EMH newsletter

Earl Mountbatten Hospice

Connect Summer 2016

News from Earl Mountbatten Hospice

Walk the Wight 2016 Meet Sue Ash On a mission to change perceptions

So proud!

Hospice wins Queen's Award Visit us at iwhospice.org

Connect Summer 2016 | Welcome

Connect Summer 2016 | Profile

Welcome

Welcome to Connect, your new Earl Mountbatten Hospice newsletter. Connect will be published every quarter throughout the year and we aim to inform our community, our friends and neighbours, about the things that are happening either at the Hospice or on our behalf across the Island and beyond.

Sharing news and communicating with our Island network and supporters is important.

We will be keeping every

one of you up-to-date with developments and letting you all know about our fundraising events and challenges so that everyone can feel connected to this important Island charity.

Contents

4 | Queen’s Award

for volunteers 6 | Exciting new partnership 8 | Patient story: Sue Ash 11 | Walk the Wight 2016 14 | Fundraising news 16 | Meet volunteer

Christine Simmons 17 | Focus on our Ryde shop 20 | Upcoming events Follow us on Twitter @EarlMBHospice Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ EarlMountbattenHospice Contact the Editor: Emma Topping Head of Communications emma.topping@iwhospice.org (01983) 529 511

2 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

Wight, or about some of our new service developments such as our new Rapid Response service, there is a great deal to read about.

which has been given to the Hospice by so many people over the years. A special recognition, of course, for all of those people who have volunteered and given their Earl Mountbatten Hospice has time for free, whether that be been faithfully delivering care supporting patients and their to those people coming to families and Hospice staff, or We all need to feel the end of their life, together in our shops, or by tirelessly connected and with support for families and supporting many fundraising we also know that friends, for almost 35 years. events. However, every one if we feel that we I am no longer surprised of you, whatever you have belong to something that wherever I go on the done to enable and inspire much bigger than Island or whoever I speak Earl Mountbatten Hospice to ourselves, life can be with, they have a story to tell develop, grow and sustain transformed. Many me about their connection its work over the years, this of our patients and with the Hospice, or they award is also for you. families explain want to share their opinion to me that when about what is going on We continue to be very they meet others here. It is very enlightening proud of what we do and I going through the and humbling to listen to thank you for your ongoing same things as people’s stories and views. commitment to our cause, themselves, when Year on year, people from the which is to ensure that every they share stories local community give over person on this Island, when and experiences £5million to us in order to they come to die, has the with people ‘in the deliver Hospice services on support they need to do same boat’, it makes your behalf. Your stories and so with dignity and worth. their experiences views and therefore vital and Do stay in touch slightly more highly important. bearable. We can By the time this newsletter all understand this. goes to press, you will know Life continues to that Earl Mountbatten be busy, and you Hospice has been presented will see in this issue with the Queen’s Award for that there is plenty Voluntary Services. This is going on. Whether it a remarkable achievement is hearing about the and is, in many ways, as a Nigel Hartley, success of Walk the result of all of the support CEO Earl Mountbatten Hospice

Meet

Sara Weech

Chair of Trustees at Earl Mountbatten Hospice Q: How long have you been Chair

of Trustees and what brought you to Earl Mountbatten Hospice?

A: I have been Chair of Trustees since

May 2014 and a trustee for about 7 months before that. I had been doing a lot of volunteering at major sports events and abroad and really enjoyed being a volunteer. As my background is in health and social care I thought I could make a bigger difference if I volunteered in a more relevant area and, by chance, the opportunity at Earl Mountbatten Hospice came up. I had been involved as a commissioner of the Hospice around 15 years previously, so it was always special to me.

Q: How long have you lived on the Island?

A: I have lived on the Island for

around 34 years. I came over for a job as an assistant youth worker at Ryde Youth Club….I was only going to stay for 18 months!! St Helens, our home for the last 30 years, has become my favourite place here.

Q: Tell us a bit more about

your professional background.

A: I am a trained teacher and

youth worker and qualified as a psychodynamic counsellor, but most of my career has been in the NHS and local authority as a service commissioner.

Q: What does your role

as Chair of Trustees entail?

A: My job is to chair the board

meetings and lead the recruitment and management of the Chief Executive. I work closely with Nigel Hartley (CEO) and the other trustees to make sure the organisation is operating safely and in the most effective way. Legally, I am accountable for the safe governance of the organisation. You usually only hear about a Chair of Trustees when they are appointed or have to stand down because something has gone very wrong!

Q: What have been the highlights for you so far?

A: There have been so many.

The thank you letters from families they never cease to move me; we have been able to make some really good appointments over the last year and that has meant the organisation can go from strength to strength, and receiving the Hospice UK national award for our children’s services.

It all makes me very proud.

Q: What would you say have the challenges been?

A: We are a relatively small

organisation but have to meet all the same regulations and standards as the NHS. The challenge is to stay focused on our excellent patient care and not get side-tracked by bureaucracy. And having to raise more than £7m a year is always going to be a challenge, of course.

Q: How do you envisage Earl

Mountbatten Hospice will develop over the coming years? What might future challenges be?

A: It’s really important to me that

we continue to strive to find ways of touching more people with the special care Earl Mountbatten Hospice offers to people at the end of life.

We have to make sure we don’t just serve a lucky few. The challenge will be to do that with the resources we have, as they can’t just simply increase.

We have to do more with the same and that will mean training and helping others to be able to offer the Earl Mountbatten Hospice brand of care and compassion. Of course, our 35th anniversary next year will be a great opportunity to launch some new projects to reach more of the Island’s population.

Q: Do you have a message for the Island community?

A: The success of Earl Mountbatten

Hospice is largely due to the generosity and tireless support of the Island population and we can be very proud of what we have here, so thank you all! As Chair of Trustees, I feel an enormous responsibility to make sure Earl Mountbatten Hospice goes from strength to strength and is here for many future generations to come, but I can’t do it alone - we are dependent on our excellent staff, volunteers and our community to continue to raise funds, support the Hospice and provide the excellent care our Island residents deserve.

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 3

Connect Summer 2016 | Welcome

Connect Summer 2016 | Profile

Welcome

Welcome to Connect, your new Earl Mountbatten Hospice newsletter. Connect will be published every quarter throughout the year and we aim to inform our community, our friends and neighbours, about the things that are happening either at the Hospice or on our behalf across the Island and beyond.

Sharing news and communicating with our Island network and supporters is important.

We will be keeping every

one of you up-to-date with developments and letting you all know about our fundraising events and challenges so that everyone can feel connected to this important Island charity.

Contents

4 | Queen’s Award

for volunteers 6 | Exciting new partnership 8 | Patient story: Sue Ash 11 | Walk the Wight 2016 14 | Fundraising news 16 | Meet volunteer

Christine Simmons 17 | Focus on our Ryde shop 20 | Upcoming events Follow us on Twitter @EarlMBHospice Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ EarlMountbattenHospice Contact the Editor: Emma Topping Head of Communications emma.topping@iwhospice.org (01983) 529 511

2 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

Wight, or about some of our new service developments such as our new Rapid Response service, there is a great deal to read about.

which has been given to the Hospice by so many people over the years. A special recognition, of course, for all of those people who have volunteered and given their Earl Mountbatten Hospice has time for free, whether that be been faithfully delivering care supporting patients and their to those people coming to families and Hospice staff, or We all need to feel the end of their life, together in our shops, or by tirelessly connected and with support for families and supporting many fundraising we also know that friends, for almost 35 years. events. However, every one if we feel that we I am no longer surprised of you, whatever you have belong to something that wherever I go on the done to enable and inspire much bigger than Island or whoever I speak Earl Mountbatten Hospice to ourselves, life can be with, they have a story to tell develop, grow and sustain transformed. Many me about their connection its work over the years, this of our patients and with the Hospice, or they award is also for you. families explain want to share their opinion to me that when about what is going on We continue to be very they meet others here. It is very enlightening proud of what we do and I going through the and humbling to listen to thank you for your ongoing same things as people’s stories and views. commitment to our cause, themselves, when Year on year, people from the which is to ensure that every they share stories local community give over person on this Island, when and experiences £5million to us in order to they come to die, has the with people ‘in the deliver Hospice services on support they need to do same boat’, it makes your behalf. Your stories and so with dignity and worth. their experiences views and therefore vital and Do stay in touch slightly more highly important. bearable. We can By the time this newsletter all understand this. goes to press, you will know Life continues to that Earl Mountbatten be busy, and you Hospice has been presented will see in this issue with the Queen’s Award for that there is plenty Voluntary Services. This is going on. Whether it a remarkable achievement is hearing about the and is, in many ways, as a Nigel Hartley, success of Walk the result of all of the support CEO Earl Mountbatten Hospice

Meet

Sara Weech

Chair of Trustees at Earl Mountbatten Hospice Q: How long have you been Chair

of Trustees and what brought you to Earl Mountbatten Hospice?

A: I have been Chair of Trustees since

May 2014 and a trustee for about 7 months before that. I had been doing a lot of volunteering at major sports events and abroad and really enjoyed being a volunteer. As my background is in health and social care I thought I could make a bigger difference if I volunteered in a more relevant area and, by chance, the opportunity at Earl Mountbatten Hospice came up. I had been involved as a commissioner of the Hospice around 15 years previously, so it was always special to me.

Q: How long have you lived on the Island?

A: I have lived on the Island for

around 34 years. I came over for a job as an assistant youth worker at Ryde Youth Club….I was only going to stay for 18 months!! St Helens, our home for the last 30 years, has become my favourite place here.

Q: Tell us a bit more about

your professional background.

A: I am a trained teacher and

youth worker and qualified as a psychodynamic counsellor, but most of my career has been in the NHS and local authority as a service commissioner.

Q: What does your role

as Chair of Trustees entail?

A: My job is to chair the board

meetings and lead the recruitment and management of the Chief Executive. I work closely with Nigel Hartley (CEO) and the other trustees to make sure the organisation is operating safely and in the most effective way. Legally, I am accountable for the safe governance of the organisation. You usually only hear about a Chair of Trustees when they are appointed or have to stand down because something has gone very wrong!

Q: What have been the highlights for you so far?

A: There have been so many.

The thank you letters from families they never cease to move me; we have been able to make some really good appointments over the last year and that has meant the organisation can go from strength to strength, and receiving the Hospice UK national award for our children’s services.

It all makes me very proud.

Q: What would you say have the challenges been?

A: We are a relatively small

organisation but have to meet all the same regulations and standards as the NHS. The challenge is to stay focused on our excellent patient care and not get side-tracked by bureaucracy. And having to raise more than £7m a year is always going to be a challenge, of course.

Q: How do you envisage Earl

Mountbatten Hospice will develop over the coming years? What might future challenges be?

