TOTARATALK NOVEMBER 2016
your connection to Hospice tou hononga ki Hospice
INSPIRING YOUTH
Teen Rosie Kennedy reflects on her three years leading the Totara Hospice Youth Ambassador team When a lot of teenagers would choose to spend their spare time with friends or playing sport, Rosie Kennedy chose helping Totara Hospice. She had first encountered Hospice while in intermediate school, when her grandmother received care. A couple of years later she decided it was her turn to help. “I wanted to do something that would give back to the Hospice because they did a lot for my family, when my Nana was there,” she says. “I got in touch with Mel [Melinda Seal, Head of Fundraising, Sponsorship and Marketing] and did my first event. I had so much fun that I kept doing more and then we created the Youth Ambassador programme.”
She says some of her friends were initially a bit baffled when she told them about what she was doing. “They kind of thought it was weird, because they didn’t know what a hospice was and then I talked to them about it and some of them were like ‘Oh, can I try and do that too?’” Now 18 and in her final year of secondary school, Rosie is preparing to leave her role as Head Youth Ambassador, but will become a Senior
She says another was travelling to Wellington in June to accept the Youth Health Team Volunteer Award from Minster of Health, Hon. Dr Jonathan Coleman, as part of the Minister of Health Volunteer Awards at Parliament House. The national awards programme celebrates and recognises the invaluable contributions of volunteers to the health and disability sector in New Zealand. “That was so amazing. It was more special being the first person [in the programme] and being able to reflect that now there’s a whole group of people helping a good cause; and getting recognised for it.”
… knowing the work I’ve done means that other families get to have the same sort of treatment that my nana was able to have..
Now in its fourth year, the Youth Ambassador team comprises students aged 11-19 who volunteer at Totara Hospice. Their work includes helping with fundraising events and raising the profile of the hospice in its local community and among other young people. The team has around 22 students and Rosie has headed the group since its inception.
Youth Ambassador and help to guide those in the younger group. Looking back on her three years as their leader, she has several highlights. “The thing I’ve enjoyed the most has been being able to give back and knowing the work I’ve done means that other families get to have the same sort of treatment that my nana was able to have; so they know that their loved one who’s in hospice is in good hands.”
For Rosie, her role as a Youth Ambassador has reaped big rewards. “Being a leader for them has helped me with my leadership roles at school as well. And just taking a few hours out of your day to go and help at an event – we know that even though we’re not donating money or anything we’re saving the Hospice money by
Rosie Kennedy, Head Youth Ambassador for Totara Hospice not having to hire waiters or anything. “It’s the satisfying feeling that you’re doing something for other people and you don’t expect anything in return – you just know you’re supporting a
good cause and making the world a little bit better.” Find out more about the Youth Ambassador team – email: melinda.seal@hospice.co.nz
AN ITALIAN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER A huge thank you to all who joined us on Sunday 16th October for our fourth annual Long Lunch at the Bluestone Room. 200 people enjoyed a nine dish Italian Affair and with the help of our sponsors and guests, we are thrilled to announce that $50,000 was raised for Totara Hospice – our most successful Long Lunch yet! We could not have achieved such an incredible result without our fabulous youth ambassadors, celebrity hosts, our MC the fantastic Michele A’Court and chefs Ben Barton of Scarecrow and Sam Mannering of Homestead, assisted by the NZMA Culinary students.
Special thanks to our funding and auction sponsors, and of course to those who participated in our raffles and auctions on the day. With three tables already booked for next year’s Long Lunch, it is sure to be a sell-out, so book Sunday 15th October 2017 in your calendar and head to: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2017/hospice-long-lunch/auckland to book tickets and secure your seat! For more information contact Melinda (09) 640 0208 melinda.seal@hospice.co.nz
CHRISTMAS GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING! Now is the time to order your delicious Christmas goodies, either to complement your festive feast or as the ideal gift. The range includes Christmas cakes, puddings, hams and hampers, they taste great, and help Hospice! There is a variety of sizes and prices available and a donation from each sale will be made to Totara Hospice. To view the range and place an order go to www.hospice.co.nz/christmas For more information please contact Julayne on 09 640 0250 or email julayne.jones@hospice.co.nz
Hams from
$57
Cakes from
$23 Totara Talk - your connection to Hospice // 01
BNI MEMBER GOING THE EXTRA MILE For Katrina Church of Insurance People, supporting Totara Hospice is about more than a community link. It might be a long drive from Katrina Church’s Ponsonby office to Totara Hospice, but she has a simple reason for wanting her business to support it. “Their need is greater,” she says. “They’ve got the biggest catchment area and are in a lower socioeconomic area with communities where there isn’t a lot to get by at the best of times.”
