News Winter 2022
Charity Number 1038021
Complementary Therapies Improving physical and emotional wellbeing (page 24)
Dear Friends
Chief Executive, Anne Currie
On behalf of all the teams at Forest Holme, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Stephen for his vast contribution to the life-enhancing work of the Hospice, first as a clinician and then latterly as our Chair of Trustees. If Stephen had a mantra, it would be ‘first, establish the problem’. His many years in palliative medicine have shown him, and he in turn enabling others, how to do just that. During his career he has been presented with a plethora of challenging physical, emotional, spiritual and practical concerns from the patients under his care. We really hope that 2022 signals a He is a master of getting to the root of the brighter year for everyone and a chance to get back to doing all the things we have problem - often quickly when time is of the essence. missed that bring us much joy and
Welcome to our Winter newsletter.
happiness.
He always was, and still is, the patient’s Yet again, we are humbled by the variety advocate. This is as true today as he of activities that have taken place over the comes to the end of his role as Chair of the Trustees at the Charity as it was to his last few months and your support of the Hospice. Our newsletter is only the tip of whole career in palliative medicine. His logical thinking, creative problem solving the iceberg, but rest assured we value every single act of kindness you undertake and considered judgement, often delivered with self-deprecating humour, is for Forest Holme. greatly appreciated by both his colleagues on the Charity’s Board and the staff. The turn of the year sees us give a warm welcome to new Trustees Lynn Cherrett He is held in extremely high regard by the and Charlotte Lilley and we extend our Charity’s supporters, many of whom have thanks to both Stuart Bradford and had experience of his care during his 20 Dr. Stephen Kirkham as they retire from years as Lead Consultant at Forest Holme, their time on the Board. Volunteers are and to his credit he will still be able to integral to all of the work that we do and remember their name, the name of their our Board of Trustees is no different. We loved one who has passed away and simply cannot do what we do without undoubtedly some fact about them even them. after all this time. His many people skills
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and his attention to detail is second to none in making this happen. As Chair, he routinely demonstrated the skill of communicating sometimes complex information, simply and effectively to a variety of audiences. It is this clarity of thought and vision which has enabled him to help shape the future direction of Forest Holme Hospice Charity to meet the ever-growing demand on palliative and end-of-life care services within Dorset. Stephen is very passionate about delivering world class palliative and end-of-life care and its role within the NHS. He believes excellence of care, parity of service and cost-effectiveness can be achieved through NHS/Third Sector collaborations. He has always championed this model of care to help address some of the areas of inequality of service provision and the ability to have greater impact for more people within Dorset and wider afield. We are thrilled to say he will continue to support the Charity’s work in any way he can and that’s why this is more of an ‘Au Revoir’ than a ‘Goodbye’. It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside you during the last nine years and for all the patience and faith you have shown during this time. Thank you.
Contents 2. Welcome / Contents 4. In Memory 5. Pop-In Group 8 Charity Update 10. Golf Day 11. Hospice News 14. Fundraising For Forest Holme 16. Farewell to Forest Holme 18. New Trustee From Coles Miller 20. Mother’s Day 22. Challenges 2022 23. Charity Abseil 24. Meet The Complementary Therapist 27. Mailing List
With best wishes, Anne 3
In Memory Of Sharon by Sonja Sparrow of the most traumatic times. I do know that everyone I came across was so good to Sharon and myself. I was pleased to learn that after a time, she was able to discuss some issues with members of staff – Sharon was a very private person when it came to being ‘open’ with others. On 25 July 2017, I received a call from my granddaughter, that her Mum had died. I walked into Forest Holme with one thought; “Sharon is now at peace”. Not thinking how it would affect me as I walked through the front door - I almost Sharon Louise Hart born in April 1971, collapsed! Sharon was laid to rest with a stayed in Forest Holme Hospice. She was rose placed on her chest. I was my eldest daughter. Sadly, we had issues overwhelmed with grief for someone who with each other, which were never was so complex but I was also relieved resolved for various reasons. that now Sharon wouldn’t suffer any more. Again, the staff were there to help On the 29 June 2017, Sharon was me get through the short time I was sitting admitted into Forest Holme suffering from holding Sharon’s hand. complications with a wound from bed sores – I didn’t know how long she would To put this in perspective, all the staff live but it wasn’t long. She was quite a should be wearing medals – given more difficult patient with complex issues – one money because they went beyond the call being that she was paralysed. I visited of duty in helping Sharon and myself every day to make the most of my during one of the most difficult times in daughter’s life – she was 45 when she our lives. Thank you all from the bottom of passed on. my heart. On my first visit, I was met by a lovely, kind, considerate and helpful lady called Sue. Sadly I don’t remember the names of anyone else who helped me through some 12 4