A: It’s really important to me that

we continue to strive to find ways of touching more people with the special care Earl Mountbatten Hospice offers to people at the end of life.

We have to make sure we don’t just serve a lucky few. The challenge will be to do that with the resources we have, as they can’t just simply increase.

We have to do more with the same and that will mean training and helping others to be able to offer the Earl Mountbatten Hospice brand of care and compassion. Of course, our 35th anniversary next year will be a great opportunity to launch some new projects to reach more of the Island’s population.

Q: Do you have a message for the Island community?

A: The success of Earl Mountbatten

Hospice is largely due to the generosity and tireless support of the Island population and we can be very proud of what we have here, so thank you all! As Chair of Trustees, I feel an enormous responsibility to make sure Earl Mountbatten Hospice goes from strength to strength and is here for many future generations to come, but I can’t do it alone - we are dependent on our excellent staff, volunteers and our community to continue to raise funds, support the Hospice and provide the excellent care our Island residents deserve.

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 3

Connect Summer 2016 | General News

Connect Summer 2016 | General News

Steven Eastwood

Film update

Queen’s Award

Hospice gains ‘MBE’ for voluntary service Earl Mountbatten Hospice is delighted to announce that it has received royal recognition with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2016. This prestigious accolade acknowledges the dedication and commitment of our 600 current volunteers, along with the many others across the Island who have given, and continue to give, their time for free in so many ways and on so many occasions. Known as the ‘MBE’ for volunteer groups, the award was created by the Queen in 2002, to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee. It recognises excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community.

The application process began back in September 2015 and a visit from judges followed in January of this year.

As part of the process, we approached a number of volunteers from different parts of the organisation to talk to the high profile judging panel about their reasons and motivation for volunteering at the Hospice.

Richard Dent, Volunteer Services Manager, said: “They spoke in a very passionate and personal way about their unique experiences and it was very moving. They represented our volunteer service in a professional and caring manner and were fantastic ambassadors for the organisation.

What they achieved during the judging was adding the personal touch, bringing alive the detail contained in the original application form.”

Earl Mountbatten Hospice was told that the Independent Assessment Committee, chaired by Sir Martyn Lewis CBE, “very much admired” the work carried out by the volunteers and that the award represents a “tremendous achievement” for the organisation.

As a winner of the award, the Hospice will be mentioned in a special edition of the London Gazette published on 2 June, will receive a signed certificate

from Her Majesty the Queen which will be presented locally by the Lord Lieutenant, along with an English Crystal with the logo insignia and permission to use the official Queen’s Award logo.

Tea on the royal lawn As part of being put forward for the Queen’s Award, we were given the opportunity to select two volunteers to join a Royal Garden Party. To help with the very difficult decision of who should attend, all of our volunteers’ names were put into a hat and two were drawn at random to attend Buckingham Palace on 24 May. Those two volunteers were Georgie White and Sally Anderson and it was with great pride that they represented all of our volunteers and their ongoing contributions at Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

"I am immensely proud that Earl Mountbatten Hospice has received this award.

Our volunteers are very special and contribute so much to the wonderful care we offer our patients and their families. It is very fitting they have been acknowledged in this way."

Sara Weech, Chair of Trustees at Earl Mountbatten Hospice 4 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

Over the last year, filmmaker Steven Eastwood has been working very closely with Earl Mountbatten Hospice and many patients across the Island, following their journeys as they transition into the Hospice, in preparation for a film he’s making about people reaching the end of their lives.

Steven’s work has also extended to St Mary’s Hospital, where he has been filming across a number of departments. His project has also explored everyday life on the Island and how it relates to palliative care, from filming an Island choir rehearsing for a performance of Brahm’s Requiem, to funerals, blood donor sessions, Earl Mountbatten

Did you know On any one day, the Earl Mountbatten Hospice Community Team supports around 600 patients and their families within their own homes, including residential and nursing homes. The team receives around 50 new patient referrals each month.

Hospice volunteer training, and bedside conversations with the chaplain.

Steven’s filming has focused on close engagement with individuals experiencing and witnessing death and dying, exploring what happens at the end of a person’s life. It will eventually be exhibited at Fabrica Gallery Brighton in 2017, while a cinema version of the film will be screened at national and international film festivals. Screenings of the completed film will also take place in UK Hospices.

Death Chat Experience shows that talking about death and dying in the company of others can help to alleviate fears or concerns and enhance our quality of daily life.

We know that in order to help with any anxieties we have about death and dying, it makes a difference when we are able to discuss things openly and to make our wishes known in advance.

The psychology and bereavement department at Earl Mountbatten Hospice runs an event, called ‘Death Chat’, every Tuesday at 5pm, in the John Cheverton Centre.

The facilitated discussions, which are open to everyone, enable people to talk openly about death and dying, a subject we know remains one of the biggest taboos within most communities. Death Chat also provides an opportunity to meet and talk with others. Discussions so far have focused on cultural perspectives on death and dying, where certain traditions have come from, the language used in death and dying and why death has become a taboo subject in society.

Death Chat: every Tuesday at 5pm, in the John Cheverton Centre at Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

Last year it cost over £7million to run all of our services, both in the building in Newport and across the wider community. We received just under a third of this funding from the NHS, which means a massive 70% of this was raised by our local community.

“I took part in Walk the Wight 2016 because...”

In memory of my 6-year-old son James, who lost My son James his battle with a brain tumour in 2014.

The Earl Mountbatten Hospice helped our family after our loss with the children’s rest room and also with counselling.

David Godsell Go to page 11 for more.

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 5

Connect Summer 2016 | General News

Connect Summer 2016 | General News

Steven Eastwood

Film update

Queen’s Award

Hospice gains ‘MBE’ for voluntary service Earl Mountbatten Hospice is delighted to announce that it has received royal recognition with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2016. This prestigious accolade acknowledges the dedication and commitment of our 600 current volunteers, along with the many others across the Island who have given, and continue to give, their time for free in so many ways and on so many occasions. Known as the ‘MBE’ for volunteer groups, the award was created by the Queen in 2002, to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee. It recognises excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community.

The application process began back in September 2015 and a visit from judges followed in January of this year.

As part of the process, we approached a number of volunteers from different parts of the organisation to talk to the high profile judging panel about their reasons and motivation for volunteering at the Hospice.

Richard Dent, Volunteer Services Manager, said: “They spoke in a very passionate and personal way about their unique experiences and it was very moving. They represented our volunteer service in a professional and caring manner and were fantastic ambassadors for the organisation.

What they achieved during the judging was adding the personal touch, bringing alive the detail contained in the original application form.”

Earl Mountbatten Hospice was told that the Independent Assessment Committee, chaired by Sir Martyn Lewis CBE, “very much admired” the work carried out by the volunteers and that the award represents a “tremendous achievement” for the organisation.

As a winner of the award, the Hospice will be mentioned in a special edition of the London Gazette published on 2 June, will receive a signed certificate

from Her Majesty the Queen which will be presented locally by the Lord Lieutenant, along with an English Crystal with the logo insignia and permission to use the official Queen’s Award logo.

Tea on the royal lawn As part of being put forward for the Queen’s Award, we were given the opportunity to select two volunteers to join a Royal Garden Party. To help with the very difficult decision of who should attend, all of our volunteers’ names were put into a hat and two were drawn at random to attend Buckingham Palace on 24 May. Those two volunteers were Georgie White and Sally Anderson and it was with great pride that they represented all of our volunteers and their ongoing contributions at Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

"I am immensely proud that Earl Mountbatten Hospice has received this award.

Our volunteers are very special and contribute so much to the wonderful care we offer our patients and their families. It is very fitting they have been acknowledged in this way."

Sara Weech, Chair of Trustees at Earl Mountbatten Hospice 4 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

Over the last year, filmmaker Steven Eastwood has been working very closely with Earl Mountbatten Hospice and many patients across the Island, following their journeys as they transition into the Hospice, in preparation for a film he’s making about people reaching the end of their lives.

Steven’s work has also extended to St Mary’s Hospital, where he has been filming across a number of departments. His project has also explored everyday life on the Island and how it relates to palliative care, from filming an Island choir rehearsing for a performance of Brahm’s Requiem, to funerals, blood donor sessions, Earl Mountbatten

Did you know On any one day, the Earl Mountbatten Hospice Community Team supports around 600 patients and their families within their own homes, including residential and nursing homes. The team receives around 50 new patient referrals each month.

Hospice volunteer training, and bedside conversations with the chaplain.

Steven’s filming has focused on close engagement with individuals experiencing and witnessing death and dying, exploring what happens at the end of a person’s life. It will eventually be exhibited at Fabrica Gallery Brighton in 2017, while a cinema version of the film will be screened at national and international film festivals. Screenings of the completed film will also take place in UK Hospices.

Death Chat Experience shows that talking about death and dying in the company of others can help to alleviate fears or concerns and enhance our quality of daily life.

We know that in order to help with any anxieties we have about death and dying, it makes a difference when we are able to discuss things openly and to make our wishes known in advance.

The psychology and bereavement department at Earl Mountbatten Hospice runs an event, called ‘Death Chat’, every Tuesday at 5pm, in the John Cheverton Centre.

The facilitated discussions, which are open to everyone, enable people to talk openly about death and dying, a subject we know remains one of the biggest taboos within most communities. Death Chat also provides an opportunity to meet and talk with others. Discussions so far have focused on cultural perspectives on death and dying, where certain traditions have come from, the language used in death and dying and why death has become a taboo subject in society.

Death Chat: every Tuesday at 5pm, in the John Cheverton Centre at Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

Last year it cost over £7million to run all of our services, both in the building in Newport and across the wider community. We received just under a third of this funding from the NHS, which means a massive 70% of this was raised by our local community.

“I took part in Walk the Wight 2016 because...”

In memory of my 6-year-old son James, who lost My son James his battle with a brain tumour in 2014.

The Earl Mountbatten Hospice helped our family after our loss with the children’s rest room and also with counselling.

David Godsell Go to page 11 for more.

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 5

Connect Summer 2016 | EMH Patients & Services

Connect Summer 2016 | EMH Patients & Services

Exciting new partnership An exciting new partnership is underway between Earl Mountbatten Hospice and the University of Southampton Faculty of Health Sciences.

A significant start to this important link is the University’s first ever appointment to a Clinical Teaching Fellow post, which has been funded by the university and successfully filled by one of our very own Community Clinical Nurse Specialists, Dee Curless. Dee will work with the Faculty’s pre-registration nursing team, developing and delivering clinically current education to agreed Palliative Care modules. Dee’s expert, specialist area of clinical practice, along with her unique and engaging teaching style will maximise students’ professional knowledge and skills, and enhance the care for individuals, families and communities.

“We are really excited to welcome Dee to the Cancer and Palliative Care teaching team” , said Dr Sue Duke Associate Professor and Faculty Curriculum Lead for Cancer and Palliative Care at the University.

