Author: bsa_mar

Willow Wood’s first Back to the Fitness was held on Sunday 3 February, and what a great success it was.

Made up of two challenges in one, an 80s themed Zumbathon and a 90s themed Clubberthon the event, at Astley Sports Village, attracted over 160 participants and with the florescent head and wrist bands or glow sticks included in the registration fee was a riot of colour, music, fitness and fun.

Chris Hayden, organiser of the event said: “The atmosphere was incredible, and so many people have told me they can’t wait for the next one.We will definitely be repeating it.Thanks to everyone who came along and made it such a wonderful occasion, and thanks to Astley Sports Village for their support and assistance.

“This is just one of the many fundraisers we hold throughout the year, and will help raise the £6,800 we need each and every day to continue our care.Why not look at our events diary to see if there is anything you’d like to be part of?Just go to our events diary – we have such a variety there’s sure to be something for you.”

The most fantastic and most fun fundraising event is coming back to Tameside on Sunday 2 June: yes, it’s the Willow Wood Bubble Rush!

Suitable for all ages, the Bubble Rush has four bubble stations, where the highly trained bubble specialists will be pumping out huge swathes of brightly coloured bubbles for you to revel in.And its double bubble for the Willow Wood Bubble Rush – whilst others have a 5k route through the bubble stations, by holding it at Dukinfield Rugby Club’s grounds our bubblers have to go around twice, so they get eight goes through the bubbles!Double Bubble indeed!

It really is great fun, and since the bubbles are environmentally friendly and coloured with food colourings it’s perfectly safe for even babies and toddlers.And with under two years of age going free, it is the perfect day out for all the family.

Although the Bubble Rush starts at noon, we’ll be asking everyone to sign in on the day from 10am.With music to accompany the event, a mass warm-up, merchandise stalls and refreshments available you’ll have a fantastic time.The registration fee includes a commemorative T shirt and a colourful medal and is great value at just £10 for 3-15 years and £20 for adults.

Chris Hayden, event organiser said: “The atmosphere was brilliant last year, and will be even better this year – we’ll be having more stalls, more food, more fun.It’s not a race, so just enjoy your time in the bubbles.Last year we had over 1,200 registered bubblers, and we are expecting even more this year, so if you want to be sure of your place register now.

“Although the Bubble Rush is great fun, it is a fundraiser for the Hospice, and the registration fee only covers the cost of putting the event on.We need £6,800 each and every day to provide our care to the people of Tameside and Glossop, so we do ask that you try your hardest to raise funds for us.

“Having said that, we do know just how difficult it can be to raise sponsorship so why not order one of our free fundraising cards when you register. At just £2, your friends and colleagues will be happy to have a go – and they could win a cash prize, while we’ll get £100 with every completed card.Just click here and sign up now.You really will have the best time at the Bubble Rush.”

With an ageing population, planning for future care becomes ever more important, and Willow Wood is working with NHS England to find the best way to help people consider potential care needs.

Willow Wood is very proud to be one of only six hospices invited to be part of this consultation, and does already work with its own patients to develop their individual care plan taking account of their needs, whether these be physical, mental or spiritual.This document is held by the patient and can be amended at any time as their situation changes.It has been found to be very useful as the patient’s wishes are clearly set out, and are there to be shared with carers, doctors, nurses or any other member of the clinical team.

Willow Wood therefore considers the patient’s wishes and tailors their care accordingly.It is this type of personalised care plan which NHS England would like to develop, to ensure that everyone nearing the end of their life receives not only the best care possible, but that if they are no longer able to speak for themselves, their choices are known and can be respected.

Nicky Byrne, day services lead, said: “Talking to our patients and finding out what they would like to happen as their condition develops, has always been of prime importance to us.Our patient centred approach works very well, and we’re very excited at being able to share our insights.We’re constantly looking to extend and develop our care, and to be able to work with the other organisations involved in this exercise is a great opportunity to pool our knowledge and learn from each other. And most importantly, it will help everyone in the community, whether a hospice patient or not, access the compassionate, personalised care that we all deserve.”

One of the borough’s biggest and best loved fundraising events is returning as part of Willow Wood’s twentieth anniversary celebrations – the Midnight Wander.

There was always an incredible atmosphere as the pink-clad Wanderers set off on the 10km walk at the stroke of midnight.At its peak, over 1,900 walkers took part, and as Chris Hayden, event organiser said: “I’ve been asked since I joined Willow Wood if it’s coming back, and I can tell you that online registration is now open for our Midnight Wander on Friday 20 September.

