Chairman's welcome
Welcome to the HospiceCare website!
We know from our work with patients with life limiting conditions, their families and carers, that our services are greatly valued and make a real difference. Each year we need to raise very large sums of money to continue that work – the full extent of this can be seen in the section “Ten things you should know about HospiceCare”. We are extremely appreciative of all the support that we receive. This new website will be an ongoing source of information about what we do, how you can get involved, our fund raising events and the news and stories which will keep you up to date.
I would like to express our very deep gratitude to all our volunteers, and to trusts, companies and individuals who contribute to our funds. It's impossible for us personally to thank everyone individually, but suffice it to say that without you all, there would be no HospiceCare.
Thank you and my best wishes.
Peter Slee, Chairman
History
HospiceCare North Northumberland was created in 1995 by a small group of healthcare professionals, who were concerned about the availability of local palliative care in North Northumberland. The nearest Hospice facilities were in Newcastle and for many people, the distances involved were simply too great. A ‘pilot’ Hospice was developed using borrowed premises, and it quickly became apparent that the need was very real. HospiceCare now has two centres, one in Alnwick and one in Berwick, and is also increasingly delivering Hospice at Home. HospiceCare is committed to responding effectively to the challenges posed by working in a large geographic rural area, with scattered communities, to provide care and support for patients and their families.
Who we are and what we do
We are the main providers of palliative care in North Northumberland delivering care and support to adults who have life limiting illnesses such as cancer, motor neurone disease and other conditions, and their families and carers.
Despite the fact that our catchment area contains the largest percentage of people over 65 years of age in the North East of England, the demand for appointments for the 30 plus age group is increasing - we serve a diverse patient group.
We are one of the few Hospices in the UK which provides day care over two sites, in Alnwick and in Berwick. We are a community, nurse led service with developing partnerships with the Primary Health Care Teams, Social Services, Hospitals and voluntary organisations, such as Citizens Advice and Carers Northumberland.
We have an Open Door - patients and their carers and families can self refer or be referred by other professionals.
We are here to help and to care for the whole person.
Personalised care and support for patients, carers and families is at the heart of what we do.
Patients Charter
HospiceCare will:
- Respect your dignity, privacy and freedom of choice
- Involve you whenever possible in decisions about your care with an open and honest approach
- Provide a team of nurses, support workers, therapists and volunteers, all with suitable skills, to meet your ongoing needs
- Work in partnership with all other professionals involved in your care to enable you to receive the help you need, when you need it
Meet the staff
The HospiceCare Team
HospiceCare is a community nurse-led service, with dedicated and highly experienced professionals, working in partnership with Primary Heathcare teams, Social Services, hospitals and other voluntary organisations, to offer a range of services, tailored and delivered to meet the individual’s needs. The team offers friendship, empathy and a safe place to talk about fears and hopes for the future, whether in the Hospice’s welcoming and comfortable surroundings or in someone’s own home.
Bryony Stimpson
Support Services Manager
Contact Details:
Phone: +44(0)1665 606515
Email:
bstimpson@hospicecare-nn.org.uk
Sue Gilberton
Clinical Manager
Contact Details:
Phone: +44(0)1665 606515
Email:
sgilbertson@hospicecare-nn.org.uk
Debbie Allan
Lymphodema Nurse
Contact Details:
Phone: +44(0)1665 606515
Email:
dallan@hospicecare-nn.org.uk
Elaine Durham
Receptionist/ Admin
Contact Details:
Phone: +44(0)1665 606515
Email:
edurham@hospicecare-nn.org.uk
Marion Purvis
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Contact Details:
Phone: +44(0)1665 606515
Email:
mpurvis@hospicecare-nn.org.uk
Angela Matthewson
Event and Community Fundraiser
Contact Details:
Phone: +44(0)1665 606515
Email:
amatthewson@hospicecare-nn.org.uk
Julie Mawer
Event and Community Fundraiser
Contact Details:
Phone: +44(0)1665 606515
Email:
jmawer@hospicecare-nn.org.uk
Meet the trustees
The HospiceCare Trustees
A group of Trustees are responsible for the governance and effective management of the Hospice, as well as its strategic direction and management. The Trustees are volunteers with relevant experience who come from all walks of life, both clinical and non clinical. Their wide experience, for example in business, accounting and finance, the public sector, the voluntary sector and as experienced medical practitioners, is of great value to Hospicecare. Chris Foreman, a founder trustee tells her story:
It gives me a great feeling of pleasure to think how far we have come since 1994 when our hospice was just an idea. As a founder trustee it has been a real privilege to see the service develop over the years, not to mention a lot of hard work by a large number of people! But I would not have missed any of it.
