Category: Blog

13 February 2020

Easter Coffee Morning to be held at Weston Hospicecare

This year sees the first ‘Friends of Weston Hospicecare’ Easter Coffee Morning at Jackson-Barstow House.

Steph Hancorn, the new Chair of the Friends of Weston Hospicecare, is delighted to be helping organise the morning.

Steph said: “We have booked the sunshine, and hope to have the doors open to our beautiful gardens, and we will be offering delicious refreshments, a raffle and a few stalls selling cakes, books, new goods and more. Everyone is welcome to join us and we look forward to welcoming new faces as well as our loyal supporters.”

The Easter Coffee morning will be held at Jackson-Barstow House on Friday 3 April from 10am – 12pm.

Are you interested in becoming a Friend of Weston Hospicecare? New members are actively welcomed. For more information on becoming a Friend and the Easter Coffee Morning, please call 01934 423926.

6 February 2020

Easter knitting fundraiser returns and we need your help

Weston Hospicecare is calling on its supporters to knit chicks and bunnies which will be sold for Easter from Monday 9^th March.

Profits from the delightful creations will go directly towards supporting the work of the charity.

In 2019, the hospice team were thrilled with the popularity of the scheme was and is counting on supporters to make 2020 another fantastic year.

It raised nearly £2,000 thanks to sales of the goods which come complete with a crème egg to fit in with the theme of Easter.

Click here to download your patterns.

Alternatively, email supporter.care@westonhospicecare.org.uk to receive your patterns.

Please return or send your knitted chicks to Jackson-Barstow House by Monday 2^nd March.

24 January 2020

Loss of wife and sister in a matter of months fuels Paul’s Men’s March entry

A Westonian is preparing to walk Weston Hospicecare’s Men’s March on Saturday 14^th March after the charity cared for his wife and sister in within a year.

The pair were both given end-of-life treatment in 2019 by the hospice and the charity has been described as “a beacon of hope” by their husband and brother Paul Newham.

Paul has turned his unimaginably-tough year into positive energy by turning to help the hospice.

He volunteered at their most recent Moonlight Beach Walk and has signed up to take part in the upcoming Men’s March to raise money in memory of his wife, Yvonne.

The Men’s March will take place on Saturday 14^th March and walkers will tackle the glorious coastline between The Grand Pier and Sand Point to support the hospice.

Participants will then receive a free pint of Thatcher’s Cider, a Pieminister pie and a chance to watch England’s decisive Six Nations match against Italy.

Paul said: “I have decided to participate in the Men’s March in Yvonne’s memory and I am trying to encourage friends to either donate or participate.

“On the 24^th September 2018, Yvonne was admitted to Weston General Hospital with a bowel obstruction which required surgery. A biopsy of the obstruction showed that she had stage four ovarian cancer.

“Yvonne’s first comment to me was ‘well at least I won’t get old and have to go in an old people’s home’.

“On Sunday 2^ndJune 2019, Yvonne suddenly became very ill. She was being constantly sick over many days, initially blaming the prawns she had eaten.

“The specialists at the hospital discovered that her small bowel was now totally blocked by the tumour and it wasn’t possible to operate. They gave Yvonne between four weeks to two months.

“Palliative care discussions followed where Yvonne expressed her desire to initially return home with end of life care at Weston Hospicecare.

“Her condition worsened and we agreed to contact the hospice to see if they had a spare bed. They were able to make a room available for her in the Inpatient Unit that day and I drove Yvonne there in the afternoon.

“I remember sitting by her bed in her room with the French windows open, the cool breeze wafting the net curtains and the noise of the birds chirping away outside as Yvonne dozed peacefully in her bed.

“It was a very serene and peaceful experience and I can’t fault the quality or kindness of the care given by all the staff and volunteers at the hospice.”

Yvonne died on Saturday 4^th July 2019 and shortly after her death Paul was met with more heart-breaking news from his sister.

He continued: “On return from a holiday, my sister was diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer and given just four to six weeks.

“She died on 22^nd September and also had support from the hospice through the Community Nurse Specialists. It meant my mother had lost both a daughter and a daughter in-law to cancer in just a few months.”

The Men’s March covers a 10 mile route which will start and finish from the Grand Pier on Weston seafront. It will follow the beautiful footpath through Weston Woods and Sand Bay to Sand Point before following the reverse route back to the Pier.

It costs £18.50 for adults and £12.50 for children to take part. Entry will include a free pint of Thatchers Cider or a non-alcoholic alternative, a Pieminister Pie and a chance to watch Six Nations action once walkers return.

