Life Matters Autumn/Winter 2023

LifeMatters

"Time matters.. it's about making memories." Actress Zoe Croft speaks

Welcome to the Autumn edition of Life Matters

It's been a productive Summer at St Peter & St James Hospice, thank you to everyone who supported our Open Gardens events this year, which significantly exceeded fundraising expectations, details can be found on page 10. There are numerous developments to update you on and initiatives that will enable us to extend our reach and support more people.

My name is Eirian Levell, my role as Care Director encompasses not only nursing care for patients but also the supportive care we offer, which includes complementary and physiotherapies, welfare advice, social activities, wellbeing groups and more. Many people are unaware of the range of services we provide in addition to excellent nursing care. You can read about just a few of these in this newsletter.

It’s not just patients we support, on pages 8&9 you will find exciting details about new initiatives we have for carers and families at our Living Well Centre. And, this month sees the start of a Living Well course which aims to introduce the hospice, inform and educate about the support we offer.

Our amazing supporter, actress Zoe Croft, talks to us on pages 4 & 5 about her journey with grief and her relationship with the hospice. She is kindly joining us for a new event on our calendar, SHINE BRIGHT - Moonlight Walk, on 7th October, and we hope you will join us to celebrate the life of someone special to you. It’s set to be a magical evening, held at the beautiful Bluebell Vineyard Estates, who are kindly donating their venue for us all to enjoy. Details of how to register a place for this event can be found on page 5. As we look forward to Christmas, our fundraising team have provided a feast of ideas for festive fundraising (pages 6 & 7).

I hope you enjoy this Autumn edition of Life Matters. Thank you once again on behalf of St Peter & St James Hospice for your continued support. We are helping more people than ever and it's through the generosity of our supporters that we are able to do this now and in the future.

With very best wishes

Eirian Levell

3 Hospice News

4–5 Zoe Croft

8-9 Caring for carers

6–7 Festive fundraising

8–9 Caring for carers

North Common Road North Chailey Lewes

BN8 4ED

01444 471 598

Registered Charity Number 1056114

HospiceNews

Welcome

Welcome to 3 new staff in the Supportive Care team. Katie is our Rehabilitation Lead, providing physiotherapy in the Inpatient Unit, the community, and at our Living Well Centre. Sophie rejoins us as Complementary Therapist and offers massage, aromatherapy, and reflexology. Finally, Michelle takes up the role of Carer Support Co-Ordinator and will be looking after all our services for carers (see more on page 8&9).

If you would like to find out more about any of these services, please visit our website (details below).

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We love supporting staff with professional development and so are pleased to announce that three of our Health Care Assistants are training to become Registered Nurse Associates. This apprenticeship, a 3-to-4-year degree, offers an alternative way for healthcare professionals to progress into nursing, rather than going via the traditional university route. This means whilst they are training they continue to work and can be supported by the Hospice in their learning.

Charley is one of the team undertaking this training

New Store Coming Soon!

You may have noticed that our Uckfield shops have not been open for a few weeks. Fear not, we will be back, bigger and better! Keep an eye on our social media pages and website to see when our new store will open, featuring a full range of homewares, furniture and fashion.

Calling all green fingers!

We are privileged to have a glorious setting at the Hospice, but the gardens don’t look after themselves. Every week a team of over 20 volunteers tend the gardens so that our patients, their guests, and staff can enjoy them. We are looking for new volunteers to join the team; if you are interested, please visit our website to find out more and apply.

Zoe's Story

"The hospice changed my life"

Actress, Zoe Croft tells us why she's supporting our In Memory walk, ‘Shine Bright’ this Autumn

Zoe was a teenager when both her parents tragically died. During the years that followed she has traversed the challenges of grief and is determined to use her platform and experience to raise awareness about hospice care and bereavement, for the benefit of others.

“My Mum’s name was Jill, she loved horses and was a terrible cook; truly, truly terrible”, she smiles. “She was a teacher, and we were happy living locally in Lewes”.

Zoe was an only child and was very close to her parents. Jill developed a rare form of breast cancer and lived with the the disease for 5 years.

