TheWink Keech Hospice Care’s new regular newspaper for staff and volunteers
February 2016
What did you think of our first issue?
Issue No. 2
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Have a look at our 2016 s! events guide and join u
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Keech checks-in for airport partnership I
t’s official! Fasten your seatbelt, because Keech Hospice Care and London Luton Airport’s charity partnership is officially in full flight. With your support we beat off some stiff competition to receive 40% of the public vote. The official announcement saw some of our children who were the faces behind our #VoteKeech campaign having a brilliant time getting their photo taken and bringing staff from Keech and the airport together. Sadly, Harry Russell, 3, who was one of our Keech children and a face of the campaign died before the voting closed. His mum and dad came along to the official launch with Harry’s sister Ella, 4, and they are all delighted Keech won. Harry’s Dad, Mark, said: “Our son Harry was at the end of his life during the campaign. We feel so incredibly proud that as part of his legacy he helped make a real difference. This partnership is just so important to help other families like ours. Keech came into our lives and allowed our son Harry’s final months, weeks and days to be very much about life. Keech helped us create special memories that will last a lifetime.” Neil Thompson, Operations Director at London Luton Airport, said “We’re delighted to be supporting Keech Hospice Care to provide care to adults, children and their families. Keech is a fantastic local charity and our staff are excited the public chose to make it their winner. Airport staff are already planning a world record attempt and even a fire walk to meet the ambitious target of £50,000. Thank you to everyone who got behind #VoteKeech: great teamwork!
Keech is the adult hospice for Luton & South Beds & the children’s hospice for Beds, Herts & Milton Keynes.
Happy Birthday Keech Hospice Care
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wenty-five years ago the doors to our hospice first opened to adult patients in Luton and South Beds. The role of our founder Dr Wink White is well known by many of us, but how many of you are aware the creation of our hospice was actually started by his wife, Iris? As a nurse, Iris saw first hand how patients and their families were often left to face the devastation continued on page 2
Ella, Ruby and Jasper at London Luton Airport
Keech Hospice Care checks in with London Luton Airport
New CEO proves to be a popular choice
L
iz Searle was recently appointed as our new CEO and the messages of support have flooded in. Knowing Liz loves all things bright and colourful our children’s hospice sent their congratulations in the form of a fantastic, glittery portrait card. We were also inundated with messages of support from the public also on Keech’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Brian in Luton commented: “Best news ever, just what the hospices need is a CEO that really cares. Lovely lady always admired her, well done Liz!” Liz said: “I am 100% committed to Keech Hospice Care’s future and am proud to be heading up a hospice which is a leader in its field. The opportunity to take a great organisation onwards and upwards is fantastic.” Congratulations, Liz! Keech Hospice Care believes no one should have to face a terminal and life-limiting illness alone.
As a charity, Keech Hospice Care depends on 70% of its funding to come from the community for its survival.
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The Wink
Tell us what you think!
Question time with Davina Harvey
Complete our survey at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/K93HGNQ
Keech 25 years ago - then and now
Now
Then continued from cover story
of receiving a life-limiting and terminal illness alone. Without speaking to Wink first, Iris stood up at a public meeting and announced to the room her husband was going to build a hospice. Wink’s dreams of a relaxed, quiet retirement from being a GP disappeared. That was the beginning of a massive fundraising campaign led by the Whites to secure funding to give the local community a hospice, which would provide vital care to people facing the end of their lives. Very few of us have ever had the privilege of hearing first-hand from Wink and Iris the story of how they set up the hospice. We interviewed the couple at their home recently to get the story straight from them. You can see it on our website: www.keech.org.uk/birthday
OMT, our management group, will be overseeing a programme of activities to mark our 25th anniversary - including our Keech Fest 25th Birthday Bash. Throughout the year we will be featuring stories from volunteers and staff who have been here from the start and who have seen some dramatic changes in the work of the hospice. If you have any ideas or stories you would like to share please email thewink@keech.org.uk While charity anniversaries are rarely deemed newsworthy or interesting to the general public, for us, the volunteers and staff, they are important to mark. They are a part of our history, a part of our story and it is important those who dedicated themselves to setting up the hospice are never forgotten. It is good for us to remember their passion and commitment, and to make sure 25 years on, we continue that.