Pop-In Group
Why Forest Holme Hospice Charity provides the Pop-In Bereavement Group The death of a loved one is a difficult time for anyone and can lead to individuals, especially widows and widowers, feeling lost and alone. Many have grown up children with families of their own to worry about and it can be difficult to adjust to so much time spent by themselves. However, three months into their grieving Forest Holme Hospice Charity offers a light in the dark by inviting anyone who has lost a loved one supported by Forest Holme Hospice to our monthly Pop-In Bereavement Group. This service led by nurses, volunteers and members, offers the opportunity to chat to people who are going through a similar experience and know how they feel. The nurses and members offer a listening ear, friendly support and comforting words with an aim to ease the pain on those initial lonely days. Outcomes of providing the Pop-In Bereavement Group
The Pop-In Group has been a lifeline to many who have lost a loved one over the many years we have been providing the service. Meeting new people going through similar experiences has created lifelong relationships that have helped ease individuals back into the daunting world of socialising without their partner.
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Pop-In Group Hi, my name is Malcolm Kay. Not a lot of people know that I was born in London on the 24th May 1947 in the Borough of Camden. I was told by my mum that it was the hottest day of the year. My school days were happy as far as I can remember, so at the age of 16 I joined the Merchant Navy as a cadet. It was an eye opener into a different world and it was not long before I was off to sea. Apart from learning to be come a 4th officer, I made a lot of tea and coffee. I am now a Monday of every month and we are a Master Mariner but I did give up the sea great bunch. Apart from all the tea and for a few years to look after my lovely coffee and biscuits and cakes, you can talk Josephine. about your situation or you can put the world to rights; it's great to be part of this I first came into contact with Forest group. Holme through the lovely nurse Pauline, who was a great help to me and my Josie. The group has really helped me and I She was always there at the end of the don't feel alone and you can get things off phone and came to see us on a regular your chest as there is always someone basis. who will listen and help if needed. If you are considering attending the group, do I first started at pop-in way back in 2020 - my Forest Holme counsellor was a great not be apprehensive - come along and meet us. We do not bite and if we can help to me she got me through a very help you, we will and that’s it, so take difficult time. We meet on the first care out there and be safe. Hello everyone and hope you are all coping well during these difficult times with the pandemic and not always been able to see our close families. My name is Giovanni D’Amico and I’m known as Nino since I was born. In September 2019, unexpectedly, I lost 16 Jane, my wife of 46 years to lung cancer. 86
Pop-In Group Jane passed away in Forest Holme. We have many trying times during our lives but the loss of our loved ones cannot be compared to anything we had or will experience in the future. The time of bereavement and subsequent grief takes over our lives and engulfs our entire existence, unable to function mentally and physically.
Over the years I’ve always enjoyed writing, for my own pleasure mainly, and during this sad period of bereavement and grief I found comfort and solace in writing down feelings and emotions and anything else that comes to mind. I also enjoy writing poems.
I would like to dedicate this poem below to I’m grateful to Forest Holme for the support all the friends in both aforementioned they provide in the way of two great groups and the volunteers at Forest Holme. services. Thank you all First the ‘Therapeutic Bereavement Support Nino Group’, where I understood how to deal with my personal grief, and although the progression is different for everyone, BLESSINGS TO GIVE what we feel is normal and somehow I have no riches gold or pearls comforting that we are not alone in feeling this way. I have met, and made, I’m not a prince, duke or an earl. new friends, and able to support each Time I can give and feelings I share other unconditionally. Secondly, the ‘Pop-In Group’ is a more relaxed get together, a way of being with people who have experienced the loss of a loved one, but informally chatting about anything and everything over a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of cake or two, served and looked after by wonderful volunteers. A big thank you to all of you. It’s very difficult to deal with bereavement and grief and we all have our own different ways of managing, from sport to gardening, from joining social groups to learning new skills and hobbies.
