SHEILA RECEPTIONIST
MARTIN CEO
ADAM ART THERAPIST
LESLEY COOK
JACKIE HOUSEKEEPER
Special Christmas stories From our beloved St Peter & St James Hospice staff to you
LUCY HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT
JACKIE HOUSEKEEPER
LESLEY COOK
‘It’s a real privilege to work at the hospice over the festive period. We have carol singers that come round and sing on the wards and we open up the patients’ bedroom doors so that they can enjoy the beautiful songs. Each time, we all well-up – it’s very emotional!
‘Just like at home, food is a big part of Christmas at the hospice. Most people have a nice memory of sitting around the dining table with their loved ones, enjoying a lovely Christmas meal; it’s what families do when they get together – to eat and have a nice time. And we want them to have that here too.
I work on Christmas Day, which I love because there’s such a warm, caring atmosphere at the hospice. After I finish work, I’m fortunate enough to go home and see my family – but that’s not the case for many people here. If I can take that time out from being around my loved ones and give it to others that aren’t so fortunate, that’s the best gift I can give.’
We have a specially decorated family room where patients and their loved ones can eat their Christmas meal – or if they prefer, in their bedrooms, which we decorate and make lovely and Christmassy. We cook a traditional three-course meal – a starter, turkey with all the trimmings and a delicious pud – or whatever the patients fancy! If they have a favourite dish, we can prepare it for them. There’s also a buffet, cakes and other treats – sometimes we make little canapés too. Mid-morning on Christmas day, we go round with the drinks trolley so people can have their favourite tipple, which always goes down well!’
£10 could pay for a lovely Christmas dinner with all the trimmings for one of our patients at the hospice.
SHEILA RECEPTIONIST
ADAM ART THERAPIST
‘At St Peter & St James Hospice, we offer compassionate, personal care. For us, it’s about creating special moments and making people as happy as possible. This is particularly important at Christmas time because, for many people at the hospice, it’ll be their last Christmas.
‘I think it’s assumed that Christmas is supposed to be a time when people are jolly and are having loads of fun. But for many people with a life limiting illness, it can be a particularly challenging and reflective time – it brings up many different emotions.
The hospice is decorated beautifully, and we always have a lovely Christmas tree in reception. This year, our tree will be filled with special ribbons. It’s so nice seeing patients’ families come in – we get children, babies and even pets in. One year, a patient’s dog came in – it really cheered her up and made her day.’
£48 could pay for a morning of care in our Inpatient Unit on Christmas Day.
Here at the hospice, it’s a really important time for art therapy. The sessions we run offer patients a safe space to express themselves freely and reflect on what’s happening in their lives. Through the images they create, they’re able to work through their emotions – sometimes getting difficult things off their chest, other times reaching a place of peace and comfort. Many patients choose to make a Christmas card for a loved one, so the marks they leave on the paper, or scene they create, can take on a whole other level of significance. That card is often so precious, so full of meaning – it becomes a symbol of the special bond and memories shared between those loved ones.’
£245 could pay for Art Therapy group sessions with Adam, where our patients create beautiful Christmas cards for their family and friends.
MARTIN CEO Christmas may be a challenging time for some, especially if they’re facing their first Christmas without their friend or family member who died.
I receive many letters, emails and messages from people who experienced our care and support; invariably emphasising how important our involvement was at such a difficult time. People are often surprised to learn that our care was funded by their neighbours, friends and colleagues in the form of donations. For many, this motivates them to raise funds to enable more people to receive the excellent care we are renowned for.
SCAN ME TO DONATE
This Christmas, if you can, please give generously to provide people in your community with a gift they’ll always treasure – care and compassion when they need it most. Thank you for your vital support.
£1,241 is enough for an entire day of specialist nursing care on our Inpatient Unit on Christmas Day. stpjhospice.org/support-us/donate
St Peter & St James Hospice North Common Road, North Chailey, Lewes, BN8 4ED 01444 471598 fundraising@stpjhospice.org stpjhospice.org @StPeterStJames
Registered charity number 1056114