News Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw
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Happy 25th Anniversary
Eden Valley Hospice & Jigsaw
This year Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice marks its 25th anniversary. For two and a half decades the hospice has provided care, support and activities for adults and children with life limiting illnesses. None of this would have been possible without you.
The vision, generosity and determination of Cumbrian people, local businesses and organisations has helped shape the charity over the last 25 years. From Gill Melrose’s initial dream for a hospice in Carlisle to the thousands of fundraisers who support the hospice every year, the community
has been the driving force behind Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw. Since first accepting patients in 1991, the buildings and grounds at the hospice have developed alongside the changes in the care we provide. While a lot has changed one thing has remained the same: keeping patients and
donations, fundraising events, collection boxes and gifts in Wills. During 2016 we want to say THANK YOU to everybody who has supported Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw over the last 25 years. From fundraisers to hundreds of volunteers, you all help the hospice to provide our care, support and activities to adults and children with life limiting illnesses. The hospice has a variety of events taking place throughout the year to mark this fantastic milestone. From a colourful fundraising event at Carlisle Racecourse to a pompom world record attempt, we hope you can join our 25th anniversary their needs at the heart of celebrations. everything we do. It costs over £3million Keep reading this each year to provide our newspaper to find out services free of charge to more information about adults and children when they need the hospice the people and services the most. Only 28% is which make Eden received from the NHS, Valley Hospice and with the hospice’s amazing Jigsaw the beautiful supporters raising over place it is today. £2 million each year, through
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch for all of the latest 25th Anniversary updates...
Eden Valley Hospice
Jigsaw Hospice
@EVHospice
@JigsawHospice
Brought to you by Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice
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Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw NEWS
Welcome
I have just finished reading Gratitude by Oliver Sacks, the famous neurologist and author. He died last year of cancer and chose, in his last few months, to “bind the thoughts and feelings of a lifetime together” and share them with us in his moving book. He concludes: “It is up to me to choose how to live out the months that remain to me. I have to live in the richest, deepest, most productive way I can.” It struck me that this aspiration for a good life right up to one’s last days
is exactly what we try to achieve for people at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw. Palliative care is more than helping people to manage their pain and ill health. Although this is very important, it is also about people feeling their life has been worthwhile, having the love and support we all deserve and the individual attention to things that matter most to them. They also want to know their loved ones will be well supported too. It was for this purpose that local people started our hospice in 1991 and
with their continuing help over the intervening years we have been able to support thousands of people at their most vulnerable time. We have been able to expand our work: to provide care and accommodation for children with life limiting conditions and their families and very importantly their brothers and sisters. Many of these families tell us the only time they get a full night’s sleep is when their son or daughter stays over with us. We also provide a much loved day service and complimentary therapies for adults and their families, as well as a range of counselling, bereavement support,
spiritual and religious care and social work support - all tailored to each individual. Throughout 2016 we will be celebrating our 25th anniversary with our supporters; saying a huge “thank you” for helping us to help others and also, very importantly, to look forward. What more can we do to help the adults, children and their families in the future? How do we support other health and social care services and indeed the general public to be more knowledgeable and better prepared for palliative care? One thing for certain is that with an ageing population, the ever increasing complexity of end of life needs and
Spring 2016 the expected increases in children with life limiting conditions, our services will continue to play a vital role. A role we will only be able to continue with the support of local people and local communities, whether through funding, volunteering, spreading the word or joining the team. Together we can help our children and adults to live in the “richest, deepest, most productive way” they can.
Bill Mumford Chief Executive
© Articles Copyright of Cumbrian Newspapers
History of the hospice
1986 - Local woman, Gill Melrose, began the project of establishing a hospice in Carlisle by contacting 76 local GPs asking if they would use a palliative care service. Gill had 75 replies, unanimously agreeing a hospice facility was needed in the city. 1987 - The Carlisle & District Hospice Appeal was officially launched on April 1 by Sir Martyn Lewis, former BBC and ITV presenter, with the ambition of raising £1million to build a hospice in Carlisle.
1990 - The land formerly used as a brickworks site on Durdar Road was donated by Laing builders and hospice construction was soon underway. 1991 - In October Eden Valley Hospice was completed and the first patients were admitted into the adult day care unit. 1992 - The first inpatient, an 11 month old baby, was admitted to the hospice, which now included eight in-patient beds and could take up to 15 day care patients.
1993 - Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent officially opened Eden Valley Hospice 1994 - A further four beds were added to the adult in-patient unit following the Cumberland News ‘Buy a Brick Appeal’, completing the initial 12 bed plan. 1998 - Eden Valley Hospice opened its children’s hospice extension, providing day care for children in our community with life limiting illnesses.
