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“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift” Issue No 76, Winter 2018 - NIV 2 Corinthians 9:15

St Luke’s Hospice, Fobbing Farm, Nethermayne, , SSN16 5NJ EWS STel: 0126t8 524 973L www.stulukeshokspice.coem Re’gistsered C harity No. 289466 From the Editor … Dear Reader , inside this edition of St. Luke’s News you should have received one of our 2018 Christmas Appeal Envelopes. We want to thank Barbara for sharing her story below and hope that it inspires you to support our Heart 2018 Christmas Appeal so we can do more to help patients like Barbara. Please Partnership Project Fundraising donate today using the envelope enclosed or alternatively you can donate securely update Fun Dementia page 4 & 5 Support by debit or credit card using the donation button on the home page of our website page 3 Light Up www.stlukeshospice.com or by telephoning us on 01268 524 973. Thank you! page 6 a Life page 8 St. Luke’s Hospice has helped me, please help them to help others Sharing her story in support of our Christmas Appeal But I needn’t have worried. is one of our Day Hospice patients, Barbara Sheard. Since being in Hospice Barbara is a widow, mother of 2 sons and has 2 care I have received so grandchildren aged 12 and 14. She was diagnosed with much support which has made a big difference to cancer in October 2016. Six months of chemo followed during which me. The side effects of Chemotherapy were time she relocated to Basildon to be cared for by her son. When causing me a problem with walking, so I had acupuncture which has treatment was finished she was referred to St. Luke’s Hospice. helped a lot. I have learned to relax and through counselling sessions Barbara explains “When my treatment finished I felt I was sort of realised just how much emotion I was holding back which was making me left in ‘limbo’. I had been told that my condition was stable, and anxious and affecting my ability to make decisions and talk to my family that I was now on palliative care. I found this all very vague and about my future. Through counselling I have found ways to express myself, frightening – a lot had changed in my life over the previous year. I had my feelings and emotions in ways that make me communicate more easily a lot of life changing decisions to make, including where I was to live, with my family without us all getting too upset. Being able to spend time as well as coping with my health care needs. with people who understand and the opportunity to make new friends and Being new to pick up hobbies as well as knowing I have 24/7 Hospice support from Basildon, aside OneResponse when I am home is such a reassurance and comfort, not from my family, just for me but also for my family. I am so grateful from the bottom of my I didn’t know heart and appreciate all that the Hospice has done and continues to anyone and my do for me. I feel confident and more like ‘my old self’ – I now have failing health plans - I am looking forward to moving to my own new home locally affected my and spending time with family and new friends. mobility and Please will you help make a difference to the people who are in general well-being. St. Luke’s Hospice care by making a donation this Christmas, When I turned up at St. Luke’s Hospice on that first day in June ensuring that they are able to continue to provide the very best 2017 I was very apprehensive, not knowing what to expect. treatment to people just like me.” Become a Social Media Friend If you enjoy receiving news about St. Luke’s Hospice why not join our many ‘Social Media’ friends – It’s a great way to find out about what’s going on at the Hospice without having to wait for the next edition of St. Luke’s News and also a great way for you to give us feedback. Our Social Media platforms can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram facebook.com/stlukeshospicebasildonthurrock • twitter.com/StLukesHospiceB • on Instagram under stlukeshospiceb Newsletter for friends and supporters of St. Luke’s Hospice (Basildon and ) For editorial content information contact Marilyn DeBattista (Head of Revenue Development PR & Marketing) tel: 01268 524973 or e-mail [email protected] group to support those recently bereaved in reactivating their social life and getting support from others who had been bereaved. They are Trudy’s Diary also great supporters of the In October I was Hospice, having raised thousands delighted to join of pounds for us over the years. up with our My photo shows the ladies with Fundraiser Kerry, their very important ‘other halves’ at the start of our thank you, Lyn, Val and Jan for all your hard work and support of Luke’s to Luke’s St. Luke’s Hospice. Walk event. Finally, I recently had a surprise The Walk began at the meeting with a very dear friend of Hospice, went through mine, June. June and her Country husband, Aubrey, have been long Park to our St. Luke’s term supporters of St. Luke’s. Many a time House in Corringham, a June has joined me in a rain-swept town distance of 5 miles. Here the walkers centre helping to raise funds for St. Luke’s. found a welcome drink and a cream tea. So, it seemed very fitting when June Once rested, those energetic enough, knocked on my door to hand over a cheque began the long walk back to the for the Hospice that it was pouring with rain. Hospice. A total distance, there and back, of ten miles. Each walker carried a yellow My photo shows June and myself, under an balloon on which, if they wished, they could write the name umbrella, with the donated cheque – it was of the person or persons they were remembering. It was a just like old times. lovely and very special way for people to remember their The donation was from Andy Potts, one of loved ones. June’s neighbours who is a regular donor to Over 200 walkers took part and I want to say a big ‘thank the Hospice. Thank you, Andy and thank you, you’ to each and every one of them for their support. June, for being such a good sport and having Congratulations must also go to Kerry and her team of helpers your photo taken in the rain. for being ‘spot on’ in the organisation of the Walk. Well done ! As I write Christmas will be fast approaching. May I wish you all a I hope ‘Luke’s to Luke’s Walk’ will become a permanent part of the very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and Happy New Year. Hospice fundraising calendar of events – it’s a wonderful way to celebrate and support the work of the Hospice. Another event I attended earlier this year was the 10th anniversary of Stepping Forward based in . Lyn Wilson and two of her Trudy Westmore-Cox friends, Val and Jan, with support from the Hospice, began their St. Luke’s Hospice Co-founder & Patron. Supporting local people whatever Statistics demonstrate that their circumstance homelessness in the UK has increased by *132% since 2010 St. Luke’s Hospice’s VERVE and there are inequalities in diversity project aims to ensure awareness of end of life care that all in our local community for those people who are have equal access to homeless. With winter information about end of life coming, the Hospice is care planning and end of life responding to the growing care. VERVE is a multiagency group and need to raise awareness includes representatives from a diversity of around end of life care for religious groups, learning disability agencies, the homeless. the Clinical Commissioning Group, St. Luke’s staff have been Foodbanks, the Police, the Transgender attending the Basildon Homeless working group community and many more, inclu ding with a view to offering support on a weekly basis to people who St. Mungo’s outreach workers. attend the local night shelters. *(www.qni.org.uk).

