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The new chaplain at East Cheshire Hospice is no stranger to the charity.

Reverend Dr Marion Tugwood was a regular visitor to the Hospice in her role as minister at Macclesfield United Reformed Church.

Marion spent 10 years with the church and often provided pastoral care for patients at end-of-life and their loved ones.

Her first official duty in her new role was the Light Up a Life service at St Michael and All Angels Church in December.

She said: “The service took place two days after I started so I was thrown in at the deep end, but it went well and people seemed to value the time to reflect on the life of their loved one. The church was full for this moving occasion.

Reverend Dr Marion Tugwood, the new chaplain at East Cheshire Hospice.

“My brief is to look after the whole Hospice, so I’m here for volunteers, staff as well as obviously patients and their relatives.”

From 2018, Marion held a wider role assisting 12 churches, including Macclesfield, as part of a Missional Partnership for the United Reformed Church.

She said: “The role involved training and equipping churches to be more self-sufficient without relying on a single minister.

“It was about building skills and increasing people’s ability to evangelise and to work with their own communities.”

“My chaplaincy work is similar to what I did before as I’m using my worship leading skills. But in other ways it’s different as there is greater emphasis on pastoral care.

“I’m getting to know families, patient and staff and am delighted to be part of a charity which is so highly regarded in east Cheshire and beyond.”

“The atmosphere here is calm and peaceful. People aren’t rushed in the way they are in some other care settings.”

For the last seven years Marion has helped run 15th Macclesfield Sea Scouts Group.

She was a founder of the Street Angels project in Macclesfield, a church initiative set up 12 years ago.

She said: “The job of Street Angels is to bring calm. We’re out on Saturdays between 10.30 pm and 3 am and pick up people who’ve fallen over. We also give out flip flops and bottles of water to people who may be the worse for wear.

“We’re not the police and not the council and just hang out and interact with people enjoying themselves and having a good time.”

To find out more about chaplaincy and view upcoming services, events and news, please go to www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/spiritual-support.

East Cheshire Hospice is involved in a pioneering project aimed at providing patients from the LGTBQ+ community with better support.

The charity is one of the three Cheshire hospices benefitting from a £22,000 grant from Cheshire Freemasons, in partnership with Hospice UK.

St Luke’s, Winsford, and Hospice of The Good Shepherd, Backford, are also involved in the 12-month scheme.

The project improves accessibility to hospice services for LGBTQ+ people by ensuring support is fully inclusive and meets the needs of all patients.

LGBTQ+  development facilitator Ellen Coleman offers support and training for staff across the three hospices to improve their approach and make them more accessible.

Her role includes providing additional resources, making policy changes and ensuring databases and  paperwork are inclusive.

From left, Ellen Coleman with Kate Estcourt from St Luke’s Hospice and Simon Palfreyman, Harry Wright and Steve Simpson  from Cheshire Freemasons.

East Cheshire has also trained five champions to raise the level of staff knowledge around how best to support LGBTQ+ patients.

Ellen said: “The fact I’m hired purely to work on this project is quite a new thing and hopefully other hospices around the country will adopt a similar approach soon.

“Initiatives focused on equality, diversity and inclusivity are often combined with other roles in  many organisations in health care and social care settings.

“East Cheshire Hospice have fully embraced the project and part of my role is to deliver training so  when staff engage with patients, families and colleagues they are confident about using the right language. During recruitment the right questions must also be asked.”

Research by the charity Stonewall shows many LGBTQ+ people avoid accessing health and social care services due to a fear of discrimination, or a history of negative experiences.

Ellen said: “The three hospices in Cheshire want to remove this fear for LGBTQ+ people. The response has been fantastic and we aim to provide continuity after the initial 12-month project.”

Sarah Dale, Director of Quality, Innovation and Collaboration at East Cheshire Hospice, said: “We’re extremely grateful for this grant from Cheshire Freemasons, which will help members of the LGBTQ+ community who want to access our services feel like they have a safe, supportive, and welcoming space to do so.

“Palliative and end of life care is about having one chance to get it right, so it’s really important that people from all communities feel comfortable and are able to talk about everything that’s important to them, including their gender identity and sexuality.”