2005 - The popularity of the children’s hospice highlighted the need for a fully functional children’s in-patient unit. In 2005, the Jigsaw Appeal was launched with the aim of raising £1million to construct a four bed facility on Durdar Road.
2011 - Funded by the Department of Health, the hospice completed an extension for the family support services, counselling and outpatient rooms. The extension was opened by Andrew Lansley, the then Secretary of State for Health.
2007 - The fantastic support of the local community helped the hospice to reach its £1,000,000 fundraising target and the Eden House Children’s Hospice officially opened in the November.
2014 - In January the children’s hospice announced two pieces of exciting news. It was renamed and rebranded from Eden House Children’s Hospice to Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice. Jigsaw was also picked as BBC Radio Cumbria’s first ever Charity of the Year.
Spring 2016
Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw NEWS
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“We were made to feel welcome” by Michelle Whitton
For 25 years people have been at the heart of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, as we have touched the lives of children and adults from throughout Cumbria. A few years ago former hospice Doctor, Mike Briggs, received a letter from Michelle Whitton, whose mother was cared for at Eden Valley Hospice. Here is an extract from the full letter, which can be found at edenvalleyhospice.org “The hospice staff took us from the coalface of daily care and gave us special moments together, the greatest gifts the Millennium could bring. Mum was very ill and growing weaker, but it didn’t matter because we were together and could just concentrate on being a unit. “We were made to feel welcome and told to treat the place as our home, from the eldest, down to the youngest, not forgetting the family boxer dog, Otto. We became overwhelmed by the love and the care from all involved. “Initially we wanted to stay, Mum still ruled the roost and we were sent home, being told that the whole point of her being at
the hospice was so that we could go away and sleep. “Remarkably, the whole environment of the hospice helped us work through our worst nightmares. We learned to stand back a little. We learned to feel safe. We learned to respect what Mum wanted and needed. We had come there to live. “All our family and relatives came to make their goodbyes. There were so many visitors I was afraid Mum was being crowded out. I knew she would have hated everyone sitting around the bed. Waiting. I managed to persuade them to retreat to the lounges. These were warm,
the hospice staff cared for us in a manner which I am privileged to have experienced but can never requite. Mum was always beautiful to us, but with Our parish their help she sustained even more radiance, both priests and the spiritually and physically. hospice staff By this time we had spent cared for us in five days at the hospice. We a manner I am were sleeping peacefully at night. We were loved and priviledged cared for, all of us, and we to have were together. We held no experienced fear. Mum had her privacy, “We learned to love dignity, was respected and Mum but to let go, and free from pain. soon I realised that if “That day a snow flurry she wanted to make any blew in the pink winter decisions about herself, sunshine. It seemed as if she needed to have the all the angels from Heaven space and time to do this. had come and descended on “Our parish priests and earth, creating a comforting
blanket of serenity. “Early the next morning my brother called me to say I should come quickly. While he was out of the room she made her exit, along with Dad. Always careful about her appearance, the nurses had just finished making her beautiful and so she had decided she was ready, before another day of bustling visitors began. “Along this road we were strengthened and supported by many people, to who we owe immeasurable gratitude. We cannot repay you. May you be blessed and remembered for your kindness, care, skills and vocations.”
Hospice to catch up with all of the staff who inform me about patients attending the service, patients who are unwell or experiencing problems, out-patients clinics and the activities planned for the day. I will try to return later in the day and chat to patients and volunteers. 12.30pm to 1pm: Lunch time – either a boring packed lunch or an option from the varied menu at the hospice. This is also a time to relax and catch up with members of staff from other departments. 1pm to 4pm: Meetings may be in the diary or time will be spent in the office. I often take another walk around the patient areas again to see how the day is progressing – I like to know what is going on! This also gives me an opportunity to talk to staff working the late shift. 5pm: I say goodbye to the staff in the offices next to me. Have a chat with the volunteer on reception and sign out. I visit the adult unit to check all is well with the patients and staff have no concerns. The journey home allows
time for reflection on the day’s events and helps me to switch off and start to think about home. 5.30pm: Arrive home to husband Keith and daughter Rebecca. Time to hear about their day and what they have been doing. Family time is very important to me, time to be a wife and a mum.
cheerful areas, bright with Christmas trees and fat with chocolates, where we laughed, cried, reminisced and were just together.