2 To become a Hospice Volunteer telephone our Volunteer Co-ordinator on 01268 524973 or visit the volunteer section on www.stlukeshospice.com Heart Partnership Project update by Claire Coyne, Heart Failure Clinical Nurse Practitioner at St. Luke’s Hospice Many heart failure patients struggle with fluid retention We are six months into the Heart as their disease progresses Partnership Project and I am pleased to and may have multiple say it is getting busy! We have a case hospital admissions as a load of 28 patients at the moment. Through consequence. We are the project they are now engaging and enjoying the committed to helping those services available to them at the Hospice, such as with this distressing Advance Care Planning and the palliative care heart symptom and hope to have failure clinic which is run by Dr Piggott and myself. an intra venous furosemide clinic running in the Day The 9 week Targeted Support Group finished in Hospice in the near future. September. It was a small group but those who attended showed significant improvement in their quality of life. One gentleman A second heart failure study day has been held due to the very reported that he enjoyed being able to share his experiences with positive feedback from the first study day. In collaboration with our others who have the same diagnosis, whilst a carer also reported partners the day offered an insight into the disease and also the that it had changed her life. In the future we plan to run more groups impact of living with advanced heart failure. We were delighted to for heart failure patients which will give them the skills and confidence welcome Julie Bartlett from ‘Pumping Marvellous’ who spoke to the to manage the diverse range of symptoms that many experience, participants about her life with advanced heart failure and being on such as breathlessness, fatigue and psychological distress. the transplant list.