“I had a lot of experience of Mum being in hospital...I have so many memories of when she was going through treatment; anyone that’s been through chemotherapy or has a family member that’s gone through that treatment knows how much it takes out of you, not just physically but mentally. I was so young and I’d grown up having that experience of my Mum”.

Zoe initially feared the hospice, as she had never visited and knew nothing about us.

“I thought it would be scary because a lot of hospitals are scary places, so I'd imagined the hospice to be worse, especially when driving down through the woods at night. But when you walk in, it’s so bright and lovely here and everyone is so welcoming, you feel that. It sounds odd but after all my Mum went through with her treatment, I have nothing but good memories of her being here.

When you have cancer or other lifelimiting illness a lot of people talk about how ʻwe’re going to fight this, we’re going to beat this, you need to be really strong’.

And, sometimes people get to a point where they can’t do that anymore. Coming to the hospice it’s like having that permission to stop fighting, to come somewhere where you are helped to have that quality time together because time matters. You can have those powerful moments of connection... it's about making memories.”

Before she died, Jill spent time at the hospice receiving respite care and sought counselling support.

“Mum had counselling at the hospice during her illness. After she died, I was fortunate to receive counselling with the same person Mum had seen, so it was lovely that I could talk to someone who understood my situation.”

Tragically, Zoe’s Dad Steve died suddenly at home just two weeks after Jill.

“I was so young at the time; what happened to me was life-changing and I felt utterly lost. I’d lost my family, I was alone. The counselling support changed my life. It was the stability I needed at that time, and it genuinely changed my life.

It feels important for me to raise awareness because I wouldn't be where I am today without St Peter & St James Hospice. I'm lucky I have the platform to do something good.”

Zoe reconnected with the hospice a year ago after using her social media accounts to talk about grief and bereavement. Some followers were not supportive and trolled her. Shocked at the reaction, Zoe took the initiative to ignore this behaviour and rather than be upset by the comments, used her celebrity to raise awareness of hospices and their work.

“I know that whatever I say on social media someone will always have a negative comment, so why not try to do something good instead? Getting back in touch with St Peter & St James Hospice that helped my Mum and I was the natural thing to do.

I think it's hugely important that we talk about death and dying, it's not something we talk about enough, it's the unknown. I feel passionate about hospice care because even when someone is at the end of their life, having the experience of that care can be transformative, to be shown such love and kindness is life-changing.

It feels strange because it's literally ten years ago to the day that I sat just over there on the ward with Mum. It's weird to think back and reflect on everything that’s happened and what I've achieved. I hope my Mum and Dad would be proud.”

Zoe is now an award-winning filmmaker, actor, model, and composer. Best known for playing Greta Allinson in Holby City she is also featuring in an upcoming series on Amazon later this year.

Zoe will be starting and leading our Moonlight Walk, themed ʻShine Bright’ later this year, on 7th October.

“Supporting the Shine Bright Moonlight Walk is my absolute pleasure. I'm looking forward to the evening and seeing everyone celebrating the life of the people they love. I will be walking for my Mum and Dad and hoping they are proud of me and the good I'm trying to achieve in raising awareness of hospice care.”

You can join Zoe for Shine Bright by registering on our website now Shine Bright and Light up the Night in memory of someone special – St Peter and St James Hospice

The counselling support changed my life. It was the stability I needed at that time, and it genuinely changed my life.

Our fabulous fundraisers have put together this festive fundraising ideas for 2023. Have fun St Peter & St

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Secret Santa

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Challenge your team, friends or family to find a secret Santa gift in one of our St Peter & St James Shops (see website for details), set a theme, assign a prize for ʻfunniest gift’.

Donkeys are not just for Christmas

Our resident donkeys, Dudley and Dylan are looked after all-year round by our team of volunteers. You can adopt your very own fluffy donkey, complete with an adoption certificate, which will support the care of our donkeys here at the hospice. They will even send you a thank you card for helping keep them happy and warm this Christmas. See our website for details.

