August 2024 - East Cheshire Hospice
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Month: August 2024

Step back into your childhood with Papier Mache Patty

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Step back into your childhood with Papier Mache Patty at Art Fair Cheshire.

Artist Patty Callaghan will be explaining how to make papier mache models at Macclesfield Town Hall on Sunday, September 29, at 2 pm.

Her 45-minute talk is one of many attractions at Art Fair Cheshire which is sponsored by AstraZeneca and is in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

Patty Callaghan with her models.

The event (Thur Sept 26-Thur Oct 3) showcases work from more than 50 artists who donate a percentage of proceeds to the Hospice. Admission is free.

Patty, from Macclesfield, has been an Art Fair regular since it expanded to include a craft gallery.

She said: “I’m taking along my models, some partly finished, and others completed, to talk through processes, materials and answer questions.

“My bread-and-butter work is running art classes and workshops, but I also spend a lot of time making papier mache models.

“I like reusing stuff due to be thrown out. The models are made of newspaper and I use magazine pages to find the right colours.

“I often do commissions. It might be a family pet, recreated in papier mache as a special gift for that person who is hard to buy for.

“Most figures are made as commissions, usually portraits to mark a special anniversary or birthday. I had one request for a narrow boat as an anniversary present.

“When people come to my workshop, they always say it’s a nice and relaxed thing to do and  like being a child again, messing about with glue and paper.”

Patty runs regular workshops and there will be an opportunity at the talk to sign up for her next session.

She said: “I make my own glue. You don’t want to dip your hands in glue when you don’t know what’s in it.

“I use flour and water and add vinegar and sugar to act as a preservative. It’s then cooked to make it really sticky and it works well.

“Using household ingredients is eco-friendly. It’s quite niche and there aren’t many artists making things out of paper mache. It’s also cheap, accessible and great fun.”

* Visit www.pattycallaghan.com to find out more.

Art Fair Cheshire, run by volunteers, features original art and sculptures, paintings, prints, jewellery, photography, glassware, ceramics, millinery and willow weaving.

The event opens from 10.30 am until 4 pm each day. For more details visit www.theartfair.org.uk

Gary Henshaw raise almost £20,000 for East Cheshire Hospice in the last two and a half years

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Give it to Gary – that is the motto of promotional merchandising suppliers Bown Enterprises with its charitable support.

The company has played a major role helping Gary Henshaw raise almost £20,000 for East Cheshire Hospice in the last two and a half years.

Pens, pencils, notebooks have been among stock donated to Gary who in turn raises money from these goods at his tombola stall at Macclesfield market.

Bown Enterprises Accounts Manager Julie Rutter (left) and Head of Sales Fiona Pearson with promotional merchandise. 

Thousands of pens have just been handed over, enabling Gary’s fundraising initiative to flourish.

The suppliers were founded by Ken Bown, now in his Nineties, more than 35 years ago.

Son Duncan and wife Alison own the Adlington-based business with merchandise stored at a warehouse located elsewhere.

MD Duncan said: “It’s important we do something for charity and we know the funds raised by Gary helps patients and families at the most precious time in their lives.

“Any end of line stock, or goods we can’t use for various reasons, we give to Gary.

“We buy vast stock, such as bags, notebooks and pens, from overseas. Merchandise can be from high end to giveaways.”

Gary charges £1 for his draw, with a prize won on every spin of his tombola drum.

Gary said: “I love doing it and every penny taken goes to the Hospice. I couldn’t do it without the support of Bown Enterprises, other businesses and the public who also make donations.”

* To donate contact Gary on 07776 181028 or gazhenshaw@hotmail.com

Ollier Photography marks its 60th Anniversary

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

A well-known photography studio is marking its 60th anniversary with a special promotion in aid of East Cheshire Hospice.

Ollier Photography is offering a two-hour studio portrait shoot, plus a 10” x 8” mounted photograph valued at £180, for a £25 donation to the Hospice.

Any additional images can then be bought separately from the studio which has strong Macclesfield roots.

The firm was set up in 1964 by the late Brian Ollier after he left his job as a junior photographer with the Macclesfield Express. Wife Margaret left her job as a cook to help run the studio.

Joe Ollier who is supporting East Cheshire Hospice.

He kept his links with the paper through his popular ‘Looking Back’ column which was published for many years.

Brian’s original pastel portrait style was highly successful and the couple travelled the world attending lectures and seminars.

Brian died in 2014, a year after he retired. The firm continues to flourish under youngest son Joe and business partner Matt Webb.

Matt said: “We’re proud of our Macclesfield heritage and want to celebrate 60 years in business by supporting the Hospice.”

“People can have portraits of whatever they want – it might be their children, grandchildren or their pets.”

Margaret said: “Brian saw great changes in photography throughout his career, finally embracing digital photography. He never lost his enthusiasm for his art and left a legacy of thousands of images spanning almost 50 years.”

Visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/ollier-photography to make the donation, using the email confirmation as a voucher to book a session directly with Ollier Photography.

