Issuu

HEARTBEAT AUTUMN 2018

Work is well underway to build our larger hospice to care for more patients and families, thanks to the generosity of our community. Our ambitious Build 2020 vision is growing before our eyes and we’re looking forward – with your help – to the next phase which will see the development of The Bradbury Centre which will host many of our living well activities. This will be at the heart of the hospice building on Wildwood Drive where people can come for expert care and support. We’re not here to cure – but we can use our specialist skills, knowledge and experience to give every patient the chance to make each day the best it can possibly be.

We will build a suite of living well therapy rooms including rooms for physiotherapy; exercise and horticulture along with complementary, music and children’s therapy and an occupational therapy kitchen. Individuals will be able to benefit from our living well service at an early stage in their diagnosis and be supported medically, therapeutically and emotionally to self-manage their conditions. This is essential as people live longer with illnesses such as cancer, heart failure, neurological conditions and other life-limiting illnesses. Research has shown that palliative care can increase both how well a person feels and how long they live.

Reg. Charity No. 515668 Reg. Company No. 01850502

We anticipate the new centre and expanded day services will allow us to increase the number of people we support from 3,000 to 4,000 individuals each year by 2021/22. All the new and expanded services will run alongside St Richard’s current wide range of patient and family care including support in people’s own homes and 17 in-patient beds.

The Build 2020 redevelopment and expansion will cost £5.3m and thanks to amazing support we have just over £1m left to raise. Turn overleaf to see the build progress so far and find out how to donate.

Chief Executive June Patel

Where we are thanks to your help

Larry’s living well It’s great to hear how our living well courses are already making a difference to people’s quality of life. Retired postman Larry - who has Parkinson’s - started coming to creative therapy and adapted tai chi sessions as well as receiving physiotherapy and occupational therapy support at the hospice. “It is social – he is interacting with other people and that is what he needs,” explained his wife, Carole Robins. “Larry can’t communicate. He understands: he just can’t speak. When we come here, they treat him like anybody else and that means he’s not isolated.”

Day Services Manager Claire Gijselhart looks at progress on the light and welcoming new entrance.

Progress on building the new day services rooms is well underway

She added, “It’s a happy place. People say to me: ‘the hospice is where you go to die’ but I say: ‘no, it’s where you go to live as well you can for what time you have left.’”

Care news Family joy We were honoured to be par t of a very special pre-wedding blessing in the beautiful hospice gardens where Jan - who received care in our In-patient Unit - shared the joy of her daughter Sally, husband-to-be Oliver, family and friends.

The wonderful heart messages of love and support we have received from supporters of our Build 2020 postal campaign have now been buried under the foundations of the new reception entrance.

How can you help?

If you would like to donate to the Build 2020 appeal, the easiest way is to go online at

www.strichards.org.uk/build2020

Thank you for your suppor t. Together we can grow hospice care for Worcestershire.

We're proud to announce that our benefits advisers working at St Richard's have raised more than £1m for patients and their loved ones since 2009.

Our Advisers help patients, their carers and families secure crucial financial support at an incredibly difficult time. The small team is supported by the Worcester Housing and Benefits Advice Centre (WHABAC) and Worcester Citizens Advice (CAB) to offer specialist advice and assistance in applying for benefits including

Creative cooking Some delicious dishes were recently cooked up by members of our Confidence in Cooking Course. This group is for bereaved people and suppor ts them to find the motivation and confidence to cook - while sharing a meal with others who have lost a loved one. The group gets to learn a variety of recipes and techniques - including flambéing! It's run by our Family Suppor t Team and led by Kevin, Head of Catering Services here at St Richard's.

At the time Sally said: “We couldn’t have made this happen on our own. It star ted as a gentle suggestion by a member of the hospice staff and chaplain Clare and the team rallied around to organise everything in three days. Nothing was a problem and they just said, we’re here to make every day as meaningful as possible. I had been concerned that the blessing would have been a disruption to the vital care of St Richard’s patients and the amazing work that the staff under take.“

£1m+ benefits for patients & families Chief Executive June Patel and Day Services Manager Claire Gijselhart take a look at the former day hospice room which has been opened out to a large single space to allow more flexibility providing care.

“However this could not have been further from the truth. One of mum’s nurses was able to join us and be part of the blessing which was really special and other nurses and even patients came out to watch from over the pond. For days after everyone was asking about the blessing. It’s wonderful that so many people were so supportive.”

Employment and Support Allowance and Carers Allowance.

information from diagnosis, on-going treatment and possible prognosis.

