SPRING 2013
Pilgrims
Matters
or
News f
s
Pilgrim
es
Hospic
ters
suppor
Sponsor A Nurse
Support our campaign
Pilgrims bus takes
to the road
New charity partnership
Hospice At Home
Research programme
reveals success story
New for 2013: Sponsor A Nurse campaign launches
– see four page leaflet in the centre of this magazine!
“We are recruiting
additional nursing
staff at all three of
our hospices”
Welcome to the Spring 2013 issue of
Pilgrims Matters!
Inside this issue
4
Cycle challenges 4
Sponsor A Nurse launches
8
Ann Robertson Centre opens 10
10
14
Front cover photo with thanks to
Associate Practitioner Leanne Mayo
and Thanet patient Jackie Ferguson.
Climb aboard Pilgrims bus
14
Team Pilgrims 16
Shopping fever
18
Play Pilgrims Lottery
20
Day hospice and outreach
22
Community fundraising
24
Future events listing
28
56 London Road, Canterbury
Kent CT2 8JA
Hythe Road, Willesborough
Ashford, Kent TN24 0NE
Ramsgate Road, Margate
Kent CT9 4AD
t 01227 459700/812612
f 01227 812606
t 01233 504100
f 01233 504132
t 01843 233920
f 01843 233931
www.pilgrimshospices.org e [email protected]
Registered charity no 293968 and as a company in England no 2000560.
2
Pilgrims Matters Spring 2013 was written, edited and designed by Nick Evans and Eleanor Sheath of Pilgrims
Hospices Marketing and Communications department, 01227 782061, [email protected]
A
t a time when NHS and
other healthcare providers
are cutting staff, reducing costs
and coming under pressure
following the Francis Report
findings of poor quality care,
Pilgrims Hospices is heading in
the opposite direction.
We are recruiting additional
nursing staff at all three of our
hospices in a major drive to
enable nurses to spend more
time with patients.
Pilgrims has a long-standing
reputation for clinical excellence
and as we care for an increasing
number of patients, some with
greater dependency than in the
past, we want to ensure all can
be given the very best care.
Increasing our nursing
workforce will cost us more
money of course. We therefore
have to look at ways in which we
can generate additional income
to afford this expenditure.
This is why your support
through donations, fundraising,
our shops and Pilgrims
Hospices Lottery is so
important to us.
You will see elsewhere in
Pilgrims Matters information
about our new Sponsor A
Nurse campaign. We hope you
will become involved in helping
raise the money we need.
Pilgrims hospice care is
provided by the people of east
Kent, for the people of east
Kent – and I am confident
that you and the rest of the
community will rally round in
the knowledge that all funds
raised will go directly towards
high quality end of life care.
Steve Auty,
Chief Executive
www.pilgrimshospices.org
3
Join us on our
new Divas ride!
P
ampering and samba music at the finish
line, mobile bike maintenance to make
punctures painless, your personal ‘Bike Hero’
escorts and scenic views of the picturesque
Elham Valley.
All of these will ensure Pilgrims
Divas on Wheels takes a fresh approach
to the cycling challenge.
r
fo
is
New for 2013, the event on Sunday
t
en
ev
e
Th
23
June
is for female cyclists of all
female cyclists of all cycling abilities and levels of fitness.
abilities and fitness Choose from two lovely circular routes
taking you through the best of the east
Kent countryside, 25 or 50 miles.
Anna Glowinski, cyclist, designer
and presenter of ITV 4’s The Cycle
Show is supporting the fundraiser and
will be among the cyclists on the day.
She said: “We know there are lots
of ladies out there with bikes who, with
a bit of encouragement and support,
would like to jump in the saddle
and experience the joys and benefits
of cycling. Get together with your
girlfriends for a great day out and raise
money for a fantastic local cause at the
same time.”
Register online at
www.divasonwheels.org
or call 01227 812621
4
4
Challenge calls for 1,000
cyclists to raise £100k
M
ove over Tour
de France; this
year’s Cycle Challenge
is gathering pace to be
Pilgrims biggest yet.
Cyclists across east Kent
are urged to sign up for
the county’s biggest one
day bike challenge to raise
money for Pilgrims Hospices.
With starting points in
Canterbury, Ashford and
Thanet, the event will be
held on Sunday 5 May
2013. Riders can choose
between a 75 miles long
route taking in all three
locations or two 45 mile
routes starting from either
Canterbury, Ashford or
Thanet as preferred.
More than 700 riders
wheeled out for the
occasion in 2012 raising
£83,000. For 2013,
Pilgrims is hoping 1,000
people will sign up to
help hit a magic total of
£100,000.
Regional Fundraising
Manager Deborah
Kellond said: “The event
is popular with sporty
individuals, teams or
with people who simply
want to help their local
hospices in memory of a
loved one.”
Trophies will be
awarded to the team
and individual who raise
the most money with
teams encouraged from
businesses, education,
friends and families.
Ian Ashton, from
Pilgrims catering
department takes part
in the Cycle Challenge
each year, he said: “This
is a good distance at the
beginning of the events
year. I ride regularly with
a cycling group and
several of us have had
friends and relatives who
have been cared for by
Pilgrims. This is a way
for us to give something
back.”
Novice riders are
encouraged too and can
build up their stamina
and confidence with a
series of eight training
rides before the big day.
Register @ www.pilgrimscyclechallenge.org
5
Presents mean prizes
as Gift It Again returns
Woody the rocking horse is so special
Four year old Sam Abbott of Lydd is the proud owner
of a lovingly handcrafted wooden rocking horse – now
named Woody – won by his mum Sarah in a raffle in aid of
Pilgrims. It was made by Folkestone craftsman Ron Taber
who, for several years, has made rocking horses to raise
money for the charity. Woody is very special as he is the
50th created by Ron.
Local businesses have given Ron off cuts of wood
and leather with which to make the rocking horses. He
then spends hours selling raffle tickets in the run up to
Christmas in Ashford and Folkestone. This time around,
Ron raised £3,300.