The grant from Cheshire Freemasons is through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.

Harry Wright, from Cheshire Freemasons, said: “I’m very pleased that we’re supporting this vital project which is working hard to help more members of the LGBTQ+ community feel like they’re welcome to access health services and support.

“Although it’s a great shame that there is still a need for this kind of work, I’m very glad that these three hospices are reinforcing their commitment to treat all patients with respect, regardless of their sexuality or gender.”

Margaret Lillis: a headteacher turned chaplain who walked humbly with thousands of relatives.  

Always interested in the human condition, Margaret Lillis had a gift that made her an attentive listener who connected profoundly with those experiencing life challenges. It was a gift she generously shared with so many over more than 50 years firstly as a Catholic Sister, teacher/headteacher, Diocesan Schools Advisor and most recently as Chaplain at East Cheshire Hospice.

Margaret, who died peacefully aged 74 on 21 May 2022 after being diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer earlier, leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of those whom she helped throughout her life.

A woman of deep faith, she joined the Ursuline Convent, Brentwood in her native Essex in 1966, and after 20 years Margaret decided to follow her vocation outside the religious order but still very much following its charism. In 1986 she came north, first teaching in Warrington before taking up a post at St Edward’s Catholic Primary School in Macclesfield Margaret was appointed Headteacher at St Paul’s Primary in Poynton in 1997, a position she relished. Realising that her talents could be used for the benefit of many more children and schools, she was asked to be the Assistant Director of Schools for the Shrewsbury Diocese which she did until she retired in 2011.

Having served others her whole life, Margaret didn’t take well to retirement, so she started to volunteer on the wards at East Cheshire Hospice, making tea and chatting to patients and family members. Her gift as a listener was spotted by the hospice chaplain who asked her to join the chaplaincy team and when he relocated to West Yorkshire in 2016, Margaret was the obvious choice to replace him in the lead role.

Admitting the job could be very challenging, but despite the all-consuming nature of her work Margaret also described it as “the greatest privilege I’ve ever had.” She made herself available 24/7 for patients, family members, staff and volunteers and on the odd occasion she went home, she could be heard saying ‘I’m leaving now, but I can always come back’ which was much appreciated by the thousands of patients and family members who received her special brand of compassion.

Not having children of her own, Margaret felt blessed to be an aunt, great-aunt, Godmother and Great-Godmother, roles she took on with gusto and brought love and laughter to all the precious young people in her life.

Margaret loved relaxing by playing her guitar, in fact music and musicals were a constant source of entertainment throughout her life, and she never missed an opportunity to get a room full of people singing.

Her Christian faith was very important to her, but she never assumed anything about others’ spirituality. She joined everyone on their journey and walked beside them at their own pace. She was guided in her ministry by the words of the minor prophet, Micah, who when asked, ‘What does your Lord require of you? Answered, ‘To act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God.’ So many people can attest that she truly lived her life by those words.

Margaret Lillis’s requiem Mass will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday 21 June 2022 at St Alban’s Catholic Church, Chester Road Macclesfield, with a committal service at Macclesfield Crematorium, Prestbury Road at 2pm, followed by a wake to celebrate her life, at the Packhorse Bowling Club, Abbey Road, Macclesfield.

Everyone is invited to one or all the celebrations.

There are two online fundraisers in memory of Margaret. You can donate to East Cheshire Hospice in memory of Margaret by clicking here. Or donate to CAFOD by clicking here.

Retired nurse Janet Dean has a powerful personal story about how East Cheshire Hospice has helped her family over the years.

Her late mother and late husband were cared for by the charity, which is now asking others to also share their own experiences.

The request is part of Dying Matters Week (May 2-6), a national campaign run by Hospice UK to encourage people to talk about death and grief more openly.

Janet Dean who has attended more than 850 sessions of an exercise class to help cope following the loss of her husband Peter.

The Hospice want to hear from current users of its services, plus friends and relatives of former patients. The aim is to make families feel comfortable with Hospice care.

Like Janet, whose mum Florence Hooley (70) died in 1994 and husband Peter (66) in 2019, both at  East Cheshire Hospice.