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Ref lection of a day at work by Gill Ward, Head of Care
As Head of Care my job is to make sure patients and families receive the highest standard of care at all times. I am responsible for ensuring care is delivered safely by staff who are appropriately skilled and deliver care with dignity and respect. Our specialist services are delivered by a multiprofessional team, including doctors, nurses, counsellors, social workers, chaplains and therapists. They have recognised training in palliative care, which is also their core speciality and passion. Our care and support also extends to relatives and carers. My working week is Monday to Friday although meetings, talks and events can happen at other times sometimes in the evening or at a weekend. 7.20am: Leave home in Gretna to travel to work. I am starting to think about
Gill Ward, Head of Care
the day ahead and what I hope to achieve. I also reflect on the previous day and try to remember any actions to carry forward or information to share. 7.50am: Arrive at work and go straight to my office. Say hello and chat to staff who are already in work such as housekeepers and catering staff. 8.10am: I start each day by visiting the 12 bedded adult in-patient unit. Some patients’ particular needs may be best supported by a short stay in the in-patient unit and may be admitted for symptom control, planned admissions and
end of life care. I talk with the nursing staff to get an update on patients and families we are caring for and share relevant information. We offer training placements for student nurses as our staff have a wealth of knowledge and skills to share and they are able to gain valuable experience by being part of the team delivering care and support to patients. I then visit Jigsaw for an update on the children who are staying in the unit, discuss any problems and find out about the admissions and discharges. 8.30am: I visit the Day
Our strength as an organisation comes from the fact that all parts of the hospice work together, such as administration, housekeeping, catering staff, volunteers, trustees and all those involved in caring for the patients and their families. The result is that the whole organisation brings an enthusiasm into the work of the hospice, motivated by the passion to support people at difficult times in their lives. We all share the sense of privilege and honour that comes from being involved in an organisation doing such important work. It inspires us, day after day, to look for new and innovative ways to make a difference to the wider community.
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Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw NEWS
Spring 2016
“It was an honour and a privilege” by Paul Cannon, Oakwood Merchandising
25 years of volunteering Hospices around the country are built on the foundations of volunteers supporting every aspect of their work and Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw are the same. From laying the bricks of the building to the first ever volunteers in the hospice itself, local people have generously donated their time and effort to help make Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw the place it is today. Myra Beck began volunteering in the Day Hospice in 1992, just six months after the hospice welcomed its first patients. Myra explains, “I saw the hospice articles in the paper and got in touch. The then Volunteers Coordinator, Ian Carruthers, and Matron, Margaret Dunne, interviewed me and I signed up as a driver and to help in the Day Hospice. “I would drive patients from home into the Day Hospice and then spend the day in the hospice before taking them back home at the end of the day. It was very different then, we would only have 4 or 5 patients at a time.” The Day Hospice provides care for up to 15 people a day, four days a week. Most days the sweet smell of freshly baked cakes fills the room as patients, nurses and volunteers exchange stories about what has happened since they last met. Fellow Day Hospice volunteer Jean Pharoah began volunteering at the hospice in October 2007
after a friend encouraged her to give it a go. Jean explained, “A friend of mine came to Day Hospice as a volunteer and encouraged me to come along and give it a try as they wanted me to show them how to make rag-rugs. After one session I was hooked and have loved coming ever since. “Being a volunteer is great as I have always loved helping people, but I know it also does me a lot of good. When I volunteer I like to help with the arts and crafts side of things. It’s a great way to start a conversation and a lot of patients will choose to open up and talk about what they are going through which is very special.” Myra added, “We once had a visitor and they said they couldn’t tell who the patients were and who the volunteers were; that’s what is special about it. The patients can get involved with the arts and crafts, visit the shop and go for walks around the grounds, all with the support of the volunteers and that’s lovely.” Over the last 24 years Myra has seen many changes to the hospice but some memories will stay with her forever. Myra continued, “I remember one Christmas there was a little girl that was coming, so they decided to make an artificial fireplace covered in Christmas decorations so Santa could come down through the chimney! It’s memories like that which stay with you.” Volunteering at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw can be flexible or
regular. It can provide you with the opportunity to share your knowledge and skills, or experience something completely new. Volunteering roles are not just based at the hospice; they are in the local community or from the comfort of your own home, through our retail shops and social media volunteers. The hospice is continually looking for people who can spare some time to support existing staff and volunteers, to continue to raise awareness of the work we do, to encourage new people to support us and to help us spread our message throughout Cumbria. Jean added “People perceive the hospice in a certain way and when anyone asks me I tell them it’s fantastic. I’ve so many stories I could tell of how the hospice has helped so many people. It’s a very special place.” Myra concluded, “I still think the hospice is offering people the same thing it was set out to do all those years ago. When people come the first time they are still very nervous about what to expect but by the end of their first day we always ask ‘Will you be visiting us again next week?’ and they always say ‘yes’. I love it.”