Straight out of the wrapping and into the back of a
cupboard – we’ve all received presents not quite to our
liking but with Pilgrims Hospices Gift It Again scheme
you can make the most of good quality items.
Whether it’s a tie you won’t wear, or those scented
bath goodies only your auntie loves, we can turn presents
into prizes. Donations will be used in Pilgrims tombola
giveaways, with all the money going towards supporting the
2,500 patients and families we help
in east Kent every year.
Gift It Again trolleys will be
rolling on to a high street near you,
as well as appearing in retail outlets
including Tesco, Sainsbury’s,
Wilkinson, B&Q as well as
Pilgrims Hospices own fundraising
events.
Left: Ron presents four
year old Sam with his
rocking horse, Woody.
Skype technology brings childhood reunion for patient
Kath Pearson, 93, of Ashford, has
reconnected with her best friend from school,
thanks to the use of Skype technology.
A patient at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford,
Kath has been
telephoning friend
Jean in South Africa
but never imagined she
would see her face.
That was until hospice
community coordinator
Pauline Donkin arranged for the pair to
be reconnected through a live Skype video
transmission.
Jean and Kath became friends at school aged
12, and have been close ever since. “We were very
“I felt
I could
hug
her.”
6
mischievous, we used to swim and play tennis.
Then Jean moved with her family to South
Africa,” Kath explains.
Kath last visited South Africa in 1985 so
the reunion was very emotional for her.
“When we Skyped each other it was
amazing,” she says. “I hadn’t seen Jean in
such a long time but with the Skype working
I felt I could hug her.”
Kath speaks highly of the hospice staff.
“They take care of everything you need,”
she said. “You just ask and it’s provided.
“If I had thought I would have all this
help when I was ill I wouldn’t have been so
worried – knowing I will have that back up to
the end of my days I feel I’m covered.”
In brief
• Pilgrims Hospice Ashford’s
Treecycling event raised
an impressive £8,000 in its pilot
year. It will run again in Ashford
for 2013. Plans to roll out to
the other hospices are in the
offing.
•
Pilgrims received cheques
from St George’s Golf Club,
Sandwich, for £10,000 and
North Foreland, Broadstairs, for
£6,000. Boughton Golf Club,
Faversham, donated £10,366.
Congratulations to the
respective captains for these
considerable achievements.
• Sixty five piece En Choir will
Above: Kath Pearson Skypes
life-long friend Jean.
perform feel-good uplifting
pop and soul songs on Friday
12 and Saturday 13 July in aid
of Pilgrims Hospices.
www.facebook.com/
enchoirwithin
7
Support Sponsor A Nurse
to take quality care into
the future
Hiring more nurses
will help meet
growing patient
care needs
Pilgrims nursing workload has
increased by 14 per cent in the past
year and now recruitment plans are in
hand to enable:
• Additional staff nurses on each site
to allow an extra nurse on early and
late shifts seven days per week
• An additional sister on each site
whose role will include developing
nursing skills to an agreed standard
across Pilgrims Hospices. They
will also be responsible for clinical
supervision, mentorship, clinical skills
training and development of junior/
new nursing staff
• An additional palliative specialist
nurse will enable the existing sisters
at each site to be solely dedicated to
safe, high quality care on the inpatient
units.
Pilgrims Hospices Chief Executive
Steve Auty said: “Our patients will
benefit from additional one-to-one care
by us having more nurses on duty.
“We have a long-standing reputation
for clinical excellence. As we care for
an increasing number of patients,
some with greater dependency than in
the past, we must ensure all patients
receive the very best care we can give.
“Doing so will secure the provision of
specialist palliative care for the people
of east Kent.”
8
O
ur patients, their families and
carers have for a long time
talked about the wonderful,
compassionate care they have received
from Pilgrims Hospices nurses during
what is a difficult time in their lives.
Now, a new campaign will enable
everybody to donate in a different, and
direct, way to help ensure our nurses can
continue to give specialist care. It’s called
Sponsor A Nurse.
Specialist and dedicated nursing is at
the heart of everything we do. More than
ever, our nurses are playing a greater role as
all three hospices look after an increasing
number of patients. In light of that,
Pilgrims Hospices is recruiting more nurses
so our patients remain safe in our care while
patients and families continue to have a
positive experience of our care at all times.
In the past year alone, Pilgrims Hospices
has cared for 2,500 patients, 300 more than
in 2011, representing a 14 per cent increase
in the nursing workload.
Fortunate position
Chief Executive Steve Auty said: “At a time
when the NHS has to make deep cuts in its
services, Pilgrims is in the fortunate position
of being able to reverse that trend. Of course,
employing extra staff comes at a price.
“The communities of east Kent are
already very generous to the charity every
year to help meet our costs and we are
always thankful for their support.”
It costs £20 an hour to cover all the
costs of ensuring a nurse can provide care
“You feel cherished by the nurses
here - it’s like a big happy family
which is welcoming and very
supportive.” Sheila, Lyminge
where it’s needed – on the ward, in the day
hospice, in a patient’s own home, or at a
community outreach group.
Individuals and businesses can pay for
one hour, one day, one week or even one
month by making either a one-off donation
or setting up a standing order to make
regular contributions.
In the centre of this issue of Pilgrims
Matters is the campaign leaflet which tells
you about the scheme and how you can
help. Pull it out and keep it separately from
the magazine. If you are eligible, please be
sure to sign the Gift Aid declaration as
Pilgrims can claim back an extra 25p for
every pound you give.
Turn to the centre
section of this magazine
to pull out the
campaign leaflet
where they are needed most and where they
most want to be – at the bedside, or caring for
patients in their own homes and care homes.”
When a patient is referred to Pilgrims
Hospices, our nurses take the time to listen
and talk with them to find out what worries
them most. Our nurses recognise every
patient is unique and aim to ensure they
have the best possible quality of life, free
from pain and anxiety.
Paula adds: “By sponsoring a nurse you
will help ensure that the precious time a
patient has left is as peaceful, comfortable
and dignified as possible.”