Janet said: “Obviously a patient would prefer not to become part of the family there, but whether as a relative, patient, staff, or volunteer, it’s like being part of a big family. The Hospice gathers you in and embraces you.

“The Hospice motto is ‘where people come to live’ which was the case for my mother and husband and other relatives I’ve lost there.

“Mum’s first stay was for symptom management. I remember her saying to me ‘It’s like a five-star hotel. They even ask you what you want for your meals.’

“I worked in the NHS for many years. I’d pop in after work, and as a Ward Sister on an acute medical ward at the time, it was always so peaceful at the Hospice. The care the staff were giving I could only dream of on my busiest day.”

“The care is not just about doctors and nurses. It’s holistic. Focusing on emotional and spiritual care as well as practical needs. Peter especially gained peace from Reflexology. This surprised me, as he wouldn’t even let me cut his toenails, he was so ticklish!”

Peter Dean after catching supper on a holiday in New Zealand in 2013.

The couple donated to the Hospice to support its opening in 1988, the start of a long-standing fundraising association. Janet has now volunteered as a ward clerk and receptionist for five years.

Beth England, Individual Giving Fundraiser, said: “Sharing your experience can help so many future families who may feel worried, or unsure, about hospice care.

“If you’ve experienced the care and support of East Cheshire Hospice, either first-hand, or as a family member or friend, we’d love to hear your story.”

* Visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/support/tell-us-your-hospice-story/ or email stories@echospice.org.uk or call 01625 433477.

Find out more about Dying Matters Awareness Week.

A courtyard at East Cheshire Hospice is set to be transformed into a floral wonderland for patients and their families.

Garden and landscape professionals are joining forces with volunteers to create a horticultural haven called Serenity Garden.

The eco-friendly project, co-ordinated by garden designer and maker Ben Darlington, is already under way and will be well advanced within weeks.

The open patio space at the rear of the Hospice was enclosed once the new Proseal Wing was built last year.

The two in-patient wards back on to the courtyard inspiring Ben, owner of The Wild Gardener, to create a year-round retreat for patients and visitors.

Volunteer gardener Deborah Roberts with garden designer Ben Darlington (left) and landscaper Mark Marshall. 

Ben said: “I found out the average length of stay on a ward is two weeks, so felt we’ve needed a garden where there’s something going on every single week of the year.

“That gave me the idea of perpetual renewal to create a sense of optimism. An outside area for patients and somewhere families coming to see loved ones can reflect.

“Every month if you came out and looked at the garden you’ll find something coming into bud, so it’ll be like life surging through.

“Once it’s finished we’re going to do some calendars for the wards showing not just what’s out this month, but what to look for.

“It’s that optimism that even in the bleaker months of the year you can come out and see things just beginning to push through.

“The summer as a garden designer is quite easy, but in the winter months we’ve got fragrant shrubs, and shrubs and trees with red and white bark.”

The design is also part of the Hospice’s green initiative. Ben said: “Plants are by definition a renewable resource – compared to so many landscaping materials like paving from another country.

“The emphasis is on sustainability and with a deep layer of moist compost, it won’t need watering nearly as much.

“The paving uses recycled materials from the old patio, so we didn’t have to bring in any more stone.

“Much of the garden is herbaceous grasses and plants. It’ll be lovely from day one with a wow factor this summer, but will get even better and in five years will really feel mature.

“The shade does make the garden more of a challenge. The gardens are managed by a fantastic volunteer team, but not adding too much to their to-do list has been key.”

The garden before the makeover team got to work.

A big community effort is behind creating Serenity Garden in the grounds of East Cheshire Hospice.

Corporate supporters are joining volunteers from the charity’s regular gardening team and Bollington families to put 1,000 plants into the ground.

Mark Marshall’s team from Lawn Stripes and Hedges, of Macclesfield, has already undertaken preparatory landscape work, his poodle Button never far away.

Mark’s eco-friendly landscaping company has raised funds and also supports the Hospice by loaning vans for Christmas tree collections.

Landscapers Roco Fregapane (left) and Aaran Manton remove the old patio. 

He said: “It’s a local project involving design, landscaping and planting. Cheshire Demolition donated skips and Pivotal Plant Hire gave a big discount on diggers.”