Sue Sheppard, Welfare Benefits Adviser, said: “To reach the overall million-pound mark is fantastic. It’s great that these two organisations have been able to support St Richard’s Hospice patients, their carers and families in receiving the benefits they are entitled to and provide additional support. This service has proved invaluable within the community. “During what is an incredibly difficult period for the patient and their family, life can be moving at quite a pace with processing the

Head of Family Support, Sarah Popplestone-Helm and Chief Executive June Patel celebrate the milestone care news

Handing messages to the community Our Community Engagement Officer, Alice Spearing, recently visited the girls’ youth group at Tallow Hill Mosque in Worcester. The girls decorated hand prints with paint and glitter and glued hospice information on the

reverse. The hand prints were given out to the community at the mosque’s summer fete to spread key messages about our hospice care. The girls were proud of their hand prints and very excited to show their loved ones. We continue to work alongside Tallow Hill Mosque to raise awareness of our free care and suppor t.

Did you know? Supporting young people and teenagers We had positive feedback from bereaved teenagers, children and their families who have taken part in support and activity days aimed at helping with aspects of grief. Our Family Support Team ran two different activity sessions; one for teenagers and the other

The aim of the days was to support young people who have been bereaved, helping them to build relationships, to talk about their feelings and to meet others in similar situations.

The calendar costs £7.50 and is available from our hospice shops and members of the group.

Photography: Jayne Winter, ARPS and Rose Finch LRPS

Make a date with 2019 calendar Our popular Men’s Space has created a delightful calendar to highlight the support group and raise funds for our care. The calendar reflects some of the activities the patient group enjoys as well as revealing the fun, comradeship and support they give each other. The group meets

We have a variety of resources available to patients on our website? For example you can find tai chi videos, led by hospice physiotherapist Gill Jubb, for our patients to use at home. Tai chi exercises are recognised as being good for stress, breathing, balance, blood pressure and general health.

for younger children and their families. Both groups spent time in support sessions at St Richard’s Hospice in Worcester and team building activities at Upton Warren Aztec Adventure centre near Droitwich.

weekly and as well as talking to men in a similar position, members can take advantage of counselling within the hospice and access to a specialist nurse.

The group recently met Mel Nicholls, GB para cyclist and endurance wheelchair racer. Following her visit Mel said, “I was very lucky to spend time with the most uplifting and positive group of gentlemen I can say I have ever met.

Walks with hawks More than 100 patients, their families and carers were introduced to the ar t of falconry at a special event and picnic at Spetchely Park Estate. Visitors had the chance to see these impressive birds at close range. The social event was organised by the Family Suppor t Team and was open to individuals suppor ted by St Richard’s.

We’ve run two recent Facebook Live sessions on talking to children about bereavement and questions and answers around being a carer. These are still available to view on our Facebook page or website. We run outpatient clinics – working with the NHS – for people with advanced conditions including Parkinson’s, hear t failure, renal failure and respiratory diseases. Both patients and carers are welcome to the clinics, where they can receive physical, emotional and spiritual suppor t.

”What I felt from everyone was about life. Living for the moment, finding something in every day to smile for and to be happy for, that is a lesson for every single one of us.”

Photography: Momentsbyadam care news

Challenges & events Halloween Run Sunday, 28th October A spooktacular 2.5km and 5km fun run or walk for trick or treaters of all ages at Worcester Woods Country Park. Set spines shivering with your fancy dress! Enjoy traditional Halloween activities.

Virgin London Marathon 2019 If you applied for a ballot place back in May for the 2019 London Marathon and are lucky enough to have one of the places, please consider running for us! We will provide full fundraising support, running vest or t-shirt and the opportunity to join a team of charity runners who can share your training and fundraising experiences.

Severn Valley Walk Saturday, 13th October Choose from a 4, 7, or 14 mile walk, starting from Bewdley and relax with a return journey on the Severn Valley steam railway. Take a riverside walk with autumnal views and admire our beautiful landscape. Sponsored by OGL Computer, supported by Severn Valley Railway.

For full details of all events and challenges visit www.strichards.org.uk/events or call the Fundraising Team on 01905 763963.

Lights of Love Nov - Dec

Santa Skydive

Christmas tree recycling

Dedicate a light in memory and celebration of loved ones this festive season and support our hospice care. Lights of Love brings together thousands of people each year. It’s a time to be thankful for everything we have, but it can also be a time where we miss those who are no longer with us.You can also join special events on

Saturday 8th December

January 11th/12th/13th – 2019

Join our group Santa Skydive day at Hinton Airfield and experience a free-fall from 10,000ft at speeds up to 120mph before being expertly steered to the ground in front of friends and family. Training and free Santa suits provided on the day. Limited places available.