“We spend a lot of time with people as they go through their journey – I have three terminally ill clients I’m working with at the moment in the insurance world – so we see the things that people go through. The end of life can be very traumatic when you’re on your own, when you haven’t got funds, when you haven’t got support. It’s important to have my staff get involved
you’ll always shed a tear – especially when they have their Youth Ambassadors stand up and sing – that always sets us all off, but there’s no harm in a bit of that.” Insurance People also donates a portion of specific commissions to help fundraise for the Hospice Family Flat, where families with a loved one in
I wanted to acknowledge what Totara Hospice does. They’re a bunch of really beautiful people who are trying to make a difference at the end of life... Katrina’s involvement with Hospice first began around 16 years ago through support from her Parnell BNI (Business Networking International) chapter, and then more recently her own business, Insurance People, became involved too, initially volunteering at the Sunrise Walk and then taking key sponsorship of that event and becoming a key sponsor of The Long Lunch as well. Katrina says she believes the work Totara Hospice does is very special and wants to give back where she can.
with that, to see what the other side is like – but for me personally, I wanted to acknowledge what Totara Hospice does. They’re a bunch of really beautiful people who are trying to make a difference at the end of life.” Her staff have volunteered at the Sunrise Walk with her, and Katrina says it is a wonderful event. “You do smile and you do reflect and you go away feeling warmer than you did when you first walked in there. And
Hospice can stay, so they are close by. “In the community they’re looking after, where there is such a Polynesian and Maori culture I think it’s neat that people can actually stay on site to cook and sleep,” says Katrina. “If it was me, I wouldn’t want to leave my husband on his own. It’s really special to be able to have that.” For Katrina, her ongoing support of Hospice is about more than simply donating money.
TREES OF REMEMBRANCE FARMERS COLLABORATION
If you’re interested in helping us please contact Emily on 09 640 0263
So please head into your local Farmers store, make a donation to place a card on our Trees of Remembrance and help raise much-needed funds for Totara Hospice.
UPCOMING EVENTS & CAMPAIGNS - Save the dates
In December the trees at Totara Hospice will be lit up, each light in honour of someone special. To sponsor a light go to www.hospice.co.nz/how-you-canhelp/ events/light-up-a-life or contact Julayne (09) 640 0250
CHRISTMAS AT HOSPICE TOTARA HOSPICE
Thursday 1st December - 6pm-7.30pm Come along and celebrate this special time of year with your friends, family and community. To RSVP call (09) 640 0025
SUNRISE WALK 2017 AUCKLAND BOTANIC GARDENS
LONG LUNCH 2017
02 // Totara Talk - your connection to Hospice
T-SHIRTS
$20 Available in black or white in a variety of sizes for guys & gals!
21 November to 2 December 2016 We are looking for more volunteers to help on our Trees of Remembrance in December. Please contact Emily Gray on (09) 6400263 - emily.gray@hospice.co.nz
LADIES LUNCH 2017 TOTARA HOSPICE
Sunday 26th March, 2017 Join us for a fun 5km walk where you will be helping Hospice step by step. Email your interest to renee.pickering@hospice.co.nz
PEN P A H E C I P S O H MAKING FOR SALE!
TREES OF REMEMBRANCE
CHRISTMAS MORNING TEA WITH JO SEAGAR
Thursday 8th December Enjoy morning tea with Jo Seagar and try samples from her new book. To book tickets go to www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/ enjoy-christmas-morning-tea-with-joseagar/auckland/manurewa or contact Julayne (09) 640 0250
Contact Katrina Church on 09 361 0738 or katrina.church@insurancepeople.co.nz to find out more about insurance that helps Hospice.
Get your family, friends and colleagues together to help! Your time will help a patient suffering from a life-limiting illness, while also helping someone this festive season remember and honour a loved one.
The baubles will be available exclusively at Farmers stores at a cost of $10 each with all proceeds being donated to support local hospice services.
LIGHT UP A LIFE
It doesn’t take much to make a little difference. It’s something we’re all going to be faced with… and if you’re dying and you don’t have people like Totara Hospice around then it can be a lot more difficult than it needs to be.”