Our shop has already generated a great deal of local interest as it only sells furniture and electrical goods, Shop No 12 something that makes us stand out from other charity shops in the area as they do not sell these items. Being SLH Trading is pleased to announce the only charity shop in the locality selling 'pre-owned' the opening, on 2nd October, of its electrical items also enables us to attract more than our 12th store which is on . fair share of donations ! The shop is located Bob Willett is the store manager, having joined SLH Trading earlier on the corner of this year to manage our Chadwell St. Mary shop. Before that Bob Furtherwick Road and was a volunteer in one of our other shops. He has successfully Lionel Road and benefits passed a ‘PAT Test’ course (certifying electrical items safe for use) from dual aspect and had further training at our electrical store. windows – which makes The Canvey Island furniture and electrical shop can be the shop airy and light contacted on 01268 510410. Bob is currently looking for and gives lots of room some volunteers to join him in this new venture so please for window displays. give him a call if you would like to help. Thanks to Billericay Round Table Members of Billericay Round community Clinical Nurse Specialists to take Table made a special visit to external training so that they can prescribe St. Luke’s Hospice to see the medication. impact that their generous Simon Poole, Chairman of Billericay Round donation of £8,000 has made to Table said “Hospice care touches the lives of hospice care. The donation was a lot of people in our local community. The made possible through funds range of services they provide is mind-blowing. raised by Billericay Round Table I had no idea they did so much ! The members of Billericay Round Table are at their Annual Firework display delighted to be able to support St. Luke’s in Lake Meadows. and our wider community in this way’’ It has been used by St. Luke’s Hospice to We are very grateful to Billericay Round purchase a ‘Low Rise bed’ - which has Table for their support which will enable patients to be cared for in special features aimed at supporting the particular needs of patients a way that meets their individual needs and help maintain their with dementia. The donation has also enabled two of the Hospice’s dignity and independence as much as possible.

To find your local St. Luke’s Hospice Shop or for information on how to gift items to our shops visit 3 www.stlukeshospice.com/shops Superheroes Billie Merchant Summer Sky Dive Raised £492 for St. Luke's at the White Hospice by having 8 inches 9 intrepid Skydivers - Russell, Lion Pub of her hair cut off. She also Rita, Pamela, Neil, Zoe, Debbie, ‘24 Superheroes’ took donated her hair to the Gary, Vicky and Brooke, raised part in the White Lion Children's Wig Foundation. over £6,000 by participating in Pub, Fobbing charity our Summer Sky dive. pub crawl on Saturday 26th May. Starting from The Courthouse, through Stanford, Corringham and finishing at the White Lion in Fobbing! They raised an amazing £2,000. You are our ‘Superheroes’!

Basildon & Lions Basildon & Wickford Lions held a quiz night in aid of 3 Peaks St. Luke’s on 12th May. Challenge Which raised an amazing Mark Williams, Steve Maylon, £1,045. James Chapman, Darren Cashman, Lee Wall, THANK YOU Gary Ingliss, Paul Norton, Trevor Matthews, Chris Peain, Stuart Green, Steve Savage, Dave Kent, Peter Brooks from Ford Motor Company – took part in the 3 peaks challenge on 21st June 2018, raising £2,766.

Wake Boarding 17 supporters Barry took part in our Wake Boarding Howe event held in June from and raised £2,360. Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower The Canoed up the River Chelmer and Prudential Ride Satellite raised £961.25 in sponsorship to Arran, Guy, support our work. Club of Nigel, Richard and Adrian Rotary Club took part in Billericay Cake Sales the Prudential Mayflower Ride, , Held a wine Student Jennifer on 29th July, Wendorff raised appreciation evening raising over and as well as raising £508.87 through £5,000. cake sales at her a few glasses they school. also raised £350 for the Hospice.

