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Mindfulness – A blog by East Cheshire Hospice’s Lindsay Dobson

We are living through something none of us have ever experienced before. Through a time when fear and grief as well as kindness and compassion has brought the world together. It’s impossible to avoid or ignore this, especially when you’re working with those who need your care, or you yourself are at home, due to the risk you face.

Whilst I cannot be there in person and can only imagine the challenges you face right now.  I thought I would offer some of the things that have helped me face challenges.  Mindfulness is one I know most of you are aware I use daily to help me through.

So if it will be of help, I will offer what I know as some short bitesize practices you can use at home or work, at any time that emotions or life starts to feel to overwhelming to deal with and there is nobody to turn to. Mindfulness cannot take away our fear or grief, but it can help us hold it gently and learn to walk with the weight of it. It can also help us get back in touch with our compassion, when we are so worn down by grief that it threatens to consume us.

It sounds like something amazing, and for some it can be. The research has shown, we can change our brains by how we think and what we do. Whenever we practice a relaxation or choose to sit with our feelings and thoughts, we change our brain. By the simple act of reading this, your brain will respond and change and be a slightly different brain than when you started. We know the more you do something, the stronger the connections in your brain will become. So the more you meditate or practice mindfulness the stronger you get at it and the more it will help.  So practice when you’re calm, so that when things are chaos, it’s there as a ‘go to’. What we practice becomes permanent, so practice peace and kindness with yourself and that is what you will become, not only for yourself but for others. But it’s hard – our brains are biologically wired to respond to fear and threat so that is what we will go to, as a matter of survival.  So we have to take the time out, to practice calm, to anchor it in our being so it’s there when the brain starts to tell us to panic!

I wanted to start by exploring the fact our body and our brain are intricately linked. How we act, how we stand and move and how we breath impacts how we feel and think and vice versa. In fact, science has shown us that one of the fastest and most efficient ways of calming down is through our breath. Sometimes we cannot force our mind to stop the thoughts that race through it, or calm down just because we tell it to. But, we can change our breath. When we are scared how do we breathe? Just take a moment, perhaps to check in right now with how you are breathing.

When we are anxious our body needs oxygen fast, we breathe fast and shallow into the top portion of our lungs, the in breath is longer than the out breath – useful to know if you need to energise yourself! Big deep in breaths energise the body and brain and get it ready for action! This can help when we are tired and worn down and need that boost of energy to get us through the next bit. But what if we need to calm down? Then we invite the breath to go deeper, into the belly, and we have a longer out breath.

You can try this now;

Start by just noticing your breath again, don’t try to change it, just notice it.

Count how many seconds you breath in for and how many you breath out for.

Gradually (but only if it feels comfortable, because any effort takes us back into action mode so we want this to stay relaxed and easy) add one second to the out breath only. Until you find a comfortable rhythm where the out breath is longer than the in breath.

How do you feel after doing that for a few breaths?

So that is one little tip that might help – when you notice you’re caught in a big emotions, become aware of how you’re breathing and just take a moment to adjust it – big inhales if you need energising because you can’t get off the floor and extend the exhale gently if you need to calm and centre.

Another support I have is remembering to just be in this moment, right now, however it is. We tend to worry about the things that happened in the past, and what will happen in the future. We miss out on now, and to be honest, that’s so easy to do in our current situation! I find myself worrying about how I could have done things differently before we were sent into lock down – “should I have gone to the hospital that day”? “Was my desk tidy”, “had I done all I needed to do?” “Oh gosh, we shouldn’t have taken that walk” blah blah blah or “what if my child gets this??” “How long will be here?” “Will we miss the whole summer?” – I’m sure you can see how those thoughts just wind me up to be more anxious? Yours will be just as bad, if not worse and about so many many things. I remind myself to be grateful for this moment right now! We are safe, we are well right now with this breath it’s all ok. I can’t change the past, and the future… well I can do what I need to try to keep us safe, but then it’s out of my hands. So to breath and just be in right now.

Of course we will have moments when right now is not even ok, when its all tumbling out of control, when the oxygen is not working and things are not improving and we don’t even have time to worry about past or future and then my breath is the only thing that helps me focus on right now and what needs to be done. I take a second to feel my feet on the floor, to breath in, and let the exhale slowly extend. I allow myself to feel however I am feeling and then do what needs to be done. If I have the luxury of doing that for as long as I need to I do! I take my time to feel the floor beneath me, how it holds me up, and to focus on my exhales and let them extend, but if I don’t, just doing that for one breath or two, can bring me back to a calmer place then I would otherwise be.