Take the hassle out of your post festive clear up and support St Richard’s in our popular Christmas tree recycling scheme. Registrations open early November 2018.

Thursday, 15th November Worcester Cathedral Tuesday, 20th November Sacred Heart Church, Droitwich Thursday 29th November Pershore Abbey Tuesday, 4th December Great Malvern Priory Thursday 20th December Carols in the Car Park, St Richard’s Hospice Worcester To dedicate a light please visit www.strichards.org.uk/lightsoflove Sponsored by Andrew Grant.

Nepal Trek 2019 2nd – 13th November 2019

St Richard’s is jointly-organising a fantastic 12 day bespoke trek to the Himalayas in November next year, including two days spent helping at a hospice organisation in Kathmandu. This trek is a great opportunity to witness the culture and tradition of the people of Nepal. Take in the spectacular views of the snowy peaks of the Annapurnas and a fascinating mountain panorama from Poon Hill.

Festive Lunch Thursday, 6th December

Snowdrop Ball Saturday, 17th November Come and join us for the largest, glitziest St Richard’s hospitality event of the year! Enjoy drinks on arrival, a scrumptious three course dinner, a live auction, fantastic band, disco, casino, fun photo booth and much more, guaranteed to be a night to remember. Sponsored by Shrubbery Dental Practice.

Join us for this popular festive lunch and shopping at The Bank House, Bransford from 10am – 4pm. Enjoy a three course festive menu accompanied by tea, coffee, mince pies and a complimentary glass of wine or orange juice. A pre-and post lunch shopping experience showcasing a variety of local goods, and light entertainment. Tickets cost - £35 per person.

Teams of volunteers will collect trees from around the county and in return we will ask for a donation to support our care. In 2018 we collected more than 860 Christmas trees, raising £10,000. If you could volunteer to help or if your business would like to get involved please contact fundraiser Jayne Sargeant on 01905 763963 or email jsargeant@strichards.org.uk Sponsored by The Christmas Decorators.

Sponsored by Knight Frank and Bodega Womenswear

Lantern walk at dusk Saturday 9th February, 2019 Walk the beautiful two mile (approximate) route around the grounds of Croome Court National Trust park and light up the sky in memory of a loved one. Participants will receive a lantern and LED candle to carry along the route, lighting up the picturesque gardens. Tickets will be available at the end of October 2018.

challenges

Dedication rewarded

Volunteer News

Congratulations to hospice volunteer Clare Norton, who had her decades of service recognised with a prestigious award. Clare, who has volunteered with St Richard's for almost four decades, was presented with Badge of the Order of Mercy at a special ceremony held at The Mansion House in London. Here she is pictured with Kate, who works in our HR and Volunteer Department. Clare was a founder Governor of St Richard’s Hospice, and her volunteering roles including helping in Day Hospice, providing complementary therapies, creative therapies, transporting patients, volunteering within the community and fundraising.

Volunteer voices Meet three volunteers from our St Swithin’s, Worcester store Mark - a 37 year old merchant seaman, has been volunteering at our St Swithin’s shop for five months. He has always enjoyed browsing through charity shops but had no idea that when he visited the shop last March – when his extended leave from his job began - a chance meeting with the shop manager would land him a volunteering role! Originally, Mark volunteered at the shop for a few hours a week. This has now developed into five days a week. “I thoroughly enjoy my time in the hospice shop and do a bit of everything from steam cleaning clothes and dealing with customers to labelling clothes. When I leave the hospice to go back to work, I really feel that a piece of me will be missing. It has been a wonderful place to work and feels like family. “I am a big tattoo fan which isn‘t everybody’s cup of tea; often people have a stereotypical view of those who have body art yet here people invest their trust in me. It’s very heartwarming to be part of such a wonderful community.” Jennifer - 29, has been volunteering in the St Swithin’s, Worcester shop for a year. She

Shops news

New store in Bromsgrove

Our new Déjà Vu dress agency has opened in Mill Lane, Bromsgrove. The refurbished shop is home to a fantastic variety of designer and vintage second-hand clothing .The shop builds on the success of our similar concept store which has been open in Great Malvern for six years. The shop offers a great way to sell your designer items and receive something back whilst also supporting the hospice.

