St. Richard’s HospiceHeartbeat

C A R I N G F O R L I F E

Spring 2017 Charity Reg. No. 515668

A couple from Pershore are benefiting from a new approach to day hospice care which aims to give patients more confidence in managing their illness.

Gwen Stark was keen to try the new pilot courses offered as part of the ‘living well’ approach, having previously enjoyed sessions at St Richard’s Day Hospice. As a result of her illness, Gwen has been struggling with tension and fatigue so when she was offered a six week course to learn relaxation techniques to ease her anxiety and help her sleep, she jumped at the chance.

Gwen said; “I found the course really useful and have been able to put the practical techniques into action. For example, the other week I had a dentist appointment, something that would normally have me feeling extremely tense and anxious. But I remembered the relaxation tips I had learnt at St Richard’s and the experience was so much easier!”

Having completed her first living well course, Gwen is now looking forward to her second: to manage her fatigue. On a day to day basis, her illness leaves her so fatigued that she can spend days feeling unable to complete normal daily tasks. Over four sessions the course will offer practical solutions such as planning ahead

for the day, delegating where possible and focussing on what’s important.

Her husband Ken is also being supported by St Richard’s and has joined the carers group. He said; “Being a carer can be a lonely job. I have thoroughly enjoyed coming along to the group. There are about a dozen of us, all in the same situation. We’re all amateurs at this caring job and so we find it a comfort to be able to discuss our challenges. It’s great to know that you’re not alone.”

When their GP first suggested referring Gwen to St Richard’s, the couple were initially uncertain as they didn’t know what to expect. But once she had started visiting Day Hospice they soon realised that they had made the best decision.

Ken explained how it feels to arrive at the hospice; “When you come through the barrier into the car park it’s like entering a piece of heaven. Everyone is so kind and helpful.”

Gwen agreed; “Coming to Day Hospice has been so helpful to both of us. It’s so calming here. If you are having a bad day and are feeling really tired, you don’t feel that you need to put on a face. There’s always someone around to help you out. If I had to sum up St Richard’s in one word, it would be ‘comforting’.”

St Richard’s Hospice, Wildwood Drive, Worcester WR5 2QT 01905 763963

Challenge yourself in 2017. We have a wide range of events and challenges to inspire you to try something new.

Find out more on the centre pages.

New courses offer daily benefits

Bereaved families were treated to a day out on Worcester’s canal thanks to Bereavement Support South Worcestershire. See page 3 for details.

Inside your Heartbeat

Snap up a chance to win a brand new Mazda 2 for just £2 in our annual car raffle.

Books of tickets can be found inside this newsletter unless you have told us otherwise.

New year,

new challenge

We provide care, love and respect

Youth volunteers support hospice care

A team of young volunteers are proving an integral part of our Malvern Link store’s dedicated team. More than a dozen young

people, aged between 14 and 24, are now offering their time and enthusiasm to ensure the on going success of our latest

department store.Sophie, the youngest member of the

team, volunteers on a Saturday. She said that she chose to help out at the St Richard’s store as the charity has been close to her heart after caring for a family member. She likes helping people and is pleased to be able to help raise money for the hospice.

Iona, aged 17, and Annie, aged 15, both started volunteering as part of their Duke of Edinburgh challenges, but enjoyed themselves so much that they chose to continue offering their time to help run the store.

New volunteers of any age are invited to join our team of volunteers, who donate their time to help us run our chain of 17 stores. Training will be given so if you have enthusiasm and can commit a few hours a week, please speak to the shop manager in your local store or call our HR team on 01905 763963.

An intrepid hospice supporter took on the challenge of a lifetime, cycling over 200 miles across Africa to raise over £2,300 for St Richard’s.

Last autumn, Ann Groves from Droitwich joined a team of charity fundraisers taking part in the Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Crater Cycle Ride to cycle 217 miles from the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro through national parks and the lands of the Maasai tribes in Tanzania. While in the saddle the fundraisers saw elephants and giraffes in the trees ahead and a herd of zebras which crossed the track in front of them.