Pilgrims Hospices Director of Nursing
Paula Evans said: “Our patients and families
tell us they most value our nurses for the
expert care and compassion they give. We
want to be able to continue to give every
patient individualised care tailored to meet
their needs and wishes.
“We have so many more people to look
after, it is only right we do our utmost to
ensure the amount of direct patient to nurse
contact time remains high, particularly from
professional, well trained nurses.
“We want to make sure our nurses are
9
> Contractors had been
hard at work since
October to turn the
standalone building into
a modern conference
centre.
Ann Robertson Centre
brings ‘excellence
in learning’
P
ilgrims Hospices new conference,
education and training centre
opened in the heart of Canterbury
in January.
The Ann Robertson Centre in London
Road, has been named in honour of the
charity’s founder.
Unveiling a plaque in front of invited
guests with Chairman Dr Richard Morey,
Ann said: “Education has always been a
key part of our work. It’s fantastic we now
have this designated facility and income
generator for future projects.”
Ann praised Pilgrims trustees and
management for their ‘vision and
boldness’ in purchasing the building
to ensure Pilgrims can maintain its
10
reputation for being at the cutting edge of
palliative care.
Richard Morey added: “In just four
months, we have built this wonderful
education centre. It is going to play a very
important part in Pilgrims Hospices future
as we adapt to cater for the 14% increase in
workload we experienced in 2012.”
Purchasing Oldroyd House enables
Pilgrims to complete its footprint in this
location and gives several options, both
in the long term and short term, for
expansion.
“It is very important too in terms of
increased income generation and this
centre is open for hire at reasonable rates
to lots of people in the community.”
Pilgrims Hospices bought Oldroyd House,
which adjoins the hospice, in early 2012
and has created the Ann Robertson Centre
in the front part of the building. Profits
from hiring out its conference rooms will be
ploughed back towards meeting the costs of
providing free patient care from the charity’s
three hospices.
A range of facilities
The centre can be hired by anybody for
a full range of events, product launches,
awaydays and staff training. It has been
set up to lend professionalism to business
events, ensuring conferences and formal
meetings create the right impression for
the centre’s clients.
Pilgrims is also offering its own
bespoke range of training workshops at
the centre to allow the wider healthcare
community to improve skills and
knowledge in end of life care and related
subjects.
Among the facilities there are three
good size training rooms, aptly named the
Geoffrey Chaucer, the Charles Dickens
and the William Harvey. These famous
historical figures link the three hospice
locations. There is also a clinical room for
hands on training.
For information on hirin
g rooms
call 01227 812616 or em
ail
info@annrobertsoncentre
.org
11
‘My Wishes’
register offers
more patient
choice
Increasing numbers of GP surgeries
in east Kent have joined a Pilgrims
Hospices led scheme which enables
patients to set out how they want to be
cared for near the end of their lives.
The My Wishes register is an important
secure record of how patients wish to
be cared for as they approach the end
of their life. It ensures people caring for
them know what they want.
It records the type of care patients would
like to receive, cultural or religious choices,
whether or
‘The register
not a person
has made any
records how
notice of a
patients wish to legal refusal of
treatment and
be cared for’
appointment
of a lasting power of attorney for personal
welfare and preferences of where an
individual has chosen to die.
Joining up care
The My Wishes register is used by
health and social care professionals
involved in patients’ care and in the
months ahead will also be able to
be accessed not only by doctors and
hospice staff but district and community
nurses, ambulance staff and social
services.
12
The register is already used by GP
surgeries in the Canterbury and Thanet
areas, with south Kent and Ashford
surgeries due to come on stream during
the next three months.
Regional improvement
My Wishes is the latest part of a two
year project, Project Invicta, which
aims to improve the way end of life
care patients are looked after by the
NHS and Pilgrims Hospices. Now at
the halfway point, Project Invicta has
already seen the successful introduction
of a 24 hour care navigation centre.
Based at Ashford, this is available to
hospice patients and patients on the My
Wishes register round the clock.
Another part of the project has been
the introduction of a new drug chart for
use by professionals in patients’ homes,
setting out their medication needs.
Project Invicta is also looking at how
to improve availability, and a more
timely supply, of prescribed drugs from
specialist pharmacists in east Kent.
Mavis Williams, project manager, said:
“The My Wishes register and the Care
Navigation Centre have been major
milestones in our first 12 months and
we look forward to making further
improvements for Pilgrims patients
during the project’s remaining time.”
Five minutes with . . . Canterbury Associate Practitioner Kathleen Griffin
A
s an Associate Practitioner
the community to see patients
in palliative care I work
personally. Often you can
to support professional
learn more about their
registered nurses.
needs when you meet
I am studying for a
them and observe.
palliative care foundation
People still think
degree which covers
hospices are only for
clinical skills, counselling,
cancer patients, but they
assessment, care planning
are for anyone with a lifeand a knowledge of ethical
limiting incurable illness.
frameworks.
People often come here
The hospice team is truly
over the course of several
multidisciplinary, that’s where
years, dropping in and out when
its excellence lies and why it’s Associate Practitioner care is needed. In my role I do
so highly thought of. There’s Kathleen Griffin.
have the luxury of time to listen
also nothing like the personal touch
to what patients are saying. I think that
and I help nurses by going out into
makes all the difference, to be heard.”
Research highlights Hospice At Home success
A Pilgrims Hospices service enabling
patients to have ‘hospice’ care in their
own homes has proved successful,
according to new research.
Many of the hospices’ patients prefer to
spend their last days at home and Pilgrims
Hospice At Home service was created
three years ago to offer that choice. The
Department of Health funded research
shows it has enabled more patients to die
at home.
Dr Claire Butler, Pilgrims medical
director and consultant in palliative
medicine, said: “The service was set up
in late 2009 and it has become deeply
appreciated by many.
“The research included interviewing
bereaved families and carers about their
experiences of the death of their loved
ones and they have given some powerful
insights into the things that are really
important at this time.
