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Elaine completes her head shave for East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Elaine Taylor kept her promise to get her head shaved as a show of support for East Cheshire Hospice patients.

One patient in particular who had lost all her hair inspired Elaine, a health care assistant, to face the chop at the hairdressers.

Daughter Jade and daughter-in-law Lorri Taylor were there to witness the big moment.

Elaine, who is part of the Hospice @Home team, said: “I was nervous before and didn’t know what to expect. It was emotional because of why I was doing it and the meaning behind it.

Before…..Elaine Taylor preparing for her head shave.

“It felt liberating and was a bizarre feeling. I didn’t think I’d feel quite as good as I did when I came out.

“My partner Steve O’Neill was pleasantly surprised and said it really suited me. I went into the Hospice to show my colleagues and they were also blown away by it.

“Our dog Eva didn’t flinch when she saw my new look and just wagged her tail.

“I’ve had a lot of support from people at work who understand why I’ve done it because of the patients we care for.

After ….Elaine is congratulated by daughter Jade.

“One lady I’d cared for of similar age, with children and a dog like me, had quite an effect on me. Sadly, she didn’t have any choice whether she lost her hair.

“I love my job and can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Elaine has easily beaten her initial fundraising target, raising more than £1,700 so far.

*  To support Elaine visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Elaine-Taylor40

Alison takes to the skies for East Cheshire Hospice

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

The bravery shown by her patients will act as a spur for Alison Arnold when she faces her own fears.

Alison will join other daredevils in a wing walk in aid of East Cheshire Hospice where she is a health care assistant.

Alison joins two other Hospice @Home team colleagues inspired to get involved with fundraising activities by the courage shown by the patients they visit.

Jo Helm undertakes a Sahara trek later this year, while Elaine Taylor is having a sponsored head shave.

Seeing how patients and their families cope with the challenges at end-of-life, supported by the Hospice, motivated them.

Alison, who joined the Hospice in January, said: “I’d worked in the community a lot with vulnerable people in different kinds of roles, but never with those at end-of-life.

“I just instantly connected with patients, realising that not long into my second week.

“Until then I’d always been a little bit frightened about death and when my dad Peter passed away in 2017, I didn’t understand the different stages he was going through with his cancer.

“There was no-one there explaining it to me, so wasn’t able to make such a good connection with him towards the end of his life.

“When I started working at the Hospice I was absolutely blown away by the dignity and respect paid to people at end-of-life and how we support them to have a good death.

“I just feel really proud to be working for the Hospice. It’s a privilege and humbling.

“Working with such caring and compassionate people, I felt settled the minute I entered the Hospice so it was important to me to try to do something.”

Alison Arnold who is part of the Hospice @Home team which goes out to visit patients.

Friend John Mycoe will be there to see Alison sit on top of a 1940s Boeing Stearman biplane over a  Gloucestershire airfield on July 11.

Alison said: “I’ve a fear of heights, so the first challenge for me is getting up the ladder to climb on to the plane.

“I’ve seen frightened patients facing their fears head-on in the latter stages of life and can’t know what that’s like, but this is my way of connecting with fear and trying to overcome it.

“I’m very cautious – the most daring thing I’ve done is climb Mam Tor. Colleagues who’ve done the wing walk said it’s a wonderful experience and I won’t regret it.”

* To sponsor Alison visit justgiving.com/fundraising/alison-arnold19

New to the team, Lindsey Rial

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

One of Lindsey Rial’s first engagements after joining East Cheshire Hospice was to attend a royal engagement with Prince Charles!

The Hospice’s new Senior HR Advisor joined her ex-boss Andrew Hodgson at a special VIP thank you function at St James’s Palace.

Wine and canapes were served to around 200 guests in recognition of their services to community pharmacy during the pandemic.

Lindsey Rial and Andrew Hodgson who were  royal guests as a thank you for their services to community pharmacy.

The inoculation programme at Andrews Pharmacy, on Kennedy Avenue, Macclesfield,  was one of the success stories of the mass vaccination roll-out.

It was one of the first three community pharmacies nationwide to start giving jabs 18 months ago  and has administered up to 200,000 doses since.

Up to 600 jabs a day were given initially as part of an operation involving more than 170 staff and volunteers. Nurses from the Hospice helped out at a time when their Sunflower Centre was closed.