Ann’s husband Nick had kidney cancer and was cared for by St Richard’s. She said that the support given to Nick and the whole family was amazing, describing the hospice’s atmosphere as calm, cheerful and relaxed with all the staff making time to be there and talk whenever they were needed.

Ann said; “I found some of the off road cycling brutal with miles of white rock followed, or preceded by, soft sand which at times necessitated walking short distances! One day we had the most beautiful cycle on hard sand through Maasai villages where we were greeted with smiles and waves from children and adults alike as they herded cattle, goats and donkeys used for collecting water.

She added; “The other cyclists were fantastic and the organisation of the trip on the ground exceptional, with guides cycling alongside us and at the front and rear. All 24 of us rode over the finish line together – an emotional ending as we remembered the different reasons we each had for taking on this challenge. This was a trip I will always remember.”

Turn to the centre pages for inspiration for your St Richard’s challenge in 2017.

Hospice supporter cycles across Africa

New for 2017 2nd prize will be £300 High Street vouchers 3rd prize will be £150 M&S vouchers

Tickets are just £2 each. Books of tickets can be found inside your Heartbeat magazine, unless you have told us otherwise.

Tickets are also on sale now at all hospice shops across the county; from St Richard’s in Wildwood Drive, Worcester; at a variety of venues and events over the coming months, at www.strichards.org.uk/car-raffleor by calling the Fundraising Team on 01905 763963.

The draw will take place at 2pm on 31st March, 2017 at St Richard’s Hospice, Wildwood Drive, WR5 2QT.

The car raffle is kindly sponsored by Edwards Motors, Worcester Racecourse, Karndean Design Flooring and Droitwich Print and Spa Design.

One lucky winner

will drive away with a brand new

Mazda 2 in our annual car

raffle.

Two families enjoyed a canal boat trip on The Wanderer, a Worcestershire Community Work Boat which is owned by the Canal and River Trust.

Both families are being helped by Bereavement Support South Worcestershire (BSSW), a team helping those who have been affected by a sudden or unexpected death. The service is hosted by St Richard’s Hospice.

Rebecka Klingstedt, a Social Worker at St Richard’s, said; “Both families loved their day out. The outing offered them a fun day and the opportunity to spend time as a family as well as doing some litter picking on the Worcester Canal. One of the young boys said it was among the best days of his life and they particularly enjoyed using the fishing nets in the river.”

Shaun Sinclair, St Paul’s Hostel Support Worker, captained the canal boat along with a volunteer from the Worcester Canal and River Trust and volunteer Geraldine Loweman, a former teacher who helps the hostel run a creative group for ex-hostel residents. The working canal boat is more often used for litter picking and nature photography.

Jonathan Sutton, Chief Executive of St Paul’s Hostel said, “This is a great way to work in partnership with St Richard’s and it’s heart-warming to see former homeless people offering some brief respite to families who are going through tough times.”

All our services are provided free of charge

Bereaved families treated to canal outing

Bereaved take next steps with social group

Bereaved people in Worcestershire who have been supported by St Richard’s Hospice have set up their own group to help them look to the future.

The newly formed social group is called Next Steps and meets fortnightly in the community room at the new Waitrose store in Worcester. Members of the group had

previously been helped by the St Richard’s team through a variety of groups and one-to-one support before the death of a loved one and into bereavement.

The new group chose the name ‘Next Steps’ and has already hosted a ten pin bowling evening and has more social events planned in the future.

Yvonne Green, from Droitwich, has been supported by St Richard’s before and after the death of her husband, Chris. Yvonne is now a member of Next Steps and said; “It’s good to meet other people who have been through the similar experiences of bereavement. When people come to the end of being helped by St Richard’s, some don’t have friends or family around for support. This group can act as a backup for them beginning to rebuild their lives in the wider world.”