“Hospice At Home usually responds
to a patient within four hours, 24 hours
a day and also provides short term crisis
support for those who prefer not to go
into hospital.”
The research has shown that the
overall cost of caring for someone was
not increased by Hospice At Home but
enabled savings in other areas such
as hospital care and GP out of hours
services.
Informal feedback
Adds Claire: “Hospice At Home has
received a great deal of informal
feedback from colleagues and families
appreciative of the support they have
received from the team. For colleagues
in the hospices, the service offers
another important option for providing
care to our patients. Team members are
committed, flexible and hard working
and have been a great addition to
Pilgrims.”
Patients, carers and professionals can call the Pilgrims
Hospices Care Navigation Centre 24/7 on 01233 504133
13
New charity partner
with Stagecoach
Sponsor A Nurse
‘And that’s me!’ Hospice at Home nurse Emily
Flatt sees her image on the bus for the first time.
P
ilgrims Hospices is set to benefit
from a new partnership with bus
company Stagecoach East Kent after
being named as its charity of the year.
The partnership was announced in
early March with the unveiling of a
specially liveried Pilgrims Hospices bus
at Westwood Cross shopping centre
near Broadstairs.
The bus is already in service on the
Thanet Loop route but is expected to
move to other parts of east Kent later
in the year.
All aboard!
Pilgrims bus ta
Speaking at the launch, Steve Auty,
Pilgrims Chief Executive, said: “I’m sure
the eye-catching livery of the bus will bring
invaluable publicity for the hospices. I’m
delighted Stagecoach has chosen to support
us and we look forward to seeing its staff
taking part in our fundraising events.”
Strong reminder
“The bus will act as a strong reminder
to people that their help can make so
much difference to hospice patients by
sponsoring our hard-working, caring and
compassionate nurses.”
Steve added it was appropriate the bus
prominently features photos of Pilgrims nurses.
He said: “Eighty five per cent of our staff
are nurses and today we are here not only
to launch this bus but also the Sponsor
A Nurse campaign. We couldn’t provide
the excellent services we do without our
nursing team.”
Paul Southgate, Managing Director of
12
How you can get involved
What is Sponsor A Nurse?
By sponsoring a Pilgrims nurse you are
helping to ease pain, offer comfort, provide
reassurance to patients and their families,
and help someone live their life to the full in
the time they have left.
More than ever, Pilgrims Hospices needs
your help. In 2012, the charity cared for
2,500 patients – 300 more than during the
year before, an increase of 14 per cent.
“The nurses at the hospice are
so caring. Nothing is too much
trouble for them and they really
looked after my mother when
she was there.”
To ensure that high levels of bedside care
can be maintained, Pilgrims Hospices is
recruiting more nurses – but that comes at a
price of course.
Now, you, or your business, can help meet
our costs by sponsoring our nurses – it could
be for one hour, one day, one week or even
one month – it’s really up to you. You could
make a one-off donation or choose to pay
regular amounts using the payment and Gift
Aid forms opposite and overleaf.
Did you know?
It costs £20 an hour to cover all the costs of
ensuring a nurse can provide care where it’s
needed – on the ward, in the day hospice,
in a patient’s own home, or at a community
outreach group.
To keep delivering care to those who need
it most, Pilgrims has to raise more than £10
million each year. Much of that comes from
the communities served by the hospices in
Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford.
I would like to give to Sponsor A Nurse
at Pilgrims Hospices
Please return the completed form to: Pilgrims Hospices, Accounts Department, 56
London Road, Canterbury CT2 8JA. By signing the form I confirm that I have read
and accepted the terms and conditions below.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A SINGLE PAYMENT OF
3 hours £60
Canterbury
one day £150
Thanet
Ashford
1 hour £20
one week £750
2 hrs £40
other
Hospice at Home
I enclose a cheque payment of £......................(payable to Pilgrims Hospices)
Please debit my credit/debit card (we accept Maestro, Visa and Mastercard)
Card number
Security code
valid from
expiry date
and issue no
Signature........................................................................................date.......................
Name............................................................................................................................
Address.........................................................................................................................
......................................................................................postcode.................................
email...........................................................tel no (inc area code).................................
If you have any questions please email [email protected] or phone her on 01843 233934.
GIFT AID Thanks to the Gift Aid scheme you can give an extra 25p per pound. I confirm I have paid
or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for the current tax year (6 April to 5
April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities and Community Amateur Sports
Clubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for the current tax year. I understand that other taxes such as
VAT and council tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I have given.
Signature ............................................................................................................................date ...............................
Data protection information – Pilgrims Hospices is registered under the Data Protection Act. Your name and address will not be
disclosed to any other organisation but we may, from time to time, send you news about Pilgrims Hospices and information about
events. If you would prefer not to receive information please tick the box
About Pilgrims Hospices
Pilgrims Hospices has been caring for the people of east Kent for more than 30
years having opened its first hospice in Canterbury in 1982. Its two other locations
were opened at Thanet in 1992 and at Ashford in 2001.
The charity provides palliative care for adults with a range of life-limiting illnesses
including cancer, heart failure, respiratory conditions and neurological diseases. Care
is provided from the three sites, in patients’ homes and via community programmes.
Care is also extended to families and carers.
ship
I would like to make a regular donation
Canterbury
Thanet
£10 per month
OR..... £
Ashford
Hospice at Home
£20 per month
per month £30 per month
starting on /
/
Nurses
inspect the
bus.
Please return the completed form to: Pilgrims Hospices, Accounts Department, 56 London
Road, Canterbury CT2 8JA. By signing the form I confirm that I have read and accepted the
terms and conditions below.
I would like to pay by standing order from my bank account
Bank name......................................address............................................ .........
.......................................................................postcode....................................
Account holder(s)..............................................................................................
sort code Account number
Please pay the amount detailed above and thereafter the same sum on the same day of
each succeeding month until further notice to the account of Pilgrims Hospices in East
Kent, NatWest account number 81015798 sort code 60-04-27
kes to the road
Stagecoach MD Paul Southgate, left, and Pilgrims
Chief Executive Steve Auty cut a tape in the bus
doorway. Mascot Raffles looks on!
