Inside the Hospice | September | News

Are you keen to know more about what has been going on at Hospice in the Weald this summer? Well, you’re in luck! Here, we run through some of the exciting things that have happened at the Hospice in recent months.

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Visit inspires palliative care team from Paris

Staff from France’s biggest palliative care centre have taken inspiration back to Paris following a visit to Hospice in the Weald. The team from Maison Médicale Jeanne Garnier came as part of a trip to learn more about palliative care in the UK. They toured the Hospice, learning about our in-patient care, outreach support offered to people in their own homes and our Living Well programme.

Chief Executive Emmanuelle Quille (pictured 5th from right) said: “We wanted to come because we feel it’s important to learn about and share palliative care nursing and practices. In France, palliative care is more hospital-centred than in Great Britain. Community care is certainly more developed in your country and very interesting to us. What we have seen here is inspiring.”

Hospice Chief Executive Nick Farthing (pictured 3rd from left) said: “It was a privilege to meet the Jeanne Garnier team and hear about their innovative work. Sharing knowledge helps us all to inform and improve the care we provide for those facing terminal illness and their families.”

Our Children’s team is growing

Two new members of staff have joined Hospice in the Weald for Children to help meet the growing need for care and support. Mirelle Cassidy has been welcomed as the new Associate Director of Children’s and Young People Services, starting the new role in early September. An expert in children and young people’s complex health, life-limiting conditions and end-of-life care, Mirelle is former Lead Nurse at Demelza hospice. Mirelle said: “I’m really enjoying my start here; the team has been so welcoming. With our service continuing to grow and develop there’s lots of opportunity to maximise choice for families. It’s an exciting time.”

Tors Barwick joined earlier this year as Children’s Clinical Nurse Specialist. Formerly of Great Ormond Street Hospital, Tors said: “I love being here. The team is skilled at what they do. Getting to know the children has been amazing. What I love about children’s nursing is that it’s holistic; it’s for everybody. It’s the family, it’s the siblings, and at the forefront, it’s the child.”

Introducing Helen, our newest Trustee

The Hospice’s Trustees are pleased to welcome Helen Pullen. As Chief Product Officer at AA-X, the innovation arm of The Automobile Association, Helen has experience leading product development, digital transformation and customer experience. Helen lives in Kings Hill with her husband and children and looks forward to joining the Hospice’s upcoming running events.

Sustainable shopping starts here

At Hospice in the Weald, our 30 charity shops across Kent, East Sussex, and Surrey are more than just places to find great bargains. Each offers high-quality, pre-loved goods at sensible prices, with every donation made and every customer at the till playing a vital role in combating fast fashion, promoting eco-friendly practices, and supporting patients and loved ones.

On average, a bag of donations will help save 211kg of CO2 emissions — the equivalent of 107 trees absorbing CO2 in a day.

Sharon Gills, Head of Retail, says: “Our charity shops generate more funds for the Hospice than the government provides, so your shopping makes a real difference. So, why not find hidden gems and give items a new lease of life? You’ll also save money and help reduce thousands of tonnes of landfill waste.”