“We’re aiming to make this the biggest and best ever, and it’s open to everyone, men, women, boys and girls.There are no age restrictions, so the whole family can join in.Although we are providing special T shirts, we do hope that everyone will get in the spirit of the Wander and dress up.Anything goes – so long as it’s pink!’

While the main elements of the walk will remain the same, this year it will set off and finish at the Astley Sports Centre, who are very kindly sponsoring the event.There’ll be face painters, music, food and merchandise stalls and a raffle before the walk starts, plus a mass warm up session to get everyone raring to go.On arrival back at the Centre, walkers will be presented with a medal and a very welcome hot breakfast bap.

Chris said: “We do know that it can be difficult for some people to raise sponsorship so we can provide one of our themed fundraising cards, which enables you to easily raise £100 – plus a cash prize for the winning answer.The Midnight Wander is a very important part of our fundraising calendar, as we need over £6,800 each and every day to maintain our services, and the registration fee only covers the costs of the event.We’re also offering to refund the fee for those who raise over £250; our super supporters!”

Those who have taken part in the Midnight Wander before will know just how much fun it is, with many supporters attending every one of the walks between 2007 and 2015, and Willow Wood staff and volunteers are really looking forward to seeing some familiar faces on the night.If you’d like to be involved but don’t want to take part in the walk itself, could you be a marshal along the route? Contact Chris to find out more at chris.hayden@willowwood.org.uk, or ring 0161 330 7788.And for everyone who does want to be part of the Pink Parade, click here to register – there’s an early bird discount until the end of April.

Willow Wood is joining forces with other hospices across the UK to support a new campaign aimed at widening access to the vital support we provide for people with life-limiting conditions and their loved ones.

The Open Up Hospice Care campaign, which launched on Monday 4 March, is led by national hospice and palliative care charity Hospice UK and highlights how hospice care is available beyond hospice in-patient units, including in people’s homes.

One in four people in the UK miss out on the care they need according to earlier research by the national charity.This can be for a number of reasons, but includes low levels of awareness about hospice care and where and when this support is available.

Studies have also shown that people from economically deprived areas, BAME (black and minority ethnic) communities and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people can experience barriers to accessing end of life care services.

Hospice UK and local hospices throughout the country, are working to tackle this through initiatives to extend care to more people, by expanding community services and reaching out to the different groups of people who have been missing out on vital support, including those caring for their loved ones at home.

Willow Wood’s dementia service is a good example of this community support.Our dementia support team will visit patients to provide support, advice and care in their own home.This care also extends to their loved ones and includes counselling and bereavement support in addition to our specialist palliative care.

On Monday Hospice UK published the findings of a new survey by ComRes which found that seven in ten UK adults (72 per cent) say that support from a local hospice would make them feel more confident in supporting a loved one with a terminal condition at home.And more than eight in ten (82 per cent) UK adults surveyed say the role of hospices will become more important in the next decade. Eight in ten (83%) of those who think this, say it is due to the growing care needs of the UK’s ageing population.

The ComRes survey also showed that half of UK adults surveyed (48%) are aware that hospices receive the majority of their funding from fundraising and donations (e.g. via charity shops, communities, lotteries). Nearly a fifth of those surveyed (17%) incorrectly think that hospices receive the majority of their funding from the NHS.

Karen Houlston, chief executive of Willow Wood said: “As our services develop and extend, we are able to reach out to more of those who need our specialist care, and we are constantly looking at new ways to provide this support.We are so very grateful to our community who support us in turn, whether as one of our 600 volunteers, as a fundraiser, or in any other way.”

Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive of Hospice UK, said: “For some, hospice care can seem a remote reality but we are all living longer, often with complex health conditions, and more of us will need this care in the future ourselves, or will be caring for a loved one who does.

“As our survey shows, the British public clearly values the role of hospices and recognises they will become more important in future given the seismic shift in our rapidly ageing society and with the increasing strain on the NHS. However despite this, many people find out about hospice care far too late.

“With its focus on comfort not cure and promoting quality of life and what matters most to people, hospice care can help them live well until the end of life and support their loved ones and it is available in more places than most people realise.

“We want to share the benefits of hospice care more widely so that everyone is able to get this vital support and wherever they want.”