Lindsey, who was then HR and business manager at Andrews, said: “It was a real thrill for Andrew and me to be invited. I was the only non-health care professional there – everyone else was a pharmacist or doctor.

“Working on the vaccination project was the highlight of my career and I don’t think I’ll ever top what we’ve done there, which had a great impact on the community.

“It is a massive achievement for everyone and not just the vaccination clinic. The pharmacy staff had to deal with 500 people a day walking through the door and at the beginning prescriptions were delivered to vulnerable patients told to stay at home. Our volunteers were a major part of that operation.”

Andrews still administers around 200 Covid jabs a day to the young and old. Lindsey is helping out there once a week initially before a full-time switch of jobs to the nearby Hospice.

“I felt I couldn’t go any further in that role and wanted to concentrate on my HR knowledge here at the Hospice.

“Working with the girls from the Sunflower Centre showed me what a lovely place this is and completely took away any stigma about Hospice care.

“It’s an opportunity I couldn’t miss and part of my role is looking at support for ward staff dealing with end-of-life care.

“That aspect can make recruitment difficult at times, but the nurses here will tell you it’s such a wonderful place to work. Our website lists vacancies and we’re always looking for bank staff.”

Hospice Nurse Elaine takes on head shave

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Caring for a dying patient changed the way Elaine Taylor thought about working in end-of-life care.

It was not long after she had joined East Cheshire Hospice last August that she visited a woman of similar age who had lost all her hair.

Elaine had spent 20 years looking after the elderly, ideal qualifications to work for the charity’s Hospice @Home team as a Health Care Assistant.

But that one patient, in particular, had a huge impact on Elaine.

Elaine Taylor who is having her head shaved. 

She said: “That lady had quite an effect on me.  She had children and a dog like me. She was really poorly, but so positive and when she passed away it really affected me.

“I’d never worked in that kind of end-of-life care before and it made me doubt whether I could continue doing that job.

“Was it too emotional? Was I strong enough to deal with it? Could I not care for people at end-of-life and see it for what it really is? I thought that could be me in that bed.

“But after a while to settle in, everything fell into place.

“It’s still sad and not easy at times, but you’re giving someone end-of-life care and a good death. We’re also there to support the family and ensure that person is pain-free. They know they’re being cared for and feel safe.

“It’s been a massive 10 months and I can’t ever imagine doing anything else. This will be it until I retire.

“The Hospice is amazing and it’s a privilege to care for patients like we do in the community.”

Elaine’s experience has inspired her to have her head shaved on July 2 to raise fund for the Hospice.

She said: “I could raise money other ways, but that wouldn’t mean anything to me personally. A head shave will because of that lady and others since then who had no choice whether they lost their hair.

“I’m doing this to support them and won’t be hiding away afterwards under a scarf or hat. I’ll explain this is what happens to people and hopefully they’ll sponsor me.

“I spend a lot of time and money on my hair and look after it. When I told my hairdresser I was doing it, she tried to talk me out of it and do something else, but then she realised how much it means to me.”

*  To support Elaine visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Elaine-Taylor40

Toni’s Hospice Journey

Posted on by Luke Brightmore

A bride’s wedding day is always special, but for Toni Walsh it was an even more emotional occasion.

She knew her husband Tim Longden had only days left to live.

The Macclesfield couple were married at East Cheshire Hospice in February 2020, weeks after Tim had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

They had been together for 12 years, having known each other for 20 years.

Toni popped the question while Tim lay in a hospital bed, just before he was told nothing more could be done.

Tim was transferred to the Hospice where the chaplain made wedding arrangements for the following day.

A social media appeal for help to make their day special prompted a flood of donations.

Tim and Toni on their wedding day.

Toni said: “The support from the community was overwhelming. It was absolutely amazing. I had six offers of wedding dresses and two people stayed up all night making wedding cakes.

“We were supplied with a buffet and I had my hair and make-up done. Tim couldn’t walk by then so they wheeled him into the chapel for our blessing.

“Our wedding was on the same day as my mum Kath’s birthday and she’d died the year before aged 64.

“It was a lovely day under the circumstances.  Tim hadn’t really got any symptoms before. He’d just started missing words and slurring his speech and thought he might have had a stroke.

“He managed to say his name and ‘I do’ and was aware what was happening. Then, unfortunately, he went downhill and died 12 days later.”