“These posts have been developed to enhance the clinical dimensions of our provision, particularly in the courses we offer to student nurses.

Dee’s expertise in palliative care will help us to ensure that student nurses complete their training with the knowledge and skills needed to provide sensitive and compassionate care to people at the end of life.”

“We are one of the few Universities in which student nurses take a module in palliative and end of life care as a compulsory element of their training,” she said.

“We think this is really important as nurses will meet people with palliative and end of life care needs wherever they work when they are qualified.

6 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

But providing this education has its challenges and requires lecturers who have the skills not only to bring practice alive but to do this in way that is sensitive to the fact that many students find this a tough topic and some will have had recent experiences of death and bereavement”, she said.

“Dee has the perfect qualities to meet this challenge and we know will provide the right mix of humour, compassion and understanding to support students in these situations.

We are counting ourselves very lucky to work with Dee in these ways and are delighted to develop our relationship with Earl Mountbatten Hospice through this education relationship”, concluded Dr Duke.

We spoke to Dee to find out more about her new venture Q: Congratulations on your new

role. Tell us how this came about.

A: The Hospice had been exploring

developing educational links with the University and the new posts formed part of that information sharing.

I was then approached with the job description and asked to consider an application. This resulted in an interview with the University on 16th March!

Q: This is quite an honour as you

are the first person to be appointed to the palliative care role. How does that make you feel?

A: I feel very honoured, shocked and

excited! It’s a great opportunity for me, for the Hospice and the university to look at roles in a different way.

Q: The role means you are

committed to taking on 50 per cent clinical practice with a teaching commitment to the University.

Can you explain how this will work?

A: The real nugget of these roles is

that they are embedded in practice, which I think offers real clinical credibility with students. I see it as marrying the theory with reality in the workplace and giving students real insight into the challenges and opportunities this will give them.

I hope to be able to inform and inspire, but also to learn myself in so many ways. I will be there every Thursday and Friday, supported by my Clinical Nurse Specialists colleagues here at Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

“It's a great opportunity for me, for the Hospice and the university to look at roles in a different way”.

Q: How long have you been with

Earl Mountbatten Hospice?

Tell us a bit more about your role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).

A: I have been lucky enough to be

here as a CNS for 19 years. It is my dream role as I get to meet and work with some wonderful people.

I consider myself fortunate to be able to go home and feel that I have made a difference (most days!). That is what it is all about. Sounds a bit corny, but it is what it is. As a CNS, I see patients and their families, assess their needs, pain and other symptoms and try

to help them. As an independent prescriber, I can make my own diagnosis and prescribe medications without having to chase a doctor around. Having developed strong working relationships with GPs and District Nurses, I am able to work as part of a bigger community team.

Sometimes, it’s about signposting people to those who can best help them. Patient relationships often develop into friendships based on trust. My benchmark has and always will be how I would want my own loved ones to be treated.

“I took part in Walk the Wight 2016 because...”

Earl Mountbatten Hospice looked after my great aunt in her final days and gave nothing but compassion and dignity throughout.

My g

reat a

unt

I really want to raise money to keep this incredible service able to provide to the standard they do. Hannah Clarke Go to page 11 for more.

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 7

Connect Summer 2016 | EMH Patients & Services

Connect Summer 2016 | EMH Patients & Services

Exciting new partnership An exciting new partnership is underway between Earl Mountbatten Hospice and the University of Southampton Faculty of Health Sciences.

A significant start to this important link is the University’s first ever appointment to a Clinical Teaching Fellow post, which has been funded by the university and successfully filled by one of our very own Community Clinical Nurse Specialists, Dee Curless. Dee will work with the Faculty’s pre-registration nursing team, developing and delivering clinically current education to agreed Palliative Care modules. Dee’s expert, specialist area of clinical practice, along with her unique and engaging teaching style will maximise students’ professional knowledge and skills, and enhance the care for individuals, families and communities.

“We are really excited to welcome Dee to the Cancer and Palliative Care teaching team” , said Dr Sue Duke Associate Professor and Faculty Curriculum Lead for Cancer and Palliative Care at the University.

“These posts have been developed to enhance the clinical dimensions of our provision, particularly in the courses we offer to student nurses.

Dee’s expertise in palliative care will help us to ensure that student nurses complete their training with the knowledge and skills needed to provide sensitive and compassionate care to people at the end of life.”

“We are one of the few Universities in which student nurses take a module in palliative and end of life care as a compulsory element of their training,” she said.

“We think this is really important as nurses will meet people with palliative and end of life care needs wherever they work when they are qualified.

6 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

But providing this education has its challenges and requires lecturers who have the skills not only to bring practice alive but to do this in way that is sensitive to the fact that many students find this a tough topic and some will have had recent experiences of death and bereavement”, she said.

“Dee has the perfect qualities to meet this challenge and we know will provide the right mix of humour, compassion and understanding to support students in these situations.

We are counting ourselves very lucky to work with Dee in these ways and are delighted to develop our relationship with Earl Mountbatten Hospice through this education relationship”, concluded Dr Duke.

We spoke to Dee to find out more about her new venture Q: Congratulations on your new

role. Tell us how this came about.

A: The Hospice had been exploring

developing educational links with the University and the new posts formed part of that information sharing.

I was then approached with the job description and asked to consider an application. This resulted in an interview with the University on 16th March!

Q: This is quite an honour as you

are the first person to be appointed to the palliative care role. How does that make you feel?

A: I feel very honoured, shocked and

excited! It’s a great opportunity for me, for the Hospice and the university to look at roles in a different way.

Q: The role means you are

committed to taking on 50 per cent clinical practice with a teaching commitment to the University.

Can you explain how this will work?

A: The real nugget of these roles is

that they are embedded in practice, which I think offers real clinical credibility with students. I see it as marrying the theory with reality in the workplace and giving students real insight into the challenges and opportunities this will give them.

I hope to be able to inform and inspire, but also to learn myself in so many ways. I will be there every Thursday and Friday, supported by my Clinical Nurse Specialists colleagues here at Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

“It's a great opportunity for me, for the Hospice and the university to look at roles in a different way”.

Q: How long have you been with

Earl Mountbatten Hospice?

Tell us a bit more about your role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).

A: I have been lucky enough to be

here as a CNS for 19 years. It is my dream role as I get to meet and work with some wonderful people.

I consider myself fortunate to be able to go home and feel that I have made a difference (most days!). That is what it is all about. Sounds a bit corny, but it is what it is. As a CNS, I see patients and their families, assess their needs, pain and other symptoms and try

to help them. As an independent prescriber, I can make my own diagnosis and prescribe medications without having to chase a doctor around. Having developed strong working relationships with GPs and District Nurses, I am able to work as part of a bigger community team.

Sometimes, it’s about signposting people to those who can best help them. Patient relationships often develop into friendships based on trust. My benchmark has and always will be how I would want my own loved ones to be treated.

“I took part in Walk the Wight 2016 because...”

Earl Mountbatten Hospice looked after my great aunt in her final days and gave nothing but compassion and dignity throughout.

My g

reat a

unt

I really want to raise money to keep this incredible service able to provide to the standard they do. Hannah Clarke Go to page 11 for more.

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 7

Connect Summer 2016 | EMH Patients & Services

Connect Summer 2016 | EMH Patients & Services

Patient Story

Why Sue is on a mission to change perceptions Sue Ash is a patient who is on a mission: to change the Island’s perception about Hospice care. A regular visitor to the John Cheverton Centre at the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, we spoke to her about why she wants to dispel the fears people may have about visiting the centre.

“In the late 1990s, I developed Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which unfortunately led to me giving up my job as a Primary School teacher.

I was having problems with my balance, and the children could run faster than I could!

I then went on to develop ankylosing spondylitis and osteoporosis, which meant I was having to spend much of my time in a wheelchair.

“In November 2014, I went to Australia to visit my son and daughter. Unfortunately, I fell as I was trying to get out of the 4x4 car into my wheelchair. There didn’t seem to be much damage at the time, but the next day I slipped in the shower and broke my humerus.

My daughter, a nurse practitioner in the local surgery, got me to hospital where the x-ray showed that the humerus was not just

“I took part in Walk the Wight 2016 because...”

Earl Mountbatten Hospice is the only Hospice in the country which provides services for both adults and children.

broken – it was shattered.

This rang alarm bells, and further tests and scans showed that I had breast cancer which had spread to the bone.

“Doctors wanted to start radiotherapy, but I wanted to return to the UK to start treatment. We managed to ‘escape’ from the hospital, got a flight home and pitched up at St Mary’s Hospital where I had nine weeks of radiotherapy treatment.

“When I was discharged, I was asked if I would like to have physiotherapy twice a week, which I readily agreed to despite being apprehensive. I knew the treatment would be at the John Cheverton Centre and I’d had a friend at the Hospice who had, unfortunately, died very quickly.

“However, I have been very surprised and delighted at how welcoming everyone has been. Everyone takes notice of you; you’re not just a number to be treated.”

I must be on my last legs!

To prove them wrong, and to increase awareness that the Hospice is not just for cancer, I’m going to do a number of challenges to raise funds. I started with the Santa Dash last December and my husband’s cousin has just completed a walk from the Tennyson Memorial in Lincoln to the Tennyson Memorial on the Isle of Wight – a distance of some 300 miles. I’m planning a sky dive and a zipwire ride and also hoping to be able to go sailing, all in my wheelchair and all to raise money for the work of the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.”

Sue visits the John Cheverton Centre twice a week, and not only uses the gym for physiotherapy but also enjoys having her hair done at the hairdressers, having a massage and a manicure.

She also plays a mean game of Scrabble!

She is very keen to dispel the fears that people have shown when she tells them she is going to the John Cheverton Centre for treatment. Sue said: “They have assumed

Two of my friends passed away this year from Ovarian Cancer. One was treated in the Earl Mountbatten Hospice and the care she received there was just incredible. I would therefore like to be able to do this walk in order to raise money for the Hospice as I now appreciate how much they do and how much money they must need to keep doing the brilliant job they do.

Carol Eastwood Go to page 11 for more.

8 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

Supporting the Island’s children and their families In 2013, Earl Mountbatten Hospice (EMH) engaged in a project aimed at developing a range of services offering flexible, individualised end of life care and support for children and young people living on the Isle of Wight. In partnership with well-known Island charity, KissyPuppy, which was set up by Aaron Rolf and Gemma Blamire in memory of their daughter Sophie (pictured centre), and the local NHS Children’s Community Team, EMH can now ensure any child with a life shortening illness and their family get the local support that they need.

EMH is able to offer a bespoke, flexible room within the Hospice ward where children or young people can receive end of life care locally, delivered by the Children’s Community Team. The Hospice also provides a resting service for after death care. Nothing can take away the unbearable pain of the death of a child, but how we care for a child and those around them during the last part of their journey can make a very real difference.

