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New trustees on board at Willow Wood

Willow Wood Hospice has warmly welcomed four new members to its Board of Trustees.

The group were sworn in at the Hospice’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 28th January.

Their recruitment follows an appeal last summer for skilled and experienced people to help shape the future of the Hospice, which provides specialist, compassionate and dignified care to patients with a life-limiting illness from Tameside and Glossop.

Phill Brown MBE is a Tameside businessman and entrepreneur who has chaired boards at Tameside Council, Active Tameside and Tameside College, as well as served as a trustee for the Stockport County Community Trust.

Julieann Carter is a qualified nurse whose career in healthcare has spanned both clinical care and management across hospitals, community settings and hospices. She was honoured to be named Marie Curie Nurse of the Year for England in 2000.

Chris Hinds has lived in Tameside over 45 years and runs his own marketing and web design consultancy in Glossop. Alongside his wife Joanne, he has volunteered at the Hospice since 2009 and helped to raise tens of thousands of pounds.

Karen Richardson has spent nearly 40 years in nursing within Greater Manchester as a Staff Nurse and Ward Sister before specialising as a Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative and End-of-Life Care and, more recently, moved into commissioning and service transformation.

(from left to right) Trustees Liz Needham, Paul Schofield, Martin Willescroft, John Maltby, Philip Millson, Phill Brown MBE, CEO Tracy Minshull, Steve Flanagan, Chris Hinds, Julieann Carter and Karen Richardson.

The quartet of new trustees join as Timothy Jackson assumes the role of the Chair of the Board, succeeding Philip Millson, who has stepped down as Chair but will continue to serve as a trustee.

Timothy said: “I am proud to take on the role of Chair, working alongside a dedicated team of trustees and senior management who each bring expertise to support our mission and vision.

“I look forward to continuing to ensure our services remain equitable, timely and tailored to meet the needs of our patients and those closest to them.

“The collective passion, collaboration and commitment of everyone at the Hospice truly makes Willow Wood a special place.”

Timothy Jackson, the new Chair of the Board

Tracy Minshull, Chief Executive Officer of Willow Wood Hospice, commented: “I would like to sincerely thank Philip for his valuable leadership as our Chairman over the past four years and we are grateful to have his continued support as a trustee.

“I am delighted to welcome Timothy as our new Chairman and introduce our four new trustees, who each bring a diverse range of skills and experience. This will be vital as we continue to provide compassionate care to our community while evolving to meet future challenges and opportunities.

“They join at an exciting time for the Hospice as we finalise our new five-year strategy, which has been shaped by our workforce – our staff, volunteers and trustees.”

Trustees are crucial to the work of Willow Wood. With their support, scrutiny and challenge, the Hospice is able to grow and operate effectively.

Working on a voluntary basis, they ensure the organisation’s strategic direction, governance and financial sustainability. Trustees also act as ambassadors for the Hospice out in the community.

Willow Wood needs at least £3.6 million every year to run and, with only around 21 per cent of that amount coming from the Government, the Hospice relies heavily on the generous support of the local community to continue providing its essential services.

Seventy per cent of those services are provided by Willow Wood’s Community Services teams – in the Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, and in a patient’s own home.

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Collaboration is at the heart of hospice care

At Willow Wood Hospice, collaboration isn’t just a word – it’s the foundation for how we work. 

Our mission is to lead and deliver high-quality, specialist palliative and end-of-life care, support and education to those in our local community living with a life-limiting illness.

We achieve this through close-knit teamwork that puts our patients and those closest to them at the centre of everything we do.

For years, our dedicated staff have worked closely with the Community Specialist Palliative Care (CSPC) team. This collaboration is more than a partnership – it’s an integrated approach to care.

Every day, nurses, who are part of the CSPC team, from Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust join our daily triage meetings and engage with all of our clinical teams – from Wellbeing Support to Therapy Support.

They provide specialist support in a patient’s home environment, as well as education and support to staff within the local community – such as GPs and district nurses.

The Specialist Palliative Care team based at Willow Wood Hospice

Since 2019, the community palliative care and respite teams have made the Hospice their home, while the hospital palliative care team joins us weekly, representing the multidisciplinary team.

This regular interaction enables us to provide holistic care to patients and those closest to them from across our community, ensuring they receive the services and support they need when they need it most.

Zoe Price, on behalf of the Community Specialist Palliative Care team, said: “We carry out joint visits if required and are always liaising with all teams, ensuring a patient receives the right service at the right time.