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Festive bake-off

A bake sale with a difference, donate £5 to enter your bake in your office/school/family bake off. Who will win star baker?

We can provide you with printable materials to make your event even more special. Sell the yummy goodies afterwards to raise even more money for St Peter & St James Hospice!

Pop-up christmas shop

Christmas shopping the sustainable way, and right on your doorstep. Decorate your office/living room/hall and stock with donations from friends, family, colleagues and more, invite local sellers or craft people to contribute items and open your very own St Peter & St James Hospice pop up shop to bring a festive shopping experience to your place of work/school/neighbourhood.

Don’t send me a card

Roll up roll up

Get your raffle tickets ready! Everyone loves an office raffle, collect donations, time-off vouchers or even offers of services (lawn mow anyone?), and raffle them off for a great way to raise money and win Christmas gifts or treats this December!

Instead, send your Christmas cards the environmentally friendly way this year, through ʻDon’t Send me a Card’ (link to don’t send me a card, and our card page – to be set up)– simply choose one of our wonderful designs, purchase your online card and we will do the rest, whizzing your card and message to the inbox of your chosen recipient. Fast, easy, environmentally friendly and benefiting the Hospice too!

Donkey pic

guide to spark your imagination and inspire your with friends and family all whilst supportJames Hospice.

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Christmas jumper day

Our stores are stocked full of festive finery, from the subtle to the... not so subtle – pick up a winter woolly from your nearest St Peter & St James Hospice shop to wear and donate on Christmas jumper day, to help support families this Christmas.

Shining stars

Christmas can be a challenging time of year when someone special has died. Dedicating a Christmas Star to them, to be hung on our hospice tree, is a fitting way to remember them and support your local hospice too. E-mail our team to request a star dedication, or dedicate one of our beautiful memory hearts, which are engraved with a name and hung on our Memory Tree.

Christmas dinner

Just £12.50, would treat a patient or their carer to a festive meal this Christmas. You can find our donation page on our website or call our team.

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‘One man’s trash is another

If you find yourself opening unwanted gifts this Christmas, don’t consign them to the draw of doom – donate them instead to one of our shops, where they can be enjoyed by someone else, and raise vital funds for your Hospice!

New horizons

Prickly predicaments

When the festivities are over, we will collect and recycle your real Christmas tree in return for a donation to St Peter and St James Hospice. Check our website for details.

If you find yourself making new year's resolutions, or simply deciding that 2024 will be your year to embark on something new, meet people, give something back, do a good deed, and feel better - then we would love to talk to you! Employee-led fundraising, commercial partnerships, helping in our shops, gardens, or warehouse, lending skills, helping at events – the ways you can help are endless. Please contact volunteering@ stpjhospice.org or fundraising@stpjhospice. org and let’s make 2024 a year to remember.

FOR INFORMATION ON ALL OF THESE IDEAS EMAIL fundraising@stpjhospice.org , visit the website or call the team. Details below.

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Caring for carers

Are you a carer? Join us for our new Carers Café

Every Thursday 09:30-13:30

Location – Living Well Centre at St Peter and St James Hospice, North Common Road, North Chailey, Haywards Heath, BN8 4ED

Refreshments and lunch available from our Cafe, run by volunteers

Socialise & Share experiences with fellow carers

Treat yourself with a complementary therapy session

Enjoy our woodland walk and meet our donkeys

Relax on the terrace overlooking the south Downs

Seek any welfare advice you may need

Guest speakers and seasonal creative activities

Car Parking available

Drop-in or contact Michelle Binks (carer support officer) by email contact@stpjhospice.org or call 01444 471598.

Living Well Course

Launching in September this course is a 6 week rolling program open to everyone to inform, support and educate on all aspects of Hospice care. The team will cover the following topics over the duration of the program and you can choose which sessions you would like to attend if not all, there is no obligation. 1 An introduction to St Peter & St James Hospice 2 Symptom Management 3 Navigating health and social services 4 Emotions 5 Future planning 6 Keeping active

If you would like to discover more, know someone who might be interested, or to register your place please e-mail us at contact@stpjhospice.org or call our team on the number below.