But for it to help most then, we need to practice it each day. So I invite you to find a time each day, it might be a certain time and day and you might practice it for five mins or just one. It might just be when you remember, or find yourself at a loose end. But if you can spend a moment or more each day, to notice your body, your feet on the ground, the touch of a hand, to notice your breath and let the exhale extend and to focus on whatever is in front of you right now in this moment. Because every time we practice doing that, we strengthen the brain’s ability to do it, not just in moments of calm but in moments of chaos too. So that soon it becomes a reflex that when things get tough your body and brain know how to calm and centre and become your ally.

Take gentle care of yourself.

Lindsay x

The BBC crew spent a day with our nurses in the Inpatient Unit and received first hand experience of what our fantastic nurses do on a daily basis.

This extremely moving piece shows the effect COVID-19 has had day to day, but how the resilience of the team allows us to continue to provide priceless palliative care and support to those who need it.

East Cheshire Hospice is turning to virtual fundraising to try to plug a £1m hole in its finances caused by coronavirus.

We are quickly making plans for a new online fundraising campaign to make up for a severe drop in income.

The Hospice was forced to cancel a host of events because of Covid-19 and will lose around a third of the £3m income it generates annually from fundraising and donations.

Rachel Allcock, Income Generation Director, said: “This revenue loss is a huge blow but we’re determined to fight back and raise the funds needed to care for our patients.

“That’s why we’re working on an ambitious virtual fundraising campaign which people can undertake while they’re at home.”  Visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/virtual-challenge for details.

Meanwhile, bedside visits to patients are limited to immediate family only, charity shops have closed and many staff are working from home.

Hospice staff checking in from home for their daily coronavirus conference call.

Edna Keefe (84), who has worked in the laundry room since the Hospice opened, reluctantly went into self-isolation.

Edna briefed HR colleague Sue Adams about her role as a contingency.

Sue said: “We’re one team and always help each other out. I’ve also learned about the reception duties and the most important thing is to give the best possible care to patients and their families.

“They’re at the heart of everything we do and we’re all pulling together, even though it’s going to be a bumpy ride for a while.”

Sue Adams helping out with laundry duties.

East Cheshire Hospice has suspended some of its services and postponed fundraising events because of the Coronavirus outbreak.

The Hospice has been forced to take the drastic measures to comply with government advice to prevent the spread of the virus.

Outpatient appointments at its Sunflower Centre are suspended until further notice along with Hospice day programmes.

The Hospice will use telehealth technology to look after its patients remotely.

Meanwhile, the Hospice @Home service and inpatient wards will use extra screening questions to protect patients and staff.

Families are being asked to limit visiting whenever possible to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

Reception and ward volunteers aged under 70 are being asked to report for their normal duties.

However, all other volunteers are being requested to stay away from the Hospice for at least two weeks from when the guidelines were issued (Tue March 17).

Non-clinical staff have been set up with equipment to enable them to work from home.

The Hospice has cancelled some of its fundraising activities which is a major blow to an organisation which needs to raise £7,500 a day to keep going.

The Hospice said it is experiencing financial challenges like many other charities and has thanked its donors for their ‘continued support during this exceptionally difficult time.’

Hospice Chief Executive Karyn Johnston said: “We must adhere strictly to government guidelines while doing our utmost to ensure our patients continue to receive the best possible care.

“That care continues during this pandemic, ensuring that our patients and their families still receive the same support which is so essential during end-of-life care.

“Our patients and families have been so accommodating in these are unprecedented times and we sincerely hope these measures will have the minimum impact on all those affected.

“They have been most understanding and so too have been our supporters and volunteers. We have received many messages of support which will provide us with great strength in the challenging weeks ahead.

“During these uncertain times it’s important that our local community continues to support its local Hospice. The loss of revenue from fundraising events is a severe blow, but our expertise and care will be needed more than ever, and we sincerely hope that our supporters will help us as much as they possibly can.”

East Cheshire Hospice Chief Executive Karyn Johnston.