4 ‘THANK YOU’ to each and every one of you who have helped us in our fundraising efforts – you have truly made a difference ! Frank Gough Frank Gough and his partner Dymi took Regular Giving North Stifford part in a Charity UK Track Tour in memory Thank you to each and every one of our Regular Gift Village Fete of his colleague Colin Gray who worked at Supporters. the Ford Heritage Centre in Dagenham. Your monthly/quarterly/six monthly or annual gift Held on 16th June, chose Frank bought an old transit van, painted it makes a difference to the many people that we help St. Lukes Hospice as one in ‘Alan Mann’ in our community. of their charities, racing colours Thanks to you we're able to plan ahead in the presenting us with a and visited 50 knowledge that your ongoing donations will make a cheque for £1,300. tracks in 7 real difference to our patients, their families and all days raising who engage with us throughout the year. £2,191. As regular and loyal donors to St. Luke’s you are truly special – THANK YOU. Should you wish to find out more about Regular Jacqueline Giving please contact Anita Pease on 01268 524973 Wright ext. 652 or email [email protected] Cycled to Newmarket and back, riding over 150 miles in 2 days, raising £1,080. Thank you to all our wonderful collectors Thank You to all our amazing ‘Collectors’ who go out in all weathers collecting money for St. Luke’s Hospice. These wonderful volunteers are often seen outside supermarkets, town centres and even train THANK YOU stations. Last year they raised an amazing £22,000. Upcoming Events Christmas Market 2018 Sing, Sing, Sing Santa Claus is coming to St. Luke’s Christmas Market Calling all Primary School choirs on Saturday 24th November, in Thurrock, Basildon, Billericay and Wickford – how would taking place just behind the you like to be in with a chance of winning £500 for your school? Hospice in Basildon College Sign up for our Schools’ Choir Competition which is taking place on from 11am to 3pm. In addition 21st March, 2019 at the Towngate Theatre, Basildon. to Santa there will be lots of stalls selling a wide variety Contact Jo Lucas on 01268 524973 ext. 617 or of items, games and email [email protected] entertainment for the whole for further information. family. There’s free parking, Christmas Cards it’s free to enter and a visit to Santa is just £3.50! Where’s Your Local? & Diaries We are looking for places that will Christmas Cards and Diaries For more information call take our Collection Pots – we all the Fundraising Department on are now on sale in our main have a local parade of shops or a 01268 524973 or email [email protected] Hospice reception, from the local corner shop near to where we live, so could you please let Fundraising Department, our us know where they are? shops and all of our Hospice Test Track 10 events. There are a variety of One of the best 10 If you feel able to, why not pop in designs and prices, please mile runs in Basildon and ask if they would take a remember every card or diary Collection Pot from their local on Sunday 17th you buy will help support Hospice – a lot of local shops have Hospice services. February 2019. Open National Charity Pots but some will to all abilities of runner, take ours as well if asked! racing wheelchair entrants and ‘fast So, if you can let us know walkers’. Taking place where to go, or if you pop into the shop, ask and they say ‘yes’ within the Ford Motor then please get in touch. Let’s Company Dunton complex, including the ‘test track’ this run hope we can find a lot of new is virtually traffic free, with chip timing, medals for all finishing homes for our Collection Pots. runners and trophies for winners, spectators also welcome. Any questions just call or e-mail For more information contact the Fundraising Team at Diane Chester on 01268 524973 ext. 637 or St. Luke’s Hospice 01268 524973 or email [email protected] [email protected] or visit www.stlukeshospice.com

5 ‘THANK YOU’ to each and every one of you who have helped us in our fundraising efforts – you have truly made a difference ! St. Luke’s Hospice has become a ‘Dementia Friendly Organisation’ with many of our staff and volunteers attending Dementia Friends’ training Dementia Friends’ is an Alzheimer’s Society led members of the public but also at clinicians and professionals who initiative which aims to increase dementia have an interest in caring for people with dementia. Visitors to the event had the opportunity to speak with Specialist Dementia and awareness and is part of the Government’s Frailty Clinical nurses and gain advice about using equipment and ‘Challenge on Dementia’ plan launched in March available aids, dietary information and how to eat well, the importance 2012 aimed at making the best country in of diversional therapy and reminiscence as well as ‘safeguarding’ and the world for dementia care and research by 2020. how to prevent accidents. The Admiral Nurse from Basildon Hospital was present and also local dementia support organisations. Successful Dementia Awareness Day St. Luke’s Hospice recognises Dementia Support Group Programme the challenges faced by A new initiative being undertaken by the Hospice is to hold a families living with dementia dementia social group on the first Thursday of each month. This is a and our aim in holding our structured six session support programme open to patients and second ‘Dementia Awareness carers of people with dementia. drop in day’ on Saturday 29th The aim of the group is to help patients and September was to help and carers learn more about living with support them. dementia, develop their resilience, enhance The day, which attracted a their own coping strategies and develop steady flow of visitors, focused new ones. They will also have the on improving the delivery of opportunity to share experiences, have specialist palliative care to patients who some respite and gain peer support from have dementia as well as supporting others in similar circumstances. their family members and carers both in For more information about this new the Hospice and in their own homes. group please contact our Day Hospice The event was not just aimed at on 01268 524973.

