October 2019 - East Cheshire Hospice

Tough Woofer is this weekend!

Posted on 18th October 2019 by Luke Brightmore

If you want to take your dog for a walk on Sunday (Oct 20) then Tough Woofer is the perfect outdoor exercise.

Entries will be accepted on the day for the 5k obstacle course through the grounds of Capesthorne Hall.

The first wave leaves at 10 am with dogs facing a series of fun obstacles, including climbing challenges and mud and water tests.

The event is organised by East Cheshire Hospice which is setting up a Charity Village with live entertainment, shopping stalls, canine activities and refreshments.

Guests of honour will be beagles Roxy and Harley whose faces have been used in banners and billboards to promote the event.

The dogs, owned by Abigail Henshall and partner Steve Abraham, won a Facebook competition run by the charity.

Beth Candy, Events Manager at the Hospice, said: “We’ve had plenty of entries and there’s still room for more because it’s such a wonderful large venue. People must be eight and over to tackle the course and dogs one or over.”

The fee is £35 for a dog/owner, and £25 for people only. Go to eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/toughwoofer

Hospice @Home Second Anniversary

Posted on 18th October 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Hospice @Home has had a ‘massive impact’ since the service was set up by East Cheshire Hospice two years ago.

A growing number of patients are accessing the charity’s specialist palliative care services in the comfort of their own home.

Figures released on the second anniversary of the service show that so far Hospice@ Home staff have –

* Received 713 referrals.

* Made 6,815 home visits and 3,854 supportive telephone calls.

* Supported 412 people enabling them to die in their preferred place.

Tess Cleaver recently took over a new role as Hospice @Home Manager, having moved from the inpatient unit where she was a staff nurse.

She said: “Hospice @Home is about taking the excellent care we offer here in the inpatient unit and providing that in the community in people’s own homes.

“That was the vision for the service and that’s what’s being delivered. The impact has been massive.”

The service provides hands-on medical care, psychological support, symptom management, end-of- life care and care after death.

Nurses and co-ordinators work closely with other health care agencies, including GPs, district nurses, Macmillan and Marie Curie.

The service is ‘out-of-hours’ operating from 6.30 pm until 8 am and 24 hours at weekends.

Tess added: “If people can stay at home for their end-of-life care it avoids unwanted hospital admissions.

“Families try to do everything they can to look after their loved one and keep them at home but sometimes it becomes too much and they can’t help them in the way they’d like any more.

“Typically, a patient might need assistance with getting ready for bed, having a wash or going to the bathroom at 2 am. For them and their family that’s a crisis.

“That’s when our services come in to support the family. If no care were available, they may want to get them into hospital and because we’re helping we avoid those situations and that helps the NHS.”

Hospice @Home costs £2.2m for the first five years and is funded entirely by donors.

Tess said: “We wouldn’t be able to offer this service without the donors’ commitment so we’d like to thank them.

“People can’t put into words their gratitude for our service which involves collaborative working between several agencies. The need for those services will only become greater.”

Dressing the Mayor!

Posted on 18th October 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Looking smart is vital for Coun Janet Jackson, especially with a full diary of engagements as Mayor of Macclesfield.

That is where the East Cheshire Hospice charity shop at Thornton Square helps out, supplying most of Janet’s outfits.

A navy and grey dress and matching jacket bought from there for only £25 was worn when she received her MBE from Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in January.

The hat for that proud day at Buckingham Palace was another bargain at £10. The Mayor is a regular customer at the Hospice shop and a new winter coat is next on her list.

Coun Jackson said: “I’m always getting compliments on what I wear and delight in telling people that my clothes are from the charity shop.

“It’s a win-win situation as far as I’m concerned. You can find fantastic clothes at a really good price and are supporting a wonderful charity.

“East Cheshire Hospice need a tremendous amount of money every day to keep their service going, so anything anyone can do by going along to the shop and buying an item or two is all to the good.

“I attend an average of five functions a week and try to have a different outfit for almost every occasion.

“With the attention on climate change, I’m also a sustainable Mayor and helping the environment.

I’m helping the charities and my pocket too.”

Coun Jackson, Labour member for Macclesfield Central, recalls fondly her royal honour rewarding her long-standing service to the community.

The grandmother-of-three has been involved in politics for almost 30 years and has sat on numerous council and charity committees.

She is chair of the Friends of Macclesfield Silk Heritage and generations of her family have worked in the town’s silk industry.

“The Palace visit with my family was a memorable day. I couldn’t believe it when I found out I’d got the MBE because it doesn’t happen to people like me.”