Throughout the year many local business and community groups donate their time to support the hospice by volunteering in a variety of different ways. From assisting in our charity shops to maintaining the gardens, the hospice’s corporate and community volunteering projects are a fantastic way to make a real difference. Last year Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw were fortunate to have a team of managers from Oakwood Merchandising who volunteered in the hospice grounds. During the morning the volunteers, who had travelled from Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England, created a new flowerbed and maintained the gardens at the hospice.
for my team to see the great work everyone at the hospice does. “It was a great opportunity for us to work as a team out of our normal working environments. I hope our visit will not be our last involvement with this really worthwhile charity.” Along with volunteering in the gardens, the representatives from Oakwood Merchandising donated a large selection of toys, games and electrical items to the children’s hospice. The donations have been used by the children and young adults at Jigsaw, and as prizes and Christmas presents for their brothers and sisters. Steve Golding, Voluntary Services Manager, said “Corporate and community volunteering projects like this are a fantastic way for groups
Oakwood Merchandising staff with Jigsaw nurses, children and young adults.
Paul Cannon, from Oakwood Merchandising, said “It was an honour and a privilege to assist the staff at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw. Steve made us more than welcome and it was great
For more information about volunteering opportunities at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, please contact Steve Golding, Voluntary Services Manager, on 01228 817658, visit edenvalleyhospice.org or email volunteer@edenvalleyhospice.org
and businesses to come into the hospice and make a difference. As well as being a great team building exercise, the projects enable us to work alongside other organisations and raise awareness about the hospice. “We always welcome people getting in touch and offer a variety of different activities you can do, such as helping in our charity shops, fundraising and helping in and around the hospice grounds.”
Spring 2016
Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw NEWS
Chaplain’s Jubilee Ref lection
5 Reiki therapy provided by Nicky Forbes
Pauline Steenbergen, Hospice Chaplain on behalf of the chaplaincy team
“Constantly Creative – Creative with Constants” It’s not just caring for patients and families we excel at in Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw. Staff and volunteers show considerable creative talent at innovating and developing the buildings, grounds and resources within our care. Here’s some examples of changes made to the physical space.
wide enough for patients’ beds to go on. It was inspiring to see patients outside in the garden on warmer days and the pleasure on many faces looking out of the windows.
In Day Hospice and in Jigsaw there are creative projects on the go and on display daily. Art, crafts, baking and music bring life, colour, energy and enjoyment to all of us.
The chapel within the reception has seen creative changes too. It has adapted to accommodate donations of a new music centre, a pew and pictures, peace pebbles and battery operated tea lights; as well as a tree sculpture which has been adorned with handmade fabric hearts created by Day Hospice patients. The re-developed Adult Patients and families have Unit Garden has been truly taken this sculpture much admired; lit up at to heart as the hospice night and with paths “Compassion Tree”.
As austerity continues to bite, it will be more important than ever to refresh, renew and adapt our physical space with imagination. But over the years we’ve already shown how well we do this! Therefore I look forward to working with you, our local community, in our Jubilee year to develop what we have and create what we’d like to have in the years ahead.
Building the Sandra Fisher Centre to house Counselling and Bereavement Support, Social Work and Chaplaincy plus two clinical rooms for outpatient clinics; one of those rooms is now used for Reiki Therapy. The Centre is also used for complimentary therapies during Health and Wellbeing Days for staff and volunteers. There is art work and soft furnishings that contribute to the calming, caring feel to the centre.
Reiki Therapy
In addition to the wide array of services and support offered to patients and their families at the hospice, a new form of complementary therapy is now available – Reiki. Reiki is a natural, gentle complementary therapy to aid relaxation, relieve stress, reduce anxiety and support your body’s own immune system. The new Reiki therapist, Nicky Forbes, works two days a week at the hospice offering this gentle therapy to patients, carers, relatives, staff and patient facing volunteers. Nicky’s position at the Hospice is fully funded by the Sam Buxton Trust. Nicky is an experienced Reiki Master Teacher, qualified since 2003, who also runs a private therapy and teaching practice in Keswick. She works closely with the medical staff as well as the Family Support Team working across all areas of the hospice. “I’m delighted to be a member of the committed and skilled team here at the hospice. I have been working with people of all ages for many years, and it is wonderful that I now have the opportunity to offer Reiki to the patients and carers in all areas. It is a real privilege to be able to offer support and relief whether that is to help someone who is struggling to sleep well, who may feel anxious or who is suffering with headaches or nausea. As Reiki works to relax your body and calm your mind, it can help in so many different ways”.