their area and build links with them. As the programme would be Working with other delivered in the same way by each of the hospices, domiciliary carers could attend a missed session by attending another hospice’s programme on a date more suitable to them. Hospices to provide Prior to the course starting, mangers from the various care providers were invited to a session training where the aims of the programme were outlined and agreement sought for the release of staff. Hospices in Essex Having completed the course carers are invited were invited by to become ‘End of Life Care Champions’ and Essex County are given access to a website to obtain material Council to work and services to help them in their ‘enhanced together to provide role’. There will also be ongoing ‘Champions training in end of life days’ to provide additional training on a rolling care for the Council's programme. domiciliary care To date one cohort has successfully completed the training which providers. The aim is to improve standards of care has been well received. Feedback from participants include: and assist providers in meeting their CQC “It will give me the confidence and approach to help our requirements. Domiciliary carers are front line staff who go into service users. Families will have greater access to information.” people's homes to support them and facilitate their wish to die at home. Sadly, this doesn't always happen due to lack of education and “ It made me see things from the client’s and families’ point confidence around end of life care and providers not always accessing of view.” the most appropriate support available - e.g. hospice services. “ This will help me in my role to make clients end of life better.” St. Luke's was one of four hospices which worked together to design a 3 day course, held over 3 consecutive weeks with participants “Very enjoyable and informative course, I loved the task at the attending one day a week. Each hospice would train care providers in end with Salt as we do often forget about us and ourselves.”

6 To find out more about Hospice Services visit www.stlukeshospice.com Hospice Care Week St. Luke’s Hospice joined forces with more than 100 hospices across the UK in October to celebrate Hospice Care Week . Now in its 8th year - Hospice Care Week is an annual week of activity to raise the profile of hospice care across the UK. The chosen national theme for this year was: ‘I my Hospice’ St. Luke’s Hospice raised awareness throughout the week with information stands in Basildon Hospital and Eastgate as well as local radio station Gateway 97.8 and Basildon Hospital radio, aimed at highlighting the inspiring and personal way that St. Luke’s Hospice helps people living with terminal illness to improve the quality of their life, and how support extends to their family, their carers’ and our entire community. We also asked people who follow us on social media why they St. Luke’s Hospice which attracted many heartfelt responses from our ‘on line friends’ including:-

Thank you Thursday ! St. Luke’s believes that Hospice care is not just about our buildings – it’s about people Our shops are always grateful for the help they receive but during the and our community and the Thursday of Hospice Care Week, which our support we give to each other. shops aptly called ‘Thank You Thursday’ , The Hospice receives many letters and shop staff and volunteers made an extra cards of ‘Thanks’ in gratitude for the care effort to thank customers and donors for and support we give to patients and their loyal support, with particular focus families – the Hospice is one team and being on the ‘Thanks’ we receive from believes that gratitude expressed for care people who use or have used Hospice given should also be shared with our care. Our Shops also decorated their supporters who help us make it happen. So windows to reflect the ‘ my Hospice’ we decided to share some of those letters theme and some ‘lucky shoppers’ were with people who visit our shops. even given a chocolate or two !