East Cheshire Hospice re-welcomes Kim Williams

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Kim Williams has gained a lot more nursing experience since she was last on the ward at East Cheshire Hospice.

It was 20 years ago that Kim was a bank nurse caring for patients there.

Now she has returned to the Hospice to help develop clinical services.

Kim has taken up an Advanced Nurse Practitioner role at after 35 years as a cancer and palliative care nurse.

Kim will be one of four ANPs at the Hospice which continues to lead the way with its palliative care provision, both within the Hospice and in the community depending on patient need.

Advanced nurse practitioner Kim Williams.

Kim said: “It’s good to be back after all these years and there are a few familiar faces.

“The Hospice cares for and supports patients and their families experiencing life threatening conditions.

“There’s an increasing need for dementia support and we treat patients with COPD, heart failure, MND and old age frailty as well as those with a cancer diagnosis.

“I’m looking forward to being part of a team working to ensure palliative support is offered in the most appropriate place, at the right time and avoiding inappropriate admission to hospital.”

Kim started her career as a specialist oncology nurse at The Christie, Manchester, where she was also a Macmillan nurse.

Her Macmillan work also included spells at Wythenshawe Hospital and St Ann’s Hospice.

She has also been a university lecturer in Manchester and Leeds focusing on cancer and palliative care.

Kim was education lead at St Ann’s before training as an ANP.

She worked in primary care in Salford during Covid and afterwards within GP and urgent care services across Manchester.

She has also attained a Masters qualification in Cancer and Palliative care and a Professional Doctorate in medical ethics.

* East Cheshire Hospice is running a Yoga Challenge for two weeks from Monday, September 9.

Participants can take part in daily yoga activities at their own pace.

The online event promotes physical health, mental well-being and community spirit while raising funds for the charity.

Organiser Luke Hughes said: “The challenge offers various yoga styles and is open to all skill levels.

“Join us in breathing, stretching and feeling good for ourselves and the Hospice. Updates and lessons will be shared via Facebook, though you don’t need an account to take part.”

Participants are invited to raise at least £50. For more details visit the Hospice website.

A special installation at the RHS Flower Show

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

A colourful floral display brought back wonderful memories for the Jones family at Tatton Park.

A special installation at the RHS Flower Show was dedicated to Christine Jones who died of bowel cancer at East Cheshire Hospice earlier this year.

Chris Jones with 10-year-old granddaughter Florence at the installation.

It was created by close friend Kathryn Cronin whose installation ‘Threshold – On Life and Living’ helped raise awareness of the Hospice’s work and its motto ‘where people come to live.’

Daffodils and sunflowers – the Hospice emblem – featured in Kathryn’s all-British flower installation. The centrepiece was a wooden door frame which formed a living threshold.

The gardening theme was a fitting and touching tribute.

Christine’s husband Chris said: “It was wonderful and moving to visit the Hospice installation with my family.

“It made us think about our lovely Christine and remember the happy times we had in our own garden, as Christine so enjoyed looking after our plants and flowers.

“We’re extremely grateful to Kathryn for dedicating the installation to Christine’s memory. It also allowed us to say thank you to the Hospice for the amazing, dedicated care and support they offered Christine in her last few weeks.”

Kathryn said: “Many thanks for the support of Chris and his family, the RHS and East Cheshire Hospice. Flowers help us convey the words we’re often unable to express.

“The installation encouraged many meaningful conversations around the role of a hospice and especially when Christine’s family came to visit. Hopefully, it also raised the profile of the Hospice.”

East Cheshire Hospice is taking its dementia services out into the community

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

East Cheshire Hospice is taking its dementia services out into the community, getting even closer to those who need help.

The Hospice has run dementia courses at its headquarters in Macclesfield since 2015.

It has now started operating weekly Dementia Carer Wellbeing Programmes in Wilmslow, Congleton, Knutsford and Poynton, as well as continuing on-site in Macclesfield.

This will make services more accessible to whole communities.

The expansion, which is part of a new five-year Hospice dementia initiative, is funded by Hospice supporters and a National Lottery grant.

Hospice professionals knew from experience there was increasing demand for dementia services in Cheshire East.

Debbie Kassas, the charity’s Specialist Dementia Nurse and Dementia Lead, said: “Our long-standing eight-week carers courses are very popular. We doubled capacity to six courses a year in 2021 and that helped initially but eventually the waiting lists increased again.

Debbie Kassas, Specialist Dementia Nurse and Dementia Lead at East Cheshire Hospice.  

“When we reached capacity here on-site, we knew we’d have to do something entirely different.

“A long-term aim was always to have more presence around our community, as well as Macclesfield.

“The extra funding means we’ve now gone from six courses to 15, with three in each area per year meaning we can now offer these courses to over 300 people per year.

“People can self-refer and attend courses in any of our areas. Dementia awareness is improving, so more people are seeking support.

“There are still patches of the country which don’t have such courses, so Cheshire East does have a high level of dementia support compared to other areas.”

It means dementia patients can receive up to 16 weeks of support free of charge by their family member attending Hospice courses.

