Helping hospice patients to live their lives

• What does your role entail?

Supporting patients from the moment they are diagnosed with a palliative pathway, through the journey until after their death. We focus on symptom control and we work in the community supporting patients and their families. We ask the questions that need asking and help people make decisions as death approaches. Some people we know only for a few weeks, others for far longer, but I always say the same thing: live your life. Don’t be defined by illness or death, because you are far greater than the patient in the bed.

• What is the atmosphere like at the hospice?

It’s an amazing team. It can be a difficult job and occasionally you have a little cry, but everyone picks you up. The corridors often sound with laughter. It’s all about people and their stories – and I love their stories. Some of them are very sad, but some are funny. I was with a patient recently discussing music for his funeral and we couldn’t agree on the title of an Elvis song. He had to send his wife to get the iPad to check.

• How did you come to join the team at St Wilfrid’s?

I have been involved with bereavement work for a long time. I was a paramedic and also a clinical volunteer for Winston’s Wish, a charity that supports bereaved children. I have an arts background, which helps with my communication skills. My job is all about listening and knowing how and when to say the right thing. I wanted to spend more time with patients and make a difference. Joining St Wilfrid’s was a logical move.

• What challenges has Covid-19 presented to the hospice?

So much had to be done quickly and it changes daily. The hospice had to be split into three areas and you can’t cross to another. For the first time ever we have set visiting times and for now only two close family members can visit at a time. Sadly, no pets are allowed to visit at the moment. We have to take our temperatures daily, travel in separate cars and when we go to someone’s house we have to immediately wash our hands. We also have to wear PPE. I recently had to confirm to a lady that her husband had just died. She had tears streaming down her face and instinctively we went to hug each other. But of course we couldn’t. That’s when the reality of this situation came home to me.

• How can we help?

The hospice could not run without our wonderful volunteers, so please sign up. When this is over please donate to our charity shops – the St Wilfrid’s Hospice eBay store remains open. Or make a cash donation. You can also join in one of our future fundraising events. Many have been postponed, including the Moonlight Walk which is now set for September 5.

• For more information visit www.stwh.co.uk

---

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.