Feedback from families and the Children’s Community Team has shown that what EMH is offering is a highly valued extension to its usual role within the local community...

My f

riend

Hele

na

“Just to know that we had a choice at the end. That WE could choose where our child went and how long

we could stay with her. That WE could decide when the time was right to say goodbye. To have that choice at a time where all other choices were out of our hands was more important than we could have possibly foreseen.

The kindness shown to us by the Hospice staff, who themselves were in unfamiliar territory, was extraordinary.

It’s very hard to convey something so personal in words but at the lowest point in our family’s life when we felt so wholly alone they made us feel that we were anything but...” (Parents) “The provision of a resting space at the Hospice has given the families a sanctuary. A sanctuary where they can spend time with their loved one in an environment which is a home from home. Being able to access the expertise within the Hospice team is giving these families a choice that was not available before and the positives that come from this are immeasurable.”

Children’s Community Team Leader

The service has won three awards so far. EMH won the Annual Hospice Innovation Award at the 2015 Hospice UK national conference in Liverpool in November 2015, for its unique partnership with KissyPuppy, and the Children’s Commissioning Team, to develop children's services.

The award recognised the enormous contribution that both individuals and

innovative programmes have made to Hospice care in local communities across the UK. At the time, Antonia Bunnin, Director of Hospice Support and Development at Hospice UK, said: “We have had so many inspiring and heart-warming entries for this year’s awards, including some fantastic examples of trailblazing schemes.

There are some extraordinary individuals in our member Hospices who, in their day-to-day activities, go above and beyond to transform care for terminally ill and dying people and their families.”

EMH also won the award for ‘Improving Services for Children and Young People’ and the ‘Chairman’s Diamond Award’ at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Awards in March 2016. This award was in recognition of excellence and innovation by staff, volunteers and partner organisations.

Both awards are a tremendous accolade for EMH and all those who had been involved with the development of the children’s services over the past three years. Many staff and volunteers past and present have contributed to the success of the service, as well as children and their parents who both inspired and motivated us all to join together to create a bespoke service for dying children and their families across the Isle of Wight.

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 9

Connect Summer 2016 | EMH Patients & Services

Connect Summer 2016 | EMH Patients & Services

Patient Story

Why Sue is on a mission to change perceptions Sue Ash is a patient who is on a mission: to change the Island’s perception about Hospice care. A regular visitor to the John Cheverton Centre at the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, we spoke to her about why she wants to dispel the fears people may have about visiting the centre.

“In the late 1990s, I developed Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which unfortunately led to me giving up my job as a Primary School teacher.

I was having problems with my balance, and the children could run faster than I could!

I then went on to develop ankylosing spondylitis and osteoporosis, which meant I was having to spend much of my time in a wheelchair.

“In November 2014, I went to Australia to visit my son and daughter. Unfortunately, I fell as I was trying to get out of the 4x4 car into my wheelchair. There didn’t seem to be much damage at the time, but the next day I slipped in the shower and broke my humerus.

My daughter, a nurse practitioner in the local surgery, got me to hospital where the x-ray showed that the humerus was not just

“I took part in Walk the Wight 2016 because...”

Earl Mountbatten Hospice is the only Hospice in the country which provides services for both adults and children.

broken – it was shattered.

This rang alarm bells, and further tests and scans showed that I had breast cancer which had spread to the bone.

“Doctors wanted to start radiotherapy, but I wanted to return to the UK to start treatment. We managed to ‘escape’ from the hospital, got a flight home and pitched up at St Mary’s Hospital where I had nine weeks of radiotherapy treatment.

“When I was discharged, I was asked if I would like to have physiotherapy twice a week, which I readily agreed to despite being apprehensive. I knew the treatment would be at the John Cheverton Centre and I’d had a friend at the Hospice who had, unfortunately, died very quickly.

“However, I have been very surprised and delighted at how welcoming everyone has been. Everyone takes notice of you; you’re not just a number to be treated.”

I must be on my last legs!

To prove them wrong, and to increase awareness that the Hospice is not just for cancer, I’m going to do a number of challenges to raise funds. I started with the Santa Dash last December and my husband’s cousin has just completed a walk from the Tennyson Memorial in Lincoln to the Tennyson Memorial on the Isle of Wight – a distance of some 300 miles. I’m planning a sky dive and a zipwire ride and also hoping to be able to go sailing, all in my wheelchair and all to raise money for the work of the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.”

Sue visits the John Cheverton Centre twice a week, and not only uses the gym for physiotherapy but also enjoys having her hair done at the hairdressers, having a massage and a manicure.

She also plays a mean game of Scrabble!

She is very keen to dispel the fears that people have shown when she tells them she is going to the John Cheverton Centre for treatment. Sue said: “They have assumed

Two of my friends passed away this year from Ovarian Cancer. One was treated in the Earl Mountbatten Hospice and the care she received there was just incredible. I would therefore like to be able to do this walk in order to raise money for the Hospice as I now appreciate how much they do and how much money they must need to keep doing the brilliant job they do.

Carol Eastwood Go to page 11 for more.

8 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

Supporting the Island’s children and their families In 2013, Earl Mountbatten Hospice (EMH) engaged in a project aimed at developing a range of services offering flexible, individualised end of life care and support for children and young people living on the Isle of Wight. In partnership with well-known Island charity, KissyPuppy, which was set up by Aaron Rolf and Gemma Blamire in memory of their daughter Sophie (pictured centre), and the local NHS Children’s Community Team, EMH can now ensure any child with a life shortening illness and their family get the local support that they need.

EMH is able to offer a bespoke, flexible room within the Hospice ward where children or young people can receive end of life care locally, delivered by the Children’s Community Team. The Hospice also provides a resting service for after death care. Nothing can take away the unbearable pain of the death of a child, but how we care for a child and those around them during the last part of their journey can make a very real difference.

Feedback from families and the Children’s Community Team has shown that what EMH is offering is a highly valued extension to its usual role within the local community...

My f

riend

Hele

na

“Just to know that we had a choice at the end. That WE could choose where our child went and how long

we could stay with her. That WE could decide when the time was right to say goodbye. To have that choice at a time where all other choices were out of our hands was more important than we could have possibly foreseen.

The kindness shown to us by the Hospice staff, who themselves were in unfamiliar territory, was extraordinary.

It’s very hard to convey something so personal in words but at the lowest point in our family’s life when we felt so wholly alone they made us feel that we were anything but...” (Parents) “The provision of a resting space at the Hospice has given the families a sanctuary. A sanctuary where they can spend time with their loved one in an environment which is a home from home. Being able to access the expertise within the Hospice team is giving these families a choice that was not available before and the positives that come from this are immeasurable.”

Children’s Community Team Leader

The service has won three awards so far. EMH won the Annual Hospice Innovation Award at the 2015 Hospice UK national conference in Liverpool in November 2015, for its unique partnership with KissyPuppy, and the Children’s Commissioning Team, to develop children's services.

The award recognised the enormous contribution that both individuals and

innovative programmes have made to Hospice care in local communities across the UK. At the time, Antonia Bunnin, Director of Hospice Support and Development at Hospice UK, said: “We have had so many inspiring and heart-warming entries for this year’s awards, including some fantastic examples of trailblazing schemes.

There are some extraordinary individuals in our member Hospices who, in their day-to-day activities, go above and beyond to transform care for terminally ill and dying people and their families.”

EMH also won the award for ‘Improving Services for Children and Young People’ and the ‘Chairman’s Diamond Award’ at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Awards in March 2016. This award was in recognition of excellence and innovation by staff, volunteers and partner organisations.

Both awards are a tremendous accolade for EMH and all those who had been involved with the development of the children’s services over the past three years. Many staff and volunteers past and present have contributed to the success of the service, as well as children and their parents who both inspired and motivated us all to join together to create a bespoke service for dying children and their families across the Isle of Wight.

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 9

Connect Summer 2016 | Fundraising

Connect Summer 2016 | Fundraising

Keeping patients out of hospital A new service has been launched by Earl Mountbatten Hospice to make sure patients reaching the end of their lives can stay out of hospital, by offering them support in their own homes.

At the end of 2015, Earl Mountbatten Hospice (EMH) embarked on a six-month pilot scheme to deliver care for people at home. This service – known as the Rapid Response service has two main aims: To assist with discharging patients from St Mary’s Hospital and Earl Mountbatten Hospice by providing personal care at home To prevent admission to St Mary’s or EMH by supporting the patient at home It is well known that EMH and its community nurses provide care to patients at home across the Island.

But the Rapid Response service is specifically aimed at those reaching the end of their life who otherwise would be in St Mary’s or the Hospice.

The service enables the patient to remain at home in the knowledge they will be cared for well and with dignity.

The service is also helping to alleviate pressure at the hospital. Over the last few months there have been several

Did you know 10 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

‘black alerts’ at St Mary’s, meaning bed occupancy was at a maximum and, due to insufficient capacity of community carers, patients were unable to be discharged home.

So how does the service work? The Rapid Response Team are experienced community support workers who deliver personal care. They are part of the wider EMH community team which is made up of Clinical Nurse Specialists and trained clinical nurses.

The team work seven days a week from 7.30am until 9.30pm.

Two members of staff cover shift patterns and work in patients’ homes, across the Island.

When a patient meets ‘fast track’ criteria for care at home, an application is sent to Island care agencies. If they are unable to provide care, it is offered to the EMH Rapid Response Team and, if the team can help, they will accept the care within one and a half hours and actually start the care within four hours!

The value of the service to patients and families speaks for itself.

One relative stated: “The total care and respect we received was above anything we could have expected.

The loving care continued after (Patient) had passed away. Thank you does not seem adequate…..”

Another said: “We could not fault the service. Without them mum would not have been able to stay at home.

No sooner had we asked for help with something, it was put in place. All the family are so grateful for the help we received and truly feel it should be available to all.”

And how is the team finding the service and this way of working?

One nurse sums it up: “The care we were able to give made a huge difference to the way a family were able to deal with the impending loss of a loved one. We provided continuity, familiarity, comfort, trust, love and laughter, one hundred per cent every day. That is priceless.

And that is why we do what we do, we do it from the heart, in a Rapid Response way.”

2017 will be the 35th Anniversary of Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

We are planning a year of celebrations and, in order to extend our reach, we will be launching a new fundraising appeal in order to grow and sustain our education and research facility.

Walk the Wight 2016 The sun shone and there was an amazing atmosphere as over 7,500 walkers and dogs, along with a number of Llamas and alpacas, turned out in support of Earl Mountbatten Hospice on Sunday, 15 May, for this year’s iconic Walk the Wight.

There were spectacular scenes as participants made their way across the glorious Isle of Wight countryside, all raising funds to support the future of patient and family care both at the Newport hospice and in people’s homes across the Island. Well done and a huge thank you to every single person who was involved.