Find out more at www.strichards.org.uk/events

Malvern Hills Walk Sat, 20th May

Take on the spectacular Malvern Hills and enjoy the miles and miles of stunning scenery. This event is fondly held in the hearts of St Richard’s supporters, many of whom walk the iconic Malvern Hills each year in aid of hospice care.

Suitable for walkers of all ages, there is a choice of 11 miles, 5 mile or 2 mile routes. Kindly sponsored by Bloor Homes.

Waterways Walk Sun, 6th August

Walk the flat 21-mile circular route from Droitwich along the restored Droitwich Canal to the River Severn and back along the Worcester- Birmingham Canal, the 10-mile midi route from Diglis to Droitwich, or the mini route - a 6-mile circular river and canal walk starting at Perdiswell Sports Centre. Kindly sponsored by Droitwich Spa Marina.

Snowdon by nightFri, 8th September

Snowdonia National Park’s namesake mountain makes for one incredible night time adventure, trekking to the summit of Mt Snowdon. The mountain is magical and the summit area itself offers several relatively sheltered spots where you can hunker down with a warm brew to admire the Milky Way. It’s a tough challenge trekking late at night but the rewards are spectacular when you catch the first glimpse of the sun rising over the neighbouring mountains.

Meet for supper at St Richard’s Hospice then travel by coach to and from Snowdonia.

Worcestershire Way WalkFri, 23rd June

Take on the Worcestershire Way challenge. 31 miles in a day.

Individually, with friends or get your colleagues together to walk the length of the Worcestershire Way. Beginning at Bewdley at 6am, stride out across the wonderful Worcestershire countryside before finishing with the spectacular slopes of the Malvern Hills. Lunch is provided at The Talbot at Knightwick. Kindly sponsored by Carisson Properties.

New

Walking

Running

Challenge yourself in

2017

Worcester Full & Half Marathon Sun, 21st May

Now in its sixth year, this popular event has dug its running shoes firmly into the running calendar. Starting from Sixways Stadium, the route heads east from the city and takes in some of the stunning Worcestershire Countryside.

Scenic Six Sun, 23rd Apr

This popular 6 mile run starts at Peopleton and takes in the beautiful scenery around the village. There is also a family friendly two mile fun run/walk. Kindly sponsored by The Crown Inn, Peopleton.

Worcester City 10kSun,17th Sept

The latest city run to establish itself in the running calendar, this 10k route takes in some of the best sights across the city including Worcester Cathedral, viaduct and the beautiful River Severn.

www.worcestercityrun.co.uk

Norton RunSun, 24th Sept

Suitable for all the family, a choice of routes will take you along the quiet lanes of the picturesque Worcestershire village of Norton. This event includes a 10km or 5km race and a 5km fun run/ walk. Held in association with Norton Community Trust.

www.runnersworld.co.uk or call Camba Events on 0121 3584483

Call our fundraising team on 01905 763963

St Richard’s Bikeathon Sun, 2nd July

Starting and finishing at the hospice, Wildwood Drive, Worcester, cyclists will head into the beautiful south Worcestershire countryside, predominately on quiet country lanes or specific bike routes.

Choose from the family route of 15 miles, the more challenging 45 miler or the sportive at 64 miles. Every participant will be entered into a free draw to win a Gtech bike.

London to Paris Cycle Wed, 19th - Sun, 23rd July

Four days, 300 miles, two capitals, one awesome ride in the tyre tracks of the world’s greatest. PLUS watch the finale of the Tour de France 2017.

This fantastic four-day bike ride will take you through the beautiful Kent countryside to Dover before crossing the English Channel to Calais. The pièce de résistance of this challenge will be the cycle up the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triumphe, following in the tracks of the cycling greats, before watching them cycle the same route the next day in the finale of the Tour de France.

Euro City Cycle Wed, 30th August - Sun, 3rd Sept270 miles. Three countries. Three

capital cities!This superb challenge caters for every

level of cyclist. Over four days, take in the spectacular sights of London, Amsterdam and Brussels. Cycle through the rolling countryside of Essex, the plains of Holland and the sleepy lanes of Belgium. One of the best cycling experiences in Europe.