Pet therapy works five days a week and says it’s a rewarding experience. “All the volunteers here are absolutely lovely. I didn’t know much about the hospice before I worked here but I have heard amazing things about it. Volunteering here has really boosted my confidence. I worked in retail before but I felt as though I was thrown in at the deep end whereas here everybody is so helpful and supportive. I have met so many new people, enhanced my skills and faced new challenges. It’s great for future employment.” Louis - Aged just 16, the French student from Chatou in North Central France, is on a two week exchange programme where participants have the opportunity

to work in the charitable sector Louis said: “I work in the bookshop at the Worcester store and it has proved to be a great experience. It has not only helped me improve my English but I have gained valuable experience interacting with and serving customers. When I leave school I would like to study business at university and my time spent here will be a real asset. Everybody has been so welcoming and friendly. It’s been a great place to gain work experience.” To find out more about volunteering opportunities please call our HR and Volunteers Department on 01905 763963 or visit our website strichards.org.uk/volunteering

A kind-natured Cocker Spaniel who belongs to a hospice volunteer couple has become our newest Pets as Therapy (PAT) dog. Three-year-old Maisey belongs to reception volunteers Sylvia and Arthur Whittaker and visits patients at St Richard’s. “I was very proud of her,” said Sylvia, who has been a St Richard's volunteer for 21 years. “I think it is a lovely idea because a lot of patients have got pets or have had pets of their own and they must miss them. It is nice to bring a little bit of joy to patients.”

Droitwich expansion

Visitors to our shop in Gurney’s Lane, Droitwich will see a much bigger store this month. We have doubled the size of the shop and will be housing a new bookshop upstairs in the finished building. Enjoy your new shopping experience!

Volunteer in our shops

Meet new people, learn new skills, make friends and help your local hospice by volunteering in our shops. We offer flexible hours to suit your lifestyle. With a wide variety of roles including window and mannequin dresser; visual merchandiser; steamer sorter; new goods pricing; and in departments for fashion, media, bric a brac, books and homeware. You can find more details and the locations of all our shops at www.strichards.org.uk/our-shops news

Farewell Event Thursday, 4th October to Sunday, 7th October Say ‘goodbye’ to our 30 giant giraffes and 27 cute calves all together before they trot off out of Worcester. smiles of everyone enjoying the trail this summer. Thank you to everyone for making the trail such a memorable event for the city.

A spectacular showcase of multi-coloured giraffe sculptures brought the city to life over the summer for the St Richard’s Hospice Build 2020 Appeal. The art trail, titled Worcester Stands Tall, stood through the city’s streets, parks and open spaces for ten weeks, finishing on 16th September. Thousands of visitors have flocked to walk, run, cycle – and even skate - their way around the six-mile trail taking in the 57 decorated sculptures. On the trail there are 30 giant giraffes decorated by artists and 26 calves decorated by schools and community groups. One further rose gold calf is placed at Worcester Cathedral. Each giant giraffe – along with the rose gold calf – will go to auction to raise money for the Build 2020 Appeal, while the 26 calves will be returned to the schools and groups who decorated them as a lasting legacy. Sara Matthews, Worcester Stands Tall Project Manager, said: “It has been a great privilege to see the

“Our thoughts now turn to the Auction, where we hope to raise a fantastic amount for our Build 2020 Appeal – which is the cause underpinning this project.” Win some fabulous prizes with the Worcester Stands Tall gi-raffle. Prizes include: a giraffe feeding experience for four at West Midland Safari Park; a night in a family safari tent at Ling Safari in Bewdley; £100 meal voucher for Bill's restaurant and a twonight family stay in a cottage at Phepson Farm Worcestershire and lots of exciting hair care products and services from Umberto Giannini Worcester. Tickets are £1 and the draw will take place on Friday, 19th October at 2pm. Buy your tickets from strichards.org.uk/wstraffle or ask for books for your workplace on 01905 763963.

Before they head off, the Farewell Event is your only chance to view all the sculptures together in one location – the beautiful surroundings of Worcester Cathedral’s Chapter House.

Worcester Stands Tall Auction Thursday, 11th October Bid for your own incredible sculpture at our auction event at drp Group in Hartlebury. Join us for a night to remember, hosted by Free Radio’s Tom Newitt and Hursty, and featuring Bargain Hunt and Flog It! auctioneer Philip Serrell. The reserve for each sculpture is expected to start from £2,500£3,500, so be prepared for some competitive bidding!