Sending you blessings wrapped in a prayer.
I could win you trophies and medals, write songs or books with no end, but all my treasures are the blessings I send. Gifts we give and promises we make but cherish this day as sending all my blessings is all I can say. (Nino 2021) 7
Charity Update Forest Holme is absolutely delighted to announce a kit sponsorship partnership with Swanage Town & Herston Football Club, who have supported the hospice on various occasions.
Here is Swans manager Tony Parrott (left), skipper Paul Best (far left) and Charlie from the fundraising team showing off the Swans new away kit.
The Dance Through The Decades event (right) finally returned at Christmas and raised over £4,000 for the charity. The Dolphin Shopping Centre also generously gave £1,520 to sponsor the event.
A huge thank you to all the staff at Tappers, who supported us to host our annual Light Up A Life service in November at the new location of Long Barrow Ceremony Hall, Harbour View in Lytchett Minster, which for the very first time was also broadcast live online for those unable to attend. 8 6
Charity Update
The two year charity partnership between The Dolphin Shopping Centre has now come to an end but has helped raise nearly £33,000 for the hospice. The Centre choose to support Forest Holme as its Charity of the Year during 2020 but due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, extended it for a further year, helping the hospice to raise an extra £14,282 in 2021. During the past two years the charity has been fundraising through its Remembrance Tree and Pop-Up Shop at Christmas (above, right), Spooky Scavenger Hunts (right) at Halloween, as well as various awareness raising stalls and street entertainment bucket collections during the year. Primark in The Dolphin Shopping Centre has chosen to support Forest Holme Hospice for another year as its chosen charity. The store has kindly offered one of their windows for displays and the charity has already had special themed windows for Halloween, Light Up A Life and Valentine’s Day.
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Hospice News
Liz, Vanessa and Sandy who are part of the End-of-Life and Hospital Palliative Care teams, and based at Forest Holme, held their first End-of-Life Care Champions Day at Poole Hospital to support colleagues across University Hospitals Dorset to enhance care provided for patients and their families at the end-of-life. The Champions represent each ward within Poole Hospital and are all very keen to understand what matters most to the patients and their loved ones and help to assist with making this happen. The day included an introduction to the Butterfly WINGS model of care, chaplaincy talk, syringe driver training for registered staff and scenario-based training for nonregistered staff, while Anne Currie, Chief Executive at Forest Holme Hospice Charity delivered a talk about the charity work at both Forest Holme and Macmillan Caring Locally, who are funding the new comfort packs which will be offered to patients at each hospital. Butterfly WINGS is about promoting dignity, respect and compassion at the end-oflife. It is broken down into 5 steps with staff considering each element.
Feedback “I've learnt the importance of end-of-life care and how to have difficult conversations.'' ''The passion of the end-of-life nurses giving the talk was very inspiring.''
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Hospice News
Over the last few month the charity has funded weekly visits from the Taste The Bean coffee truck (above) as a morale boosting thank you to all our staff, while Rachel and Lisa from Pizza With Love (right) returned in December to freshly bake delicious woodfired pizzas for free, also as a thank you to all our staff who have worked so tirelessly through another challenging year. We are delighted Purbeck Ice Cream has chosen to support Forest Holme for the fourth year in a row. Each week they deliver a donation of ice cream for our patients, visitors and staff to enjoy and this year alone they have provided ice cream worth £4,500. We also had over 80 fleeces gifted to staff at Forest Holme to thank them for their continued hard work and dedication during the pandemic. The fleeces are custom made and have been partly funded by a generous grant from J P Morgan.
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Hospice News We are so proud to see our counsellor Kathy Lett (right) win the Palliative Care Worker of the Year award at the Dorset Echo Bournemouth Daily Echo 'Proud To Care Awards 2021', for her outstanding work particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. We were also delighted that our Specialist Palliative Care Team were shortlisted for the Special Recognition Award.