New

New

Cycling

More Exciting Challenges

Group Skydive Days Sat, 13th May & Sun, 17th Sept

Always wanted to skydive? Take the plunge and raise funds for St Richard’s Hospice. Imagine leaping out of a plane at 10,000+ feet, free falling at 120mph before being expertly steered to the ground with a controlled landing, all in front of your friends and family.

Snowdon Multi Challenge Fri, 5th - Sat, 6th May

This is the ultimate adventure to experience the spectacular mountains of Snowdonia National Park.

A weekend challenge in one of the most rugged landscapes in the UK. The perfect triple adventure – bike, hike and kayak in Snowdonia. Summit the highest peak in Wales, Mt Snowdon at 1,085 metres. Conquer 35kms of pure adventure in just one day and grab this opportunity to pit yourself against the spectacular landscape of Snowdonia.

Superhero Challenge Sat, 17th June

Celebrate the superhero in your life, past or present, by taking part in this exciting new 5km run or walk with a difference!

Along the route you will encounter 10 giant inflatable obstacles and foam galore. Take on the foam bath, bouncy tunnels, giant hammers, UV bubble pods, to mention a few, not forgetting the grand finale - the Big Bertha drop slide. This is like no other event St Richard’s has done before!

If you think you’ve got what it takes to be a superhero then sign up quickly to take advantage of our early bird rates. Share those super powers too and encourage family, friends and colleagues to join in the fun.

Please note there is a minimum height restriction of 123cm.

Sahara Desert Challenge 2017: 11th-20th Mar or 7th - 16th Oct 2018: 3rd-12th Mar or 6th-15th Oct

A superb 100km trek adventure for all abilities yet very achievable challenge. The experience of living in the sand, the silence, the solitude, the heat and watching the orbiting satellites in the mesmerizing night skies will make this an experience that you will never forget! Includes international flights, six days on trek, all meals on trek, all private road transport in Morocco, four nights in hotels.

New

New

Men’s Space garden haven

We are pleased to announce that we will shortly be opening a new store in Kidderminster. This latest venture adds to our successful chain of shops across the county and will raise valuable funds to help us care for patients in the Kidderminster area living with life-limiting illnesses and support their loved ones.

The new store at 17/18 High Street, Kidderminster, will offer a range of preloved and new items. The large store will stock ladies and gents fashion and a

selection of household items on the ground floor, with a specialist book department on the first floor.

We hope to bring something unique and different to our charity shop in Kidderminster and are looking to recruit enthusiastic volunteers with various experience in retail, particularly those with second hand book knowledge. If you are interested in joining our successful team, please contact our HR department on 01905 763963.

Read a good book lately?Good stories just fly off the shelves,

particularly at our specialist second hand book stores.

If you’ve enjoyed a good novel, why not donate it to our shops department and share the pleasure. In particular, we would love to receive novels by popular contemporary, science fiction and crime authors.

New store to extend retail success

A nurse’s reflections

Thank you to everyone who voted for St Richard’s Hospice in the Tesco Bags of Help appeal across Worcester Tesco stores. We are delighted to have been awarded £8,000 to help fund a garden haven for our Men’s Space group. The new facility will help men take time out from the stresses of living with their illnesses and give them the opportunity to talk to others in similar situations.

I love my job! Sometimes I feel embarrassed to be seen out and about in the community wearing my uniform. But then I take a minute and think, “Why?”

I get paid to do the thing I love the most... helping people and caring for people. Who else gets to be paid to give their time and meet such wonderful people. The feeling I get from knowing that I’ve touched someone’s life and helped with their pain even just for a split second is the best feeling ever.

My patients make me feel like a superhero and my uniform is my costume. So now I wear my uniform with pride and it takes a lot to wipe this smile!