East Cheshire Hospice has been part of Jill Harding’s life since her late mum was a patient 18 years ago.

Jill held her wedding reception there shortly after Mary Barber was admitted. A few days later her mum died of stomach cancer, aged 58.

Jill became a volunteer and for the last decade has worked there as a health care assistant.

She said: “I always say mum’s gift to me was introducing me to the Hospice. Mum loved Matt and really wanted to see us married.”

Fellow What Women Want member Julie Barnes remembers the Hospice caring for her late mother-in-law Maureen Barnes.

Julie, a Placement Officer for Total People, said: “The Hospice were unbelievable, it was the highlight of Maureen’s week visiting the Sunflower Centre.”

Julie and Jo Millward call the numbers at disco bingo nights at Tytherington School which loyally supports the fundraisers. Julie’s mum Sheila Gilman is a staunch WWW supporter after the Hospice lovingly cared for her best friend Marlene.

Retired microbiologist Elaine Burgess runs the group’s finances. She said: “They all have marvellous ideas and I’m the sense checker and rein them in if they get carried away.

“It’s about raising funds for the Hospice, giving people value for money, having a good time and friendship. We’re all there for everybody.

“We’ve had a brilliant time and done some mad things with the odd embarrassing moment, like the belly dancer who couldn’t dance and a snake charmer with a snake the size of a worm.”

The What Women Want logo designed by artist Sarah Smith.

A glitzy night of glamour headlined by top-class song and dance is promised at our Spring Ball 2020.

The lavish evening of fine dining and live entertainment is in a special marquee at Alderley Edge Cricket Club on Friday, March 27.

Tickets cost £70 each, or £700 for a table of 10. This includes a welcome drink on arrival and a three course meal. The event starts at 7 pm, with carriages at 1 am. Dress code is black tie.

The event is organised by the committee which has staged Fashion on the Edge and previous winter balls so has great experience of such functions.

Diners will be treated to a spectacular medley of songs from The Greatest Showman performed by the A Million Dreams tribute act, comprising Toby Hinson, Kerri Leigh and Rebecca White.

The DATS Dance School will also be showcasing their skills, the group having earned rave reviews for previous appearances at Hospice balls.

To register visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/events/springball20/ or call 01625 433477 or email events@echospice.org.uk.

Hospice Events Manager Beth Candy said: “It’ll be a wonderful occasion and lots of our supporters have already bought tickets, but there’s still places left for anyone who wants a great night out and at the same time is supporting the Hospice.”

The DATS Dance School in action.

 

 

LEEK United’s Veronica ‘Ronnie’ McNeil gave East Cheshire Hospice (ECH) a ‘tree-mendous’ helping hand after becoming a ‘Branch Manager’ of a different kind for the day…

Ronnie, who runs the Society’s Macclesfield Branch, joined other volunteers for the Hospice’s annual Christmas Tree Collection this month (January).

Now in its 20^th year, the collection and recycling event raises vital funds for the Hospice by putting householders’ unwanted old ‘living’ festive trees to good use.

People make a donation to the ECH when they register their tree for collection, and teams toured the postcode areas in and around the Hospice picking up over 7,000 trees for shredding.

“This is the second year that Leek United has sponsored one of the collection vans, and I wanted to join them again by helping on the rounds,” said Ronnie.

“Many of the old trees we collect would otherwise end up on rubbish dumps, so this is a great, fun way to raise funds for the Hospice – one of the Society’s main charity beneficiaries – and the amazing work it does in our community.”

Each year, the Christmas Tree Collection raises over £100,000 and last year ECH reached the cumulative sum of £1million raised since the collection started.

Kate Bowmar, Corporate Fundraiser at ECH, said: “We are extremely grateful that Leek United offered to sponsor a van for our annual Christmas Tree Collection for the second year in a row, and were delighted that Ronnie volunteered to join us again.

“Every year we rely heavily on the generosity of local businesses such as Leek United to cover the cost of running the collection, meaning all donations received will go directly to supporting the Hospice.”

 

Leek United’s Macclesfield Branch Manager Veronica ‘Ronnie’ McNeil (far left) is pictured with fellow volunteers Tom Horsfield and Georgina Timson in front of the van sponsored by the Society for the tree collection.

We want to hear feedback on our services from members of the community, even if they have never used our services.

The Hospice is making the appeal as part of a plan to shape its services for the future.