Then
My Angel
Now
New Keech lottery
Written by Tony Jules Former patient
Written by David Pond, Individual Giving Manager
Angels appear when least expected, But they always appear at the right time. With love radiating from their hearts, They take you on a journey Away from fear and worry, To a place of peace, open silence and tingly happiness. Angels touch with warmth like the suns rays, Soothing, calming words they utter, helping to remove any mental clutter. Restoring clarity in your time-bound space, Acknowledging your right to move at your own pace. Angels appear when you least expect, To infuse life-giving energy into a vulnerable weakened body, Giving guidance and courage For your onward journey. Each unique in what they offer, But their common factor which significantly matters is being a distributor of love.
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tarting in April, you’ll now have almost four times as many chances as before to win in the Keech Hospice Lottery. The number of prizes is set to increase from 40 to a staggering 152; consisting of a 1st prize of £1,000, a 2nd prize of £250 and 150 runner-up prizes of £5. If that wasn’t enough, lucky lottery players will also have the chance to win a top prize of £3,000 four times a year in our bumper draw! One in 10 of the people we are able to care for is thanks to the proceeds raised from the lottery. Costing from as little as just 14p a day, your support will help ensure we’re able to reach out to those patients and their families who need our care and support most. Signing up to play couldn’t be easier: simply give our Supporter Relations team a call on 01582 497814, email lottery@keech.org.uk or visit www.keech.org.uk/support-us/lottery
Written by Davina Harvey, People and Operations Director Q. How would you describe Keech Hospice Care? A. The best place to be if you have palliative care needs. Q. How did you end up in your current role, and how long have you been in it? A. I have been at Keech Hospice Care a little over six years. Prior to working here, I worked at the Health Authority as a workforce consultant and before that I spent several years at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, beginning as the Director of Medical Workforce and then taking on education and training and the whole of HR by the time I left. I also worked for almost 20 years at the British Medical Association, being involved in many areas including the new GP contracts. I also spent time in property rentals – and very soon learnt that I wanted to work hard but in an area that would make a difference rather than profit! Q. What have you learnt? A. The importance of good palliative care and the pre-eminence of the hospice movement in delivering that care are probably the two most important things I’ve learnt (that and the magical properties of cake!) Q. What are the challenges and opportunities facing you and for Keech as an organisation? A. Every day is different, you never know what is going to happen next. The opportunities relate to the fact all staff and volunteers involved with Keech care about what we do and are proud of our services. As for Keech, the challenge is getting our budget right, how we continue to do what we do and in an increasingly financially challenging world where the need for our services increases rather than diminishes. This is a challenge and an opportunity, we must all work together to achieve this. Our work is too important to do otherwise. Q. What is your proudest professional moment? A. Gaining accreditation as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, the highest level of membership. It was incredibly challenging and time consuming but very worthwhile. Q. What is your proudest personal moment? A. My eldest daughter Bethany’s graduation and her achievement of a Masters degree in History. Q. What message would you give to colleagues and staff? A. Keep up the good work (and share any good cake recipes!) Since going to press we have heard that Davina is leaving us for pastures new. Many congratulations Davina on your new position as People and Facilities Director at St Michaels Hospice in Hereford. Thank you for all your hard work at Keech!