Nikki Butterworth, St Richard’s Hospice at Home Healthcare Assistant

PershoreBric-A-Brac

PershoreClothes Shop

Stourport Shop

St Swithins StreetClothes, Bookshop &Café

TewkesburyShop

Upton UponSevern Shop

Worcester Mealcheapen St Shop

Worcester St Johns Shop

BarnardsGreen Shop

BewdleyShop

Broadway Shop

Deja Vu

DroitwichShop

EveshamShop

LowesmoorFurniture Shop

Malvern Link Books & Media

Malvern Link Department Store

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01386 556903 01386 555342 01299 877375 01905 616353 01684 294679 01684 593322 01905 22378 01905 428524

01905 763963 www.strichards.org.uk/events

Hundreds of families joined us to celebrate the lives of their loved ones in our Lights of Love services during November and December.

Our Lights of Love services bring comfort and support to many and, as in previous years, were special, moving occasions and full of love.

After the evening service at Worcester Cathedral we all gathered around nearby St Andrew’s Spire to see the switch on of the lights of love on the Christmas tree by Kristina Doran and her family in memory of their mother Magdelena Wagstaff who had been cared for by St Richard’s Hospice.

With the names of their loved ones displayed on boards surrounding the tree, candles were lit as people reflected and remembered their loved ones.

Mrs Doran said; “It would be four years to the day on Christmas Eve that mum passed away at St Richard’s Hospice. The days at home leading up to mum’s death were truly heart-breaking and the most difficult of times. St Richard’s was a sanctuary in what felt like endless suffering. Like most, we hadn’t considered the importance of hospice care until we found ourselves in dire need of it. Like most, I considered hospices to be miserable, depressing places to be. I would never have anticipated the dedication and kindness that embodies St Richard’s Hospice.

“I would never have anticipated that St Richard’s would allow us to laugh, smile and relax and simply enjoy the last moments we had with our mum. It seemed an impossible feat, but amongst all of the anguish somehow we were free from all of the devastation we had felt at home. An inspiring, vital and comfortable place and on behalf of my whole family we would sincerely like to thank St Richard’s for helping us, and more importantly for looking after our mum.”

Kristina Doran and family switch on lights

Worcester Warriors v Saracens, Saturday, 11th February

Join us for a special rugby afternoon to watch Worcester Warriors play Saracens at Sixways Stadium. Tickets £28pp to include seated match ticket and lasagne lunch in the Charity Lounge.

Write a Will in February

Start the year by setting your financial and personal affairs in order by writing a Will. mfg Solicitors LLP in The Tything, Worcester,

are offering a special value Will writing service in February with all donations to St Richard’s Hospice. Suggested donation to make a single Will is £90 or £140 for a double. To book an appointment call 01905 610410.

Enjoy the thrill of the races

Cheltenham Preview Evening -Tuesday 7th March

Join Grand National winning trainer Dr Richard Newland and an expert panel of top jockeys and racing pundits including Paddy Brennan and Harry Skelton as they give their views, tips and predictions ahead of this year’s Cheltenham Festival. The WoodNorton, Evesham. Tickets £35pp including two course dinner. Kindly sponsored by Gwillams Farm Shop.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Lunch - Friday 17th March Place your bets with our resident bookmaker and enjoy a delicious two course

meal before watching events at Cheltenham unfold. Keep warm, avoid the crowds, eat, drink, relax and ‘go racing’ in comfort at Worcester Racecourse. Tickets £35pp including lunch. Kindly sponsored by Stanford Marsh.

Worcester Races Ladies Day - Saturday 3rd JuneAlways a special day, our St Richard’s Hospice Ladies Day at Worcester Racecourse

is a chance to dress to impress and enjoy some very special marquee hospitality. To include reception drink, three course lunch, afternoon tea, resident bookmaker, tipster and VIP private lawn area adjacent to the paddock. Tickets £105pp (max 4 per booking) or tables of 10 including sponsorship package £1,250.