Signature........................................................................................date.......................
Name............................................................................................................................
Address.........................................................................................................................
......................................................................................postcode.................................
email...........................................................tel no (inc area code).................................
If you have any questions please email [email protected] or phone her on 01843 233934.
Pilgrims
staff and
supporters
helped to
ensure the
bus was
launched in
fine style.
GIFT AID Thanks to the Gift Aid scheme you can give an extra 25p per pound. I confirm I have paid
or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for the current tax year (6 April to 5
April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities and Community Amateur Sports
Clubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for the current tax year. I understand that other taxes such as
VAT and council tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I have given.
Signature ............................................................................................................................date .....................................
Data protection information – Pilgrims Hospices is registered under the Data Protection Act. Your name and address will not be
disclosed to any other organisation but we may, from time to time, send you news about Pilgrims Hospices and information about
events. If you would prefer not to receive information please tick the box
56 London Road, Canterbury
Kent CT2 8JA
Hythe Road, Willesborough
Ashford, Kent TN24 0NE
Ramsgate Road, Margate
Kent CT9 4AD
t 01227 459700/812612
f 01227 812606
t 01233 504100
f 01233 504132
t 01843 233920
f 01843 233931
www.pilgrimshospices.org e [email protected] Registered charity no 293968 and as a company in England no 2000560.
PM
April 2013
Stagecoach East Kent said: “We believe
supporting our local community is
extremely important. Our own staff put a
great deal of effort into supporting local
charities and good causes.
“Pilgrims has three hospices in areas
where we have local depots. The lives
of many of our employees and their
families have already been touched by
the important work the charity does.
“Although we are supporting Pilgrims
Hospices as a charity, the partnership will
in fact be very personal to a lot of our
staff.”
15
Five minutes with... fundraiser Ella Brocklebank
T
hirteen challenges, including two
marathons, two cycle challenges
and a 75 mile running and cycling
event, in just 12 months: that’s the
programme Ella Brocklebank has set
herself to raise more than £3,000 for
Pilgrims Hospices.
Ella, 31, from Chartham, has been
fundraising through sport challenges
for Pilgrims Hospices for the past two
years. Her involvement took on a new
significance last year though when
her father became ill with cancer.
“Suddenly Pilgrims became
a personal charity for me,” she
explains. “They cared for my Dad so
well when he was ill and my family
was looked after with the same
level of care, nothing was too much
trouble. I want to make sure other
people have that available to them
too.”
75 mile Cycle
Challenge,
the London
Marathon and
the Edinburgh
Marathon where
she will run
alongside her
husband Ben
Trott.
With her
five year old
daughter Gracie
to look after and
a full time job,
training will be
demanding but
Ella is confident.
“Pilgrims cared
for my Dad so
well when he
was ill”
“I’ve got to stay fit and injury free
but when people have sponsored
you that motivates you while the
crowd keeps you going on the day.”
Ella set up a fundraising page for
Pilgrims when her Dad died, asking
for donations instead of flowers.
More than £800 was raised in his
memory. Then the charity offered her
one of their five gold bond London
Marathon places and she jumped at
the chance; and that is just the start.
“2012 was a difficult year, I’ve
decided 2013 has to be a bit luckier,
so I’m playing on the number and
taking on 13 challenges for Pilgrims
Hospices.”
Ella has running and cycling events
almost every month including the
Light up the City 5k, the Tri Hospice
16
> In all we have 16 supporters running
for Pilgrims Hospices in the 2013 London,
Brighton and Edinburgh marathons. Visit
our website for regular updates.
T
Team Pilgrims gets set for
London Marathon
he group of keen runners taking part in April’s London Marathon to raise money
for Pilgrims Hospices is getting into shape as the big event beckons.
Lucinda is a student at the University
Jayne Dunsbee, Lucinda Cavalier, Ella
Brocklebank and her husband Ben Trott – he of Kent studying Human Resources and
will instead be running Edinburgh Marathon was inspired to run for Pilgrims after her
grandfather was cared for by the charity.
in May for Pilgrims – met to show off their
She said: “I didn’t know very much about
Team Pilgrims vests and enjoy a gentle, but
Pilgrims until then. I signed up for the Light
slightly chilly, workout. Nigel Ross-Hunt and
Tom Langlands are the other members of the Up The City event last year and I’m hoping
that by running in the marathon I’ll be
team who successfully applied for bonded
able to help younger people have a better
places in the London event.
idea of what Pilgrims does. That’s already
Jayne, from Ash near Sandwich, is a
happening as I ask university friends to
long standing fundraiser and volunteer
sponsor me.
with Pilgrims providing complementary
“London will be the first marathon I’ve
therapies at the hospice in Canterbury and
ever run and I’m super-excited.”
at the outreach group in Dover. She has set
herself a target of raising £2,000 from the
marathon and is more than halfway there.
Sponsor Team Pilgrims at:
Jayne said: “I’m not aiming for a specific
finish time, I just want to complete it and
www.justgiving.com/
enjoy every minute of it. I might even don
fancy dress for the event to raise more money
teams/Come-On-Pilgrims
– I’m open to ideas from people!”
17
Tivoli Brooks promises
shopping and culture
P
ilgrims Hospices opened its latest
retail venture on the outskirts of
Margate town centre in February at
Tivoli Brooks (adjacent to Howdens
and Jewsons). The store is open from
10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday.
Situated in a former soft drinks
factory it is being remodelled to become
a treasure trove of pre-loved furniture,
carpets, fashion items, sporting goods
and books.
One of 11 specialist shops run by
Pilgrims Hospices, the size of the store
enables larger items to be displayed at
their best – something which cannot
always be achieved in the charity’s
smaller shops.
Heather Sawney, Head of Retail,
explained: “Tivoli Brooks offers us a
different opportunity to share items
with the local community which have
previously been hidden away from
public view. Tivoli Brooks has been fully
stocked with a wide offer and items are
being added daily.