Write a Will this September 1st September to 30th September 2018 Have you made your Will yet? If not, make September the month you do. This month you can make a simple, single Will for only £95 or £150 for a double. Participating solicitors will give 100% of donations to St Richard’s Hospice. There are limited appointments available so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Celebration Garden blossoms Thank you to all those who helped us to create our beautiful Celebration Garden in Worcester last month. Thanks to generous donations, 1,500 hand crafted snowdrops made a stunning display celebrating the life of a loved one or something special before returning to donors as keepsakes or gifts. We hope to raise over £60,000.

For more information about each event visit worcesterstandstall.co.uk or contact project manager Sara Matthews on 01905 763963

Education Partner

Media Partners

Kindly sponsored by Western Power Distribution

Kitkat & Co Solicitors - Malvern 01684 342173 dk@kitkat.legal Bradley Haynes Law - Worcester 01905 900919 katec@bradleyhayneslaw.co.uk

Events diary Gin tasting night Wednesday September 19th 10 gin choices, choose 5! Tasting notes, nibbles & a gin raffle. £25pp Snowdon Trek September 22nd - 23rd Join Global Adventure Challenges to conquer Mount Snowdon. Morriston Orpheus male choir concert Saturday, September 29th The world-renowned Morriston Orpheus Choir will perform at Pershore Abbey. Contact: Sue or John Fletcher sueandjohn99@yahoo.com AGM Thursday, October 18th St Richard’s annual meeting at Wildwood Drive.

Worcester Stands Tall is supported by Presenting Partners

Harrison Clark Rickerbys - Worcester 01905 947228 croberts@hcrlaw.com

St Richard’s Hospice open afternoon Sunday, October 21st Find out more about our free care and support, meet our hospice staff and admire our beautiful gardens. A free event which must be booked in advance.

Gatehouse Brides Wedding Ball Friday, October 26th The Wedding Ball is a spectacular event where guests are able to wear their wedding dresses and suits again. At The Wood Norton, Worcester Road, Evesham. Contact: Julie Sandys on julie@gatehousebrides.co.uk Christmas Concert Friday, November 30th Worcester Concert Brass with Opera Worcester at St Peter’s Baptist Church, Worcester, 7pm Halloween Night Saturday, November 3rd Join Jenny and the team at the Old Cock Inn, Droitwich for an evening of all things spooky; including apple bobbing, Halloween fancy dress and more. Contact: Jenny Brown – 07921 626199 Christmas Fayre Thursday, November 29th Get ready for Christmas at this Fayre at Manor Park Tennis Club, Malvern 10am-5pm and find some extra special presents for your loved ones; packed with local food, craft stalls and more – Contact: Rachel Renaud on 07768 874069 rachel@vidagostyle.co.uk

For full details of these events and more, visit www.strichards.org.uk/events or call 01905 763963

Regular giving

care for up to 17 people in our In-patient Unit. This wonderful amount is greatly appreciated and allows us to plan ahead, safe in the knowledge of these regular commitments.

Donors who give regularly to the hospice together raised more than £114,200 this year towards our care.

If you are able to support us with a regular gift, we have an online donation facility where you can set up a direct debit immediately, so you can start helping our patients and families now.

This could benefit our patients and families by funding, for example, 15 days of 24 hour

Regular Giving

strichards.org.uk/donate

• EMAIL • POST • TELEPHONE

How to make a donation How to access our care

Staying in touch

We rely on donations to fund the majority of our care and greatly appreciate any gifts which help us to continue to support patients and their loved ones in the future. If you would like to make a donation to our ongoing care then please go online to www.strichards.org.uk/donate

From time to time we would like to keep you up to date with our hospice news, events and activities. Knowing your preferences means we can be more cost effective with our communications and ensure that we contact you in the way that you wish to hear from us.

If you would prefer to send a cheque then please make it payable to St Richard’s Hospice and send to the Fundraising Department, Wildwood Drive, Worcester WR5 2QT. We would be grateful if you would fill in the donation form, available to download on our website, with the Gift Aid option and return with your donation.You can also donate over the telephone with your credit/ debit card by calling the Fundraising Team on 01905 763963.

Patients who would like support from St Richard’s Hospice can be referred by their GP, consultant at the hospital, district nurse or other healthcare professional. Our Gateway referral team is also available should a patient, or person close to them, wish to talk to them directly for information or advice. No charge is made to patients and their families for any of our services. This is made possible due to the generosity of our donors, volunteers, suppor ters and local community. If you would like more information about referrals, please contact the Gateway Team on 01905 763963

We have recently updated our privacy policy which you can find on our website. Please get in touch by email to appeals@strichards.org.uk or telephone 01905 763963 and let us know how you prefer to be contacted: by post, email, telephone or no further contact.

Thank you for all your support.