5 Top Tips for Carers

Caring for someone who is ill at home can be demanding and may lead to carers feeling isolated. St Peter & St James Hospice recognises this so we support carers as well as patients. Here are some top tips from our carer support team:

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ACKNOWLEDGE

you are a Carer. The first step is to acknowledge that you are a carer and you are doing an amazing job supporting the person you care for.

Take TIME OUT out for yourself, even if it's 10 minutes in the garden, sitting or lying down, reading a book, a walk, or meeting a friend for a cuppa.

Know what WELFARE Support is available to you. Our Welfare adviser can help you.

REACH OUT –There is support out there and if you find you are struggling you do not have to face your situation alone.

LIVING WELL services at the hospice offer a range of therapies and activities for you and the person you care for to attend. See page 8 for more details.

Could you be a Volunteer Companion?

Lisa Welton, one of our current companions shares her experience:

“I have supported and fundraised for Sussex Hospices for well over a decade, and now enjoy focusing on my local hospice, St Peter & St James where I am proud to be a Patron and Volunteer.

During the pandemic, I supported their community outreach initiative as a telephone volunteer companion. It was greatly rewarding as we became increasingly aware of the enormous need to provide friendship and comfort to both patients and their carers, especially during the isolation of lockdowns. On the back of this successful model, the hospice is now working to expand this vital service so that it reaches all corners of the community, offering time, a listening ear, conversation, and understanding to those in challenging, vulnerable, or lonely situations. The professionalism with which the hospice is approaching this service makes it all the more compelling. I have found my role interesting and fulfilling, aware that by giving up a relatively small amount of time each week, it is possible to show friendship and empathy – to make a difference. This can have tremendous benefits to a person’s ability to cope during difficult times.

If Lisa’s experience interests you and you would like to find out more about becoming a companion, contact volunteering@stpjhospie.org and talk to our team who will be happy to help.

Light up a Life

Our annual memorial service will be held at the hospice this year on Sunday 3rd December at 2pm.

The festive season is a chance to spend time with our families and friends, but those who have died are never far from our thoughts. Light up a Life is a beautiful way to honour someone special, light a candle in their memory and celebrate their life.

Contact fundraising@stpjhospice.org to reserve your place.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Open Gardens this year. 68 gardens in total opened their gates to the public and together raised a fantastic £44,000!

Open Gardens is truly a community event. We appreciate the help of every garden owner, volunteer, our sponsor Tates of Sussex Garden Centre, and indeed all who made this event so successful.

The fantastic support from our community, dedication and commitment of all the gardeners and our staff meant we doubled our fundraising target. A magnificent achievement! It has been a wonderful season and your support means we can keep providing our services to everyone who need us.

It won't be long before planning starts for our 2024 season so please contact our fundraising team to register your interest. We are particularly interested in hearing from gardeners in Haywards Heath and Wivelsfield.

After retiring, Nick wanted to keep himself occupied and in his own words “keep the brain cells alive and stave off boredom”. He was looking for his next challenge. When he saw in our magazine, Life Matters, that we were looking for volunteers to join us to repair donated items, he leapt at the opportunity and has been volunteering at the Distribution Centre since February.

“I get a buzz out of fixing something, it's very satisfying, especially now that climate change is such an important issue. This is stopping items from going to landfill or electrical waste.”

For the most part, Nick focuses on high-value electrical repairs which often only need a very small repair before they can be sold in the hospice shops.

“For instance, vacuum cleaners frequently come in and just need the switch to be replaced. It’s a small repair that only costs a few pounds, but the vacuum can then be sold for £50, a high return and a useful everyday item!”

Nick also enjoys being able to share his skills with other volunteers. “It's nice to see others helping and fixing things. It's good to see us all enjoying ourselves, painting in the sun or repairing something, learning a new skill. It’s great to meet like-minded people and volunteer for a good cause. I would

If you would be interested in using your skills or learning some new ones, take a look at our website for the many volunteering opportunities available or e-mail volunteering@stpjhospice.org

Nick’s Story: Nick's Story