We now need everyone who walked and raised sponsorship to send in their money and help us reach this year’s £300,000 target.

There are three ways to pay: BACS transfer: Account number 1417 7811, Sort Code 54-10-34, Reference [your walker number].

Send your cash/cheques directly to the Hospice with your sponsor form and quoting your walker number Take you cash/cheques into any of our 10 shops across the

Island with your sponsor form and quoting your walker number We use your walker number to identify you on our database, so make sure you tell us what it is when you pay in your money.

And don’t forget to send us your sponsorship form so we can claim any appropriate Gift Aid – last year’s Walk the Wight Gift Aid claim was £51,000, which made a massive difference to the final amount raised.

“I took part in Walk the Wight 2016 because...”

Nan, m

e and G

randad

My grandad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July 2015, he passed away in November 2015. His last few months he was back and forward to the Hospice. ALL the staff were so lovely, they all cared for him so much, and even my nan who was caring for him! They were amazing and even the home care team. They allowed him to pass away at home and that is what he wanted. I can’t thank them enough and would really like to raise as much money as I can for all the hard work they do! Everyone working at the Hospice thank you from the bottom of my heart! x. Esme

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 11

Connect Summer 2016 | Fundraising

Connect Summer 2016 | Fundraising

Keeping patients out of hospital A new service has been launched by Earl Mountbatten Hospice to make sure patients reaching the end of their lives can stay out of hospital, by offering them support in their own homes.

At the end of 2015, Earl Mountbatten Hospice (EMH) embarked on a six-month pilot scheme to deliver care for people at home. This service – known as the Rapid Response service has two main aims: To assist with discharging patients from St Mary’s Hospital and Earl Mountbatten Hospice by providing personal care at home To prevent admission to St Mary’s or EMH by supporting the patient at home It is well known that EMH and its community nurses provide care to patients at home across the Island.

But the Rapid Response service is specifically aimed at those reaching the end of their life who otherwise would be in St Mary’s or the Hospice.

The service enables the patient to remain at home in the knowledge they will be cared for well and with dignity.

The service is also helping to alleviate pressure at the hospital. Over the last few months there have been several

Did you know 10 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

‘black alerts’ at St Mary’s, meaning bed occupancy was at a maximum and, due to insufficient capacity of community carers, patients were unable to be discharged home.

So how does the service work? The Rapid Response Team are experienced community support workers who deliver personal care. They are part of the wider EMH community team which is made up of Clinical Nurse Specialists and trained clinical nurses.

The team work seven days a week from 7.30am until 9.30pm.

Two members of staff cover shift patterns and work in patients’ homes, across the Island.

When a patient meets ‘fast track’ criteria for care at home, an application is sent to Island care agencies. If they are unable to provide care, it is offered to the EMH Rapid Response Team and, if the team can help, they will accept the care within one and a half hours and actually start the care within four hours!

The value of the service to patients and families speaks for itself.

One relative stated: “The total care and respect we received was above anything we could have expected.

The loving care continued after (Patient) had passed away. Thank you does not seem adequate…..”

Another said: “We could not fault the service. Without them mum would not have been able to stay at home.

No sooner had we asked for help with something, it was put in place. All the family are so grateful for the help we received and truly feel it should be available to all.”

And how is the team finding the service and this way of working?

One nurse sums it up: “The care we were able to give made a huge difference to the way a family were able to deal with the impending loss of a loved one. We provided continuity, familiarity, comfort, trust, love and laughter, one hundred per cent every day. That is priceless.

And that is why we do what we do, we do it from the heart, in a Rapid Response way.”

2017 will be the 35th Anniversary of Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

We are planning a year of celebrations and, in order to extend our reach, we will be launching a new fundraising appeal in order to grow and sustain our education and research facility.

Walk the Wight 2016 The sun shone and there was an amazing atmosphere as over 7,500 walkers and dogs, along with a number of Llamas and alpacas, turned out in support of Earl Mountbatten Hospice on Sunday, 15 May, for this year’s iconic Walk the Wight.

There were spectacular scenes as participants made their way across the glorious Isle of Wight countryside, all raising funds to support the future of patient and family care both at the Newport hospice and in people’s homes across the Island. Well done and a huge thank you to every single person who was involved.

We now need everyone who walked and raised sponsorship to send in their money and help us reach this year’s £300,000 target.

There are three ways to pay: BACS transfer: Account number 1417 7811, Sort Code 54-10-34, Reference [your walker number].

Send your cash/cheques directly to the Hospice with your sponsor form and quoting your walker number Take you cash/cheques into any of our 10 shops across the

Island with your sponsor form and quoting your walker number We use your walker number to identify you on our database, so make sure you tell us what it is when you pay in your money.

And don’t forget to send us your sponsorship form so we can claim any appropriate Gift Aid – last year’s Walk the Wight Gift Aid claim was £51,000, which made a massive difference to the final amount raised.

“I took part in Walk the Wight 2016 because...”

Nan, m

e and G

randad

My grandad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July 2015, he passed away in November 2015. His last few months he was back and forward to the Hospice. ALL the staff were so lovely, they all cared for him so much, and even my nan who was caring for him! They were amazing and even the home care team. They allowed him to pass away at home and that is what he wanted. I can’t thank them enough and would really like to raise as much money as I can for all the hard work they do! Everyone working at the Hospice thank you from the bottom of my heart! x. Esme

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 11

Connect Summer 2016 | Fundraising

Connect Summer 2016 | Fundraising

Classic Isle 2016 After the resounding success of Classic Isle 2015, this year’s event on 20th and 21st August promises to be even more spectacular, with world class classical musicians travelling from as far afield as Turkey, Israel and Australia.

Earl Mountbatten Hospice is one of the charities supported by the popular festival. Held at Northwood House in Cowes, it’s a rolling programme of superb performances starting at 4pm and ending at 10pm on both days, with a fantastic firework finale’.

From the outset on the Saturday there will be a fanfare of brass instruments leading sublimely into a selection of international acts and ending with a spectacular proms , Sunday’s programme includes The Magic of the

Musicals, our very own home grown talent, the return of Margaret Keys and BBC Radios 3’s Sarah Walker plus exciting acts yet to be announced.

Tickets and performance schedules are available at www.classicisle.com.

Tickets start at £35 for six hours of exceptional classical music.

Enquiries to info@classicisle.com or telephone 01983 520524.

Isle of Wight Festival The EMH team are gearing up for this year’s Isle of Wight Festival which is just around the corner… the team will be selling the Hospice’s iconic sunflowers from 9-12 June, hopefully raising lots of money for the Hospice as they do each year!

Sunflower sales can generate up to £15,000 which is a staggering amount of money! If you are heading to this year’s event, drop by and say hello – you can’t miss the EMH bright yellow marquee (thank you Coast and Country) situated in Penny Lane.

It is hard but rewarding work (mixed with a fair amount of fun!) for our volunteers, who are a mixture of both Earl Mountbatten Hospice and NHS staff, Earl Mountbatten Hospice volunteers, supporters and even some past staff members. Dani Johnson, Community Events Fundraiser, said: ‘It is always a great atmosphere at the festival and the public are very generous in their support. It is lovely when we pop back to the Hospice site during the event and see the patients’ windows and doors open, enjoying the music. This event is a big fundraiser for the Hospice - we’re keeping our fingers crossed for some good weather!’

Barton Manor Open Garden Lottery If you’d like to find out, why not join the Earl Mountbatten Hospice Lottery? With a top prize of £1,000 to be won every week, you may find yourself going on a surprise holiday; a shop-tilyou-drop day out; or why not have a night out with friends and family?

12 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

How would you spend £1,000?

With over 5,000 winners already, our lottery costs just £1 per week to play and every penny of profit goes towards supporting patients and their families. Lucky winners are chosen at random every Tuesday and the jackpot winner is announced in the County Press each week. All winners are also listed on our website. And if you are one of the lucky ones, you will receive your prize cheque in the post the following week – you don’t even have to claim!

Why not join and find out if you could be a winner? Simply complete the form on our website or complete one of our application forms in our shops. Alternatively, you can call our fundraising office on 01983 528989.

Please note that choosing to pay by direct debit helps us to reduce our administration costs. Players must also be over 16 and live in the UK.

Thank you and good luck!

Sunday 24th July 2016

Over 1,200 people join us for this annual event held in the grounds of the beautiful private estate of Barton Manor, enjoying traditional fun and games and entertainment for all the family.

This great day out includes live music across three stages; a falconry display; children’s arts, crafts and entertainment; a singing workshop; and English Heritage’s informative tours of the beautiful grounds.

The famous Vectis Sunrise BBQ will make a welcome return along with tasty treats in our Sunflower Café.

This year we will also be introducing a PIMMS summer garden bar for people to enjoy a drink on the lawn while soaking up the sounds and sunshine and watching people compete in the Gladiator Games, Sumo Suit Wrestling or the Coconut Shy.

10am – 4pm. Adults £4, 14yrs & under FREE! All Hospice volunteers and staff FREE with a valid EMH ID card. FREE parking all day. Guide dogs only.

Local traders and the famous Hospice pop up shop will be offering a fine selection of goods to tempt the purse strings, so make sure you bring enough pennies!

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 13

Connect Summer 2016 | Fundraising

Connect Summer 2016 | Fundraising

Classic Isle 2016 After the resounding success of Classic Isle 2015, this year’s event on 20th and 21st August promises to be even more spectacular, with world class classical musicians travelling from as far afield as Turkey, Israel and Australia.

Earl Mountbatten Hospice is one of the charities supported by the popular festival. Held at Northwood House in Cowes, it’s a rolling programme of superb performances starting at 4pm and ending at 10pm on both days, with a fantastic firework finale’.

From the outset on the Saturday there will be a fanfare of brass instruments leading sublimely into a selection of international acts and ending with a spectacular proms , Sunday’s programme includes The Magic of the

Musicals, our very own home grown talent, the return of Margaret Keys and BBC Radios 3’s Sarah Walker plus exciting acts yet to be announced.

Tickets and performance schedules are available at www.classicisle.com.

Tickets start at £35 for six hours of exceptional classical music.

Enquiries to info@classicisle.com or telephone 01983 520524.

Isle of Wight Festival The EMH team are gearing up for this year’s Isle of Wight Festival which is just around the corner… the team will be selling the Hospice’s iconic sunflowers from 9-12 June, hopefully raising lots of money for the Hospice as they do each year!

Sunflower sales can generate up to £15,000 which is a staggering amount of money! If you are heading to this year’s event, drop by and say hello – you can’t miss the EMH bright yellow marquee (thank you Coast and Country) situated in Penny Lane.

