Tag: Karen Houlston

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Hospice celebrates milestone and end of an era

Willow Wood Hospice has been celebrating 25 years of providing compassionate care to patients from the local community.

On Friday 24th May, long-serving staff and volunteers past and present gathered in the Hospice gardens for a special tree-planting ceremony.

Hospice Patron Sharman Birtles MBE JP DL, Vice Lord-Lieutenant, delivered a moving speech reflecting on our journey and growth before planting a commemorative tree with the very same spade that cut the first sod in 1997.

CEO Tracy Minshull (centre) with Willow Wood Hospice’s trustees at the tree planting ceremony

Chairman Philip Millson also spoke about the Hospice, inspiring everyone to share cherished memories, reminiscing about the early days and how far the organisation has come.

The celebrations continued the following Friday, 31st May, which was Karen Houlston’s last working day before she retired after 24 years of service to Willow Wood.

Karen with her celebratory retirement balloon display at the Hospice

Karen first joined the Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, in January 2000 as a part-time bookkeeper.

With a finance background, she fulfilled a number of roles – including Admin Manager, Finance & Services Lead and Hospice Exec Manager. After completing a Master’s Degree at Lancaster University in ‘Hospice Leadership’ in October 2013, Karen went on to become CEO.

Staff and volunteers who have worked with Karen came together for a wonderful BBQ, prepared by Willow Wood’s Catering team, in the Hospice gardens – where the Willow Wood Hospice Choir also sang for the occasion.

With some of her family also in attendance, Karen received a myriad of lovely gifts, a card and a beautiful retirement cake made by Lynn Valentine from the Hospice’s Catering team.

Karen cutting her retirement cake on her final working day at Willow Wood

Chair Philip Millson, Director of Finance Ian Wicks and Karen’s successor as CEO, Tracy Minshull, reflected on Karen’s achievements and wished her well for the future.

In an emotional speech, Karen shared: “I can honestly say that I have looked forward to every single day at Willow Wood Hospice and enjoyed every moment.”

As a surprise, a video montage of staff and volunteers holding up their personal retirement messages was played out to Karen on a screen during the BBQ.

Since 1999, the Hospice has been a centre of care and compassion, providing dedicated support to patients from across Tameside and Glossop with a life-limiting illness and those closest to them.

The significant milestone will also be commemorated at the 25th Anniversary Ball at The Village Hotel in Ashton-under-Lyne on Friday (14th June).

Limited tickets are available at https://willowwood.org.uk/events/the-ball/

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New CEO proud to lead Willow Wood into the future

The new CEO of Willow Wood says she wants to make sure the Hospice “continues to have a strong voice” within Greater Manchester and beyond.

As the Hospice based in Ashton-under-Lyne celebrates 25 years of providing compassionate care in May, the month also heralds the start of a new era.

Tracy Minshull officially takes over the reins from Karen Houlston, who is retiring having led the organisation for over 10 years and been part of the Hospice for almost as long as it has been open.

“I feel really humble, Willow Wood is an amazing place,” said Tracy. “It’s been particularly inspirational meeting with staff individually and seeing the difference each individual makes in their role.

“One thing they all say is how passionate they are about working at Willow Wood. I’m really proud and privileged to be the new CEO moving the Hospice forward into the future.”

Tracy, who most recently worked in local government as a commissioner, brings a wealth of experience of working in the health and social care sector for the past 25 years.

Explaining how this will aid her in the role, she said: “Primarily around partnerships so working with our system partners in Tameside and Glossop to really make sure Willow Wood is seen as the area’s centre of excellence for palliative and end-of-life care.

“I am hoping to further enhance the relationships with system partners and the local council, as we contribute so much to existing Tameside plans around supporting people in our local communities to living well at Home. I am also keen to ensure that we build new strategic relationships, enhancing our strategic presence moving us forward past 2024/25.”

Keen to hit the ground running, Tracy has already mapped out how she plans to spend her first 100 days in post.

“The first month is focusing on internal communications so getting to meet everyone. My intention is to meet every member of staff individually to get to know what brought them to Willow Wood, what keeps them here and their skills and expertise.