“The fabulous scale of this site and
the quirky layout means we can really
be creative. In the coming months we’ll
be holding community events with live
music and local food.”
Gift Aid your goods
The popular scheme is coming to
Pilgrims Hospices shops this year.
The scheme allows charities to claim
back the tax on purchases at 25%, so
for every £10 raised they claim £2.50.
Head of Retail, Heather Sawney,
said: “This adds up quickly. If 50%
of all of our furniture items were
Gift Aided, this would raise another
£62,500 for Pilgrims per year.
“That’s a significant amount to put
towards the free services we offer to
patients with life limiting illness.”
Bargain hunters flock to new
look Canterbury store
C
anterbury’s discerning bargain
hunters lost little time to visit
the new look Pilgrims Hospices store
in St Dunstan’s when it reopened in
February.
A queue of people were waiting for
their first glimpse of the interior, which
in the previous three weeks had been
given a complete makeover.
Officially opening the shop, Anthony
Pratt, Director of nearby Canterbury
Auction Galleries, said: “It’s a splendid
achievement, which wouldn’t be
possible without the support of the
people of east Kent whose donations
come in thick and fast.”
For more than 30 years, the store has
been housed in a half-timbered Tudor
building in one of the oldest parts of
Canterbury. It’s the first refurb in years.
Above: The Tudor
frontage of the
new look store at
St Dunstan’s.
Staff and volunteers have reorganised
the stock in new bespoke display
units so shoppers can choose from a
huge range of quality pre-loved items
including vintage men’s and women’s
clothes, vinyl records, fabrics, toys and a
stunning 35 metres of shelved books.
Among the first customers was Susan
Pritchard, from Herne Bay. She said:
“It was very inviting when we looked
in and now we’re inside it’s great. I am
already enjoying browsing!”
Leading the project was Pilgrims Head of
Retail, Heather Sawney: “Customers who
like to rummage will discover unexpected
treasures, and, for those who are tighter for
time, we have introduced more structure
to our displays. Overall, people can expect
good value, quality items.”
19
Join now
Spend just £1 a
week to be in with
a chance of winning
our guaranteed weekly
first prize of £2,000
and also a chance of
winning up to £20,000
with our rollover,
while supporting a
great local cause.
‘With Pilgrims you know
you’re really helping’
M
r Jide Osikoya has supported
Pilgrims Hospices Lottery since
its launch. Though his numbers have
come up before, he says it’s not about
the prizes but about supporting a
local charity close to his heart.
With his wife Jean, Jide has lived in
east Kent for many years and started
supporting the hospice when it first
opened in 1982.
In the early 1990s, his friend’s father
was looked after by the hospice and
following that the wife of a good friend
was there in her last days.
“Since she died,” he explains,
“Instead of buying Christmas presents
we have been donating money to the
hospice through the Trees of Love
scheme and supporting all kinds of
20
Above: Look out for Pilgrims Lottery’s cute smart car ‘Lotty’ and
the lottery team at our events throughout the year.
Opposite: Jean and Jide Osikoya have supported Pilgrims Hospices
Lottery since it began.
other schemes from the charity shops to
the fundraising events.”
He decided to start playing the
Pilgrims Hospices Lottery when it was
launched: “I have two numbers which I
pay for each week and I also played the
recent Christmas raffle.
“It’s not about the winning for me,
it’s just a fun way of supporting. My
numbers have come up before but
I really wasn’t expecting it, that was
incidental and I am very grateful!”
Pilgrims Hospices Lottery was
originally started by a group of people
from the east Kent community and
there is now a £2,000 first prize to be
won every week.
Did you know?
Pilgrims Hospices
Lottery contributes
in excess of £500,000
each year to help
fund palliative care
for local people
coping with incurable
illnesses.
“It’s not about winning, it’s
just a fun way of supporting.”
“It’s a really good job that the hospice
does. I have been there many times
for open days, carol singing and other
events and seen the work they do. The
reassurance it gives to patients and
families is just incredible.”
Jide prefers supporting Pilgrims to
playing the National Lottery. “With the
national scheme, sometimes the money
goes to good causes but you don’t see
the results. With Pilgrims I know I
am really helping, I would definitely
encourage others to play.”
Call 01227 379741 or visit www.pilgrimshospices.org for information. Look out
for your summer raffle pack arriving on your doorstep soon too!
21
Simon
says:
‘music
matters’
If you can’t get to day hospice, we run outreach
sessions in Deal, Dover and Herne Bay!
One of the newest activities at Canterbury day hospice
are music sessions led by local musician, Simon Lee
P
atients drift into the
day room chatting
while Simon sets out
maracas, egg shakers, an
acoustic guitar and someone
has brought in a ukulele.
Simon picks out a few chords
on his guitar, “We’ll start
with something gentle.”
Simon is a community
musician so as well as playing
gigs across Kent he visits a
range of groups from schools
to social care homes and
rehab centres. He piloted
sessions at the hospice in
2012 and the feedback was
so good he’s returned.
‘Don’t worry be happy’
kicks off today’s session,
patients tap their feet
and play along. They joke
throughout the song until
“let’s finish in three – three
two one”, the sound stops,
everyone laughs.
How do classes work?
There’s no formal teaching,
I give guidance on joining in
with parts of the rhythm but
22
mainly it’s about interaction
and making music accessible.
We usually use small
drums, hand percussion
and sometimes use larger
instruments like African and
Latin drums. Generally I sing
and lead with my guitar.
We cover all types of music,
everything from pop and rock
to show tunes, world music
and folk, whatever people feel
like on the day.
What’s the benefit?
In the vernacular we say
music puts a vibe in a room,
gently bringing you into
the moment. Hopefully
that’s relaxing for people.
The group can choose the
songs, which often bring
back pleasant memories for
them. It’s a great chance for
patients to socialise too.
I’m not a musician, can I
still come?
If people are musicians they
can come with an instrument,
but if you’ve never played
before it’s really not a problem.
No one is asked to get up and
sing something.