During the initial eight-week course, the carer receives advice on different educational subjects while in a separate room the patient has Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), including activities such as games and sounds.

Patients then have the option of a follow up eight-week course on maintenance CST.

The Hospice has expanded its team in response. Dementia Nurses Paul Dale and Laura Howard are assisted by Wellbeing Assistants Anita Hoskins and Sharon Birkinshaw with Sue Caulcott providing admin support.

Dementia Nurse Paul Dale offers advice.

Debbie said: “We’ve had a great response so far now that we’re out in the community. We want more people to be seen as soon as possible rather than be on a long waiting list.”

Call 01625 666990 or visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/dementia-support for more details.

Alzheimer’s Research UK estimates there are 982,000 people now living with dementia.

By 2040 this figure is expected to rise to 1.4 million in the UK alone.

Cheshire East has the fastest-growing ageing population in the north west.

The number of people aged over 50 living with dementia in the area is projected to almost double from 5,300 in 2009 to 9,100 in 2030.

In Cheshire East, 23 per cent of the population are over 65, compared to 19 per cent in the north west and 18 per cent in England.

There are now estimated to be more than 6,000 people living with dementia in this area.

Age is no barrier for Barbara Horry who continues to support East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Age is no barrier for Barbara Horry who continues to support East Cheshire Hospice approaching her 94th birthday in November.

Barbara has bought a leaf on the Memory Tree in the Hospice gardens to remember husband Harold who died in 2012, aged 86.

It is her latest way of fundraising for the Hospice where Harold spent only 15 hours as a patient, though it was long enough to leave a lasting impression on his family.

Barbara with daughter Judith Scorer at a Memory Tree garden party.

Barbara has already donated proceeds from a book of family memoirs entitled The Mad Midwife of Mobberley, an affectionate account of more than 40 years as a nurse.

The hardback was written by granddaughter Lydia to mark Barbara’s 90th birthday.

Harold was a leading figure in the scout movement, spending 20 years as Alderley’s district commissioner. Barbara raised more than £200,000 for the scouts over five decades.

Barbara said: “The Memory Tree is a lovely way to maintain our family’s link with the Hospice and to thank them for the care Harold received.

“He was only at the Hospice for a short time after he was transferred from hospital, but we’re so grateful for their care, kindness and compassion.”

The metal sculpture, gifted by AZ employees, has leaves engraved with a short message to someone special if desired. Subscriptions are £10 a month, or £120 for a year.

* To sign up to the Memory Tree visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/memory-tree.

For queries, contact amy.williams@echospice.org.uk or call 01625 665688

The new-look Sunflower Living Well Centre

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

The new-look Sunflower Living Well Centre at East Cheshire Hospice is already reaping rewards for patients and staff.

The £1.3m facility opened four months ago and is a vital community hub for healthcare.

An extensive range of services is available for day care patients diagnosed with a life limiting illness with more programmes on the way. Many patients can get involved with the arts and crafts that the activity coordinator provides.

Modern surroundings can be adapted for courses, enhancing the visitor experience.

Exactly how health care professionals envisaged it when plans were drawn up.

Sunflower Sister Sharon Hurley said: “Everyone is delighted with how we’ve settled into our new home. It’s a fantastic facility and most importantly provides the best possible environment for our patients and staff.

Sharon Hurley, Sister at the Sunflower Living Well Centre.

“It’s not often you go to a place where everything is brand spanking new. Everywhere is lovely, fresh and bright with reclining chairs that have pressure relief cushions and bifold doors which give patients access to the garden.

“I must admit we had to get savvy with all the gadgets, but we have piped music which means we could have ABBA in the dining room and Queen in the main room.

“We’ve become quite techy and it’s lovely to have a larger nurses’ station where we are situated near the patients.

The main lounge at the centre.

“The kitchen and dining room are in dementia friendly colours, and we love the glass corridor which avoids interrupting patients during their visit.

“There’s a quiet room with its calming environment. We can divide up the main room to hold separate activities.

“It’s still early days as we get things implemented. For instance, we may bring in volunteers to run activities at Halloween or Christmas.”

Staff mark the opening of the Sunflower Living Well Centre in April.

The extra capacity means the Hospice has started hosting stand-alone courses with the Look Good Feel Better charity.

Volunteers from the beauty and wellbeing industry offer advice remotely to cancer patients via a giant screen on the third Friday of every month, which is held here in the Sunflower living well centre.

The Sunflower centre have worked with the Macmillan cancer resource centre in Macclesfield who refer for these one-off sessions.

Leaflets are found within the Macclesfield area and on the Hospice website. Participants receive a goodie bag of products and courses for men will hopefully run in the future.

There is also a six-week Live Well Feel Well programme aimed at anyone living and coping with the effects of their illness and treatments.

There are multiple services including topics such as breathlessness, fatigue, anxiety, complementary therapies, befriending, art therapy, counselling, lymphoedema, physiotherapy, dementia support, motor neurone support, staying strong and keeping safe.

* Contact the Sunflower centre on 01625 665685 for full details.

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