The couple worked for BT for many years and after Tim’s death at the age of 50, Toni left to volunteer at the Hospice’s charity shop in Poynton.

She is now assistant manager at its Thornton Square store where customers have generously donated in a bucket for a fundraising challenge.

Toni at Thornton Square charity shop where she is assistant manager.

Toni, with Tim’s sister Rachel Richards and her husband Mark, are trekking across the Sahara in November in a Hospice event.

Toni said: “We’re calling ourselves The Three Camels. I’m so unfit and it’s a massive task for me in the heat, but it’ll be an amazing experience in Tim’s memory and I want to give something back to the Hospice.

“The support I’ve had in the shop has been incredible and I can’t thank the community enough for the spirit and love shown two years ago and ever since.”

Toni Walsh with in-laws Rachel and Mark Richards. 

 

*To sponsor them visit www.justgiving.com/team/wwwjustgivingcomfundraisingThree-camels

East Cheshire Hospice’s new corporate fundraiser

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

The newest recruit to the fundraising team at East Cheshire Hospice is the familiar face of Lisa Ball.

She rejoins the charity as Corporate Fundraiser two and a half years after leaving to travel the world.

Lisa had spent six years in various roles at East Cheshire and will focus on building up relations with the corporate world.

East Cheshire Hospice’s new corporate fundraiser Lisa Ball enjoying canal boat life.

Lisa said: “I saw how corporate fundraising was developed when I was here before and am really excited by the challenge.

“We have a strong group of loyal corporate supporters and my aim is to further develop that  relationship with them and get more corporates on board.

“We have our 500 Club in which supporters pledge to raise at least £500 a year for three years and our annual Corporate Challenge when groups raise as much as possible in a month.”

Lisa rejoins from St Ann’s Hospice where she was Individual Giving and Legacy Fundraiser.

She is also back in a familiar domestic environment, having bought another canal boat to live on.

Lisa said: “I sold my first boat to go travelling and have bought another which I’m renovating. Boats can be a cheaper way of living and you’d think it’s quite cold, but it’s not and I’ve a wood burner to  keep warm.

“The boat is peaceful but there are more maintenance jobs to do, though my boyfriend knows how to fix engines and electrical systems so if I ever need anything he sorts it.

“The boat is like a cosy one-bedroom flat.”

Lisa’s travels took her to Asia and Australia, spending four months in Melbourne where she worked for a sky diving club.

Lisa has completed more than 160 parachute jumps and is qualified to jump solo.

“I was at ground control for a sky diving drop zone, making sure everyone landed safely and the plane had a clear drop.

“The drop zone was next to an airport, so I had to make sure no other aircraft were coming through our area.”

Her best friend was involved in sky diving accident, though not on Lisa’s watch.

Lisa said: “She’s an experienced sky diver and instructor, but misjudged the wind completely and smashed her ankle, landing in the middle of a main road after her canopy clipped a lamppost.”

Thankfully, her friend has recovered and Lisa has enjoyed a safe landing back among the income generation team at the Hospice.

Welcome to the team!

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

After a career in catering, Michelle Brown is used to spinning a lot of plates.

Multi tasking is certainly required in her role as the new general services manager at East Cheshire Hospice.

Michelle is part of a strong team behind the scenes ensuring the Hospice runs smoothly. Their roles are just as important as the front-line nurses delivering care to patients.

Michelle Brown, the new General Services Manager at East Cheshire Hospice.

Catering, maintenance and housekeeping all fall under Michelle’s wide remit. So, too, compliance to meet changes in legislation relating to food hygiene, health and safety, or any other issues.

Michelle can call on the Hospice handy man, or any other service contractor, to fix anything from a broken light bulb, or faulty washing machine.

She said: “I don’t know how to physically fix everything in here, but it’s knowing how to get the right people to do it. My job is also about negotiating contracts and understanding who your suppliers are.”

Michelle’s background is contract catering. Her previous job was as operations manager for 17 schools and colleges, a link with the education sector which stretches back as many years.

However, the pandemic gave her food for thought.

She said: “When I sat back and reflected during lockdown, I realised I wanted to give something back and just had to apply.

“Our aim is to give people the best possible care, whether it’s nursing, food, surroundings, or facilities.

“Clearly, the Hospice has always set such high standards and I just want to be part of that and see what I can add to make a difference. It’s a lovely environment and people are happy and friendly.”