One patient said to me ‘I
can’t come and play music, I’ve
got no rhythm and I’m tone
deaf’. I suggested why not
just come along and sit in. He
started venturing into music at
his own pace and enjoyed it so
much he’s a regular now.
Patients, their families and carers may not
always find it easy to travel to day hospice
sessions at the three sites so Pilgrims
arranges weekly outreach group meetings
in Deal, Dover and Herne Bay.
A fourth is planned to begin at
Brenzett, Ashford, in the spring.
Pilgrims Thanet team
provides the service for
patients and carers on
Friday mornings at the Deal
Centre, in the town’s Park
Street, where complementary
therapy, exercise and creative
activities are offered. It also runs
weekly counselling sessions,
complementary therapy and
palliative specialist nurse clinics
from the Golf Road Centre.
Additionally, patients can see a consultant
at the team’s weekly medical clinic in
Balmoral surgery. The Thanet team also runs
monthly patient and family support group
sessions from the Dealability Centre.
Dover outreach, run by Pilgrims
Canterbury team, meets every Friday
morning at the Phoenix Railway Club in
Crabble Hill. Again complementary therapy,
exercise and creative activities
are offered. The team has
also recently started a group
for Herne Bay and nearby
areas, meeting at St Andrew’s
Church Hall in Pier Avenue, on
Monday mornings.
• If you would like to find
out more, please call our
community coordinators.
Mary Sackett, for Deal
and Sandwich, can be
contacted on 01843 233924,
email mary.sackett@
pilgrimshospices.org or
Maureen Griffin, for Dover and Herne Bay,
on 01227 459700, email maureen.griffin@
pilgrimshospices.org. You can also visit the
patient care section of our website
www.pilgrimshospices.org.
What has the response
been like?
Really good, patients say
they look forward to sessions
as a sociable and relaxing
time in the week. Some
come regularly and bring
friends and relatives.
We have an open door
policy, I want people to feel
they can join in at any stage
and be welcome.
• Music therapy sessions
are also held at our hospice
in Thanet. To join a session
there, please call Mary
Sackett on 01843 233924
or email mary.sackett@
pilgrimshospices.org
23
Community
groups fuel
fundraising
“There are so many
friendly people, it
makes for a happy
gathering.”
raising groups
Pilgrims has fund
shford, Thanet,
in Folkestone, A
garet’s &
Sandwich, St Mar
Tenterden.
dates at:
Find out meeting
pices.org
www.pilgrimshos
24
F
olkestone is the longest running
of Pilgrims Hospices community
fundraising groups.
Active for more than 35 years and
raising more than £195,000 in the
last decade, it has a growing swell of
supporters. The regular raffle and
homemade cakes are an obvious draw but
surely there’s more to this than a slice or
two of sumptuous lemon drizzle?
The group was originally formed
by Christine Pledger and husband
Charles. Christine continued running
the fundraising group until 10 years ago
when Doreen Ashdown took over.
“The coffee mornings started very
small,” Doreen explains. “We just said,
why don’t some of the volunteers get
together and have coffee now and again?
The first one raised £35 but today we
raise more than £200 each month.”
The events are well supported by local
people, including the town’s mayors who
attend regularly.
Shared achievements
Cllr Rodica Wheeler, Town Mayor of
Folkestone comes as often as possible.
She said: “I know people who have had
family cared for by Pilgrims Hospices and
they’ve had nothing but praise.
“It’s important we all try to help each
other so I try to do my own bit supporting
local charities like Pilgrims.”
Another regular face is craftsman Ron
Taber who, for several years, has made
rocking horses as raffle prizes to raise
money for Pilgrims. In just the past year,
he’s been out in all weathers selling raffle
tickets at total of 18 different sites from
supermarkets to town centres in the
run up to Christmas. In total over the
past year Ron has raised a staggering
£3,300 for Pilgrims Hospices from
his rocking horses and other wooden
items he makes; this will continue in
2013.
“It’s great to do something useful for
the hospice,” he explained. “It is always
good to see the joy my horses bring,
and it keeps me busy.”
Friendly faces
Many members who come have lost
someone at the hospice and it’s clear
the group offers much more than the
money raised.
Volunteer Barbara Hillier said:
“My husband attended the hospice
at Ashford, as he had Parkinsons. It
was a great relief to him to get that
support; the staff were so caring. Since
he passed away it helps just to come
here and chat. There are so many
friendly people; it makes for a happy
gathering.”
This coming year looks set to be
another successful year for the group,
with fundraisers including a fashion
show in May, but Doreen said the
success can’t be explained: “There’s no
secret ingredient – it just works.”
Folkestone Fundraising Group
meets monthly at Holy Trinity
Church Hall, Sandgate Road,
Folkestone. Call 01303 251980
for information.
Volunteer profile
Dave King from Folkestone is a volunteer
driver for Pilgrims Hospice Ashford. After two
years he finds it more satisfying than ever.
“
I bring people to the hospice who
can’t drive themselves. You still find
those who think a hospice is somewhere
people only go to die, which of course is
not the case.
“Once you’re past that barrier, any fear
breaks down and people begin to open up
to you. That’s when you can really help. I
drive people from all walks of life, but they
all seem a lot happier once they have been
coming to the hospice a little while.
“I can’t sum up what it means to
me to volunteer here. It’s the personal
satisfaction and what I can do for people.
We are backed up by a great team too;
there’s no negativity, it’s all positive from
management to volunteers.
“Of course it is always hard when
we lose a patient but your lifetime
experiences help.
“I was a police officer for a number
of years and I’ve also had personal
tragedy as I lost one of my children at
a young age. So the university of life
has prepared me, that’s not to say I
don’t care but I can get on with the job.
Sometimes people say, ‘I couldn’t do
that’; well why not?”
To volunteer visit www.pilgrimshospices.org
25
Step out and have ‘funsie’ in your onesie!
If you go down to the woods...
That’s the challenge from Ashford
fundraisers as they prepare to make
this year the biggest ever Pyjama Walk
around the town on the evening of
Saturday 29 June.