The Wink
Spotlight on: Shelagh Mullen
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The Same Faces fundraising night
Rachel Berwick
Written by Sarah Rastrick, Web and Digital Marketing Officer
T Interviewed by Rachel Berwick, Marketing and Comms Volunteer
“
Hi, my name is Shelagh Mullen, and I have worked in the Keech adult in-patient unit for eight years. I’ve signed up for Keech Hospice Care’s 2016 Trek India challenge. It’s not my first experience of trekking. I’ve trekked in Kenya, Egypt, Africa (the Zambezi River), India, Peru and through the Sahara desert. I’ve also completed projects including a playground build in the Himalayas and helped at a hospice in Lusaka. The treks are challenges and you do need to train. They are not easy, but you need to remember why you’re doing it. When I face a difficulty or I’m feeling down, I think of the people I look after and the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis, and it gives me the strength to carry on. Taking part in the trek is inspiring and it brings people together. I’ve signed up to Trek India because it helps raise funds and awareness of Keech and all the amazing things we do. It also provides me with a rewarding challenge. I’m basically doing it because I care. Everyone on the trek is either there to remember a loved one, or to help those undergoing treatment. We all face our own fears in support of those facing something much scarier.” It really is a wonderful experience. Please join us or support us. Find out more information on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/keechhospicecare or online at www.keech.org.uk/trekindia
Studying on the job
Written by Rachel Berwick, Marketing and Comms Volunteer
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Hi, I’m Rachel. I’ve volunteered in the marketing and communications team since April 2015. I started doing Wednesdays, but enjoyed it so much I upped my days to include Thursdays as well. I worked in the NatWest marketing team in London for 11 years prior to having children, and wanted to get back into working in marketing again. My husband died of cancer in 2011, and I wanted to use my skills to do something worthwhile, and in an area that was close to my heart. We didn’t use Keech Hospice Care, we weren’t aware it was here or even available to us. As a result, I am a big supporter of getting Keech’s message out there, that it is here, and not just a place where you go to die. Keech does so much more than that for both the patient and the wider family. Since I’ve been here, I’ve worked on the Celebrity Epitaph campaign, which encourages celebrities to speak openly about death, the new Fundraising Resources Guide and relaunching The Wink (both issues), as well as lots of ad hoc tasks helping the very busy day-to-day activities of the communications team. It’s amazing how much the team does, with so few people. It’s a very busy, energetic, productive environment. The work they do is invaluable in getting Keech’s message out there.”
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n September 2013 Eileen Jones and I, who are health care assistants on Keech’s adult in-patient unit, were asked to start a university course to become assistant practioners, a new role here at Keech Hospice Care. We went to university one day a week, studied at home and completed work-based learning on the unit. We were very lucky to have the support, help and guidance from our personal mentors and our work colleagues, and are also very thankful to Chris, Keech’s librarian, who helped us find all the books, journals and articles for our assessments. After two years of hard work, we graduated in November. I even managed to have a baby girl during this time. I never thought I would complete the course, but with the help from Eileen, who works full-time, I did it! Now, we will both be focusing on learning more and developing our new roles as assistant practioners and are looking forward to the challenge. Keech is the adult hospice for Luton & South Beds & the children’s hospice for Beds, Herts & Milton Keynes.
Did you know? Every time we handle an item donated to our shops, it loses value. The aim is to keep the sorting and transportation to a minimum, and sell it ‘as soon as we can, for as much as we can.’
My Week at Keech Hospice Care Interviewed by Rachel Berwick, Marketing and Comms Volunteer
Written by Nichola Scott, Assistant Practitioner
uesday 1 December saw Leicester-based comedy impro group The Same Faces perform a show in the Fountain Suite, watched by about 40 volunteers, members of staff, and their friends. Neil Goulder was a guest cast member for the evening, and music therapist, Nathan Vanstone-Howe, stepped in at the last minute to provide underscoring and accompaniment. The two-hour show had a wide range of scenes, which were handled with aplomb, and the audience did its best to throw difficult offers at the cast, to test their mettle. There was much joy to be had in the hairier moments, for instance watching one cast member struggle with a Geordie accent, while the cast piled on more misery (Geordie Shakespeare, anyone?). Much of the humour came from clever wordplay and off-the-cuff gags from the highly skilled cast, and some of the charm of the evening came from their acting skills, through to little touches like the rotating kebab in the Film Noir scene. The show featured a number of improvised songs, where melodies, harmonies and clever rhymes were conjured out of nowhere. How do they do that? It was a smashing night, which raised over £80. We hope there may be a repeat performance in 2016.