The first Saturday of every month sees Willow Wood’s Coffee Morning, and its popularity shows no sign of abating.But then, what could be nicer than spending a Saturday morning meeting friends for a catch up with coffee and cakes?

With an entrance fee of just £1, the Coffee Morning also gives the opportunity to browse and buy from a number of stalls, and to take part in the morning’s raffle. You can also sign up for the Willow Wood weekly Lottery which has a first prize every week of £1,000, and take a look at the posters and leaflets advertising forthcoming fundraising events.

Organised and run by volunteers, the Coffee Morning contributes around £10,000 annually to Willow Wood’s coffers, so you’ll also know that you are helping the Hospice care for local people.

Willow Wood’s Kids Com Car Boot sales are a very popular event in the fundraising diary.Held quarterly, the next one is on Sunday 3 March at Astley Sports Village.

It really is a car boot sale with a difference.For one thing it’s under cover, so whatever the weather you stay dry and warm, and for another there’s only kid’s stuff allowed.So, if you need more space in your children’s bedrooms or want to clear out their wardrobe, toybox, dvd or game collection, book your place now.

It’s just £15 for a pitch, and these do sell out very quickly.Event organiser Chris Hayden said. “Don’t leave it too late to book online at www.kids-com.co.uk.We always have a full house, and with people queuing up for the 10am opening, it’s always very busy.Refreshments are available too, so if you miss breakfast there are snacks and drinks on hand.”

And if some of the younger members of your family have a birthday coming up or are growing out of their clothes, it’s a great opportunity to stock up.Entrance is just £1 and with kids under 16 free, and plenty of free parking it’s a great way to kit out your kids.

Chris said, “I think we’re all getting a bit more environmentally conscious, and this is a great way to recycle.Plus, of course, you’re helping local people by supporting Willow Wood.It costs over £6,800 every day to keep the Hospice open, and every penny counts.”

Willow Wood is expanding the reach of its counselling service with the appointment of Zara Winstanley as a Family Support Counsellor.

Zara will concentrate on supporting young children from the age of five upwards through the trauma of losing a loved one, with both pre and post bereavement counselling.Zara explains: “Children often don’t have the verbal skills to let us know their feelings; in fact, often they are not even sure of their emotions as they may be experiencing loss and grief for the first time.

“We have a special sensory play room at our PAD store in Stalybridge which provides a safe and neutral environment.There, we can help the young members of our patient’s families work through their feelings and express them through play, using art, toys and books. This enables them to make sense of their emotions and learn to deal with them as the first step in their growth and development.”

Zara became a counsellor in 2006 and has worked with young children and families throughout her career. Since 2011 she has been providing a school counselling service so has a great deal of experience in her field.She continued: “Counselling the children is just part of Willow Wood’s holistic approach, and by working with the whole family we can help them adjust to their changing circumstances.

“Grief can be isolating, and children are very sensitive to atmosphere within the home, and know when the adult is worried or scared.The parent may not want to burden the child, or think they are too young to understand, but it is important to be open as otherwise the child could think they are at fault and become even more concerned and apprehensive.We can help the whole family come to terms with illness and bereavement and provide mental and emotional support”.

Counselling is just one of the many services offered to our patients and their families. If you, or a member of your family has been diagnosed with a life-limiting condition, Willow Wood may be able to help, and you don’t need to be referred by a medical professional.Just ring our START Clinic on 0161 330 1100 to arrange an assessment.

There are just a couple of tables left for the Willow Wood ladies only Winter Wonderland lunch on Wednesday 12 December, so if you’d like to treat your mum, sister or best friend to an early Christmas present don’t leave it too long to book.

It’s going to be a fabulous occasion, and the imposing surroundings of Oaklands Hall, Hyde will make a suitably grand backdrop for your best party dress. The afternoon starts in style with a glass of Prosecco, followed by a delicious three course lunch. To really get you in the party mood, there’s some wonderful entertainment – it really is going to be a lovely afternoon.

Event organiser Elaine McConnell said: “You might even be able to finish off your Christmas shopping as we’ve arranged for a pop-up shop stocked with gorgeous clothes, handbags and accessories plus indulgent Body Shop toiletries.”

Tickets are just £32 each and you can book online, quickly, easily and securely. Alternatively, ring our fundraising office on 0161 330 7788 or drop us a line at fundraising@willowwood.org.uk. We look forward to seeing you there!