Thank You Your Spring update 2021

Looking forward to brighter days Photo taken pre COVID-19 pre Photo taken Still going strong Covid continues to impact how we provide end-of-life care, as Susan – Head of Clinical Services at Thorpe Hall Hospice – explains. But with your support, Susan and her team are still there, helping patients live their best life until the very last moment. started my role as Head of Clinical Services just before the outbreak. I I had been working on the IPU prior to this change of role. Like the rest of the world, we were keeping an eye on what was happening and then ‘boom’ – it was here. As you can imagine, the running of the hospice had to change overnight. It certainly wasn’t easy to maintain a sense of calm for patients and their families, while trying to make sense of such an unsettling situation ourselves. But a pandemic doesn’t stop you believing that everyone deserves expert end-of-life care. It’s a passion we all share, which – combined with your support – has kept myself and my colleagues going through this immensely tough period. One of the hardest changes for patients, families and our staff alike has been the need to restrict visiting at our inpatient unit. Read more It’s sadly not been possible for We’re all members of a truly special patients to sit out in our lovely open family and I’m so proud of how atrium space, having a chat with everyone has pulled together – staff Every £21 you donate their loved ones, other patients or and supporters alike – to be there volunteers. when it matters, whatever is thrown could pay for one hour at us. of our expert care, We know how important that quality helping people live the time together is, so we refused to Susan Shackleton Head of Clinical best life they possibly stand by and let the pandemic snatch Services at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall can. Thank you for all it away. Hospice in that you do. Thanks to you, we’ve been able to invest in technology, so families can stay in touch virtually and keep making precious memories. We’ve also arranged three-way video calls, so family members can be involved in medical consultations. Without your support, it simply wouldn’t be possible to make these challenging times less painful for our patients and their families, so thanks again. Meanwhile, the team's commitment to ensuring patients can still spend valuable time with their loved ones never ceases to amaze me. I have really seen what a resilient team they are, showing such dedication and passion throughout. For so many of us, Thorpe Hall Hospice isn’t just a place of work: Since Susan first wrote this article we it is part of us. may have changed the delivery of our services as the pandemic continues to shape all of our lives. To keep up to date with how our teams are adapting, please visit sueryder.org/news Click here to find out more about how we spend your donations s I write this, we are in Beams lockdown again. It is a grey, A cold day and it feels like there is little hope of us getting to a place of light of normality very soon. Yet, I am mindful of all the acts of kindness shown over the last year, which renewed tired and crushed spirits and brought much-needed hope and joy. They’re like beams of sunlight, with an amazing power to cut through even the most miserable days. Every time you donate to Whatever you give is gratefully Sue Ryder, you’re helping to break received, and all are acts of great through the gloom, so thank you. kindness which bring hope and enable us to give the best holistic I witness many acts of kindness in the care possible to all our patients and places where I have the privilege of families. serving, like the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice in Reading. As the season changes to spring, you enable us to keep going, keep caring I see dedicated staff taking expert and keep making a difference to the care of patients and their families end of so many lives. in exceptionally difficult times. The doctors, nurses and carers are tired I wanted to thank you personally for and understandably concerned all you’re doing to support us. You about their own loved ones and truly are the light in the darkest of moments. “Beams of light!” That’s how Vanessa People often think of chaplaincy as well-being. But the quality of the care they give is never compromised. It Appleton, a Sue Ryder chaplain, exclusively religious, but you don’t Rev. Vanessa Appleton Sue Ryder truly is humbling. thinks of you and other kind have to go to church or follow a Chaplain West supporters – because your donations particular faith to enjoy the benefits. I also know that you and many mean people can cope even when other thoughtful, caring souls are life presents the toughest challenges. At Sue Ryder, we know spiritual care can help people find meaning, hope supporting the work of Sue Ryder – Vanessa helps patients find a sense of and direction in their lives – whether that’s by giving donations, peace as they reach the end of their whatever the future holds. time, or resources. life, and providing spiritual support to But Vanessa can only be there Vanessa’s families and staff. because of you, so she would letter to like to say a few words supporters Your legacy Sue Ryder offers a special scheme to enable you to update or make your Will for free, either online, on the telephone or by to future visiting a solicitor. Take advantage of our free Will-writing service today! generations gift in your Will can ensure people can continue having the care of a ASue Ryder Nurse when it matters. Sue Ryder would like to offer you and a partner the opportunity to make a simple single or joint Will free of charge. So whether you’re writing a Will from scratch, or amending an existing one it needn’t cost you a penny. You can do this face-to-face with a local solicitor through our membership of the National Free Wills Network. Or you can make your Will online through our partnership with Farewill at www.farewill. com/sueryder-wills There is no obligation to include a gift to Sue Ryder in your Will – but we would be very grateful if you did choose to remember us. Your support will enable Sue Ryder to be there for more people when it matters most and to support them through the most difficult time in their lives now and in the future. For more information about our Free Wills Services call: 0207 554 5985 email: [email protected] online: www.sueryder.org/giftwills Going all out Here's to you for Gemma Daredevil for As we continue to navigate these difficult times, your support means The incredible friends and family of Gemma more than ever. Thanks to thousands of people like you across the UK, Sisson-Moore have raised over £34,000 in Dee View we are continuing to provide expert care and support. Meet some of her memory, through taking part in head Catriona took on a 100ft jump your fellow supporters who have found creative ways to raise vital funds shaves, fitness challenges, quiz nights and off a crane in an Adrenaline for Sue Ryder during lockdown. body-building classes. Drop, pulled on her walking boots for the virtual Scottish kilt walk and completed the December Daily Dash to support Sue Ryder Neurological Care Centre Dee View Court. Shining bright Anne and Paul Nicholas lit their garden up with over 200,000 lights in December to support Sue Ryder St John's Hospice. Their fundraising topped over £4,000 – how amazing! Super Sophie Sophie Van Brugen bravely shared her story to raise £1,800 for Sue Ryder Palliative Care Street stall success Hub South Oxfordshire, after Jeannie Briant has been holding stalls from her her experience of caring for front drive and raised over £1,600 for Sue Ryder her mum at home with Virtual ventures Duchess of Kent Hospice. the help of Sue Ryder Nurses. Stephen Richardson and his team of over 30 runners took part in the virtual 2020 Royal Parks Half Marathon in memory of his wife, Helen. The team raised over £60,000 in her Music in memory memory! Johnny Quinn's mother-in-law, Penny, lost her battle with cancer 5 years ago. Johnny arranged an acoustic lockdown session to raise funds for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. Get involved today! Visit our website, call 020 7554 5985

