Spring 2011 - Wigan & Leigh Hospice

HOSPICE HIGH FLIERS
WHAT AN EXPERIENCE
SCHOOL PROJECT
EDUCATION
MORRISON’S HIGH FLIER
A REAL HIGH FLIER
Chris Worgan (29) is Assistant Deputy
Manager at Morrisons in Ince. Chris
says that he had been ‘stitched up’ by
the staff when he returned from his
annual holiday.
Below is the
transcript of a
letter received at
the Hospice…
Sarah Owens is the Hospice
Palliative Care Educator. She
joined the Hospice in 1999 as
a Senior Staff Nurse on the inpatient
unit and in March 2005
was given a secondment to the
Education Department. In 2007
she became ‘Palliative Care
Educator’ for the Hospice.
Around 700 people from all walks
of life support the Hospice by
volunteering their time. However,
this is the first time a real ‘high-flier’
has become a volunteer.
Natasha Birkett, 27, is in the RAF
and travels the world in her job. She
is currently based at Northwood
in Middlesex as an Assistant
Controller. Whenever she comes
home for 2 or 3 days, she spends
part of her time volunteering for
Wigan & Leigh Hospice.
She says “My father was a patient
for a short time in 2008 before he
passed away. I think it is a great
place, providing much needed help
and support, not only to patients
but families as well.”
Natasha joined the RAF in 2004,
trained at several bases and was
then posted to RAF Lyneham
where she was dealing with
incoming and outgoing aircraft,
including the Lockheed C130
Hercules. Natasha has been
on many training missions and
exercises in foreign climes, from
Cyprus to America and even the
Falkland Islands. She is currently
on a posting overseas.
She adds, “No matter where I go
in the world, there is nowhere like
home (Leigh). I hope to continue
helping out at the Hospice when I
can. I will be straight on the phone
when I get back.”
He adds “We have been supporting
Wigan & Leigh Hospice and whilst
I was off, our Checkout Supervisor
Nicola Brixton decided it would be
a good idea to throw me out of a
plane. I was, to say the least, very
apprehensive, but put on a brave face.
After the initial shock, I began to get
excited: but that all changed again
when I got out of the car at the dropsite
in Cumbria. It didn’t help when
they told me there might be a delay
because they were ‘doing a little work’
on the plane!
After an agonising wait, we were able
to take off. I was duly strapped to an
expert who took me to the edge. I can
tell you, that is some experience. I
thought, ‘Too late now, let’s go for it.’
What an amazing way to raise £1545
for the Hospice and a fantastic
experience. It was something I will
never forget.”
Nicola added, “Some of the staff at
Morrisons had visited the Hospice
to see what it was like. It’s such a
wonderful and inspiring place, we
were blown away by what we saw. I
suppose it’s lucky that Chris wasn’t.”
John Robinson (80) of Hindley
had no previous contact with the
Hospice, but organised a charity
concert in aid of the Hospice at St
Peter’s Church, Hindley on Friday
9 th March, that raised a magnificent
£1050.
John is a former parachute
instructor who has raised over
£20,000 for charity over the years.
He lost the sight in one eye at
the age of 14 when a light bulb
exploded in his face. At the time
he was a pupil at Wigan Grammar
School.
After leaving school, he wanted to
join the Air Force, but was refused.
Undeterred he became a teacher
and gained a diploma in Physical
Education. Never one to give up on
his dream, in 1956 he applied to join
the Air Force as a Physical Training
Instructor and was accepted! He
began parachute jumping and
eventually qualified as a parachute
instructor, which included working
with Commandos. Quite an
achievement for a partially sighted
person. By this time he began to
lose the sight in his other eye, but
it didn’t stop him completing well
over 1,000 jumps by 1969!
Over the years John has lived in
Cyprus and Aldershot, but has
now returned to Wigan. He says,
“I enjoy organising charity events.
Wigan & Leigh Hospice is a
terrific organisation and I heartily
encourage you to support them.”
Hannah Brady helping on Reception
Dear Everyone at the Hospice;
Thank you so much for a wonderful and insightful two weeks work
experience. I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of my time at the hospice,
and loved the company of everyone I met – staff, volunteers and
patients.