You can make a donation securely online using our website www.stlukeshospice.com 7 An incredible amount of work is going on to ensure we have a fantastic, fit for purpose, impressive new Hospice, which will run alongside our current one here, next to Basildon Hospital, and will From our allow our local communities access to a new six bedded unit, expert counselling facilities and Education suite. The Hospice is expanding to meet future needs and our staff levels CEO Eileen Marshall grow both in number and expertise to meet the needs of our local communities. We could not exist without the support of donations, As the trees turn to the beautiful warm Autumn colours time and human kindness of so many people in so many different ways, and the lovely hot summer is behind us, I have reflected on from the skydives to the afternoon teas, to grand balls to knitted toys. what was a remarkable summer, not only for the glorious Each and every thought and effort made to help us is truly appreciated weather but for our Hospice itself in so many ways. and we sincerely thank everyone for their ceaseless support. Hospice staff and Trustees were especially pleased to attend the Mayor of The call on our services is steadily increasing and as such our Basildon, Mayor David Dadds Charity Ball on 12th October and are delighted incredible staff and fantastic volunteers continue to meet to work alongside the Mayor as one of his chosen charities for the year. demands with expertise, professionalism and resilience that I am Mayor Dadds will be running in next year’s marathon on behalf of the Hospice, always immensely proud of year on year. along with our other supporting runners, which we appreciate greatly, and of The Hospice is privileged to have a strong and successful relationship course we wish them all lots of luck in their training and on the big day! with other healthcare professionals which enables the Hospice to Our thoughts will soon be turning to the Christmas season and we look support our growing community and the increasing complex forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our upcoming events, healthcare needs in both the Basildon and Thurrock areas. Our own especially The Light Up a Life services, and Christmas Market, which are statistics tell how we have helped and assisted a huge number very well attended and we know are appreciated occasions. of local people, but future predicted figures for our local towns There are many extra calls on Hospice finances during the winter months show for example an expected population increase of 10% so we are especially grateful for the donations we receive through our every decade for the Thurrock area and a likely increase of Annual Christmas Appeal, which can really make a difference at the start approximately 7% population increase in Basildon alone. of the New Year. Can I ask, that if you do not wish to use the Appeal The Hospice is therefore very busily planning for continuing expert care Envelope inside this edition of our newsletter you kindly consider in today’s world, but also for what tomorrow may bring, as we are very passing it onto a relative, friend, or neighbour who might. excited to have the opportunity to work with Skye Strategic Land Limited My best wishes to you and your families for a peaceful, Happy to be able to build a sister Hospice to St. Luke’s at Lower Dunton Road. Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

and reflection this Christmas. Many people who attend our Light Up a Life ‘Light Up a Life’ commemorations take comfort from For those of us missing loved remembering loved ones at this poignant time of year. ones, Christmas can be a difficult You can be part of Light Up a Life and make a dedication by visiting our website www.stlukeshospice.com or collecting a The sense of loss is time of the year. leaflet from the Hospice or one of our Hospice shops. often heightened when there is so much emphasis on celebrations all around us. Light Up a Life Service dates: St. Luke’s Hospice’s ‘Light Up a Life’ offers a very special way for Friday 30th November, Basildon Crematorium – 4.30pm families and friends to remember loved ones who cannot be with them Saturday 1st December, St. Mary Magdalen Church, Billericay – 12 noon Sunday 2nd December, St. Martin’s Church, Basildon – 4.30pm at Christmas. Whether or not you have used Hospice services, we Saturday 15th December, St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church, Grays – 4.30pm would be delighted if you would join us for a time of readings, music Fundraising Events Calendar

Hospice Christmas MAR Spring NOV Market Skydive 11am – 3pm at 9 24 SAT SAT Basildon College

Billericay MAY London to DEC Christmas Amsterdam Market 17-19 Cycle 2 3 days SUN Visit our stall 11am – 5pm

AUG Prudential Ride DEC 360 Play Basildon, Christmas Family 4 London 14 Evening SUN FRI 6.30pm – 8.30pm, Family ticket £15 The Great SEPT FEB Test Track 10 Wall of 10 mile run, at Ford Motor Co, Dunton 12-20 China Trek 17 9 days SUN For more information visit www.stlukeshospice.com/events or contact our Fundraising Team on 01268 524973

8 If you receive St. Luke’s News by post and no longer wish to please contact [email protected] or telephone 01268 524973