It is hard but rewarding work (mixed with a fair amount of fun!) for our volunteers, who are a mixture of both Earl Mountbatten Hospice and NHS staff, Earl Mountbatten Hospice volunteers, supporters and even some past staff members. Dani Johnson, Community Events Fundraiser, said: ‘It is always a great atmosphere at the festival and the public are very generous in their support. It is lovely when we pop back to the Hospice site during the event and see the patients’ windows and doors open, enjoying the music. This event is a big fundraiser for the Hospice - we’re keeping our fingers crossed for some good weather!’

Barton Manor Open Garden Lottery If you’d like to find out, why not join the Earl Mountbatten Hospice Lottery? With a top prize of £1,000 to be won every week, you may find yourself going on a surprise holiday; a shop-tilyou-drop day out; or why not have a night out with friends and family?

12 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

How would you spend £1,000?

With over 5,000 winners already, our lottery costs just £1 per week to play and every penny of profit goes towards supporting patients and their families. Lucky winners are chosen at random every Tuesday and the jackpot winner is announced in the County Press each week. All winners are also listed on our website. And if you are one of the lucky ones, you will receive your prize cheque in the post the following week – you don’t even have to claim!

Why not join and find out if you could be a winner? Simply complete the form on our website or complete one of our application forms in our shops. Alternatively, you can call our fundraising office on 01983 528989.

Please note that choosing to pay by direct debit helps us to reduce our administration costs. Players must also be over 16 and live in the UK.

Thank you and good luck!

Sunday 24th July 2016

Over 1,200 people join us for this annual event held in the grounds of the beautiful private estate of Barton Manor, enjoying traditional fun and games and entertainment for all the family.

This great day out includes live music across three stages; a falconry display; children’s arts, crafts and entertainment; a singing workshop; and English Heritage’s informative tours of the beautiful grounds.

The famous Vectis Sunrise BBQ will make a welcome return along with tasty treats in our Sunflower Café.

This year we will also be introducing a PIMMS summer garden bar for people to enjoy a drink on the lawn while soaking up the sounds and sunshine and watching people compete in the Gladiator Games, Sumo Suit Wrestling or the Coconut Shy.

10am – 4pm. Adults £4, 14yrs & under FREE! All Hospice volunteers and staff FREE with a valid EMH ID card. FREE parking all day. Guide dogs only.

Local traders and the famous Hospice pop up shop will be offering a fine selection of goods to tempt the purse strings, so make sure you bring enough pennies!

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 13

Connect Summer 2016 | Fundraising

Connect Summer 2016 | Fundraising

Fundraisingsnippets Ethiopia

Hobbs Did you know

Challenge

On February 6 Steve Viney, John Hayward and Dave Arnold flew to Ethiopia to take on the mighty Simien Mountains in a mammoth fundraising challenge for Earl Mountbatten Hospice (EMH).

Trekking for 10 days, they battled with challenging terrains, altitude issues, almost vertical climbs... to reach a grand height of 4620m.

So far, these three amazing adventurers have raised around £20,000 for the Hospice. What an achievement. Congratulations and a mountain-sized thank you!

Raised more than £3,300 for the Hospice.

Raised around £20,000 for the Hospice.

Dee Becker Congratulations to Island businesswoman Dee Becker, who has taken on a number of fundraising activities, including having her head shaved and taking on the 2016 Isle of Wight Ultimate Challenge - a 106km walk around the stunning coast of the Island. Dee’s aim was to raise awareness and funds for charities which provide help and support to women affected by the devastating side-effects of cancer treatment.

Aiming to raise £5,000 for the Hospice.

14 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

Hobbs Jewellers in Ryde raised more than £3,300 for the Hospice during its vintage-themed 70th birthday celebrations.

Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Look Good Feel Better and mynewhair by Salons that Care will benefit from the fantastic amount Dee has raised.

Did you know In addition to providing bereavement support to adults and their families, EMH is launching a new children and families bereavement support service, supported by the KissyPuppy charity.

The new service which will provide bereavement support for adults, children, families, carers and also their friends, will be open to those on the Island who are bereaved from a death of anyone they know, wherever the death has happened and wherever they happen to be.

The main square was packed with people enjoying live music and entertainment and the tea and cakes went down a treat...

In a new initiative with Dementia UK, we are currently recruiting for an Admiral Nurse. This nurse with specialist skills in dementia supports those people coming to the end of their lives with dementia as well as their families. They will also train and educate staff and volunteers.

Family Affair Fundraising for Earl Mountbatten Hospice (EMH) has become a bit of a family affair for Eddie and Sue Ash. Never short of inspirational supporters, even the EMH fundraising team were amazed at Eddie and Sue’s determination. Sue, who visits the John Cheverton Centre every Wednesday, took part in the Walk the Wight Flat Walk and is now looking forward to abseiling down Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower in July.

Just for good measure, she will also be jumping out of a plane one week later.

What’s even more amazing is that Sue will be taking on these challenges in spite of battling several illnesses, including cancer, osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis. “I know how much it costs to run the Hospice and how important it is for the Island community to help raise those funds,” she says.

Meanwhile, Eddie, who is Sue’s husband’s cousin, has trecked over 300 miles in aid of the Hospice, from Lincoln to the Isle of Wight. Eddie took on the mammoth walking challenge in April and completed it at this year’s Walk the Wight. His motivation was knowing about the “good work” carried out by EMH and the support Sue has received.

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 15

Connect Summer 2016 | Fundraising

Connect Summer 2016 | Fundraising

Fundraisingsnippets Ethiopia

Hobbs Did you know

Challenge

On February 6 Steve Viney, John Hayward and Dave Arnold flew to Ethiopia to take on the mighty Simien Mountains in a mammoth fundraising challenge for Earl Mountbatten Hospice (EMH).

Trekking for 10 days, they battled with challenging terrains, altitude issues, almost vertical climbs... to reach a grand height of 4620m.

So far, these three amazing adventurers have raised around £20,000 for the Hospice. What an achievement. Congratulations and a mountain-sized thank you!

Raised more than £3,300 for the Hospice.

Raised around £20,000 for the Hospice.

Dee Becker Congratulations to Island businesswoman Dee Becker, who has taken on a number of fundraising activities, including having her head shaved and taking on the 2016 Isle of Wight Ultimate Challenge - a 106km walk around the stunning coast of the Island. Dee’s aim was to raise awareness and funds for charities which provide help and support to women affected by the devastating side-effects of cancer treatment.

Aiming to raise £5,000 for the Hospice.

14 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

Hobbs Jewellers in Ryde raised more than £3,300 for the Hospice during its vintage-themed 70th birthday celebrations.

Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Look Good Feel Better and mynewhair by Salons that Care will benefit from the fantastic amount Dee has raised.

Did you know In addition to providing bereavement support to adults and their families, EMH is launching a new children and families bereavement support service, supported by the KissyPuppy charity.

The new service which will provide bereavement support for adults, children, families, carers and also their friends, will be open to those on the Island who are bereaved from a death of anyone they know, wherever the death has happened and wherever they happen to be.

The main square was packed with people enjoying live music and entertainment and the tea and cakes went down a treat...

In a new initiative with Dementia UK, we are currently recruiting for an Admiral Nurse. This nurse with specialist skills in dementia supports those people coming to the end of their lives with dementia as well as their families. They will also train and educate staff and volunteers.

Family Affair Fundraising for Earl Mountbatten Hospice (EMH) has become a bit of a family affair for Eddie and Sue Ash. Never short of inspirational supporters, even the EMH fundraising team were amazed at Eddie and Sue’s determination. Sue, who visits the John Cheverton Centre every Wednesday, took part in the Walk the Wight Flat Walk and is now looking forward to abseiling down Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower in July.

Just for good measure, she will also be jumping out of a plane one week later.

What’s even more amazing is that Sue will be taking on these challenges in spite of battling several illnesses, including cancer, osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis. “I know how much it costs to run the Hospice and how important it is for the Island community to help raise those funds,” she says.

Meanwhile, Eddie, who is Sue’s husband’s cousin, has trecked over 300 miles in aid of the Hospice, from Lincoln to the Isle of Wight. Eddie took on the mammoth walking challenge in April and completed it at this year’s Walk the Wight. His motivation was knowing about the “good work” carried out by EMH and the support Sue has received.

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 15

Connect Summer 2016 | Volunteering

Connect Summer 2016 | Retail

Focus on

Our shops: Ryde

Christine Simmons Ever wondered what it’s like to be a volunteer at the Hospice and what motivates people to give their time for free, often for many years? Christine Simmons tells us about what bought her to Earl Mountbatten Hospice (EMH) and gives her perspective on life as a volunteer.…

“My first volunteer role at the Hospice was on the in-patient unit, two or three years ago. I then had a year’s interlude on the mainland, following an invitation to live nearer to my older daughter and family in Shropshire. It was lovely, but I missed my life on the Island, including my small contribution to the work of the Hospice. I have heard it said that the Island ‘draws you back’ and this was certainly true in my case. At present, I am helping out at fundraising events, when extra support is needed. I also distribute and collect donation boxes in shops around Cowes.

I was drawn to volunteering after I was compulsorily retired from teaching at the age of 65, just before the law was changed on retirement age! I remember driving out of the school gate for the very last time, and heading to Sainsbury’s, where I enjoyed coffee and a pecan plait while I considered the future and mulled over my options. I am widowed, and my three children (who live on three different continents) are grown-up with their own families. My only responsibility was towards myself and my two rescue moggies.

I felt I had some skills which could be deployed to help others and at the same time I looked forward to developing new skills. Going back 20 years, I recalled the frequent trips to hospital with my husband who was suffering from terminal cancer. I remembered how observant 16 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

and sensitive the various health professionals were to my own needs as well as that of their patient.

Their thoughtfulness made a huge difference in helping me to cope with the glum situation; the small kindnesses still bring a tear to my eye all these years later. Now, my retirement presented an opportunity for me to take my turn at helping others. On top of that, I was ever conscious of my near-death in 2007 (from a perforated bowel, out of the blue). I had succumbed to septicaemia and was not expected to live, but somehow I managed to pull through, thanks in no small part to the dedicated care of the hospital team.

So I was keen to ‘give something back’ during those extra years of life granted by my lucky survival.

It’s exciting to be part of an enterprise which is of great significance to our local Island community. The best part about volunteering at the Hospice is that it’s a two-way thing – I find that helping others is also good for my own sense of wellbeing. My personal reward comes from trying to do even the smallest job well, within the larger organisation of the Hospice, with the

“With the overall aim of ‘making a difference’ to people’s lives”.

overall aim of ‘making a difference’ to people’s lives. Sometimes I find it challenging, when spreading the word about the Hospice, to overcome the ‘fear factor’ in the minds of friends and acquaintances. So, when talking to people, I like to share some positive remarks of our CEO, Nigel, who reminds us that everything that goes on in a Hospice is completely normal.