Hi, I’m Kayleigh and I’ve worked as an art therapist for Keech Hospice Care Children’s Services for over three years. I originally worked as an educational art therapist but had an interest in bereavement services, so I volunteered before taking the leap into palliative care, and I haven’t looked back since! My art therapy sessions can be provided to any Keech child or their family and friends who are affected by a life-limiting condition. Typically, I provide support either pre-bereavement, at end of life (supporting them through the dying process) and post-bereavement (thinking about the death itself, considering change in the family). The sessions are primarily one-to-one for one hour. Generally, my approach is non-directive, which means no tasks are set, but people are encouraged to use the art materials to express themselves. Together, we explore the artwork and I make links and reflections (if appropriate) to their personal circumstances. I would be hoping to facilitate change in thinking or behaviours as a result of this. This is a snapshot of what I do at Keech: I’m based in the hospice on Thursday and Friday. On Thursdays, I attend the children’s multi-discipline meeting and then the admissions and updates meeting. Following these meetings, I provide clinical supervision to team members or have my own managerial supervision. Keech Hospice Care believes no one should have to face a terminal and life-limiting illness alone.
After lunch, I head out for a community art therapy session in a school. Then, it’s back to Keech for two art therapy sessions. On Fridays, I am based at Keech all day unless I have an art therapy assessment or supportive care assessment to undertake. I have to be flexible on Fridays, as I run three art therapy sessions, as well as fitting in phone calls and meetings. The best thing about my job is building relationships with children and their families while they are experiencing emotionally challenging times and being able to facilitate some change regardless of how small. What would make my job easier is a greater understanding by new staff and patients as to what art therapy is and the benefits it can provide. This is an on-going process as new staff and patients enter our service. However, I am more than willing to talk to teams and patients if anyone has any questions about art therapy. Please contact me at korr@keech.org.uk”
As a charity, Keech Hospice Care depends on 70% of its funding to come from the community for its survival.
The Wink
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To sign up visit www.keech.
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Do something brilliant in 2016!
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3 areas are covered by Keech: Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes
guide 2016
What are you signing up for?
.org.uk/whats-on or call 01582 707940
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The Wink
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£5.2 million
70% of our funding
is needed to provide our hospice services
is raised by the local community. Keech Hospice Care depends on you to help!
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The Wink
Keech at Christmas Christmas appeal raises £35,000 Luton on Sunday Written by David Pond, Individual Giving Manager
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o date, a fabulous £35,000 has been raised in response to the hospice’s Christmas appeal. Featuring a cover letter from Liz, the appeal spoke about Christmas at the hospice and introduced the reader to the stories of the late Tony Jules along with that of Jen Carter, Mum to two and a half year
old Jacob. As well as asking our wonderful supporters to make a donation to pay for some of the care our patients would need over Christmas time, we also asked them to write a few words of love and support on a tag, which was enclosed. Over 400 people responded to the appeal with just under half enclosing tags, which were displayed at the hospice, helping to bring the spirit of Christmas to Keech Hospice Care.
partnership
Written by Mel Barry Head of Marketing & Comms
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ur partnership with Luton on Sunday has so far raised more than £10,500. Our latest campaign, Keech Christmas Stars, was a great success and helped to raise awareness of the hospice over the Christmas period.
Trek India update
Santa Runs update
Written by Lynn Russell, Events Fundraiser
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e have 13 participants signed up for our Trek India event so far. There is still time (and a couple of places) for you to do something really positive and create memories which will last a lifetime. Sign up at www.keech.org.uk/ trekindia or call 01582 707940 for further information.
Written by Lynn Russell, Events Fundraiser
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anta Runs were again very successful and enjoyed by all who took part. In total we had 536 Santas running around our two locations in Luton and Bedford. It was lovely to see so many new supporters take part as well as many regular participants. We have around £25,000 for our 2015 Santa Runs pledged to date.