When you receive Reiki, you remain fully clothed and can be sitting in a chair, or lying on a couch or bed. At Jigsaw, Nicky has also given Reiki to young adults while they’ve been painting a picture, playing games or enjoying some relaxing music in the Smoothie Bar. The most important thing is that you are comfortable; Reiki can be given anytime, anywhere. By placing their hands on, or near your body,the Reiki energy flows through the therapist’s hands to help boost your own energy levels. Reiki’s gentle energy can be experienced safely by people of all ages, including babies, children, the frail and the elderly. Since starting at the hospice in May 2015, Nicky has provided over 400 Reiki sessions with many experiencing real benefits from the therapy. Most people experience a deep state of relaxation and calm after their session. Some people report a reduction in physical pain or symptoms, such as nausea, headaches or digestion problems. Reiki can also aid restful sleep and help boost your energy levels. As a recognised complementary therapy within the NHS and hospices, Reiki works well alongside conventional medicine as is seen here at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, with many medical and Family Support staff referring patients and carers to Nicky for a Reiki session.
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Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw NEWS
Help us achieve...
Spring 2016
This year we have put together an anniversary list of 25 things we would like to achieve over the next twelve months. We hope everybody can help to support one of the items, big or small.
Please take a look and let us know if you can help. 2,500 new friends on Facebook and Twitter 25 runners to complete the world’s biggest half marathon, the Great North Run, on Sunday 11 September 2016 25 businesses choose Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw as their Charity of the Year 25 business leaders to give 25 hours of volunteering time 25 school and nursery assembly visits to inspire the next generation of hospice supporters
“We feel very privileged to be fundraisers for Jigsaw” For over 25 years community fundraising has allowed Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw to grow, develop and continue our care for adults and children with life limiting illnesses. Along with raising invaluable funds for the charity, fundraisers play an important role in helping to raise awareness and represent the hospice within their local community. Since 2005 Barbara and Reg Brown have represented and raised funds for Jigsaw in south Cumbria. Their continued support has provided the hospice with a vital link to the many local communities in the south of the county. Barbara explains why they support the hospice: “It was 10 years ago when Reg and I were invited to help fundraise and raise awareness for the first and only children’s hospice in Cumbria, which was to be built alongside Eden Valley Hospice. “The launch was called the Jigsaw Appeal and we joined the merry band
of volunteers. We have always been aware of the need for this special place, not only for the children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions, but to bring much loving support to families also. “We launched ourselves into all sorts of fundraising and with the great help and support of our community (and further away). Everybody joined in with great ideas and encouragement. The whole of the county managed to raise over £1million very quickly and then we felt very proud belonging to such a great team of volunteers who were all working for the same aim. “The children’s hospice was built and named Eden House. There were many celebrations about this great achievement but still the fundraising and awareness raising needed to be carried on to keep the wonderful hospice going. In January 2014, the children’s hospice re-launched with a new name and new image, Jigsaw, which
led to a new outreach programme with BBC Radio Cumbria. “So once again we appealed for help and different organisations, big and small, as well as individual members of our community started fundraising and supporting with brilliant ideas. “Over the years we have had continued support from groups such as the Grange & District Lions, the Grange & District Youth Theatre, Mothers & Others, Milnthorpe Men’s Forum’s Annual Art Exhibition, local churches, Cartmel Choral Society, various W.I. groups, Mayor’s charities, local concerts and many, many individuals rallying for this cause. The list could go on but you all know who you are, who have helped in any which way and we are truly grateful to you all. “So in 2015 Reg and I decided to hold a Free Celebration Concert in the Victoria Hall, Grangeover-Sands with all local talent, including The Bay Community Singers and
Grange Youth Musicians, to say a huge thank you to everyone who had helped in many ways to support Jigsaw over the last ten years. “It was a huge success and again thanks to the great generosity of our community raised over £1,000, which we were not expecting.
“We feel very privileged to be fundraisers for Jigsaw in our area, as not only does it help to raise much need funds for the specialist services, but raises awareness that this wonderful place is there for the whole of our county.”
Barbara and Reg Brown
Spring 2016
Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw NEWS
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To view the hospice’s full birthday list please visit 25 people take part in our Make a Will Month in April
www.edenvalleyhospice.org
1,000 new lottery members (just £1 a week) 250 regular givers through our Sponsor a Nurse appeal, launching in 2016 2,000 fundraisers creating a kaleidoscope of colour at our Colour Run event at Carlisle Racecourse on Sunday 8 May Finally, we would like everybody in the county to help make over 7,500 Pompoms to help Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw break a World Record during our anniversary year.
250 donations of £25 250 bags of clothing donated to the hospice shops, with each bag worth £25
For more information to get involved with our Birthday Gift List please visit www.edenvalleyhospice.org, email care@edenvalleyhospice.org or call 01228 810801.
£100,000 to refurbish the 10 adult unit bathrooms
How we raise the money we need
received from the NHS, with hospice supporters raising over £2million each year, through fundraising events, hospice lottery, retail shops and gifts in Wills.