Michelle, who works closely with head chef Ray Hamilton, also has a catering background in restaurants, care homes and a hospital after she trained initially in hotel management.

Michelle said:  “As time goes on and you progress into management, you tend to go more into the operational side of things to expand your knowledge and skills.

“It has tended to be a male-dominated role, but we’ve moved on a little bit now and I think women are being more recognised for these roles.”

Helm family take on Trek Sahara

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Escape those winter blues and trek across the Sahara desert camping under the stars. A year from now that is exactly what a group of East Cheshire Hospice supporters will be doing.

There is still a chance to join them, with the end of December the deadline for signing up. Among the party will be Jo Helm, a health care assistant with the Hospice’s Hospice @Home service, husband David and son Jack.

The family have each paid the £325 registration fee and all pledged to raise a minimum of £1,990 in sponsorship for the Hospice.  Jack (19) even dipped into his savings for a Ford Capri he dreams of owning to pay his share.

Jack, Jo and David Helm who are trekking across the Sahara.

The Moroccan adventure, from November 12-19, involves a 50 km trek over sand dunes in scorching temperatures. The four-day trek is followed by two days helping on a community project in Marrakech.

Contact Bethan Wade on 01625 789102 or email bwade@echospice.org.uk for more details.

Jo said: “I always enjoy a challenge and know it won’t be a walk in the park. I don’t mind the heat, unlike David who prefers it cooler.

“I’ve worked at the Hospice for a year and know how valuable it is to the community. It’s such a privilege to work there and Hospice @Home is an amazing service.”

David, a mental health recovery worker, said: “I wanted to do a trip like this when I came out of the Forces but never managed it. The Hospice is a fantastic cause and I know what Jo goes through at work and what it’s like to work there.”

The couple did a wing walk in June, conquering Jo’s fear of heights. She said: “I was scared getting on the plane and was shaking like mad. It was petrifying, but a lot of adrenaline and support from colleagues helped.

Jo and David are set for another challenge after their wing walk.

“I relaxed once I was up there and the reasons we’re doing it, and the patients we care for, made it all worthwhile.”

The Helms ran a competition to guess the weight of a pumpkin, raising £150 towards their Sahara target. Berghaus have supplied them with coats and rucksacks and Regatta have donated sleeping bags.

The Hospice offers fundraising ideas for the trip and a self-funded option is available. To register, or for more details, visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/trek-sahara/

* To sponsor the Helms visit one of the following links justgiving.com/fundraising/joanne-helm3, or david-helm7, or jack-helm1.

Newest member of Hospice @Home team

Posted on by Becky Sidwell

Senior nurse Sue Milligan is the latest addition to the specialist East Cheshire Hospice team which provides patients with palliative care in the comfort of their own home.

Sue – known as Millie – has joined the charity’s Hospice @Home team as a sister after spending her entire career in health care.

That vast medical experience further strengthens a Hospice service widely acclaimed for its vital role within the Macclesfield community and beyond.

Sue previously worked for NHS Cheshire Commissioning Group as an individual commissioning nurse.

She assessed patients in community settings and advised on whether they met the criteria for continuing health care, a role which brought her into contact with the Hospice.

Sue Milligan who is part of the Hospice @Home team at East Cheshire Hospice.

Sue said: “The contact increased over the years and I was lucky enough to be involved in discussions to expand the Hospice @Home service. This was the catalyst to finally make the leap to become part of the team.

“I’m enjoying being part of the development and expansion of the service and the team have made me most welcome, just as they did  when on the end of a phone. I hope to make a small but positive difference here.”

Sue’s partner Iggy worked at Macclesfield District General Hospital as paediatric consultant for 16 years before retiring a couple of years ago.

The couple, who have three children, moved to Macclesfield 18 years ago when Sue switched from paediatrics to become a district nurse.

She later joined the hospital as part of the integrated discharge team, assisting patients to either access rehab units, return home, or stay in an appropriate community setting.

The Hospice @Home service has had a huge impact since it was launched in October, 2017, initially covering ‘out-of-hours’ and weekends before expanding early last year to cover 24 hours a day.

Essentially, it extends the end-of-life care provided in the Hospice inpatient unit into people’s own homes, thereby reducing unwanted hospital admissions.

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.

That collaboration is seen as key to the success of Hospice @Home which has been well received by patients, their families and carers.

* For more details on Hospice @Home visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk.

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