. Many sewed like mad to make sure that everyone had one of these (4) 3. Defined as ‘the compulsory limiting of movement’ (8) 10. Track and …… helped to get exposed people tested (5) 11. Someone who kept us going with Zoom quizzes, bingo, games and chats (7) 12. ‘Things can only get ………….’ – appropriate anthem from Prof Brian Cox’s band (6) 13. This body aided the facilitation of ‘the beautiful game’ being played behind closed doors (1,1,1,1) 16. Face coverings helped us to stay this (4) 19. The COVID test involves taking a swab from here (4) 20. This was subsidised by the Government’s Furlough scheme (4)
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21. Who would want his job?! (5) 22. England’s CMO (6) 26. Many of us spent much of the first lockdown doing this (9) 27. When will it all …? (3) 29. A shortage of these caused grappling in the aisles (3,5) 30. Following the rules should make this virus …. spreading (4) DOWN 1. A relation of the comedian who made the country laugh during his ‘Half Hour’ in the 1950’s? (4) 2. Hands, Face, ….. seems to be the COVID beating mantra (5) 4. Place where the AstraZeneca vaccine was developed (6) 5. In the adversity communities were much more of this to each other (4) 6. It is much safer to meet here (7) 7. Will we ever get back to this, whatever it is (9)
8. The frustration of Lockdown has made us all become this at times (5) 14. Donald lost here (1,1,1) 15. & 23. Ban on embracing (2,4) 17. If we could get hold of this scarcity, we made banana bread (5) 18. 2021 … surely got to be a better year than 2020 (3) 19. The Government report every day as to how many of these cases there are (3) 20. Sales of this went up by 20% plus. Hic! (4) 23. See 15 Down (4) 24. This short message spread news – good and bad (5) 25. He won Strictly – a much welcome distraction from our COVID woes (4) 26. Bottles of this were selling for a bomb last spring (3) 28. Lockdown caused the number of COVID cases to do this (3)
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Hospice News
an easy way to make or update your Will for free At any time of our lives making or updating a Will can be a daunting prospect, let alone under the current circumstances. At St Peter’s Hospice, we are always here to help, and we are pleased to announce our new Will writing service in partnership with toprated Will experts FareWill. Especially for our supporters, this service means you can write your Will free-of-charge from the comfort of your own home. FareWill make the process easy, and you can choose to make a simple Will online or over the phone with expert support. The FareWill team provide outstanding customer service and are always on hand to answer any questions.
There is no obligation to remember St Peter’s Hospice in your Will when you use the service, but every gift makes an enormous difference. A third of our services are directly paid for by gifts in Wills, so your generosity will help ensure our patients have compassionate, expert care for years to come. To make your Will using FareWill, please visit stpetershospice.org/support-us/ make-a-donation/gift-in-your-Will/ If you would prefer a face-to-face appointment, please do get in contact as other Will writing options are available. For more information, contact legacy@stpetershospice.org or call 01275 391 432 and ask to speak to Louisa or Becky.
Everyone deserves an Emma in their precious, final days. Emma is more than a nurse to Marcus in his final days. She is his friend. Every one of us at St. Peter’s Hospice, from Sarah the consultant to Bill the volunteer driver, is devoted to bringing comfort and peace to patients and their loved ones. This is more than end-of-life care, this is family. Help our family be there in the future, with a gift in your Will.
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