Smiley Sam Written by Maggie Doust, Volunteer Development Manager
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big thank you to all our volunteers who helped with the Smiley Sam Christmas Float. Over 1,200 hours were clocked up with people helping as drivers, Santas, co-ordinators and collectors during the daytime and evening, braving the wind and rain to bring some Christmas cheer to our local community and helping to raise more than £37,000 for Keech. Thanks also to our Friends of Keech Bedford group, who organised and ran the Christmas Sleigh for North Bedfordshire, raising £4,814.60. And, of course, a final thank you to our supporters, young and old, who look forward to seeing Smiley Sam each year and give so generously to help us achieve these amazing totals.
800 attend Light Up a Life Written by David Pond, Individual Giving Manager
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espite the mid week forecast for rain, Sunday 6 December thankfully stayed dry as over 800 people turned out to attend the annual service of remembrance held in the grounds of the hospice and celebrate the lives of loved ones. Hosted by Steve Andrews, our Bereavement Care Worker, the service consisted of well-known carols, poignant readings and reflections from family members. As always, one of the focal points was the switching on of the lights on the tree (restrung for this year), with each light shining out in celebration of a life lived. Accompanied by a beautiful solo from young Morgan Cummins it made for a very special moment. As always, an event of this size couldn’t happen without considerable effort from staff and volunteers. Many thanks to all who helped make it possible.
The Wink
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London and Brighton Marathons Written by Lynn Russell, Events Fundraiser
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he cold, wet, wintery months at the beginning of the year mark the start of the marathon season. Following the success of the 2015 Keech Hospice Care running team, 2016 has even more amazing runners signed up. Our Virgin London Marathon group were selected in October, so their training is well underway. The team includes Josh Emerton, who is running in memory of
Keri’s horse visits Keech
The future of fundraising
his mum, Keri. Many of you will remember her, as she spent the last few days of her life here at Keech. Josh said, “The work Keech do is amazing and the nurses there are absolutely fantastic.” Also running is Colin Moore, whose wife gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Sofia in February 2015. Sofia was very poorly from birth and sadly died, just eight hours old. Keech offered the family a place to spend the night together as a family. Colin said: “I am forever grateful to Keech for giving us the time to spend with our daughter.” As well as the London Marathon, which takes place on Sunday 24 April, we have a growing number of runners taking part in the fantastic Brighton Marathon on Sunday 17 April. Two of last year’s London team are again running for Keech Hospice Care. Lee Biggs, who’s eight month old son Daniel was supported by Keech before he sadly died in May 2014, and Ross Coniam who is the uncle of Kieran, who died aged 10 years in October 2014. The Coniam family have all been very passionate fundraisers for Keech during 2015, raising a huge amount of money. Finally, I will also be donning my running shoes, joining Lee and Ross in the Brighton Marathon. This will
Written by David Goodwin Keech Volunteer and Supporter
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Instagram us We have been hard at work launching our Instagram here at Keech Hospice Care. Watch out for lots of shop bargains! Here’s our most liked photo to date, a beautiful Keech sunset. Follow us on @Keech_hospice_care and search #Keech to see what our supporters are up to!
Keech is the adult hospice for Luton & South Beds & the children’s hospice for Beds, Herts & Milton Keynes.
Ross running a marathon
It all started on a summer’s day
Written by David Pond, Individual Giving Manager he summer of 2015 saw some negative media coverage a small number of high-profile incidents regarding other charities. This led to wider public concern about how charities ask for money. In response, the Government asked Sir Stuart Etherington to lead a review into the current selfregulation model, which then led to the report, ‘Regulating Fundraising for the Future’, published in September 2015. With Keech reliant on the support of the community to provide 70% of its vital care, we are acutely aware of our fundraising responsibilities to deliver the best practice and ensure the donor is put first. An independent audit of Keech’s fundraising practices was completed in the autumn and a time driven action plan has been produced to improve our customer service. While we wait to see what comes of Sir Stuart’s review and the changes the Institute of Fundraising have made to their Codes of Practice, we can reassure our donors there are certain practices which Keech has never subscribed to: Selling supporter personal data for commercial gain. Sharing supporter data with other charities. We have also adopted the following: Every addressed fundraising communication will carry a clear message explaining how the donor can opt out of future communications. Minimum font sizes will be introduced for opt in (which is required to send people emails or text messages) and opt out (from receiving direct mail and phone calls). To see a copy of the ‘Regulating Fundraising for the Future’ report, please contact dpond@keech.org.uk
be my fourth marathon despite saying ‘never again’ after my first! My passion for running, fundraising and the work Keech does overrides any painful marathon memories (and blisters!). If you would like to join the cheering team at the London Marathon, or fancy a bit of sea air down in Brighton, please let us know! If marathon running isn’t your thing, how about a half marathon? We have reduced-price places in the Welwyn Half Marathon on 20 March. Please contact the events team on 01582 707940 for information or training advice for your running distance.