To anyone who is thinking about volunteering for the Hospice, I would suggest that they might like to pop along to the beautiful John Cheverton Centre for coffee and maybe a cake, or perhaps a crispy lunchtime salad. They will no doubt absorb the purposeful atmosphere and will find it easy to chat with friendly volunteers in the Centre, to gain a sense of what’s involved. The lovely folk on reception will gladly provide more information about the amazing number of different roles available to potential volunteers, both in and outside of the Hospice, all with ‘no obligation’ to proceed. There is no identikit model of a volunteer, since volunteers come in all ages and from all walks of life, bringing their own skills, personalities and life experiences to differing roles.

A good measure of simple kindness plus common sense is always useful, I feel. The Hospice shows appreciation for the input of the many volunteers, and there is plenty of mentoring and training available, so that no-one need ever feel unsupported in their role.”

Not many Islanders – and visitors to the Island for that matter – will have failed to spot one of our shops and probably spent a few pounds here and there.

Run by dedicated managers and supported by staff and volunteers, our shops play a crucial role in supporting the patient and family care provided by Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

In this issue, we visit our shop in Ryde and talk to Colin White, who has been managing the shop for the past eight years…

Q: What led you to

becoming a charity shop manager?

A: I had a background in

sales and retail and it’s good to know that the money generated from the shop

goes to the Hospice.

It provides such an important service to our community here on the Island.

Q: What do you enjoy about it?

A: Our customers, both

buying and donating, as you get to meet some interesting people. The volunteers who give up their time and work so hard to make the shop a success. The variety and learning new things...with all the different items which arrive as donations. There’s always something interesting to discover and find out about. Also, importantly, contributing to the Hospice and the people it cares for and supports.

Q: Is it the same as

a regular retail manager position?

A: I think the roles are

probably very similar in a lot of ways, the main differences would probably be the items we sell are never usually standard...

that variability comes with unique challenges. The other difference is working with a team of volunteers. I think that creates a very positive atmosphere as they are all very dedicated and enjoy what they do.

Q: Tell us a bit about your shop, what sort of things do you sell?

the shop look attractive and make it easy for our customers to see what we are selling. That said, part of the fun of charity shops for a lot of people is having a rummage and finding ‘treasure’ so we try to keep a bit of a balance.

Q: Do you run special offers or events?

A: We sell a mixture of

clothing, accessories, bric a brac, books and furniture.

Although we have a broad range of items on sale which changes constantly, we do like to look out for unique and unusual things to offer our customers as well such as retro items and collectables.

We also try and keep our media section well stocked with CDs, DVDs and records.

Q: Some people may have

A: We try very hard to make

the impression that charity shops are a bit similar to a car boot or jumble sale – what do you have to say to that?

A: We try and make things

interesting and often have stock selected to tie in with various events. Every August we have the scooter rally in Ryde and our distribution centres work hard selecting items to fill the shop with over the weekend and the weeks leading up to it. We also had an impromptu musical rendition instore during the Harp Festival which was brilliant. We will be looking to do more things in the future and will let people know through our retail Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 17

Connect Summer 2016 | Volunteering

Connect Summer 2016 | Retail

Focus on

Our shops: Ryde

Christine Simmons Ever wondered what it’s like to be a volunteer at the Hospice and what motivates people to give their time for free, often for many years? Christine Simmons tells us about what bought her to Earl Mountbatten Hospice (EMH) and gives her perspective on life as a volunteer.…

“My first volunteer role at the Hospice was on the in-patient unit, two or three years ago. I then had a year’s interlude on the mainland, following an invitation to live nearer to my older daughter and family in Shropshire. It was lovely, but I missed my life on the Island, including my small contribution to the work of the Hospice. I have heard it said that the Island ‘draws you back’ and this was certainly true in my case. At present, I am helping out at fundraising events, when extra support is needed. I also distribute and collect donation boxes in shops around Cowes.

I was drawn to volunteering after I was compulsorily retired from teaching at the age of 65, just before the law was changed on retirement age! I remember driving out of the school gate for the very last time, and heading to Sainsbury’s, where I enjoyed coffee and a pecan plait while I considered the future and mulled over my options. I am widowed, and my three children (who live on three different continents) are grown-up with their own families. My only responsibility was towards myself and my two rescue moggies.

I felt I had some skills which could be deployed to help others and at the same time I looked forward to developing new skills. Going back 20 years, I recalled the frequent trips to hospital with my husband who was suffering from terminal cancer. I remembered how observant 16 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

and sensitive the various health professionals were to my own needs as well as that of their patient.

Their thoughtfulness made a huge difference in helping me to cope with the glum situation; the small kindnesses still bring a tear to my eye all these years later. Now, my retirement presented an opportunity for me to take my turn at helping others. On top of that, I was ever conscious of my near-death in 2007 (from a perforated bowel, out of the blue). I had succumbed to septicaemia and was not expected to live, but somehow I managed to pull through, thanks in no small part to the dedicated care of the hospital team.

So I was keen to ‘give something back’ during those extra years of life granted by my lucky survival.

It’s exciting to be part of an enterprise which is of great significance to our local Island community. The best part about volunteering at the Hospice is that it’s a two-way thing – I find that helping others is also good for my own sense of wellbeing. My personal reward comes from trying to do even the smallest job well, within the larger organisation of the Hospice, with the

“With the overall aim of ‘making a difference’ to people’s lives”.

overall aim of ‘making a difference’ to people’s lives. Sometimes I find it challenging, when spreading the word about the Hospice, to overcome the ‘fear factor’ in the minds of friends and acquaintances. So, when talking to people, I like to share some positive remarks of our CEO, Nigel, who reminds us that everything that goes on in a Hospice is completely normal.

To anyone who is thinking about volunteering for the Hospice, I would suggest that they might like to pop along to the beautiful John Cheverton Centre for coffee and maybe a cake, or perhaps a crispy lunchtime salad. They will no doubt absorb the purposeful atmosphere and will find it easy to chat with friendly volunteers in the Centre, to gain a sense of what’s involved. The lovely folk on reception will gladly provide more information about the amazing number of different roles available to potential volunteers, both in and outside of the Hospice, all with ‘no obligation’ to proceed. There is no identikit model of a volunteer, since volunteers come in all ages and from all walks of life, bringing their own skills, personalities and life experiences to differing roles.

A good measure of simple kindness plus common sense is always useful, I feel. The Hospice shows appreciation for the input of the many volunteers, and there is plenty of mentoring and training available, so that no-one need ever feel unsupported in their role.”

Not many Islanders – and visitors to the Island for that matter – will have failed to spot one of our shops and probably spent a few pounds here and there.

Run by dedicated managers and supported by staff and volunteers, our shops play a crucial role in supporting the patient and family care provided by Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

In this issue, we visit our shop in Ryde and talk to Colin White, who has been managing the shop for the past eight years…

Q: What led you to

becoming a charity shop manager?

A: I had a background in

sales and retail and it’s good to know that the money generated from the shop

goes to the Hospice.

It provides such an important service to our community here on the Island.

Q: What do you enjoy about it?

A: Our customers, both

buying and donating, as you get to meet some interesting people. The volunteers who give up their time and work so hard to make the shop a success. The variety and learning new things...with all the different items which arrive as donations. There’s always something interesting to discover and find out about. Also, importantly, contributing to the Hospice and the people it cares for and supports.

Q: Is it the same as

a regular retail manager position?

A: I think the roles are

probably very similar in a lot of ways, the main differences would probably be the items we sell are never usually standard...

that variability comes with unique challenges. The other difference is working with a team of volunteers. I think that creates a very positive atmosphere as they are all very dedicated and enjoy what they do.

Q: Tell us a bit about your shop, what sort of things do you sell?

the shop look attractive and make it easy for our customers to see what we are selling. That said, part of the fun of charity shops for a lot of people is having a rummage and finding ‘treasure’ so we try to keep a bit of a balance.

Q: Do you run special offers or events?

A: We sell a mixture of

clothing, accessories, bric a brac, books and furniture.

Although we have a broad range of items on sale which changes constantly, we do like to look out for unique and unusual things to offer our customers as well such as retro items and collectables.

We also try and keep our media section well stocked with CDs, DVDs and records.

Q: Some people may have

A: We try very hard to make

the impression that charity shops are a bit similar to a car boot or jumble sale – what do you have to say to that?

A: We try and make things

interesting and often have stock selected to tie in with various events. Every August we have the scooter rally in Ryde and our distribution centres work hard selecting items to fill the shop with over the weekend and the weeks leading up to it. We also had an impromptu musical rendition instore during the Harp Festival which was brilliant. We will be looking to do more things in the future and will let people know through our retail Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 17

Connect Summer 2016 | Retail

Connect Summer 2016 | Retail

s n o s i t n D a o o natio ati Don nson

We’re Hitting The Street!

The Isle of Wight has been chosen by London-based tech start-up, Charity Street, as the test location for a new website that allows charity shops to advertise and sell their best items locally online.

At 18:00 on Monday, April 4, Isle of Wight shoppers were the first in the UK to be able to browse, reserve and collect items online from their local charity shops.

The Charity Street Night Market (www.charitystreet.co.uk), will be open every evening from 18:00 until 09:00 with items available from charity shops in Newport, Ryde, Cowes, East Cowes, Shanklin & Freshwater.

Nine shops from three charities have been selected to take part in the

Did you know

18 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

launch, including Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Age UK, and The British Heart Foundation. It is hoped that more charity shops will join as the trial continues.

Darren Button, Area Manager at Earl Mountbatten Hospice said: “We are hugely excited to be part of the Charity Street trial. It will allow us to directly engage with the local online community and boost the funds that support the vital work we do here at the Hospice”.

Joe Metcalfe, Founder of Charity Street added:

D

trading hours and meaning we are open when our customers want us to be,” explained Darren. “We come in the next day and the customers collect and pay for their purchases.

For customers, the biggest benefit is browsing our shops from the comfort of their homes with a glass of wine and discovering great bargains. “ From Prada handbags to stylish bureaus you can now find everything you need both offline, in our stores, and online with Charity Street, so why not surf over, sign up and check it out?

“The Isle of Wight is the perfect place to be launching as there is such an engaged community here.”

So, how will Earl Mountbatten Hospice benefit from the Charity Street initiative? “Basically, the night market trades when we are all closed, therefore allowing us to extend our

Over 600 volunteers support our work, both directly with patients and families, but also as part of hundreds of fundraising events each year, and within our ten Hospice shops across our community. EMH has just been awarded recently awarded the Queen’s Award, the equivalent to an MBE and the highest honour that can be bestowed on voluntary organisations.

Charity shops have been a part of British culture for over 100 years and provide a steady stream of income to support a huge variety of worthy causes. Kath Bright, Retail Operations Manager at Earl Mountbatten Hospice (EMH), tells us more.