Walk alongside Paul and join in the fun by visiting westonhospicecare.org.uk/mensmarch to register. Alternatively, supporters can call 01934 423900 for registration support.

The pre-event deadline to sign up will be Sunday 8^th March before prices rise for those paying on the day.

15 January 2020

Weston Hospicecare needs more volunteers

Weston Hospicecare relies upon the kindness and help from volunteers to support the running of the charity.

Just their time is worth over £1million a year to the hospice and they play a vital role across the organisation giving support in shops, helping the fundraising team and by supporting patients.

There are plenty of benefits to volunteering at Weston Hospicecare including gaining experience, socialising, making new friends, and helping a local cause.

Maria Beaton, who is the hospice’s Volunteer and Training Manager, says the hospice simply could not run ‘without’ the essential support from volunteers.

She added: “All of our volunteers have their own piece of the jigsaw which keeps the charity going. But we now need more people to come and help us.

“Currently we have people who volunteer with us to enrich social needs, some do it to gain experience and others help us because they have an emotional connection with the work of the hospice.

“Whatever the motivation, we always need people to kindly give their time to help us with all sorts of voluntary roles.”

To express an interest in volunteering for Weston Hospicecare, email volunteer@westonhospicecare.org.uk or call 01934 423975.

19 December 2019

“I would urge anyone who is thinking of making a Will to take part” say 2019 Make Your Will Week pair

A couple from Weston who have both survived cancer urge people to take advantage of Weston Hospicecare’s Make Your Will Week.

Make Your Will Week is an iniative organised by Weston Hospicecare and solicitors who serve northern Somerset to raise money in support of the charity’s work.

Solicitors offer their services free of charge but request a donation to the hospice in exchange for the work.

Bernie and Jill Richardson took part in the 2019 Make Your Will Week and made a donation to the hospice in exchange for the services they received.

While neither have a direct link to hospice, they both worked at Westhaven School which is opposite the hospice’s HQ in Uphill and they organised a number of events to support the hospice during their time there.

Bernie and Jill have not needed the support of the hospice but have both overcome cancer and understand the important role the charity plays for people with life-limiting conditions.

They said: “We heard about Make Your Will Week and decided our Wills needed updating.

“The hospice plays a vital role in Weston’s community and it is important that it continues to offer the support to patients and families.

“I would urge anyone thinking of making a will to take part in this as you are not only support such a worthy cause but you are also securing your own and your family’s future.”

The next Make Your Will Week will take place between 3-7 February 2020. The suggested donation for a single will is £120 and £200 for a mirror will.

The hospice urges people to make your appointment for the Make Your Will Week 2020 soon to avoid missing out. There are only a limited number of appointments available.

Wards Solicitors, John Hodge Solicitors, Berry Redmond Gordon & Penney, BGW Solicitors, Star Legal, Bennetts Solicitors, Holley & Steer Solicitors and Powells Law all have appointments during Make Your Will Week to support Weston Hospicecare.

Those wanting to book an appointment need to contact a participating solicitor before Monday 20^th January.

More information is available by emailing carla.bloomfield@westonhospicecare.org.uk.

17 December 2019

Hundreds attend hospice’s Light Up A Life services in Weston and Burnham

Weston Hospicecare’s Light Up A Life services have taken place in Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea with hundreds attending.

Light Up A Life is an annual event organised by the hospice to support people who are bereaved and remembering a loved one at Christmas.

There were two services in Weston-super-Mare on Monday 9^th December at St Paul’s Church near Clarence Park where dedicated lanterns were displayed.

The third service, which was new for 2019, took place at Burnham Methodist Church on Wednesday 11^th December.

Nearly £12,000 has been raised so far through corporate sponsorship, lantern and book dedications and general donations from the services.

Events Manager Grace Dibden said: “Thank you to everyone who came to support us at our recent Light Up A Life services. We hope those who attended enjoyed them and, where needed, found comfort.

“This year we decided to add a service in Burnham-on-Sea and we are delighted with how well it was supported.

“A special mention to our event sponsor John Hodge, and to St Paul’s Church and Burnham-on-Sea Methodist Church for hosting the hospice. Thank you to Trinity Singers, Sister Sing and Gary Hoare for providing the music and to Lidl, Waitrose and Pullins Bakery for the refreshments.

“And thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers and to everyone who supported us.”

Dedications from the services are currently on display at the hospice’s base Jackson-Barstow House and supporters who made a lantern dedication can now collect their label to take home.

Katie and Gwen Community Nurse Specialists

4 December 2019

New community nurse joins team at Weston Hospicecare thanks to urgent appeal

In June of this year, Community Nurse Specialist, Gwen Harding reached out to the community with an urgent appeal to raise money for an additional nurse to be added to the Weston Hospicecare team.