Here are just some of the ways the community to make the Eden Valley Hospice help and Jigsaw are always hospice’s care possible: amazed by the wonderful Hospice Events and generous ways Every year we host the local community make our care possible. a range of exciting From coffee mornings fundraising events. From to skydives and bad the bright and vibrant hair to bike rides, over Cumbria’s Colour Run the last 25 years local at Carlisle Racecourse people have helped to to our Light Up a Life raise tens of millions services, Tea Party and of pounds in aid of the Bad Hair Days we aim to have events suitable for hospice. Fundraising in aid everybody. of Eden Valley Hospice Supporter Events and Jigsaw began many From celebrations and years before the hospice first accepted patients in parties to half marathons October 1991. Between and gruelling, muddy 1988 and 1991 over endurance events, our supporters £900,000 was raised to amazing make a hospice in Carlisle organise and take part possible and since then in a wide variety of the local community have fundraising events in aid continued to do amazing of the hospice. things to fundraise. In Memory Giving When the hospice During the difficulty of first opened in 1991 its annual running costs losing someone special, were around £200,000, it may be comforting but as the services we to remember them and provide evolve and the celebrate their life by amount of people we care donating to charity in for increases so do our their memory. Making an in running costs. It currently costs over memoriam donation to £3million to provide our the hospice is a very services free of charge to important contribution adults and children with and one which can make life limiting illnesses. the world of difference to Approximately 28% is us.
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It currently costs over £3m to provide our services free of charge
Gifts in Wills On average, the care for one in five patients is funded by a kind gift left in a Will. Leaving a gift in your Will is a valuable way to support the work of the hospice and to make sure we are able to support patients and their families in the future.
Lottery Our weekly lottery costs just £1 to play and it offers you the opportunity to win one of 58 weekly prizes, including a top prize of £1,000 and a potential rollover of up to £10,000.
Did you know... There is a much better chance of winning the hospice lottery than the national lottery; it is cheaper too!
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and regular giving are important ways for people to support the hospice. By collecting your small change or making a weekly, monthly or Shops annual donation you can The hospice shops make a difference. in Carlisle, Brampton, Wigton and our online During the hospice’s th shop stock a wide 25 Anniversary our range of quality items, fundraising events are including collectables, hoping to take people back books, furniture and to the 1990s. From a ‘90s clothing. Not only do the themed Girls Night In to shops raise vital funds, a pompom world record they provide us with an attempt, the hospice is important presence in the encouraging people to dig communities we care for. out their 90’s mix tapes, and relive the 1990s to support hospice care. Donations Collection buckets, home money boxes
For more information about any of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw’s events during 2016 please visit www.edenvalleyhospice.org, call 01228 817613 or email fundraising@edenvalleyhospice.org
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Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw NEWS
Spring 2016
Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice “When Will was born his parents realised he had health problems; Doctors told them he had a lifelong condition which may limit his lifespan. They were keen to provide for all his needs themselves, but didn’t realise the impact this would have on their lives and how it would affect their other two children. “Will had swallowing and feeding problems and sometimes it took up to two hours to feed him. He was often unsettled during the day and didn’t sleep well at night. At three months old, he started having seizures. It was difficult (All names in the story have to give him the medicines he needed to treat his been changed.) Caring for children has always been an important part of the hospice, even before there was officially a children’s hospice on Durdar Road. In 1992, the first patient cared for in the adult in-patient unit was an 11 month old baby. Six years later the children’s unit was extended and in 2007 the current children’s hospice was opened. Although every child, every family and every situation is unique Janet McGreevy, Jigsaw Clinical Sister, describes a typical family story.
medical conditions and his parents worried he wasn’t getting the right doses.” “Due to his medical problems, Will had many hospital appointments and lots of professionals coming to visit him at home. Mum and Dad became exhausted from lack of sleep and constantly worrying about Will’s health. “His brother and sister were often left with family and neighbours whilst his parents went to all the appointments and his care was worked out. Mum and Dad felt guilty as they weren’t able to spend time with them. Even a trip to the park seemed impossible.