EMH has 10 stores across the Island and we accept donations of goods in each for resale. In the past donations have been processed on site and items have quickly gone out on sale but, with the cost of retail space increasing and the added problem of waste storage and disposal, we now sort all our donations centrally and redistribute items ready for sale back to our stores. The benefits to this system are that our expert team check over all the donations and send them to the right place for sale.

You have no doubt seen items on various antique TV programmes that were bought for 50 pence in a charity shop and are valued at £1000’s; donations are given to us to help fund our work and it is our job to achieve as much money as possible for those donations.

To reach customers we also use internet sale sites and auction houses both on the Island and the mainland; the trick is to spot what might be special and our volunteer team have a vast range of knowledge which helps us to do just that.

These items are fantastic and give us a real boost financially but everyday items such as clothes also add up and last year we sold almost 90,000 items of ladies wear, which generated almost £250,000!

So what donations help us the most?

Almost everything! Some items we can’t sell due to safety reasons or due to the fact that they are obsolete, such as video tapes and encyclopedias, which have been superseded by DVDs and the internet.

Our rule of thumb is: If you wouldn’t buy it yourself we probably can’t sell it.

Donations which are clean and undamaged are perfect Items we always need more of include: Menswear (including shoes); paperback books and, of course, ladies wear!

The easiest way to drop off your donations is to go to our Donation and Distribution Centre at 16A Riverway in Newport – it’s just opposite the Royal Mail sorting office and it’s open seven days a week!

If you are able to Gift Aid your donation too that will add 25 per cent to its value, at no cost to you.

If you have any questions about donations or would like to arrange collection of bulky items such as furniture, please call us on: (01983) 244230

Did you know In order to change the views of people towards the Hospice and the work that it does, the Hospice building is open to the public. Our Social Programme offers a range of weekly events such as an Art Exhibition programme, a concert series, and a ‘Death Chat’ group. Our Sunflower Café is open to all, and includes a weekly Sunday Lunch menu.

“I took part in Walk the Wight 2016 because...”

The beginning of September Dad became ill and Dad and Mu m after several weeks was diagnosed with liver cancer. From being a fit and healthy man he was suddenly bedridden. The Hospice were amazing. They supported us when Dad wanted to return home and were with us when Dad lost his battle 22nd December.

They helped us through this devastating and traumatic time.

We want to give something back.

Clare Prentice Go to page 11 for more.

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 19

Connect Summer 2016 | Retail

Connect Summer 2016 | Retail

s n o s i t n D a o o natio ati Don nson

We’re Hitting The Street!

The Isle of Wight has been chosen by London-based tech start-up, Charity Street, as the test location for a new website that allows charity shops to advertise and sell their best items locally online.

At 18:00 on Monday, April 4, Isle of Wight shoppers were the first in the UK to be able to browse, reserve and collect items online from their local charity shops.

The Charity Street Night Market (www.charitystreet.co.uk), will be open every evening from 18:00 until 09:00 with items available from charity shops in Newport, Ryde, Cowes, East Cowes, Shanklin & Freshwater.

Nine shops from three charities have been selected to take part in the

Did you know

18 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

launch, including Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Age UK, and The British Heart Foundation. It is hoped that more charity shops will join as the trial continues.

Darren Button, Area Manager at Earl Mountbatten Hospice said: “We are hugely excited to be part of the Charity Street trial. It will allow us to directly engage with the local online community and boost the funds that support the vital work we do here at the Hospice”.

Joe Metcalfe, Founder of Charity Street added:

D

trading hours and meaning we are open when our customers want us to be,” explained Darren. “We come in the next day and the customers collect and pay for their purchases.

For customers, the biggest benefit is browsing our shops from the comfort of their homes with a glass of wine and discovering great bargains. “ From Prada handbags to stylish bureaus you can now find everything you need both offline, in our stores, and online with Charity Street, so why not surf over, sign up and check it out?

“The Isle of Wight is the perfect place to be launching as there is such an engaged community here.”

So, how will Earl Mountbatten Hospice benefit from the Charity Street initiative? “Basically, the night market trades when we are all closed, therefore allowing us to extend our

Over 600 volunteers support our work, both directly with patients and families, but also as part of hundreds of fundraising events each year, and within our ten Hospice shops across our community. EMH has just been awarded recently awarded the Queen’s Award, the equivalent to an MBE and the highest honour that can be bestowed on voluntary organisations.

Charity shops have been a part of British culture for over 100 years and provide a steady stream of income to support a huge variety of worthy causes. Kath Bright, Retail Operations Manager at Earl Mountbatten Hospice (EMH), tells us more.

EMH has 10 stores across the Island and we accept donations of goods in each for resale. In the past donations have been processed on site and items have quickly gone out on sale but, with the cost of retail space increasing and the added problem of waste storage and disposal, we now sort all our donations centrally and redistribute items ready for sale back to our stores. The benefits to this system are that our expert team check over all the donations and send them to the right place for sale.

You have no doubt seen items on various antique TV programmes that were bought for 50 pence in a charity shop and are valued at £1000’s; donations are given to us to help fund our work and it is our job to achieve as much money as possible for those donations.

To reach customers we also use internet sale sites and auction houses both on the Island and the mainland; the trick is to spot what might be special and our volunteer team have a vast range of knowledge which helps us to do just that.

These items are fantastic and give us a real boost financially but everyday items such as clothes also add up and last year we sold almost 90,000 items of ladies wear, which generated almost £250,000!

So what donations help us the most?

Almost everything! Some items we can’t sell due to safety reasons or due to the fact that they are obsolete, such as video tapes and encyclopedias, which have been superseded by DVDs and the internet.

Our rule of thumb is: If you wouldn’t buy it yourself we probably can’t sell it.

Donations which are clean and undamaged are perfect Items we always need more of include: Menswear (including shoes); paperback books and, of course, ladies wear!

The easiest way to drop off your donations is to go to our Donation and Distribution Centre at 16A Riverway in Newport – it’s just opposite the Royal Mail sorting office and it’s open seven days a week!

If you are able to Gift Aid your donation too that will add 25 per cent to its value, at no cost to you.

If you have any questions about donations or would like to arrange collection of bulky items such as furniture, please call us on: (01983) 244230

Did you know In order to change the views of people towards the Hospice and the work that it does, the Hospice building is open to the public. Our Social Programme offers a range of weekly events such as an Art Exhibition programme, a concert series, and a ‘Death Chat’ group. Our Sunflower Café is open to all, and includes a weekly Sunday Lunch menu.

“I took part in Walk the Wight 2016 because...”

The beginning of September Dad became ill and Dad and Mu m after several weeks was diagnosed with liver cancer. From being a fit and healthy man he was suddenly bedridden. The Hospice were amazing. They supported us when Dad wanted to return home and were with us when Dad lost his battle 22nd December.

They helped us through this devastating and traumatic time.

We want to give something back.

Clare Prentice Go to page 11 for more.

Visit us at iwhospice.org | 19

Connect Summer 2016 | Social Programme

Social Programme Did you know that Earl Mountbatten Hospice (EMH) runs a varied Social Programme for the Island community?

Doors are open to anyone to come along and enjoy concerts, an art gallery, delicious cuisine or simply to find out more about the work of the Hospice and its services.

We want people to come and to see that the hospice is a normal, kind and warm place where people can share experiences and create good memories together.

Open House Fridays

Concert Series

“Come along and be surprised...” That’s the message from EMH about its new initiative to enable the community to get a real insight into the Island’s much loved charity. Open House Fridays give people the chance to have a tour around the building and hear first-hand from Hospice staff about how the building is becoming a real hub for Island residents to socialise, learn and be inspired. Visitors will also have the opportunity to find out more about volunteering and fundraising, as well as all the services provided by EMH on a daily basis. Visitors can also hear more about plans for the 35th Anniversary in 2017. Places are limited and booking advisable – call 535332 or email erika.campbell-burt@iwhospice.org.

A series of concerts to suit all musical tastes is now part of the Social Programme offered to the community by EMH. Each concert is held on the first Thursday of every month, between 7.30pm and 9.30 pm, in the lounge area of the John Cheverton Centre. Tickets cost just £10, and include a glass of wine and a selection of delicious canapés. All proceeds go to the Hospice. You can book online at www.iwhospice.org, or by emailing tina.groves@iwhospice.org.

EMH Art Gallery The Hospice has an art gallery at its centre in Newport. Situated in the heart of the building, pictures fill the walls as you walk alongside one of the courtyards, and Island artists are using the space to display and sell their work.

The exhibitions are open every day between 9am and 5pm; each exhibition lasts a month and provides valuable income to EMH, bringing commission on each sale.

If you are an artist interested in exhibiting, please download the information pack and booking form from our website at www.iwhospice.org, and send your completed application form to Tina groves@iwhospice.org, with your booking fee. You can see samples of artwork for sale in the current exhibition, and view an archive of previously displayed artwork on our website.

Sunflower Café The well-known Sunflower Café at EMH provides a tasty and varied selection of home-made cakes, pastries and quiches, served with high quality local produce.

A hot meal of the day is available as well as a ‘specials’ choice, which changes on a daily basis. The Sunflower Café is set in a modern and lively dining area which leads onto outside decking in a quiet, secluded environment. On Sundays, customers can enjoy a delicious three course lunch from 12 noon to 2 pm, offering a choice of starter, main course and dessert for just £7.95 (£5 for children). Reserve a table by calling 535320. The café is also available for functions and private parties at very competitive rates.

20 | Visit us at iwhospice.org

Diary dates Meet us at the following events

Jun-Sep 2016

JUNE 2–5 Jazz Weekend

Newport

Afternoon & evenings

9–12

IW Festival

Seaclose, Newport

All day

The County Show

Northwood

9.30am – 5.00pm

JULY 7 3

String Quartet concert

EMH

7.00pm

Horse & Country Charity Show

Sunnyside Farm, Whitwell

All day

15–17

26

Rhythmtree Festival

3 Gates Farm, Shalfleet

All day

24

Barton Manor Open Day

Barton Manor, East Cowes

10.00-4.00pm

23

Dance on the Duver

Squibb's Boatyard, The Duver, St Helens

5.30 – 11.00pm

27

Skydive

Sandown Airport

All day

Balletworks

Medina Theatre

29th – 7.30pm 30th – 7.00pm

Chale Showground

All day

EMH

7pm

Newchurch

All day

South Fairlee Farm, Fairlee Road, Newport

All day

29–30

AUGUST 6–7 Chale Show 4 Black Daniels concert 13–14 Jack Up the 80s 18–22 VDub Island 20–21

Garlic Festival

Newchurch

All day

20–21

Classic Isle Music Festival

Northwood House

4.00-10.00pm

Robin Hill Country Park

All day

Ryde Esplanade

11.00-5.30pm

SEPTEMBER 8–11 Bestival 18 Classic Car Extravaganza