The Trees of Remembrance Appeal is back for the month of December, Friday 2nd December – Friday 23rd December 2016 and we need volunteers like you!
There are four Farmers stores supporting Totara Hospice this year - Manukau, Pakuranga, Botany and Papakura. As well as having the Trees of Remembrance in store, Farmers will be selling a beautifully hand-painted glass Christmas tree bauble designed by New Zealand artist FLOX (Hayley King).
Ongoing If you are keen to push your boundaries and take on this once in a lifetime challenge, please email your interest to renee.pickering@hospice.co.nz
“Some of the work they [Hospice] share with us around the things people think about when they’re on their journey, about what they wish they had done more of; that really resonates with us as we see a lot of that. When you go to somewhere like Totara Hospice you get to see the celebration and the memory-making that people have.
TREES OF REMEMBRANCE CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Once again all Farmers stores will be busy raising funds for hospices throughout the country in the lead-up to Christmas. This year the Trees of Remembrance campaign will run from 21 November to 24 December 2016.
HOSPICE ADRENALINE ANGEL
Katrina Church (second from right) at the Sunrise Walk 2016
Friday 5th May, 2017 To book tickets go to www.eventfinda.co.nz/2017/ladieslunch-for-hospice/auckland/manurewa. For more information contact Melinda (09) 640 0208 melinda.seal@hospice.co.nz
Sunday 15th October, 2017 To book tickets go to www.eventfinda.co.nz/2017/hospice-longlunch/auckland. For more information contact Melinda (09) 640 0208 melinda.seal@hospice.co.nz
TODAY S R U O Y E S A H PURC ception tara Hospice re Available at To 0 on 09 640 025 or call Julayne
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OTHERS’ LIVES From street appeals to Trees of Remembrance and caring for Day Hospice patients, long-time Totara Hospice volunteer Christine Ferguson talks about why helping out means so much to her.
On-call volunteers needed!
It was more than a decade ago when Christine Ferguson helped with her first Totara Hospice Street Appeal. “Some people join garden clubs and some people join book groups and that’s not really my thing,” says Christine, a former practice nurse. “I like the volunteer work and I like the hospice concept.”
We are seeking on-call retail support for our Hospice Shops in Takanini, Manukau and Pakuranga
She and a friend also helped with the Trees of Remembrance for several years until her friend was diagnosed with cancer and died six years ago. She received care at Totara Hospice and Christine says that cemented her own link with it. “I went to see her several times at Totara Hospice. After she’d gone I found it quite hard to keep on [volunteering] but then I thought ‘Yes, I’m really going to do this, because it’s important’.” As well as the Appeals, the grandmother of nine has taken part in Sunrise Walks over the years and also volunteers at the Day Hospice facility, where she helps out once a fortnight with meals and a range of activities with patients such as craft, reading and music. “We have a singing group called No Strings Attached,” says Christine, “and the patients just love it. Some of them are quite sick and frail and we just make it as lighthearted as we can for them.”
“I cuddle her and I say ‘We’re here to make your day fun’ and she says ‘Oh I’d love that’. We sing every song under the rainbow and by the time she goes home she has a smile on her face.”
She is preparing to help again this year with the Trees of Remembrance, where people can buy a decoration to place on a tree in memory of a loved one. “At Christmas time, for a lot of people who have lost somebody they can find that it’s a little token or gesture that they can do for themselves, to put a remembrance bauble on the tree.
I like the whole concept of hospice – I think it’s amazing what they do for the dying, and the living.
She admits though, it can be a difficult environment, given how ill some of the patients are. I’ve got a daughter of 51 (so that makes me in my 70s!) who runs marathons, and there’s a woman who is a similar age and she has motor neuron disease.
Christine says she loves the opportunity to make a difference in others’ lives. “It’s sort of an extension of my nursing I think – I love the caring, I love the people, I like the whole concept of hospice – I think it’s amazing what they do for the dying, and the living.”
Last year there was a wee family and the mother had died during the year and the three children would have been pre-schoolers - it’s just heart-wrenching. That’s why I do it - because it’s a giving thing to do.” If you are interested in volunteering for Totara Hospice please contact Chris Shepherd on 09 640 0219 or chris.shepherd@hospice.co.nz
• No fixed shift - be part of our on-call team • No experience necessary - full training given • Weekend availability a bonus Please contact Chris Shepherd, on 09 640 0219 or chris.shepherd@hospice.co.nz
HAVE A CHRISTMAS CLEAN OUT And help hospice at the same time!