David and his new wife, Sandra
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n a beautiful day in August 2009, I found myself sitting looking out onto a sun-drenched courtyard, a tray of coffee and delicious looking cakes in front of me and a lovely young lady at my side chatting away. The tension and tiredness, which I had been feeling for the last few months, slowly began to drain away in the present sheer tranquillity and peace. You may think I am starting to describe an idyllic holiday scene. In fact, I was sitting at Keech Hospice Care, looking out onto the garden and the young lady was one of Keech’s nurses. I was awaiting the ambulance that was bringing my wife to the hospice. I quickly learned that one of the defining aspects of hospice care is that it’s not just for the patient, but for the family as well. Keech is a place where both patient and family can express their concerns and talk freely about their feelings, where they will be listened to, cared for and comforted. Eventually, the ambulance arrived and my wife was welcomed and made comfortable in her room. The warmth of the welcome and the peace of the hospice
began to have the same effect on her as it had earlier on me. My wife began to relax after a very stressful time in hospital. The sheer joy of simple things like a quiet room, appetising food, the ability to enjoy time with family and friends in privacy and endless cups of tea, all helped her to rest, relax and regain some strength. Over the coming days all the family were taken aback by the quality of the care and the warmth which was extended to us all. Like many others, I had expected the atmosphere at Keech to be sombre and sad. How wrong I was! There were of course sad times, times when it was appropriate to be quiet but, overall, the atmosphere was very bright and positive. Eventually, we were to discover another important aspect of care at Keech: after the death of a loved one the whole family continues to recieve care and support, such as, counselling, bereavement groups, memorial services and Keech’s annual ‘Light up a Life’ event. In short, still being there for us. During my wife’s stay at Keech I made the decision that, in the future, I would enquire about becoming a hospice volunteer. Seven years on, I have been a volunteer for some time and Keech seems like a second family to me. I don’t do anything special – just some admin, a weekly reception duty and some involvement in fundraising, but I have enjoyed every moment and found it very fulfilling. It is rewarding to be part of the army of volunteers without which Keech could not function and although each of us is only a small cog in a very big wheel, everyone’s contribution counts. There are some special moments that make it all worthwhile like when the husband of a patient in the in-patient unit, as he was leaving one night, turned and said, “If I could have afforded a million pounds for my wife’s care it could not have been any better than what she is receiving here.” A very happy footnote to all this is I was remarried just over a year ago and my new wife is now also a volunteer for Keech. Recruitment by marriage!
Clear-out your clothing clutter and help Keech Written by Jane Glean Retail Operations Manager
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id you know most women wear their clothes just seven times? The average woman’s wardrobe has at least ten items that will never be worn again. Please think of us when you are sorting through your wardrobe. Your donations could make a real difference to the income raised in our shops. If you have any clean linens, working electricals, CDs, DVDs, books, household accessories and furniture (with fire Keech Hospice Care believes no one should have to face a terminal and life-limiting illness alone.
labels attached), please let us know. These items are all gratefully received, as well as any unwanted presents! We also accept old towels, linens and damaged clothing, as these are sold to reputable rag merchants. Please pop them in a separate bin bag with a large sticker labelled RAG. Style guru, Gok Wan, is pledging his support for hospice care and Hospice UK. He says: “If you think you’ve got more than you need or will ever wear, then why not bag it up and take it to your local hospice shop? There are more than 2,000 hospice shops in the UK and they need your help keeping the rails fully stocked!” As a charity, Keech Hospice Care depends on 70% of its funding to come from the community for its survival.