The Thornton Square shop sells clothing for all ages, handbags, purses, wallets, travel bags, rucksacks, jewellery and accessories, furniture, electrical goods, kitchenware, ornaments, pictures and frames, toys, books and games.

Manager Nicolla Burgess said: “We’re delighted the Mayor is one of our loyal customers. We sell good quality items and our shop does extremely well in terms of donations and purchases. We’re looking for good quality furniture and do need help on the vans with collections.”

Heather Broadbent Update

Posted on 18th October 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Round-the-world sailor Heather Broadbent is approaching South America after six weeks at sea.

The landscape gardener, from Disley, will arrive in the Uruguayan port of Punte del Este in the next few days.

She will then set sail for Cape Town in the third race of the Clipper 2019-20 Round the World Yacht Race.

Heather is aboard GoToBermuda which is among the chasing pack in the 11-strong fleet.

Heather is hoping to raise £40,000 for East Cheshire Hospice where her late husband Adam (45) was a patient.

The funds will go towards supporting the charity’s Hospice @ Home service. More than £23,000 has already been raised and to donate go to justgiving.com/fundraising/dreamitnowdoit.

Heather, whose voyage lasts 11 months, said: “Morale on board is good, everyone is still getting on well and into the swing of it nicely, though at times I’ve been feeling the emotion and enormity of the adventure.

“I’ve seen a wonderful pod of dolphins jumping and playing on our bow and we were bombarded by flying fish during a deck watch.”

The Clipper Race left London on Sept 1 with the second race across the Atlantic Ocean departing Portimão, Portugal, two weeks later.

Art Fair 2019

Posted on 18th October 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Art Fair Cheshire comes to an end tomorrow (Thurs Oct 3) after a memorable week celebrating the region’s creative talents.

More than 80 artists and crafts experts have been exhibiting their work and selling art for East Cheshire Hospice at Macclesfield Town Hall.

The Mayor of Macclesfield Mayor Cllr Janet Jackson joined 300 guests at a special preview evening as Art Fair Cheshire marked its 20th anniversary.

Also there was Anna Rains who started the Art Fair in 1999 to raise funds for the creation of the Sunflower Centre at the Hospice.

She has been involved ever since, working tirelessly to ensure that Art Fair Cheshire continues to develop and support the Hospice.

Artist-led tours, guest speakers and workshops were among the highlights during the week. Each artist donates at least 40 per cent from sales to the Hospice.

It is the first edition for co-chairs Steven Dalton and Georgie Johnson who said: “Art Fair Cheshire moved in a new direction this year and we’ve been thrilled with the response.

“We’d like to thank all those who made it such a huge success, including artists, sponsors, volunteers and the public whose generosity will ensure we raise much-needed funds for the Hospice.”

Community Champion Open Day

Posted on 18th October 201931st December 2019 by Luke Brightmore

Could you give up a couple of hours a week to help someone with dementia?

East Cheshire Hospice is inviting the public to attend an event next Monday (Oct 7) to hear what is involved.

The charity already has a dozen Community Champions who are companions for those living with dementia and more volunteers are needed.

The information meeting is at the Hospice on Millbank Drive starting at 10 am with talks from those involved followed by general discussion ending at 11 am.

The Hospice’s Admiral Nurse Debbie Callow said: “It’s a chance to come and learn more and meet some of the team and with no pressure to sign up.

“Our service helps provide companionship to a person living with mild dementia, while allowing their carer to have some time to themselves.

“The volunteer won’t provide personal care – their role is one of friendship and they’re fully supported by the Hospice.

“Our volunteers say it’s a highly rewarding role and they enjoy giving something back and making a difference.”

Debbie is the Hospice’s first specialist dementia nurse, a post created in June recognising the charity’s forward-thinking approach to the illness.

Statistics show that more than 850,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with dementia, a number expected to increase, while a quarter of over 65s in hospital beds have the illness.

Debbie said: “Education is the key, whether it’s carers or professionals, to making life easier for those with dementia so they can live well.

“Dementia doesn’t just affect the person with the diagnosis – spouses, partners and family and friends are all affected as well.

“Part of my job is raising awareness and I love the energy and environment of working here. There’s a really nice feeling which you get walking round the building.”

People can just turn up on Monday at 10 am with no need to book. For more details call Volunteer Co-ordinator Helena Smith on 01625 664984 or email hsmith@echospice.org.uk.

* Admiral Nurses were so named by the family of Joseph Levy, whose family founded Dementia UK. He had vascular dementia and was known affectionately as ‘Admiral Joe’ because of his love of sailing.