“Dad was at work all day, helping out with Will’s care when at home, but most of Will’s care was carried out by his mother. Mum and Dad hardly spent time together, as they took turns in looking after Will to give each other a break. Mum wished she could just have a good night’s sleep to recharge her batteries. “The community nurse suggested to Mum and Dad they should go and look around Jigsaw, but they were reluctant to do so at first, because they felt Will was their child and their responsibility. “After five months, they agreed to go and have a look; they took Will and the other
children with them. They were welcomed by the nurses and activity coordinators at Jigsaw who spoke about Will and his needs. They spent a short time in the sensory room, which Will seemed to find calming and met some of the other children who were staying at Jigsaw. “Mum and Dad were surprised how settled the children seemed and remarked on what a lovely atmosphere the children’s hospice had.” Every child and young adult at Jigsaw is unique and the care, support and activities Jigsaw provides is tailored towards their own individual needs. To find out the rest of Will’s story please visit www. jigsawhospice.org
“Thank you for making us all feel so welcome” From the Family Support Days to the lively Siblings Support Days throughout the year, the children’s hospice hosts a wide range of events to bring the children’s hospice community together. With the Jigsaw stretching It is often difficult for community friends and relatives from south Cumbria to to fully appreciate how south west Scotland, our time consuming and support days are a great overwhelming it can way for people to catch be to care for a child up with friends and share or young adult with experiences. Janet McGreevy a life limiting illness. This is why Jigsaw explains, “Family Support extends our care, Days give families the support and activities to opportunity to meet up the parents, brothers, with others in a similar sisters, carers and situation. Whilst the friends of those who Sibling Support Days are always busy. attend. Caring for people we love can be one of the most satisfying and special things we ever do, but without support, caring can have an overwhelming effect on people’s lives.
“Activities are provided for children of all ages and bring siblings together for a special time of their own, with staff and friends who understand what it’s like to have a brother or sister with extra needs.” With the support, kindness and generosity of BBC Radio Cumbria and their amazing listeners, the children’s hospice has been able to develop the care and support we provide. During 2014 and 2015 the radio station’s listeners and the Cumbrian community took Jigsaw to their hearts helping raise over £150,000 during
the charity of the year partnership. The money has enabled the children’s hospice to recruit a dedicated Outreach Worker and to purchase portable sensory equipment to take into the family home. Every child and every family at Jigsaw are unique, with their own requirements and levels of support. By working together the children’s hospice aims to enable the children, young adults and families to live their lives to the full surrounded by fun, laughter and life long memories. Entrusting the care
- a Jigsaw Mum
of their children with the children’s hospice nurses can often be a big step for many families, especially overnight. Jigsaw help to alleviate some of the anxiety by allowing families to stay the night in the recently transformed Holly Bush family flat, located at the children’s hospice. As one mum explained, “Thank you for making us all feel welcome, the flat was great. Just knowing I was nearby my son for the first time he stayed. I can see he is very happy, and the girls enjoyed a relaxing shopping trip, which doesn’t often happen in our family.”
Spring 2016
Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw NEWS
There are many people who are essential in the day to day running of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw. A small team of staff and volunteers play a vital role in continuing the high standards of cleanliness, catering and maintenance at the hospice. Doug McGarr, who has worked at the hospice for over 23 years in a variety of different roles, explains the importance of our maintenance, catering, housekeeping and transport teams.
Maintenance We see the gardens and grounds as integral to the purpose of the hospice. What patients see when looking outside the window is extremely valuable in terms of wellbeing. Last year we were able to upgrade the walled garden which is overlooked by all adult unit patient bedrooms. This was thanks to a kind gift left to the hospice by a local lady in her Will. The gardens have provided a beautiful, safe and private environment, full of colour, scent and interest for our patients and their families to enjoy. We have also added special features to our gardens and grounds to commemorate our 25th anniversary celebrations. An elevated flower bed has been created by volunteers which will include our 25 year logo in a colourful display of
flowers. All of the flowers for our projects are grown from seedlings in the hospice greenhouses. The hospice’s Maintenance Officer, along with a small team of green fingered volunteers, look after everything internally and externally at the hospice. From changing light bulbs to planting trees the hospice is always a hive of activity. Along with our team of regular volunteers, we have been fantastically supported by local organisations, schools and community groups who help in our gardens. This provides a fantastic opportunity to enjoy some outdoor team building ‘with a difference’ whilst helping to make a difference at the hospice.
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Behind the scenes team make the hospice sparkle
our patients but their families, friends and carers as well. All the food we serve is prepared using fresh locally sourced ingredients. Menus for patients staying at the hospice are created to reflect patients’ personal tastes and requirements, taking into account cultural preferences such as halal meat and consideration of medical conditions and prescriptions. A member of the catering team meets with each individual patient to gain an understanding of their particular needs and preferences and all of the team have training in catering for special diets. One of the most popular items requested by patients is two poached eggs on toast or even a takeaway if this is what a patient would Catering really like. Throughout the year Meals and snacks are an important aspect of the hospice is very the support the hospice lucky to have many provides, not only for local community groups,
churches, schools and Transport businesses who donate produce to the kitchens, For many patients especially from Harvest at the Day Hospice Festivals. transport can be difficult. Fortunately our small Housekeepers team of drivers and escorts are on hand to We have a small, help patients get to and dedicated team of from the hospice when housekeepers who they otherwise might not work extremely hard to have been able to. maintain the high levels The main role of the of cleanliness throughout transport department the hospice. is to bring patients to Patients staying the Day Hospice but at the hospice are also to take patients to sometimes more external appointments, susceptible to infections, collecting medical so infection prevention notes or equipment and and cleanliness are the medication. highest priority for the team. We work hard Every day a dedicated to keep all areas clean team of staff and and tidy whilst volunteers help make the maintaining our hospice sparkle. Their comfortable environment. continued enthusiasm However, the and attention to detail housekeepers do not creates Eden Valley just make the hospice Hospice and Jigsaw’s sparkle - they provide a h o m e - f r o m - h o m e listening ear, warm smile environment. and company for many patients as they go about nk you! a h T their day to day work. by Doug McGarr
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Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw NEWS
Spring 2016
Brand New Website
Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw are thrilled to be launching their brand new website.