Photo by Stuart Garneys by Stuart Photo or email [email protected] The grass David's top tips for will be a lush lawn Spring is the perfect time to give your lawn a bit of love. Our volunteer gardener, David, shares his top tips. Follow greener... these, and you’ll soon be enjoying the sunshine with a drink in hand, on an impeccable lawn. Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice’s Head Volunteer Gardener David Bills is on Give it a trim a mission to help your garden become the Cut down the top growth, looking out for soil compaction, envy of your neighbours. drainage issues, moss, weeds and diseases. Rake over the grass to remove moss and weeds. ith spring heading our way at last, it’s the ideal time to step Let it breathe W outside, take a deep breath of Aerate using tines to improve drainage, relieve that crisp fresh air, and get to work on compaction and let the roots get some air. perfecting your garden for the sunny months ahead. Fertilise and top dress Walking through the hospice’s gardens, Your topdressing should be a mix of sand, peat I always ask myself if the outdoor space substitute and loam. meets the patient’s well-being needs in terms of harmony, balance and Reseed any bare patches simplicity. Do we have plenty of Often different seed mixes are needed for colour? front and back lawns to reflect use (i.e. wear & tear). Most importantly – what about that lawn? Feed your lawn regularly You’ll need nitrogen in the spring for leaf growth and colour. Thank you to all our gardening volunteers! You can learn more about volunteering with Sue Ryder, by visiting our website at sueryder.org/volunteer You are not alone When a loved one dies, it’s only natural that bereaved family and friends will experience grief. It’s a powerful and painful emotion – and it can be a very lonely one too. For those going though it, Heather’s there’s nothing more helpful and healing than talking to someone who understands how they are feeling. story

Thanks to your support, Sue Ryder’s Online Bereavement Community helps over 100,000 people each year to open up about their grief, share experiences, and support each other in their own homes, no matter where they live. Heather turned to the online community for bereavement support following the death of her husband of 25 years, Pete, in April 2019. She has found the site particularly helpful while we have been in lockdown. In this video, Heather talks about the devastating impact of losing Pete, her husband of 25 years, and the solace she found through Sue Ryder’s Online Community, a supportive space to share her grief with others.

I had tried other support groups and counselling, but they weren’t right for me. When I found the Sue Ryder Online Bereavement Community, it was so easy to use and the biggest help of all was seeing that I wasn’t alone.

Join our community at sueryder.org/support Thank you.

During this challenging time, your support for our vital care is more crucial than ever. With you on our side, our Sue Ryder Nurses and expert healthcare teams can continue to be there when it matters, for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. If you wish to support us once again, please donate today by visiting sueryder.org/donate

Sue Ryder is a charity registered in England and Wales (1052076) and in (SC039578). Ref. No. 06947 © Sue Ryder March 2021.