“We have a close working relationship with the Hospice teams. Daily conversations and communication help make our patients’ experience the most positive it can be during a difficult time.

“We are continually sharing information, sometimes on an ad-hoc basis, which we may not have the opportunity to if we were not in the same environment.”

Rebecca Stimson, Community Services Therapy Lead at the Hospice, commented: “Working collaboratively with the Specialist Palliative Care nurses ensures that the needs of all patients and those closest to them are assessed holistically.

“We work closely with the Specialist Palliative Care nurses and patients are supported by this, as they know their needs are being addressed.”

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Sue gives back to Willow Wood in her partner’s memory

For Sue Fagan, Willow Wood Hospice means so much and is “part of my life”.

Sue, who lives nearby in Ashton-under-Lyne, has been a friendly face on Reception on Wednesday afternoons since May 2022.

She has also given the gift of her time to supporting our Wellbeing team and Inpatient Unit (IPU) team.

Sue, who has two children and two young grandchildren, first became connected to Willow Wood when her partner of 16 years, Wolf, was admitted to the IPU in 2019.

“We were nursing Wolfe at home and then one of the Macmillan nurses said we could get him a place at Willow Wood,” she explained.

“We were a little hesitant about Wolf coming to Willow Wood at first, but he became better mentally and even said I should get a job here one day!

“He sadly passed away at the Hospice and then Covid came. I applied to go on the ward, there weren’t any vacancies at the time but I was asked if I wanted to go on Reception.

“I didn’t fancy it at first but I did it and started working with Verrien. We had mutual friends so we got on really well and I love it.”

Sue, who is now semi-retired, has developed plenty of skills during her varied career – from being a nurse and an Office Manager at an accountancy firm to a qualified reflexologist and now does some part-time admin and sales work for a jeweller, Oscar and Olivia.

She feels her public-facing role has improved her understanding of the Hospice’s values and the extent of the services we provide.

“You get to know everyone at the Hospice as they come and go,” Sue told us. “I’m really glad I am on Reception because I feel like I really know what Willow Wood is all about now. I know there’s more to it than the Inpatient Unit.

“Over time, I have learned to know what tone to take in certain situations which I think is important. You know when you can tell a bit of a joke to someone, you know when it’s a bit more serious and you know when it’s a sad time.

“People recognise you from the Hospice – I spoke to a lady in Marks & Spencer who remembered me from Reception.

“We have a WhatsApp group where we can manage the rota ourselves and arrange cover for each other if needed, which is great. I feel part of a friendship circle.”

Sue is a friendly face on Reception on Wednesday afternoons at the Hospice

The plethora of different duties that Sue is trusted with on Reception is what she enjoys about the important role.

“One minute you’re answering the phone, the next minute you could be speaking to a patient and then you could be selling something in the Reception shop.

“I love the buzz and the variety of the role. My time as an Office Manager has helped me multi-task.

“I feel sometimes if I have said something to somebody that made them have a more positive day or made them feel a bit more comfortable or made them smile, it is all worth it. I remember how I used to feel when I walked through the door of the Hospice when Wolf was ill and it is nice to always be greeted so warmly.”

Sue has seen the value that volunteers like herself bring to the organisation.

“On Reception, we are the first face people see when they walk through the door. Volunteers are so important to Willow Wood. What I have realised is all the volunteers have come from really good backgrounds with lots of different skills from different professional roles.”

For Sue, giving back financially by attending fundraising events is important but giving her time is even more precious.

“When Wolf was at the Hospice, he thought it was a private hospital and that we were going to receive a bill,” she said.

“I told him it’s free and that the Hospice would get paid back. I feel like I am giving back not just for me but for him.

“For his funeral, we asked for donations and raised £800. Our families have also supported fundraising events like the Butterfly Memory Release – my granddaughter loves this event.

“I would recommend volunteering to anyone because it’s not just about what you do, you meet the other volunteers, you make friends and become part of the Hospice family.”

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Hospice volunteers enjoy ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience

Two of our dedicated volunteers experienced a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity at Westminster Abbey this Christmas.

Eileen Smith was nominated by Mark Llewellin DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, to be part of the congregation at this year’s ‘Royal Carols: Together at Christmas’ service.

Eileen was accompanied by fellow Flower Festival committee member Christine Lucas at the service – which shone a light on around 1,600 individuals across the UK who have shown love, kindness and empathy towards others in their communities.