The counselling team have also welcomed Emma (left), who has joined as a Volunteer Trainee Bereavement Counsellor for one day a week. Emma is currently in her fourth year studying at Iron Mill College and needs to complete 150 hours of hands-on training in order to qualify as a counsellor. Visitors to Forest Holme will now be greeted by two new smiling faces as Lisa (far left) and Rachel (left) have joined the team as our new receptionists. Lisa will be covering Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday mornings, while Rachel will take over from Wednesday afternoons until Friday each week. 13
Fundraising For Forest Holme their time unconditionally. They enabled my amazing dad to feel safe, took away his fear and who gave him and us a constant supply of emotional and physical support. Words don't cover it! What would you say to someone considering supporting the hospice? This is such an important charity, please do something amazing and support the hospice. Emma Dukes (above, right) and her best friend Jodie took on a Wing Walk in 2021 to fundraise for Forest Holme. Here she tells us about why she took on this fundraising challenge. Tell us about your challenge for the hospice? Jodie and I took part in a Wing Walk to raise funds for Forest Holme Hospice in Poole. We took to the skies, at speeds of up to 130mph on a Boeing Stearman at Compton Abbas Airfield. Explain why you did it for Forest Holme? The charity is very close to my heart, and we did it in memory of my dad (David Hewitt, right) who passed away in Forest Holme August 2019. What does Forest Holme mean to you? Forest Holme is a sanctuary, a place filled with so much love and kindness, with staff who care and support you at the most desperate of times and give you 14
If you have been inspired by our fundraising Wing Walkers and are feeling brave enough to sign up for one yourself, please get in touch by contacting: charlie.james@forestholmehospice.org.uk for more information.
Fundraising For Forest Holme
Hayley Darmody (above, far left) found a is that it’s just £1 per book with all novel way to support Forest Holme during proceeds going straight to Forest Holme. lockdown and shares her story of what inspired her to raise money for the charity. I have set up a Facebook group listing all available books and keep adding to it every I’ve been supporting Forest Holme Hospice time new ones get donated. People have charity since August 2018 after my friend been so generous and kind; most books get Becky (below, right) spent her last three donated back again once they’ve finished weeks being cared for at the hospice. Becky reading too! So far we have managed to and her family were incredibly grateful for raise £250 for the charity but I’m still going. all the support and care shown by the staff Forest Holme is an incredible charity that at Forest Holme; nothing was too much has touched so many hearts. trouble for them. At the start of the first lockdown I decided I’d like to raise some much needed funds for the hospice as so many of their fundraising events had been cancelled due to the pandemic. I saw a post on the Forest Holme Facebook page where a man was selling books outside his house. This gave me the idea to start a book club with my neighbours and their friends and family. I started collecting books and people were dropping them off by the bag full! The idea 15
Farewell to Forest Holme patient with advanced disease, and bring ease to the family and friends. I don’t think there is any other field of medicine where results can be won so quickly. Another difference in hospices is the way in which any problem that is concerning the patient and their family is addressed by the team providing care, without limits. The principles of hospice care are explicit that problems may be physical, emotional, social or spiritual, and all of these should be helped. Again, there is no other branch of health or social care where that it is true in the same way. The modern hospice movement came about because historically there were This March marks the end of my term as great deficits in the care that the NHS Chair of Trustees of Forest Holme Hospice gave to those at the end of their lives. Charity. I have been associated with Over the past sixty years, most of the Forest Holme since it was just a set of hospices that have been founded across architects’ plans thirty years ago, but my the rest of the country have been run by involvement in the hospice movement small locally based independent charities. extends back further, to June 1979, when While that has given them excellent roots I went to work as a trainee doctor at St in their communities, it has left them Christopher’s Hospice in London. The somewhat detached from the NHS, which things that excited me then about this is where all the patients are to be found. whole new system of care are the things that now keep me committed to supporting Forest Holme in any way I can.