I began work as a Macmillan nurse in 1992 and it was apparent there was a need for more local palliative care services to save patients travelling to and from Newcastle.
When a district nurse colleague and myself went to a lecture early in 1994 describing the benefits of Day Hospice care we knew that we needed something like that in our area. With support from health professionals and local people a group was formed and we took our ideas to the wider community in a series of meetings.
We also had the backing of our friend Hazel Marsden from the Marsden Charitable Trust. In recognition of her generous support our hospice property in Berwick is named after Hazel.
The strength of the community support carried us on to appoint staff and volunteers to set up a service offering day care one day a week in Alnwick and Berwick. Joan Robson and
her staff and volunteers welcomed patients for the first time in October 1995. It takes a substantial amount of money, and huge team effort from our staff, volunteers and trustees to provide services working closely with existing healthcare services.
I have seen how patients, their carers and family benefit from the numerous services we provide and how in many cases patients would struggle to be cared for at home without HospiceCare's valuable support. Our Hospice at Home service has demonstrated just how we can enable patients to remain at home, if existing services are unable to offer the level of support required.
Yet as many hospices around the country are well aware without the generous support from our local communities we would not be able to provide these important services.
So a big thank you once again for your continued support, we do appreciate it.
Peter Slee
Chairman
John Swanson
Income generation
Flora Simpson
Income Generation
Tom Nesbit
Treasurer
Adam Henry
Clinical
Jane Nolan
Gill Sanders
Clinical
Zoe Frais
Chris Foreman
Clinical
How to find us
We can be contacted by any of the following methods listed below:
Alnwick
HospiceCare North Northumberland
Castleside House
40 Narrowgate
Alnwick
Northumberland
NE66 1JQ
Tel: (01665) 606515
Fax: (01665) 606512
Berwick
Hazel Marsden House
Violet Terrace
Berwick-upon-Tweed
TD15 1LU
All enquiries
Telephone: 01665 606515
Fax: 01665 606512
Alternatively, you can E-mail us by clicking here
10 things you should know about the Hospice
- 1) HospiceCare, the most northerly Hospice in England with centres in Alnwick & Berwick, was founded in 1995.
- 2) We serve a community of 57,000 in one of the most sparsely populated rural areas in England.
- 3) Our annual running costs for 2010 are around £300,000 – that’s £1250 per working day or £3.00 per working minute!
- 4) We receive just 15% of our annual costs from the NHS, we have to raise about a quarter of a million pounds each year from the local community & other sources.
- 5) Our team of over 100 volunteers save us over £55,000 per year.
- 6) We provide care and support for over 250 patients & their families each year, – that’s an increase of 100% in the last two years!
- 7) Despite our catchment area containing the largest percentage of people over 65 years in the Northeast the demand for appointments for the 30+ age group is increasing.
- 8) Our Hospice at Home service helps provide short term respite for patients & their families together with expert end of life care at home.
- 9) Our Bereavement Support Service is available to all – even those who have had no previous contact with the Hospice.
- 10) We are a truly local charity providing a unique invaluable service to the local community.
What the Hospice means to me - Angela's Story
"Well, I don't want to bore you all, but last summer, at the age of 37, I was diagnosed with breast cancer which was then found to be secondary in my bones. But that's enough about me - what you really need to know about is HospiceCare North Northumberland.
A year ago I didn't know HospiceCare existed let alone what they did for our community. When you are first diagnosed, your world as you know it just stops - no matter who you are, or what you do, young or old, rich or poor - your days become far from the normal you have been used to.
That's where HospiceCare came to my rescue. As hospitals and medicine were doing what was required to my body, the team at HospiceCare looked after the rest of me - the whole Angela. The team and the services they provide are invaluable. The team hold your hand and are there to get you through each day, and along with the services available, they make each day a little less scary, and help turn the tears into smiles. And trust me - I smile every single day! But it's not just me they help. Through showing me how to cope, I can pass that on to my children, my family and my friends, all of whom are very important to me.