The Hospice’s Governance Co-ordinator Claire Duncan, who leads the Engagement and Insight Programme, said: “Feedback is central to service improvement here at East Cheshire Hospice, and we already collect feedback from our patients, their families, volunteers and members of staff.

“We have internal focus groups for departments such as the Sunflower Wellbeing Centre, our in-patient unit, Hospice @Home and our volunteer service. We monitor all the feedback we are given to make sure we’re learning from it and providing the best services we can.

“However, now we want to spread the net wider, including getting the opinions of those who may not have even heard of the Hospice and the services it provides.

“It’s possible that there are unmet needs that we are unaware of, or that some of our services are not as well known as they might be, but we won’t know that unless we talk to our community.

“We hope that this additional feedback will help us learn how we can improve our services, or create new services, based on the needs of the community.

Claire Duncan, Governance Co-ordinator at East Cheshire Hospice.

 

“I’d love to make contact with people who have used our services in the past, may never have heard of, or used, East Cheshire Hospice and who would be willing to join and participate in a focus group so we can extend our feedback and insight channels.”

 

if you’d like to join a focus group or are interested in finding out more information, please contact us on 01625 610364 or email admin@echospice.org.uk or via our website eastcheshirehospice.org.uk

Sisters Jemima and Annabelle Jordan have been reaching new heights with their latest fundraising challenges.

 

Annabelle (11) climbed Mount Snowdon, while Jemima (13) tackled two Snowdonia passes, Crackstone Rib and the Wrinkle, both of which are rated as severe.

 

The King’s School pupils, from Henbury, presented a cheque for £2,050 to East Cheshire Hospice from their adventures.

 

From left, April Green, Key Relationships Manager at East Cheshire Hospice, with Annabelle, Jemima and Katie Jordan.

 

The donation will support the charity’s Childhood Bereavement Service which has already benefitted from the family’s generosity and Dream Beams, a charity established last year by the girls’ mum Katie to support children’s causes.

 

It was inspired by Jemima and Annabelle baking cakes to help buy Christmas presents for a children’s home in Barbados.

 

A charity Ball raised £102,100 for the Hospice and Katie’s team will tackle the National Three Peaks Challenge in June as part of their next fundraising challenge.

 

Katie has also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Jemima and Annabelle have also raised funds for the Hand on Heart charity to provide defibrillators for local schools.

Jackie Wayman has been helping out on the ward at East Cheshire Hospice for less than six months and wishes she had started sooner.

 

East Cheshire Hospice is looking for new ward volunteers like Jackie and will explain more at an open evening in the Hospice chapel on Millbank Drive, Macclesfield, on Wednesday, January 22 (5-7 pm).

 

Jackie, from Lyme Green, helps at lunchtime once a week and also does an afternoon on reception.

 

She said: “The Hospice is so well-loved by the people of Macclesfield and surrounding areas, I thought I’d apply to volunteer there.  I wish I’d tried to fit in a shift before I retired 18 months ago as it’s so rewarding.”

“I really enjoy it. I serve drinks when the patients have lunch, help them if they need assistance, have a chat with them and make their family a drink if required. I then clear up and log what they’ve eaten.  This all saves the time of the nurses and kitchen staff who’re always so busy.”

 

“I had very good training and there’s always someone to help if you need it. Everyone I’ve met at the Hospice has been kind and helpful because everyone is there because they want to be, not because they have to be.”

 

“The nursing staff are brilliant and make you feel valued and appreciated as a volunteer.

I know the Hospice are looking for men as well as women and it’d be nice for the male patients especially to hear and see another man on the ward volunteering.”

Volunteer Co-ordinator Helena Smith said: “We’re looking primarily, but not exclusively, for weekend and evening ward volunteers.”

 

Jackie Wayman with fellow volunteer David Black.

 

“Hopefully, people will think it’s a nice way to give something back at quieter times. The shifts can fit around people’s working lives and run from 9-11 am; 12-2 pm and 5-7 pm. It can be as little as once a month, or as much as once a week.”

 

“The role has a huge impact and we have volunteers from all backgrounds. We offer training and support and men and women are welcome to contact us.”

 

For more details contact Helena Smith (HSmith@echospice.org), go to the Hospice volunteers web page or Facebook page, or just turn up on Jan 22.