Most people are already aware of the hospice and the care it provides at Jackson-Barstow House in Thornbury Road, but, what some may not realise is there is also a team of nine community nurses who care for hundreds of patients and their families in their own homes. They cover the area of Clevedon all the way down to Highbridge – including everywhere in between.

Gwen said: “When someone is told they have a life-limiting illness, it can feel like their world has fallen apart, this is where the community nurses can step in and help carry some of that burden. Our goal is to help each person we meet live their life to the absolute fullest.”

The community nurse specialists provide vital care – helping alleviate pain and bringing quality to the days that remain. They also provide support and reassurance for both patients and loved ones, who have so many questions about the new and often frightening journey they’re on.

Thanks to generous supporters, the hospice have now been able to take the strain off by adding a new Community Nurse, Katie Williams to the team, bringing the number up to ten.

Katie joins the team with a great amount of experience, having worked for a large hospice in London for many years. Katie said: “This is such a friendly place to live and work, I am so glad I can make a difference here, caring for people who are facing the most difficult time of their lives.”

Gwen said: “On behalf of the nursing team, we’d like to thank our community for your kind donations and wish you all the very best for the festive season.”

3 December 2019

Weston Hospicecare’s ‘Make Your Will Week’ will return in February 2020

From 3 – 7 February 2020, local solicitors are giving their time, free of charge, to write wills in return for a donation to Weston Hospicecare.

Almost £20,000 was donated by supporters during the 2019 Make Your Will Week. These vital funds provided specialist end of life care to people in our community.

Individual Giving Manager, Carla Bloomfield said: “We are, as always, so grateful to the solicitors involved with Make Your Will Week, who are now taking bookings. There are limited appointments so please book directly with a participating solicitor as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. The suggested donation for a will is £120 and £200 for a pair of mirror wills which is considerably less than the normal charges for these services. Donations will provide care to a local family facing the most difficult of times.”

She added: “The hospice has been supported by charitable donations and gifts in wills for 30 years. In fact, Jackson-Barstow House was purchased because Sybil Jackson-Barstow left a gift in her will to the hospice.

There is no obligation to include Weston Hospicecare in your will but if you do it will mean that a local person can die with dignity in a place of their choosing. Your gift, big or small, will ensure everyone can make the most of the time they have left. It will also support those left behind with their grief.”

Weston Hospicecare’s Make Your Will Week 2020 is being supported by Bartlett Gooding & Weelen in Cheddar, Bennetts in Wrington, Berry Redmond Gordon & Penny in Worle and Winscombe, Holley & Steer in Burnham- on-Sea, John Hodge in W-s-M, Wedmore, Clevedon and Yatton, PowellsLaw in W-s-M, Star Legal in Clevedon and Wards in Weston-super-Mare, Worle and Clevedon.

Supporters are advised to contact participating solicitors directly by 17 January 2020.

22 November 2019

Ewa takes on month-long running challenge to support hospice

An inspirational lady from Weston is running a mile-a-day to raise a target of £500 to support the work of Weston Hospicecare.

Ewa Bowman was unexpectedly-told she had breast cancer in early 2019 and she has since used some of the hospice’s services to help her recovery.

She has attended the hospice’s Time 4 U sessions which helps support people by increasing their self-esteem when they have a serious illness. At the sessions, volunteers and staff give patients complementary therapies to help them feel more comfortable about how they look. This can have a huge-influence in aiding recovery from a serious medical condition.

Ewa said: “Earlier this year, at the age of 37, I heard the dreaded words of ‘it is breast cancer.’ Needless to say it came as a massive shock and I felt like my whole life had been flipped upside down.

“I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Time 4 U sessions run by Weston Hospicecare. These sessions helped me focus just on myself, relax and take my mind off of everything that was going on.

“Hopefully the money I’m raising will help the wonderful staff and volunteers at the hospice make a difference to someone else’s life as it made to mine.”

To support Ewa’s fundraising efforts for the charity, you can donate by visiting her JustGiving page by clicking here. For other ways to support the hospice, contact the fundraising team by calling 01934 423900.

21 November 2019

Christmas wreath workshop set to support hospice

Create your own Christmas wreath, take it home and raise money for Weston Hospicecare while you do.

Supporters are invited to Jackson-Barstow House on Friday 6^th December to create their own wreaths in time for Christmas.

There will be two sessions with the first taking place between 10am-12pm and the second between 2-4pm.

It costs £20 per person, a price which will include tea and coffee, mince pies and all the materials required to make the wreaths.

Places are limited so they must be booked in advance by calling the hospice on 01934 423900.