The 10km walk aims to beat last
year’s great event of 1,000 walkers
who raised over £50,000.
Walkers will be following a
new route ensuring a fun-filled
Kent Guides will have the chance to
learn woodland skills, thanks to a new
Pilgrims Hospices youth scheme.
Qualified Forest School Practitioners
from EarthCraftuk, Natural Pathways,
Kent Wildlife Trust and Junior Kings
Canterbury are coming together to
provide a free enriching woodland day
for 80 Kent Guides.
Here’s news of two great summer
fundraising events for you to enjoy
Make it a
starry, starry
night to
remember
The Pilgrims Starlight Stroll
is coming to Broadstairs on
Friday 2 August. All adults are
welcome, along with children
over nine years old, accompanied
by a responsible guardian.
Join us for an evening of
fun with a great band, a party
atmosphere and a walk at your
own pace.
The fun starts at 7.30pm with
reggae and blues band ‘Beggars
Belief’. The walk then starts at
10pm and is an 8km coastal
route to Ramsgate along the
seafront and back.
26
The event takes place on Sunday 16
June, courtesy of Fowlmead Country
Park, at Sholden near Deal, to raise
money for Pilgrims Hospices.
The Guides will learn about making
string from nettles, methods of fire
lighting, making woodland jewellery
and den building.
• www.pilgrimshospices.org
“Get creative with cake for
Pilgrims,” says Paul Hollywood
Paul Hollywood with Pilgrims Hospice
Canterbury manager Stephen Weller.
evening from start to finish. Musical
entertainment includes the very
popular local choir, Ashford Sings!
And you can round the night off with
a fabulous foot massage.
There is a new start time of 10pm
this year so people can be home and
in bed by midnight.
The event registration costs £10 and
sponsorship is encouraged.
G
reat British Baker and
Kentish cook, Paul
Hollywood has once again
pledged to support Pilgrims
Hospices It’s A Piece Of Cake
campaign which this year will
take place between 22-26 April.
Local supporters are being
encouraged to ‘get creative with cake’ and
hold a range of events from cake sales and
bake offs to coffee mornings and tea parties in
aid of their local Pilgrims hospice.
Paul, said: “Pilgrims Hospices is an
amazing charity working in the
most difficult circumstances
on a daily basis. I really hope
that people will get behind
the Piece Of Cake campaign.”
He recommends the
fundraiser as a fun way to
raise money for a good cause,
while enjoying baking.
“You never know what’s around the
corner so do something worthwhile - bake
a cake for Pilgrims, raise some money and
bring a smile to someone’s face!”
27
Join in a Pilgrims
event 2013
• Best of Kent Garden Party
Date: Sun 21 April
Amanda Cottrell OBE
exclusively opens her garden,
with ‘plant surgery’ and Kent
produce for sale.
Venue: Laurenden Forstal,
Blind Lane, Challock TN25
4AU
Entry (includes cream tea):
£7.50 or £25 for four
• It’s a Piece of Cake
Date: Mon 22-Fri 26 April
Great British Baker Paul
Hollywood supports Pilgrims
campaign inviting local
supporters to organise cake
related fundraisers.
• Lunch at Paul’s Restaurant
Date: Wed 15 May
Three courses, coffee and a
glass of wine for £21, with
£7 donated to Pilgrims per
meal.
Venue: Paul’s Restaurant,
Folkestone
• It’s a Knockout
Date: Saturday 1 June
Venue: Minster Recreation
Ground
Entry: £25 for teams of 10
• Divas on Wheels!
Date: Sun 23 June, 9am
Ladies cycle challenge.
Offers 25 mile and 50 mile
circular routes through some
east Kent’s best scenery
Venue: Bike Tart, Elham
Valley nr Canterbury
Entry: £25 or early bird £20
before 19 June
• Garden Safari
Date: Sat 13 & Sun 14 July,
10am-5pm
Venue: Open gardens, St
Margaret’s village nr Dover
Entry: £5
• Summer Fair
Date: Sat 20 July
Venue: PH Thanet
Entry: Free
• Starlight Stroll
Date: Fri 2 August, doors
7.30pm, walk begins 10pm.
Venue: The Pavilion,
Broadstairs.
Entry: £15
• Summer Fair
Date: Sat 3 August
Venue: PH Ashford
Entry: Free
• Celebrity Golf Day
Date: Mon 9 September
Venue: Prince’s, Sandwich
Full day of golf in the
company of celebrities.
Shotgun start 11am.
Entry: £95 includes a two
course meal & bacon baps
Full details @ www.pilgrimshospices.org
• Bulb and Blossom Walk
Date: Sat 6 April
The Dean of Canterbury
Cathedral hosts a unique
opening of the Deanery
garden.
Venue: Canterbury Cathedral
gardens.
Entry: £5/£3.50 concessions
• Pyjama Walk
Date: Sat 29 June
Featuring a new route and
earlier start time of 10pm.
Venue: McArthur Glen
• Cycle Challenge
Designer Outlet, Ashford,
Date: Sun 5 May, 9am
Registration fee: £10, £5 for
Choose from three routes,
• Moonlight Walk
children (5-11 years)
a 75 mile, and two 45 mile
Date: Fri 13 September, 8pm
routes connecting our three
Venue: Kings Hall, Herne Bay
• Summer Fair
hospices.
Entry fee: £15
Entry: £30, or £25 early bird Date: Sat 29 June, 12-4pm
Venue: PH Canterbury
(online by 1 May)
• Light Up The City
Entry: Free
Date: Sat 26 October,
• Sandling Park Open
5:30pm onwards.
• Gourmet meal
Garden event
5k run or 3km stroll through
Date: Sun 12 May,10am-5pm Date: Fri 5 July
night time Canterbury.
Venue: Thanet College,
Location: Sandling Park,
Venue: Dane John Gardens,
Broadstairs
Sandling, Hythe
Canterbury
Entry: £35 for six courses
Entry: £4, children free
Entry: Starts from £4

@PilgrimsHospice
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