Golf Day at The Worcestershire, Malvern, Friday, 28th April

Book your four ball early to secure your team place on our popular Golf Day.Prizes will be awarded for the top three teams, longest drive and nearest the pin. £300 per team of four to include 18-hole golf, breakfast bap and coffee on arrival and two course dinner.

Kindly sponsored by Santander.

Concerts at Malvern Theatres Malvern Theatres, along with the Orchestra of The Swan, are pleased to present a

series of concerts in aid of St Richard’s Hospice with 50% of ticket sales donated to help fund our care.

Thursday 23rd February - Guy Johnston plays Haydn Thursday 13th April - Emma Johnson plays Mozart Wednesday 10th May - Jennifer Pyke plays MozartAll performances start at 7.45pm, with pre-concert talks

for ticket holders at 6.45pm.For more information and to book tickets, contact Malvern Theatres on

01684 892277 or visit www.malvern-theatres.co.uk quoting SRH.

forthcoming

events

Your regular gift helps us care

Smarties and loose change boxes

Support hospice care your way

Our care is free to patients and their loved ones.Setting up a regular gift will help us continue to provide

compassionate care for those at the end of their lives and support their families.

A regular gift is a simple and convenient way for you to support St Richard’s Hospice as every monthly donation will make a real difference. A regular income also helps us to plan for the future with confidence.

Collect your pennies to support hospice care with our two new-look loose change boxes.

Our St Richard’s Smarties tube offer the added advantage of giving you something sweet before you start to collect your pennies. Collect your coin cube from one of our shops or call our fundraising team to order your Smarties tubes.

At St Richard’s Hospice we are extremely appreciative of our many committed and generous supporters. Without you, our wonderful local community, we simply wouldn’t be able to continue to provide specialist care to patients and their families, when they need us most.

Each year, many passionate hospice supporters raise funds for us in a wide range of ways, from sponsored head shaves to coffee and cake mornings. If you would like to organise your own fundraising event, our fundraising team are available to offer any support you need to make your event or challenge a success. Visit our website

www.strichards.org.uk/raise-funds or call our friendly team on

01905 763963.

Your monthly donation of

£5.03 could pay for the ingredients of a patient’s mealsin our In-patient Unit for 24 hours

£14.19 could pay for a patient to receive one complementary therapy treatment

£22.04 could pay for a Hospice at Home healthcareassistant to spend two hours supporting a patient at home.

Visit our website at www.strichards.org.uk/regular-giving or call our Fundraising team on 01905 763963 for more information.

FebruaryFri 24th Liverpool Football Legends event at Worcester Cricket Club. Meet and greet the Liverpool Football Club multi-European cup winning legends Jimmy Case, Terry McDermott and Alan Kennedy. Tickets £50. Contact Nick Tanner at nicktanner799@msn.comMarchSat 4th ‘Eat, Drink and Be Giving’ Masquerade Ball at Puckrup Hall, Tewkesbury. Tickets £40pp including drink on arrival and three course meal. For details contact Vanessa Davenport at charityball2017@outlook.com or call 07792 810300.Thu 23rd Open tour of St Richard’s Hospice facilities and gardens. Call Fundraising on 01905 763963 or email appeals@strichards.org.uk

JulySat 8th Woo Fest at The Drum and Monkey, Upton-upon-Severn. Music festival suitable for all ages. Live bands from 12 noon. Save the date! Call 01905 763963.AugustSat 12th Duck Race. Adopt your own duck and cheer as hundreds of ducks race along the River Severn from Worcester Bridge. Sponsored by Puddleducks. Ducks £5 large £3 small. Call 01905 763963.SeptemberWed 8th Golf Day at Droitwich Golf Club. To include 18 holes golf, bacon bap and coffee on arrival, awards and two course dinner. £300 for team of four. Contact appeals@strichards.org.uk or call 01905 763963.

We support 2,500 patients and family members each year

Look out for other key dates in 2017/18 on our website www.strichards.org.uk/events. For more information call Fundraising on 01905 763963

Other events

New

Victoria Rowan with Staff Nurse Stephanie Joiner