With the busy holiday season upon us, we are seeking donations of good quality household items, furniture, clothing, books and more for our Hospice Shops. Our shops run on the generosity of our community and we really appreciate your ongoing support. • Howick - 61 Picton Street - 09 534 1545 • Manurewa - 153 Great South Road - 09 268 0211 • Manukau - 29b Cavendish Drive - 09 263 5080 • The Gardens Manurewa - Shop 2, 91-97 Charles Prevost Dr - 09 269 4472 • Takanini - 198 Great South Road - 09 297 7550 • Pakuranga - Aylesbury St, Pakuranga Plaza - 09 576-2189
ENJOY CHRISTMAS MORNING TEA with JO SEAGAR When: Thursday 8th December Time: 10am - 12 noon Where: T otara Hospice Conference Centre 40 Charles Prevost Drive, Manurewa Ticket A: $25pp Ticket B: $60pp (includes a personally signed copy of ‘Elbows off the table, please’) Purchase tickets online at: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/ enjoy-christmas-morning-teawith-jo-seagar/auckland/manurewa Purchase your ticket and book together and get Jo’s cookbook for just $35! Books will be available on the day for $40. Sort your Christmas present shopping and grab some copies on the day as well. Plus enjoy a few samples from Jo’s fabulous new book - Elbows off the table, please. Any queries please call Julayne (09) 640 0250 or email: julayne.jones@hospice.co.nz
AROMATHERAPY PROVES A SUCCESS AT HOSPICE Aromatherapy is proving a useful complementary therapy at Totara Hospice for patients, and is helping families too. Patients are offered clinical aromatherapy as part of a holistic approach to their care. Aromatherapy uses natural plant materials and oils to enhance psychological and physical wellbeing, which can be achieved through inhaling the aroma from the oils or from the oils being absorbed through the skin. At Totara Hospice, a patient’s physical, spiritual and emotional needs are assessed, and then oils beneficial to them are selected, blended together and then used in massage or through a vapouriser. Palliative Care Nurse, Felicity Wooding, says aromatherapy can help a patient to feel better and relax, which allows them to feel more like themselves and better cope with their situation, and can also benefit the families. “In some instances aromatherapy can involve the family members, through simple hand massage with the oils. This helps to relax not only the patient but also the family members, knowing that they are making a difference for their loved one.” Katherine Trotter is full of praise for the aromatherapy service. “In my sister’s final days, aromatherapy played a big part in helping her to cope with sleeping problems, grief and the reality of her illness. Felicity Wooding offered fabulous support to me and my family during this difficult time as she assessed my sister’s physical and emotional needs and then advised me of the oils that would benefit her and even made her up a personalised blend! “Our family noticed a significant difference once we used the oils. They soothed her fears, alleviated her mental suffering and helped her to relax and keep calm, which resulted in her being able to sleep and be at peace. The grief support oil was a huge contributor to helping my family cope with the journey too. I highly recommend the use of essential oils”. Totara Hospice is seeking to have a small vapouriser available in each room in the Inpatient Unit. These cost approximately $70 each and we are looking to purchase 10. If you can help with a donation towards the purchase of a vapouriser, please contact Renee Pickering 09 640 0280 or renee.pickering@hospice.co.nz Totara Talk - your connection to Hospice // 03
OUR SHOPS – MAKING HOSPICE HAPPEN from Tina McCafferty - Chief Executive
Greetings All, Kia ora tātou, Kia Orana, Talofa Lava, Malo e lelei, Fakaalofa Lahi Atu, Ni sa Bula Vinaka, Namaste, Ní hăo, Hola! Spring is here at last. I love it. It inspires new beginnings, a clearing out of the cobwebs of the mind and new and fresh thinking. Our retail group has certainly caught spring fever. There has been a revamp of our stores across the board with some significant fresh approaches in Howick and Manukau particularly. If you haven’t been for a look yet, I encourage you to do so. You won’t be disappointed. Remember we have stores in Takanini, Manurewa, The Gardens and Pakuranga too. Our teams will be glad to welcome you in and to help you find that special item or great bargain. Our distribution centre in Takanini has also been reordered and revamped;
supporting how we get ‘only the good stuff’ out there to you, at the right time, amount, price and quality. Our distribution centre and stores are successful due to the commitment of our retail management team, supported by a group of fantastic retail volunteers.