It’s the fourth successive year that the Princess of Wales has hosted the heart-warming seasonal event – one of the biggest appearances of the year so far for Kate after she confirmed in September she had completed her cancer treatment and would be easing back into royal duties.

Eileen – from Stalybridge – said it was “an absolute privilege” to be part of the occasion and she was “very humbled and very grateful” to have been invited.

“Mark rang me up and asked if he could nominate me to go to the Princess of Wales’ Carol Concert in London,” she explained. “He said I might not get a ticket but he chose to nominate me because of all the work I have done for the Hospice, including the Flower Festival.

“So I said yes, of course! I got an email about 10 days later from Mark’s office to tell me I’d actually got an invitation. Christine is also very active on the Flower Festival committee, so she was an obvious person to come with me.”

Eileen (right) and Christine outside Westminster Abbey

For Eileen and Christine, the experience of their day in the capital was truly magical.

“We went down on the train and we had to be at Westminster Abbey for 3.30pm so we booked a hotel near the Abbey, had some lunch and got ready,” said Eileen. “People were queuing up and you couldn’t get anywhere near the Abbey unless you had a golden ticket.

“There was a steel band there playing carols and they were giving out mince pies. When we went inside, it was just so beautiful and it’s a huge building. It was the first time I had been and it was just so wonderfully decorated, with lights everywhere and a stunning Christmas tree. You could write a message and put it on the tree.

“There were a lot of famous faces you see on TV there, so we were star spotting! We were in the knave near the door so we could actually see the Prince and Princess of Wales come in with their little ones. We recognised Zara Tindall and all of the Royal Family, who came in first.

“We all had a candle which they lit for us. Greg Porter started off by singing a carol and Prince William gave a speech. We sang carols and there was a lovely service. We waited for the Royal Family to disperse and then we went outside into the darkness, where all the lights were on and it was just so lovely.

“I’ll remember it for a long time. I’m framed my invitation and I’ve got a programme from the service. The Princess of Wales also wrote a letter to everyone who attended thanking us for coming and for everything we do.”

The service took place at the world-renowned Westminster Abbey

It’s an experience Eileen will relive when the service airs as part of a special hour-long programme on Christmas Eve (24th December) on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm.

She first started volunteering for Willow Wood on the Reception desk when the Hospice opened in 1999 and, after taking a gap when she opened a nursery, continued her support through fundraising.

“I was really interested in fundraising for the Hospice and when it opened was a time in my life when I needed to volunteer so I wanted to give something back to a charity. Since it’s opened, I’ve known lots of people who have needed the services here. It’s a lovely place and it feels like the right place for me to be.

“Dot [Birchfield] asked me first if I could help out and then John [Fellowes] approached me one day to see if I knew anyone who could take over the running of the annual Flower Festival. I used to do some arrangements for it so I took it on. We started it in 2015 and we have raised around £66,000 so far.”

Eileen also helps to keep the shop in the Hospice Reception stocked up and recently took part in Willow Wood does Strictly as a dancer.

She also decorates a Christmas tree on behalf of Willow Wood at the Albion Church in Ashton-under-Lyne every year.

“I enjoy supporting the Hospice and I’ve done a bit of everything which all helps in some way,” she added. “I’ve been to Ascot Ladies Day fundraisers and the Grand Balls down the years. When I had the nursery, we used to sponsor a table at the Ball.”

The cover of the service programme (left) and Eileen’s official invite
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‘Willow Wood is one of the most positive places I’ve worked at’

We are delighted to have recently seen an increase in the number of students choosing to undertake a placement at Willow Wood Hospice. 

Christina applied for a counselling placement with us as part of her studies at Tameside College, working towards becoming a qualified counsellor.

“I knew Willow Wood offered counselling, and I thought, where better to do it than here? I honestly couldn’t have been happier with the placement,” said Christina.

“It’s been an excellent environment for my placement, and the Family Support team has been incredibly supportive.

“I was interviewed by Callie [Head of Community Services] and Sarah [Senior Family Support Counsellor] and I remember walking away thinking ‘I really hope I get this.’ You just know when something feels right. I was over the moon when Callie told me I’d been offered the placement at Willow Wood.”

After completing her placement, Christina continued to volunteer at the Hospice, describing the experience as overwhelmingly positive.

She explained how pivotal the placement had been in supporting her journey to qualification.