But HospiceCare is a charity, and needs our support to enable them to continue. My aim is to make as much money as I can by taking part in as many of their fundraising events as I can. I started with the Zip Wire event on 27th June 2010 at Chillingham Castle. I roped some of my family and friends to come along and 'zip' with me. For those less brave or for those who just want to show their support, I ask you to dig deep and donate as much as you can.
I know you have heard that phrase many times, but this really is for a charity that is on our doorstep.
I thank each and everyone of you for reading this, joining in with events, or making a donation.
Lets see how much we can raise!!!!! Angela x"
Patient's and families stories
“The speed to which you responded to our needs was tremendous. It was a lifeline to us both and I especially appreciate the support you gave me in allowing my weekend breaks. Thank you”.
“Thank you for all your help and support, especially to those who organised carers and those who came to care, either during the day or at night. It was wonderful to be able to relax (a little!) and get some much needed sleep.
We looked forward to the carers coming and felt they were our friends as well carers. I realize that it is not easy to go in to a home where there is illness and stress, but all of you carers achieved this with professionalism and patience. All of the carers were cheerful, gentle, caring, kind and considerate, and it was always a joy to have them.
God bless you all for the service you give to our local community”.
“In particular the fact that you were able to care for me in our home was great, as it is not easy walking in bandages! Many, many thanks.”
“I am writing to thank you and all your colleagues for their kindness and dedication in the care of my wife”.
‘Hospice at Home ‘is a wonderful organization we were so lucky to have your support.”
"Coming to the Hospice for day care has given me some friendship and my wife a day off, all of the staff are excellent and listen to my needs. I look forward to coming - it is the highlight of my week."
"Sometimes it's hard to get out of bed in the morning to come to the hospice but it's worth the effort. The compassion I get from coming here is what I look forward to. My family are OK but some don't want to know about my illness , or they don't want to believe that I'm ill. I've always talked about my cancer from when I first had it because I think it might help others. People get better when they come to the Hospice - we don't all pop our clogs! It's a place for hope and we encourage each other, you have to be positive. My cancer is behaving itself at the moment and with the help of the staff at HospiceCare I am controlling it, I'm going to die of old age, not my illness."
"I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate how much you did for me and Dad. Without you I would not have had anytime to do nice things.
You always had time for me and I looked forward to our chats, you may not realise but without you I would have found life very difficult. Thank you so much, I will never forget."
"I would like to thank all the staff at the Hospice for the time you spent with my husband. Ken was driven by a volunteer from our home to the Hospice every week, he was made to feel special and it was a day he looked forward to. It was something to make him feel as if he wasn’t on the scrap heap anymore. He would always talk about the great things that had happened whilst he was at day care and it helped me to have a day to myself. Thank you again for all the help and support you gave my family, it helped us to cope."
"Just a few words to say thank you to you and the team for all your kindness and support during Paul's last few months of his illness. Help was always available and various staff members came to our home bringing their own special abilities with them, therefore helping Paul and myself cope with the sadness of knowing he was going to die. It was wonderful to be able to look after him at home, but I could not have done that without all the support given. I will be forever grateful."
A Volunteers Story - Alison Colledge
My name is Alison Colledge and I have been volunteering with HospiceCare for two and a half years. I saw a notice in the local post office asking for volunteers to work at the hospice and as a former nurse, the day care side appealed to me so I gave it a go!
I really enjoyed day care but the work of HospiceCare is ever changing and the needs of the people who use the hospice is changing.
I was asked if I would like to help with the running of a clinic that has replaced day care on Wednesdays. It offers patients an opportunity to come in, perhaps have a complementary therapy, a chance to talk and of course a cup of tea!
The time I have been helping with the clinic has been very enjoyable.
A Volunteer's story - Judith Draper
My name is Judith Draper and I have been helping out at the Hospice in Alnwick for over 4 years. I do massage therapies and Reiki. The patients get so much out of these therapies and I am very glad to help, as I can fit my volunteering in easily with my private practice.
A Trustee's Story - Chris Foreman
It gives me a great feeling of pleasure to think how far we have come since 1994 when our hospice was just an idea. As a founder trustee it has been a real privilege to see the service develop over the years, not to mention a lot of hard work by a large number of people! But I would not have missed any of it.