edenvalleyhospice.org jigsawhospice.org
The new site boasts a range of exciting features. There’s a brand new online store showcasing an exclusive range of products. Online donations have become simpler. The new site has an interactive lottery feature, allowing players to join and check their numbers online. The Wish List feature allows visitors to make donations towards specific items, so far helping to raise funds for a range of items such as holding crosses for the chapel and rail mounted planters. The new community noticeboard promotes local fundraising events, pulling together a range of information from around the website.
There’s a wealth of support for those accessing the services provided by the hospice. From detailing what to expect on arrival to family information and carer support. Andrew Maddison, Marketing Officer said: “Our aim was to have an up-to-date and modern looking website to capture the atmosphere, philosophy and values of the hospice.” “The hospice website is a vital showcase for the work that we do as well as encouraging the community to fundraise and volunteer. We wanted to make the new website accessible for everybody.” “When compared to our old website it has been performing
exceptionally well with more people accessing the site for much longer and viewing more information. We’ve seen a significant increase in website traffic. This is fantastic as we aim to build awareness about Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw.” “The old website did not have a great user experience and wasn’t mobile friendly, making simple activities more difficult than they needed to be. Particularly, with more people using mobile devices to access the internet, we needed a platform to accommodate them.” Visitors can view the new website from a range of different screen sizes, from mobile phones to tablets and desktop computers.
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The hospice website is a vital showcase for the work that we do as well as encouraging the community to fundraise and volunteer.
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Fraser Hannah, Marketing Director for Wombat Creative (developers of our website) said: “It was hugely refreshing working with Jigsaw and Eden Valley Hospice, as right from the start they wanted a website that would work hard for the hospice. This allowed us a huge amount of creative freedom, designing what we feel, could be an award-winning website.” “We have a huge amount of admiration for all the staff and volunteers at the hospice who make a pronounced difference to the lives of people under their care. We hope the new website will help support their fantastic work for years to come.”
Spring 2016 Over the last 25 years the grounds and buildings at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw have developed and changed. From the construction of the children’s hospice in 2007 to the transformation of the Walled Garden in 2015, all of the changes have been made possible with the support of the local community.
Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw NEWS
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The Changing Face of
Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw
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Hospice supporters Bill and Vida Boak kindly provided a selection of pictures of the Durdar Road site before the construction work began. We also discovered a selection of pictures of the construction work at the hospice from 1991, along with a picture of the hospice reception in 1994.
If you have any pictures of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw which you would like to share during our 25th Anniversary celebrations please send them to andrew.maddison@edenvalleyhospice.org or by post to Andrew Maddison, Eden Valley Hospice, Durdar Road, Carlisle, CA2 4SD. All pictures can be returned.
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Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw NEWS
25
th
Spring 2016
Anniversary Events
During our special anniversary year the hospice are encouraging the local community to join one of our fundraising events. You can host any of the highlighted events whenever is suitable for you during 2016.
April Great Cumbrian Tea Party Sunday 24 - London Marathon Make a Will Month
May Friday 27 - Bad Hair Day Sunday 8 - Carlisle Colour Run, Carlisle Racecourse 90s Music Friday
July Sunday 17 - Cycle the Solway Sunday 31 - Morecambe Bay Walk
August Sunday 14 - Garden of Memories
September Sunday 11 - Great North Run
October Pompom Guinness World Record Attempt Finale Sunday 2 - Great Cumbrian Run
December Light Up a Life events in Carlisle and Penrith
PLUS... many more events to be announced as part of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw’s 25 Anniversary. For all the latest news and updates keep checking our website www.edenvalleyhospice.org or www.jigsawhospice.org, like us on Facebook ‘Eden Valley Hospice’ or ‘Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice’ and follow us on Twitter @EVHospice or @JigsawHospice.
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You can help us make a difference! We are grateful for every donation we receive,
both volunteering and monetary. If you would like further information about Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw or would like to make a donation, please complete and return the form below or find information on our website www.edenvalleyhospice.org I would like...
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