“Every hour spent with a client is a learning opportunity – you can’t help but grow. I’ve developed as a counsellor here, thanks to the ongoing support and guidance from Callie and Bethan [Family Support Lead]. That support has been there every step of the way, both as a trainee and now as a qualified counsellor.”

“I’d known about Willow Wood before my placement, having taken part in the Midnight Wander, and through friends who had shared their positive experiences when loved ones were cared for here.

“When I first started my placement, people would often comment on how sad it must be, and yes, it is difficult watching someone experience the pain of losing a loved one. But it’s also incredibly rewarding to know that I’ve played a part in supporting that person through such a challenging time. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with the clients here. It’s truly been an honour.”

Christina (centre) with Callie Harrop (left), Head of Community Services, and Bethan Creighton, Family Support Lead at Willow Wood Hospice

Christina described Willow Wood as ‘a wonderful place doing vital work for the community’.

When talking about the wider organisation, Christina felt Willow Wood has been ‘one of the most positive places I’ve ever worked at’.

She added how the team excels at making a difficult time more manageable. “The Hospice staff are deeply committed to their work, and it’s inspiring to see so many volunteers from the community involved too. I’ve really felt like a valued member of the team.”

Christina’s passion for counselling stems from her desire to help others through the toughest times of their lives, and Willow Wood provided the ideal setting for this. “I’ve worked with children and young people for the past 12 years, and I love what I do. Being able to combine this experience with counselling has been an incredibly enriching and insightful opportunity for me.”

Christina also works as a Programme Development Manager for the charity Power2, which supports children and young people to thrive. She has been with the organisation for over 12 years, where her role involves designing and writing programmes to help young people at risk of not reaching their full potential.

“I’m thrilled to be completing my next placement at Power2, working with young people facing mental health challenges. It means a great deal to me to be able to complete my placement at a charity that I know does such incredible work with children and young people.”

Callie Harrop, Head of Community Services, said Christina has been a real asset to the Hospice’s Family Support team.

“Her warm, friendly nature and her passion for good outcomes for those she works with has been a joy to observe,” she said.

“Whilst on placement and through volunteering, Christina has supported a number of people including patients and family members of those who have accessed Willow Wood services, and has received some fantastic feedback about the relationships she has built and the impact the counselling has had for those she has supported.

“Whilst we will miss Christina on our team, we wish her all the very best for her future studies and next steps in her career and know that anyone lucky enough to meet Christina as a counsellor will have a positive experience.

“We are always so grateful that individuals choose to spend their placements with us and always aim to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for our Trainee Counsellors, with guidance when navigating a caseload, a chance to reflect on their sessions and the offer of training, supervision and learning opportunities to enhance their placement offer.”

When asked if she would recommend a placement or volunteering at Willow Wood to others, Christina’s response was simple: “100%! I’ve already spoken to my previous college tutor and told them I’d highly recommend Willow Wood for counselling placements.

“I honestly couldn’t recommend it enough. It’s been an incredible placement – it feels like you’re really giving something back, and that’s something I think is really important.”

Willow Wood Hospice welcomes students on medical, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and counselling placements.

To find out more, visit https://willowwood.org.uk/vacancies/student-placements/ or email education@willowwood.org.uk 

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Strictly star enjoys festive floristry with patients

A Strictly Come Dancing champion brought some sparkle to a festive wreath-making session at Willow Wood Hospice.

Ellie Leach, who is a patron of the Hospice, joined Wellbeing patients for an afternoon of craft and creativity last Thursday (12th December).

The workshop in The Hive – the Hospice’s Wellbeing activity space – was led by volunteer Brenda Wardle and her granddaughter Sarah.

Brenda sourced some of the materials to make the wreaths and some came from generous donations from the local community through our charity shops.

Julie Moran, Wellbeing Team Leader at Willow Wood, said: “Our patients had a wonderful time creating their festive wreaths alongside Ellie.

“Her kindness, enthusiasm and down-to-earth nature brought so much joy to the session. We thank Ellie so much for making the day extra special.

“Creativity and crafts help to enhance mental health and wellbeing by reducing stress, boosting mood and enabling self-expression and mindfulness.”

Willow Wood – based in Ashton-under-Lyne – provides specialist, compassionate and dignified care to patients from Tameside and Glossop with any life-limiting illness, empowering them to live as well as possible for as long as possible.