I began work as a Macmillan nurse in 1992 and it was apparent there was a need for more local palliative care services to save patients travelling to and from Newcastle.
When a district nurse colleague and myself went to a lecture early in 1994 describing the benefits of Day Hospice care we knew that we needed something like that in our area. With support from health professionals and local people a group was formed and we took our ideas to the wider community in a series of meetings.
We also had the backing of our friend Hazel Marsden from the Marsden Charitable Trust. In recognition of her generous support our hospice property in Berwick is named after Hazel.
The strength of the community support carried us on to appoint staff and volunteers to set up a service offering day care one day a week in Alnwick and Berwick. Joan Robson and
her staff and volunteers welcomed patients for the first time in October 1995. It takes a substantial amount of money, and huge team effort from our staff, volunteers and trustees to provide services working closely with existing healthcare services.
I have seen how patients, their carers and family benefit from the numerous services we provide and how in many cases patients would struggle to be cared for at home without HospiceCare's valuable support. Our Hospice at Home service has demonstrated just how we can enable patients to remain at home, if existing services are unable to offer the level of support required.
Yet as many hospices around the country are well aware without the generous support from our local communities we would not be able to provide these important services.
So a big thank you once again for your continued support, we do appreciate it.
A Skydiver's Story
I was one of 5 people who volunteered to take part in a sponsored skydiving event in aid of Hospicecare, which was held at the Peterlee Skydive Academy.
On the day of the sky dive, the weather was perfect. We had been allocated the last 2 places of the day. So we had the chance to watch the guys ahead of us go up in the plane and complete their jump. Then suddenly we were whisked off, kitted up and walking across to the single prop plane that was taking us up with our instructors. Once in the plane and securely attached to our instructors, the 25 minute journey to take us up to altitude began.
No time to bottle out now! At 10,000 feet, the red light turned to green, the door slid open and out we went, free falling at 160mph for about 45-60 seconds, awesome!! Once the parachute was open and we were under canopy, the experience changed again, wonderful scenery, on a beautiful clear day you could see for miles. …the sheer joy and explosion of excitement was immense, truly a great experience of a lifetime. Not forgetting why we were “mad” enough to jump in the first place…..Hospicecare, a very worthy charity to support.
When can we do it again guys!? Hilary Renton
Useful Links
Northumberland Care Trust
Covering England's most northerly county, Northumberland Care Trust is the first ever primary and community based Care Trust in England and Wales. It serves 317,000 people in four localities with nearly 3,000 health and social care staff.
Vist WebsitePaintings in Hospitals
Paintings in Hospitals is a registered charity that provides original works of art on loan to NHS hospitals, hospices and other healthcare facilities to enhance the healing environment for the benefit of patients, staff and visitors.
Vist WebsiteBreast Cancer Care
Breast Cancer Care is the UK's leading charity for Breast Cancer information and support
Vist WebsiteCancer Back up
Europe's leading cancer information service, with over 4,500 pages of up to date cancer information, practical advice and support for cancer patients, their families and carers.
Vist WebsiteMacmillan
Expert information and advice; helpful organisations; your stories about cancer care.
Vist WebsiteBritish Lymphoedema Society
BLS members consist of health professionals. as well as others who are directly involved in the management of lymphoedema. Members are encouraged to actively participate in helping to further the work of the society.
Vist WebsiteNorthern Cancer Network
The NHS Northern Cancer Network giving resources, information on types of cancer, treatments, support and assistance.
Vist WebsiteSt. Christopher's Hospice
St. Christopher's Hospice was founded by Dame Cicely Saunders in 1967. It is widely acknowledged as the pioneer of the modern hospice movement and earned a reputation for excellence in clinical practice, research and education.
Vist WebsiteHelp the Hospices
Help the Hospices is the national charity for the hospice movement. Hospices give unparalleled care to people who are facing the end of life - and to those who love them.
Vist WebsiteNorthumberland Stars
Small Tasks and Repair Service.
free Handyperson service for over 60's or disabled.
Don't miss out -
phone 01670 351135 or contact on their website listed below.
Support the Hospice on Facebook
Become our friend on Facebook and receive up to date information about our services and how you can help. Just log on to your account and search for us at 'HospiceCare North Northumberland'
Vist WebsiteSupport the Hospice on Twitter
Follow us on Twitter and receive up to date information about our services and how you can help.
Vist Website