One of the remarkable things about hospice care is how much people can be helped in a very short time. A couple of days, and sometimes only a couple of hours, can transform the wellbeing of a 16
Farewell to Forest Holme The coming together of Poole Hospital and Royal Bournemouth Hospital to form University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) has resulted in a merged palliative care service across the whole of the east of the county. In partnership with Macmillan Caring Locally in Christchurch, the two charities are well placed to help UHD further develop its palliative and end of life service, and share its integrated model
One of the best things about Forest Holme Hospice is that it has always been part of Poole Hospital and therefore part of the NHS. The clinical service depends heavily on the Charity for all kinds of funding to maintain the very high standards of care, but Forest Holme provides a model which integrates the best principles of end of life care into the NHS and provides care according to those principles whether patients are at home, in the main hospital or in the hospice. As I step down as Chair of Trustees, I am delighted to be able to say that Forest Holme Hospice Charity has grown in all sorts of ways: in income, in being able to fund excellent care and also in influence.
of care locally, regionally and nationally. The deficits which led to the foundation of hospices may then at last be made good.
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New Trustee FromChief Coles MillerAnne Currie Executive,
Unsubscribe from Coles Miller Solicitors continue their long and happy association with Forest Holme with the appointment of Charlotte Lilley as a trustee.
our mailing list solicitor at a qualifying as a commercial Somerset firm handling large portfolio clients. She gained experience at a number of firms – including an in-house role at a Dorset brewery.
Charlotte is a commercial property solicitor based at Coles Miller’s head office in With her commercial law expertise, she has Parkstone Road, Poole. been assisting a number of charities and is looking forward to helping Forest Holme Alongside her commercial property work – with advice on legal matters and freehold/leasehold sales and purchases, governance. lease assignments, business sales and Meanwhile, her partner Stewart Remington purchases – her specialisms also include of Pondtek looks after the pond at Forest charity incorporation. Holme through a combination of paid and Charlotte joined Coles Miller after voluntary work. 18 16 14
New Trustee From Coles Miller Charlotte said: “I am delighted to have the exciting opportunity to sit as a trustee for Forest Holme. The hospice is an integral part of the community and the extraordinary care they give is well known in the locality.”
Forest Holme trustees meet six times per year. They can serve as trustees for a maximum of nine years before handing on the role to their elected successor.
Charlotte succeeds wills and probate solicitor Stuart Bradford as Trustee, who was formerly a Partner at Coles Miller. Stuart had been a trustee at Forest Holme since 2014, during which time he helped the hospice as its governance lead. Stuart’s work for the charity was dear to his heart; he lost his father to cancer. “It’s been wonderful to have been able to be of help – knowing that you were doing something good,” said Stuart. He thanked the trustees and paid tribute to the dedication of all the charity’s healthcare professionals, managers, fundraisers and supporters. Their hard work ensured that Forest Holme continued to thrive despite all the difficulties posed by the Covid crisis. Coles Miller’s strong links with Forest Holme date back to the launch of the charity back in April 1994. The first Coles Miller solicitor to have served as a Forest Holme trustee was consultant David Parfitt, a wills and probate solicitor who was formerly Senior Partner at the firm. He was followed by Managing Partner Neil Andrews then Stuart Bradford.
Stuart Bradford, Partner and Head of the Probate Department at Coles Miller Solicitors LLP, who has now been replaced by Charlotte Lilley.