I regard our stores as our ambassador sites within our community: they represent us, take pride in our purpose and have a long standing relationship with the people from the neighbourhoods they are in and are run by and supported by those residents.
Have you met Irene at the Gardens store? Irene has been volunteering for Hospice for the last 20 years and the success of our Gardens store is down to her efforts, commitment and willingness to support the necessary changes over time to keep ensuring you have a great shopping experience. Irene is the embodiment of ‘community-minded’ and she, and all of our volunteers are what helps makes Hospice such a special place.
I want to thank you all for supporting what we do in retail as you may not know how important you are. By purchasing great quality, pre-loved items from our stores you help make each patient’s journey that little bit better, as every purchase means you make a donation towards continuing to make hospice services happen. By donating items to our stores and taking the care and consideration that you do to ensure that donated items
Irene Archer (Totara Hospice volunteer) and Tina McCafferty (Chief Executive) are of great quality, you are supporting us to sell ‘only the good stuff’. Without great stock, the stock you donate, we wouldn’t be successful. Thank you. As 2016 draws to a close, we reflect on all that has happened and remember those who are no longer with us. Thank you for your support of
It was an amazing day at the Auckland Marathon on the 30th October! Well done to all of our golden runners; Michael Cave from BNI Metro, Tony Dench from BNZ, Chris Scott and Zoe Hagenson from Totara Hospice who supported us. Collectively they have raised over $8,000 for our cause!!
BNZ Closed For Good: We were lucky to have a team from BNZ help us repaint our Hospice Manukau Charity Shop for BNZ Closed For Good. Thank you for helping your community and for Making Hospice Happen.
Michael Cave (BNI Metro) and Tony Dench (BNZ)
BNZ Closed for Good team
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO PUB CHARITY LIMITED In September Totara Hospice received an incredibly generous donation from Pub Charity Limited. This funding has been provided towards sustaining our frontline clinical support teams who work with the patients and families of our communities – our Acute In-Patient Unit services, Community Palliative Care services and our Patient and Family Support services.
provided free of charge to the people of South and South East Auckland.
Website: Please visit www.hospice.co.nz click on “Donate Now” 04 // Totara Talk - your connection to Hospice
OUR WISHLIST
• Briscoes, The Warehouse and hardware store gift vouchers
If you would like to support the work of Totara Hospice with a donation, you can do this through Internet Banking, cheque or through our website.
Cheque: Please make cheques out to Totara Hospice South Auckland and send to: Totara Hospice, PO Box 75560, Manurewa, Auckland 2243
Amy Dench (Senior Youth Ambassador) Elaine Tourangi (BNI Connect) and Melinda Seal (Totara Hospice)
• A sewing machine for the laundry - Brother sewing machine $199 from Spotlight
HOSPICE CANNOT SURVIVE WITHOUT YOUR HELP
Code: First Name
BNI Connect: A very big thank you to BNI Connect’s ongoing generosity and support! BNI NZ has been supporting hospices throughout NZ since 2005. We are so lucky that hardly a month goes by without us receiving support from our amazing chapters that choose to support Totara Hospice.
• Hand-held carpet steamer Hoover Expert 9630 Dry Multi-Steamer $599 from Godfreys
Lottery Grants Board NZ Community Post Anstiss-Garland Charitable Trust VMD Collier Charitable Trust Stevenson Village Trust Ara Lodge No. 348 I C Charitable Trust
Internet Banking: Bank account: 12-3032-0715880-02 Particulars: Surname/company
Tina McCafferty Chief Executive
Are you able to donate any of the following items to support the work of Totara Hospice? Please contact Mel Seal on 09 640 0240 before purchasing:
Thanks to the generosity of Pub Charity Limited, we can now be assured our specialist palliative care services can continue to be
Trusts:
Totara Hospice this year- we wish you and your families a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
Reference: NL1116
• Large candles and tea light candles • Donations towards the purchase of Lotus essential oils for our aromatherapy service • New bed sheets – king single size, pink and blue only • Warehouse Stationery Vouchers for art supplies for children visiting the Inpatient Unit If you can help us please contact melinda.seal@hospice.co.nz or 09 640 0240, please do contact Melinda before purchasing. Thank you for your support