“The second month will focus on our external partners and stakeholders, getting to know our Trustees better, getting a sense of the partners we already work with in the local community and the new partnerships we wish to forge as we move forward.

“The last month will be focused primarily on strategy and governance, looking at some of our processes and procedures and trying to make sure that we are as ready for the future as we can be.”

Tracy is also eager to ensure Willow Wood continues to be part of the conversation surrounding the need for a sustainable funding model for all hospices.

“In Greater Manchester, we are very fortunate to have the GM Hospices Collaborative,” she said.

“Certainly, I want to be in that group of CEOs to really drive the national agenda as well. I want to work with Hospice UK to make sure Willow Wood’s voice is heard within that arena.

“We recognise that we are in really challenging financial times across the board – that being said, we still have to keep pushing for a sustainable funding model to move forward with.”

And Tracy won’t be afraid to get involved in every aspect of hospice life, with Willow Wood renowned for putting the fun into fundraising.

She added: “My daughter has put us in the ballot for next year’s London Marathon so we’re waiting to find out if we get a place!

“I’m keen to do anything which helps to raise the profile of the Hospice as well as raise vital funds. The thought of a skydive is somewhat terrifying but anything like that would be fine.”

Pictured: Tracy Minshull (centre), the new CEO of Willow Wood Hospice, with some of the Hospice’s nursing staff

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Much-loved CEO set to retire next year

CEO Karen Houlston in the Willow Wood Hospice Garden

The much-loved and long-standing chief executive of Willow Wood Hospice has announced she will retire next year.

Karen Houlston will stand down from her position in May 2024, during the hospice’s 25th anniversary year.

Karen first joined as a part-time bookkeeper and has been at the hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, since January 2000.

With a finance background, she has fulfilled a number of roles at the hospice – including Admin Manager, Finance & Services Lead and Hospice Exec Manager and after completing a Master’s Degree at Lancaster University in ‘Hospice Leadership’ in October 2013, Karen then went on to become CEO.

Karen has overseen a number of exciting and prominent changes to hospice services, and is well known and highly regarded within GM Hospice and the local healthcare community.

Her legacy is one of care, compassion and innovation – some of the values which have helped to shape the hospice.

Karen Houlston has been CEO of Willow Wood Hospice for almost 10 years
Karen has been CEO of Willow Wood Hospice for almost 10 years

Karen has worked tirelessly to ensure the hospice provides high quality, multi-professional care, support and education across Tameside and Glossop.

Karen said: “It really has been an honour and a privilege to lead this amazing organisation and to have been instrumental in its development over the years, even during the difficult times of the Covid pandemic.

“I know there are financial challenges ahead but there is also an increasing need for our services and so much more we can do to support our community. But I also know the team here are in a great position to meet these goals. I truly believe Willow Wood Hospice will continue to go from strength to strength continuing to provide the special care for the people of Tameside & Glossop.

“I know it is still some time away but I want to say a huge thank you to everyone I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with at Willow Wood Hospice over the years, from the Board of Trustees who work tirelessly to govern the organisation to our dedicated staff and army of volunteers. I also want to thank our wonderful donors and fundraisers for their continuous support, I have met some incredibly brave and amazing people.

“I will always be a supporter of Willow Wood and hospice care and wish them every success in the future.”

CEO Karen Houlston outside the entrance to Willow Wood Hospice
CEO Karen Houlston outside the entrance to Willow Wood Hospice

Philip Millson, Chair and Trustee of Willow Wood Hospice, said: “Karen has devoted her professional career to the hospice from the very beginning and is well-respected amongst colleagues and health professionals.

“On behalf of the board of Trustees, I want to thank Karen for her dedication and hard work over the years, where she has striven to ensure that the care the hospice provides is second to none.

“Karen has led our wonderful hospice with compassion, strength and diligence and we look forward to celebrating her success in what will be a milestone anniversary for the hospice next year.

“Karen will be greatly missed, but I wish her a very happy and well-deserved retirement with our best wishes for the future.”

The hospice is now actively recruiting for a new CEO, whose appointment will be announced in due course.

By Adam Higgins