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Meet The Complementary Therapist
You’re relatively new to Forest Holme – what did you do before and why did you want this role? Prior to working at Forest Holme, I have been a nurse for 10 years specialising in heart and lung transplant and more recently in gastroenterology. I have always had an interest in treating patients holistically, taking into account the psychological, physical and spiritual aspects of our nature. This led me to train in Reflexology in 2018 and set up my own private practice treating clients at home. I followed this with training in Aromatherapy and Chakra Balancing in 2019 and most recently completed my Hypnotherapy training in 2021. It has always been a dream of mine to be able to treat patients in the NHS with complementary therapies as I have seen clients benefit greatly from these in 24
private practice. During my work with patients in gastroenterology, I have worked with those diagnosed with cancer and had been told by many that they had sought out and benefitted from such therapies. It is such a pleasure to be a part of the wonderful team here and to be able to care for patients alongside the multidisciplinary team in such a holistic way. Tell us about your role as a Complementary Therapist and what are the benefits for the patient? I work alongside my wonderful colleague Christine here at Forest Holme and together we offer a mixture of Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Emotional Freedom Technique, Hypnotherapy, Chakra Balancing, NLP and Massage. We also have a lovely volunteer, Kay, who has been offering beautiful Reiki treatments too
Meet The Complementary Therapist for two years. Kay has recently secured a position here to work for two days a week on behalf of the Sunflower Trust and we are really excited for her to begin this with us soon. Prior to myself joining the team, Christine has been getting some fantastic results with therapies that she has offered to patients and also to health care staff which she treated during the worst of the pandemic last year. Namely for issues such as pain management, chemotherapy induced neuropathy, nausea and anxiety and stress to name a few. Since joining the team, I have been treating patients with Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Hypnotherapy, NLP and Chakra Balancing and have also seen some really good results from each of these with many patients reporting a much greater overall sense of wellbeing at the end of their complementary treatment sessions. We have recently been given the opportunity to begin formally measuring outcomes of the treatments that we give to patients and the results so far have been extremely promising. Treating patients in a holistic way enables us to not only look at the medical interventions that are beneficial but also to address the patients emotional needs too, working alongside their active cancer treatments right through to those receiving palliative care. With such a big link between the mind and body, I think this is a truly wonderful provision to be able to be a part of here and I am so happy to see this is being embraced so fully at Forest Holme.
Can you explain a bit more about the various different therapies you use? Reflexology is an ancient form of therapy which has been depicted in pictures found in Egyptian times. Further researched and developed further in more recent times, Reflexology aims to create balance within the systems of the body by working on pressure points and nerve endings in the feet which correspond to various parts of the body. We do not aim to diagnose or cure, however many conditions and symptoms have been reported to have been alleviated as a result of Reflexology treatment.
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Meet The Complementary Therapist In addition, this is a deeply relaxing treatment and offers patients an opportunity to release tension throughout the body and mind. Often we will accompany this with Aromatherapy in which we discuss with patients what symptoms may be presenting in them and blend a mixture of oils that can help to alleviate these. Chakra Balancing is a beautiful practice that uses a mixture of sound therapy (using singing bowls), crystal therapy, essential oils and energy healing. Our bodies all emit an electromagnetic frequency and this treatment aims to work on this energy that surrounds us to heal and release any stored tension and blockages. Patients have reported a great sense of calm and peace following this treatment.
fears and phobias, confidence and selfesteem, smoking cessation, weight loss, nausea and digestive issues to name a few. My colleague Christine offers Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) in addition which is a practice of tapping on specific parts of the body whilst discussing the issues of concern. This has had such wonderful results, particularly in helping with pain and anxiety levels.
What would you say to someone that may not be familiar with Complementary Therapies or is a bit reluctant to try them? I would urge everyone to give them a try!! We, as humans, are not just our physical bodies, we are multi-faceted and taking care of our emotional health and spiritual beliefs where appropriate is, I believe, equally as Hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic important as treating our bodies. We provide Programming (NLP) are both treatments that a safe and confidential space to help any I have recently brought to Forest Holme. I patient who may be experiencing the very have practiced NLP with some patients so far. initial emotions of cancer diagnosis and start This has been particularly helpful with of treatment, right through to those who challenging limiting beliefs and may be receiving palliative care. Whatever empowerment throughout treatment. It has stage of the journey, we aim to support also helped with discussions around family patients manage physical and emotional and relationship dynamics and changes that symptoms as much as possible with the may have happened after diagnosis and range of complementary therapies we can during treatment, often re-framing and offer, alongside our multi-disciplinary team of enabling patients to find confidence in specialist doctors, nurses, cousellors and expressing their needs. therapists. Hypnotherapy has a strong evidence base in pain-management particularly, however can be used for a number of reasons. Anxiety, 26 26 22
Forest Holme Hospice Charity funds Chantal’s role as Complementary Therapist
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Charity Number 1038021
Contact Us If you would like more information about the care the hospice provides or how to fundraise for us, we would love to hear from you.
Forest Holme Hospice 5 Seldown Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1TS T: 01202 670644 (Charity) T: 0300 019 8147 (Hospice) E: fundraising@forestholmehospice.org.uk Charity No:1038021
w w w. f o r e s t h o l m e h o s p i c e . o r g . u k Forestholme
@ForestHolme
@forestholmehospice
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