My time at the hospice allowed me to catch a small glimpse into how
important every single person is, and how their commitment and
enthusiasm kept the patients and their families hopeful and calm in a
troubling time of their lives.
To Irene (volunteers co-ordinator), and everyone I met in the office,
for every aspect of my work experience, you gave me so much helpful
advice in the world of work, keeping me occupied with important tasks
that required trust and responsibility. Thank you for treating me with
respect that an adult deserves. You made my time at the hospice very
enjoyable.
To everyone in reception, the small time I spent with you helped me
improve my confidence in dealing with strangers, either over the phone
or face to face, and recognising how to respond to different visitors.
With advice, it was simple for me to adapt to different personas that
suited individuals, either an upset relative, a nervous family, or an
important visitor. You showed me how many different aspects of your
job there are, and how much commitment you feel towards your job and
the hospice. You treated me like an adult and an equal, thank you.
Lastly, to the wonderful volunteers I had the pleasure of working with in
the Day Hospice. You all astound me with how much you care for each
patient you meet, tending to their every personal need with the utmost
understanding and professionalism.
You are some of the most friendly people I have ever met, and you made
me feel so welcome. Thank you for all the memories, the laughs and the
tea. I have to say you all make the best toast. The patients are lucky
to have you.
Yours sincerely
Hannah Brady (15 yrs)
In February, pupils from
Hindley High School came
to Day Hospice in order
to work with patients,
staff and volunteers in
producing on a wonderful
piece of artwork which
celebrates some of the
landmarks of Wigan &
Leigh. It will eventually be
placed on display in the
Hospice.
The project was led by Gill Cosford who is a
FIMO artist from Atherton. Gill said, “It is a form
of craft work that can be learned by anyone. At
first I was a little apprehensive about coming
to the Hospice and working with the people
there. But now I realise what a beautiful, caring,
relaxing place it is. We had a lot of enjoyment
in working together with the pupils, staff and
patients on the project. Our finished montage is
a ‘quirky’ map of Wigan & Leigh.”
FIMO is a polymer based clay, similar to
plasticine; which can be baked in a standard
oven. It can be cut, drilled, painted, sanded, or
even thinly sliced.”
The school’s Community Engagement Manager
Kay Vernon said, “Part of my role is to help
children to integrate with various parts of the
community. This was a perfect way to introduce
children to the Hospice and for them to discover
that it is a bright modern place with nothing to
fear. It also teaches them about group working;
working with adults; and learning new craft
techniques.
Day Hospice Manager Jane Hastry says,
“We always welcome schools and other
organisations to work with us in a wide variety
of projects. We want to thank the pupils of
Hindley High School, Gill, Kay and of course our
patients and volunteers for this unusual piece
of artwork. Many of our Day Hospice patients
enjoy learning craft skills which are taught by
volunteers. They include painting, card-making,
glass-painting and more... It now includes
FIMO.”
Jane Hastry and Gill Cosford
Keeping abreast of new clinical developments,
and passing on our expertise, are important
aspects of our service. The Hospice Education
Department was established in 1992.
A grant from the Big-Lottery Fund a few years
ago enabled us to create a purpose-built, fully
fitted conference room. We have also now
created a new ‘e-learning suite’, which provides
the opportunity for staff to undertake individual
learning and training at their own pace.
As well as providing training for Hospice staff,
the Education Department also provides a
variety of courses for a wide range of Health
Care Professionals; including Doctors, District
Nurses, Hospital Nurses, Social Workers,
Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists,
Nursing/Care Home Staff and Hospice
volunteers.
Dr Anna Moss is a Foundation Year 2 doctor
who has attended an ‘Ethics Day’ and an
‘Enhanced Communications Session’ at the
Hospice.
She says, “Specialist Palliative
Care’ (a term generally used for
Hospice Care) and ‘End of Life
Care’ are areas of medicine in
which the Hospice specialises.
We are fortunate to have the
facilities and specially trained staff
who can share our knowledge
and expertise with other health
professionals.”
She says, “The Hospice courses are excellent. They provide an opportunity to mix with
other health professionals and to share expertise and other viewpoints. It is also a perfect
environment for developing skills in handling difficult scenarios”.