Retired practice nurse Deborah Roberts has been a volunteer gardener at East Cheshire for 14 years.

She said: “We’re all excited by the whole project of learning and seeing a new garden emerge. This oasis will be lovely to see from the wards and it’s wonderful working with our designer Ben Darlington who’s so knowledgeable.

A tight fit…Rob Shem from Pivotal Plant Hire squeezes a digger into the courtyard watched by Zak and Jake.   

“He’s keen to have nature here all year round and this space is going to be fantastic. We can keep labour costs down by working alongside Ben.”

The Hospice is always looking for volunteer gardeners who meet on Wednesday mornings. For more details contact Volunteering team on volunteers@echospice.org.uk.

Ben said:  “The new garden is 120 square metres of herbaceous border, so we needed a design manageable for them.  I’ve taken a low maintenance approach, so they don’t have to worry about watering it in the summer, or staking, pruning and feeding.”

 

To find out more about our green initiatives including our solar panel campaign, go to www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/green

East Cheshire Hospice has launched a fundraising campaign to buy solar panels as it faces rising cost and care challenges.

The Hospice is appealing to the public to help fund roof panels for its Millbank Drive site as part of a new environmental initiative.

A temporary logo highlighting East Cheshire Hospice’s green campaign, including an appeal for help buying solar panels.  

Each panel costs £562.50 and any surplus donations will be put towards the Hospice’s general running costs. To donate visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/solar-panel-campaign.

Solar panels will cut the charity’s energy costs, so an even greater percentage of future donations can go directly towards patients care.

The appeal comes as hospice care faces more pressures than ever before, both on an economic and health care front.

Fuel costs are rising sharply, while demand for East Cheshire’s services is also expected to increase rapidly in the next few years due to more complexity at end-of-life.

Individual Giving Fundraiser Beth England said: “Installing solar panels is part of a pro-active and long-term solution to the increasing costs and care demands faced by the Hospice, as well as helping protect our environment.

Beth England, Individual Giving Fundraiser at East Cheshire Hospice.

“Using a renewable energy source means we’ll reduce our carbon emissions, which is fast becoming a priority here at the Hospice.

“We aim to be a sustainable healthcare system that respects and protects the environment, while continuing to improve the quality of life and care for those in our community with life-limiting illnesses.

“The Hospice has been protecting our community for over 34 years. The past and present support from our community has ensured our culture of continuous improvement.

“By making a donation today, you’ll be protecting the future of our care and helping us extend our reach as far as we can, and should.”

The number of people dying in the UK with multiple and complex conditions is projected to increase by 42 per cent by 2040.

Beth added:  “As anyone who’s received support from the Hospice will know, the wrap-around holistic care we provide is only possible because our nurses have the time and resources to make every moment count.

“Solar panels are low maintenance and this sustainable energy source will enable us to accommodate and plan for the growing complexities of end-of-life care, allowing us to continue giving those in our community the dignity, respect and compassion they deserve.”

A Hospice letter to supporters also highlights current eco-friendly practices in its kitchen, shops and garden which is undergoing an environmental makeover, using plants requiring less water.

Volunteers from East Cheshire Hospice will again be serving up tea and delicious home-made cakes at Adlington Hall this summer.

All proceeds will go to East Cheshire Hospice which has again accepted an invitation from the Hall to use its traditional tea room in the main building for a fundraising initiative.

The volunteers will be there every Sunday between 2 pm and 5 pm from June 5 until August 28 (apart from July 24).

The tea and cakes were so popular last August that the initiative has been extended this year.

Guests do not need to book teas and, if they wish, can also pay to walk through the hall and picturesque gardens at one of England’s finest country homes.

Hospice Community Fundraiser Carley Macey said: “We want to thank Adlington Hall for inviting us to use their tea room which allows us to raise vital funds and spread awareness about our services.

“We hope everyone who attends enjoys the amazing home-made cakes, lovingly prepared by our volunteers.  By going along, it’s a great way to support your local hospice.”

Adlington Hall is available all year for pre-booked group tours of 20 people minimum. For details visit adlingtonhall.com

Highlights include The Great Hall which houses The Great Organ, arguably one of the country’s most important 17th century musical instruments.