The Wink
8
App Review: myfitnesspal
Goodbye and good luck Pam Written by Shirley Gadsden, Adult In-Patient Unit
Written by Hollie Howitt, Communications & Design Assistant Price: Free Available on: iPhone, iPad and Android We all know summer bodies are made in the winter, so, here’s a fun new fitness app to get us kickstarted! Unlike most fitness apps, myfitnesspal takes a relaxed approach to help get you fit. It offers a food log, which helps you to track what you’re currently eating and how you can improve your nutrition. It also allows you to set weight and fitness goals, which are restricted to a reasonable change of 2lbs a week. What’s the best thing about this app? Well, it allows you to input everything you eat (and even has a handy barcode scanner) and your exercises too – helping to work out your overall daily intake of calories effectively.
Local community award scooped by fundraising volunteer
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am Ciba started at Keech Hospice Care in 1997 as a housekeeper working on the in-patient unit. She enjoyed chatting to the patients and their families as she went about her duties every day. She then felt she would like to try working in care, so when an opportunity arose for her to work as a health care assistant on the unit she jumped at the chance. Pam enjoyed her work on the in-patient unit where she soon became a confident and competent health care assistant. She had a very calming approach with patients and their families. She was a respected member of the team and will be greatly missed. We wish her well for the future.
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arole Young is one of our amazing fundraising volunteers and has raised an incredible amount of money over the last 12 years for Keech Hospice Care. We are delighted Carole has been awarded The Ampthill & District Rotary Club Community Award, which is awarded to an individual who has given outstanding service within the community over many years. In fact, the Award recognises Carole’s fundraising efforts for the Leonard Cheshire Home over the past 36 years as well as her amazing voluntary work at Keech, where she has organised many events including dances, curry nights, and events at the hospice. Carole has also often worked on Christmas day, serving Christmas dinner to our patients and residents. As a fundraiser, she regularly gives talks to various organisations including Rotary, Inner Wheel, WI and Ladies Circle to raise awareness and much needed funds. It is without question that she deserves this award. Congratulations Carole!
Sad news
Late last year, a member of our staff, Mary Williams died unexpectedly. Mary worked as a Palliative Care Support Worker in the children’s community team and will be very much missed by her colleagues, friends and the families she looked after. Our thoughts are with Mary’s family and friends at this time.
Starters and leavers
Written by Trevor Nash, President of Ampthill and District Rotary Club
Spot the difference H
ave a go at our spot the difference and see if you can find the seven differences! When you’ve finished, send a picture of it to thewink@keech.org.uk or cut it out and pop in the
internal post to comms by 13 March. One winner will be drawn out of a hat to win a prize. Congratulations to last issue’s winner: Claire McInally, Supporter Relations Executive.
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hank you for all the hard work of those who have left Keech in the last few months and a big welcome to all our new starters across all areas of the hospice. Starters Aileen Atkinson, Children’s Health Care Assistant Shirley Baker, Shop Manager Emma Dixon, Social Media Officer Hollie Howitt, Comms and Design Assistant Lisa Jarman, Adult Nurse Zenab Khalid, Children’s Health Care Assistant Alison Shotter, Income and Marketing Director Luna Summers, Macmillan Palliative Occupational Therapist Sonya O’Leary – Lead Nurse, Children’s Sarah Richardson – Clinical Administrator Harriet Wainwright – Staff Nurse (Adults) Leavers Gemma Bryce, Admin/Reception Assistant Jose Fernandez Gill, Specialty Doctor Theresa Harrison-Ell, Assistant Shop Manager Salma Ishaq, HR Advisor Karen Mahon, Assistant Shop Manager Eileen Plumb, Assistant Shop Manager Sally Roe, Adult Nurse Trish Devlin, Corporate Partnerships Manager
Registered Charity No. 1035089
Tel: 01582 492339 info@keech.org.uk www.keech.org.uk