The Hospice’s patrons believe in the aims of Willow Wood, help raise valuable funds for its work and generate awareness of achievements and campaigns.

In October 2023, Ellie became the youngest-ever patron of the Hospice – where her grandad died.

The 23-year-old – who was last year’s winner of the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing – is best known for playing Faye Windass in ITV’s Coronation Street for 12 years before leaving the cobbles last year.

Ellie, who lives in Audenshaw, says she enjoyed the experience of meeting patients and encourages the local community to continuing supporting the Hospice.

“I had such a lovely time talking to the patients, seeing their creativity shine and getting into the festive spirit with them – the final creations looked superb,” said Ellie.

“The environment at the Hospice is so warm and welcoming. I feel very proud to be able to support such a fantastic place, which really needs all of our support.

“If you can make a donation however small, volunteer your time or buy from Willow Wood’s charity shops, you really will be making a difference.”

The Wellbeing team provides personalised, emotional and psychological support through one-to-one and group sessions, focused on being active and promoting mindfulness, relaxation and self-care and complementary therapies.

If you or someone you know is living with a life-limiting illness in Tameside and Glossop, you can find out what support could be available to you by calling 0161 330 1100.

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eBay coining it in: A treasure trove at Waterloo

In a delightful discovery that felt straight out of a treasure-hunting adventure, our Waterloo shop recently stumbled upon a hidden gem: over 100 old coins!

Among this fascinating find was a stunning 1658 Oliver Cromwell commemorative medal. Talk about a historic haul!

Once the coins were uncovered, Waterloo’s manager Kellie knew they had struck gold – well, maybe silver!

Kellie quickly sent the treasure trove over to our brilliant eBay team, where the ever-enthusiastic Nicola jumped in with both feet. For six whole days, she rolled up her sleeves, diving deep into research to uncover the story behind each coin. Talk about coin-queror skills!

After meticulously photographing and listing each coin, Nicola’s hard work paid off in a big way. The final fundraising total? A whopping £8,715.00!

That’s right – thanks to teamwork, tenacity, and a dash of treasure-hunting spirit, we’ve added a considerable boost to our funds.

So here’s to the collaborative efforts between our community, our retail team and the eBay team who have turned these coins into patient care! Keep up the fantastic work, team!

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Braving the shave on Christmas Eve for Willow Wood

We are deeply moved by the story of Liz Cummins, who is honouring her dad’s memory and raising funds for Willow Wood Hospice by braving the shave.

On Christmas Eve, Liz will be having her head shaved on what would have been her dad Bernard’s 82nd birthday.

This act of bravery fulfils one of her dad’s final wishes: to raise money for the Hospice that cared for him so lovingly in the final weeks of his life.

Liz shared: “On 5th September this year, I sadly lost my dad after a 20-year-long fight against cancer.

“My dad was amazingly cared for by Willow Wood Hospice during the last three weeks of his battle and they were amazing in not only looking after my dad, but also supporting us all as a family.

“My dad had two final wishes – one being raising money for Willow Wood. When I asked him how he wanted me to do this, his reply was by shaving my head.

“So, on 24th December, which would have been his 82nd birthday, I am braving the shave in honour of my dad’s wishes and raising money for an amazing cause.”

This fundraiser holds even greater significance now for Liz, whose mum has recently received her own diagnosis and has expressed her wish to spend her final days at the Hospice.

Anyone can make a donation to Liz’s fundraising efforts via her JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/liz-cummins-1732629619287

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Janet retires after 17 years of service

We have said a heartfelt farewell to Janet Delaney, who is retiring after an incredible 17 years of dedicated service to Willow Wood Hospice.

Janet has been an integral part of our Retail team, working across multiple shops including Droylsden, Hyde, Stalybridge, Glossop, The PAD and, most recently, our Distribution Centre (now the Clearance Outlet and Donation Centre).

Janet’s favourite role has always been sorting, where her expertise and hard work has made a huge difference to our operations.

When asked what she’ll miss most, Janet – Distribution Centre Assistant – said it will be our amazing volunteers, who have provided her with so much support over the years.

On what was her final working day on Tuesday (10th December), Janet was presented with a card, flowers and a beautiful cake courtesy of her colleagues.

Paul King, our Warehouse and Logistics Manager, shared: “Janet will be missed by so many. We can’t thank her enough for her years of dedication and service.”

We wish Janet all the best in this exciting new chapter of her life and she will always be part of the Willow Wood family.