Published: July 26, 2020 | Updated: 26th July 2020
Welcome to Lewis-Manning Hospice Care News.
It’s our monthly round-up of all the latest news from your local charity hospice.
We’ll have details of how to get involved in our events and our community, volunteering opportunities and introduce you to our talented and wonderful team of staff.
This month, we meet Clare Gallie, our inspirational Chief Executive, and Karen Ward, one of our formidable volunteers.
We’d love your support so please head over to our website to find out more about us.
You can also read about the services we provide – all free – and how you can get involved in our charity.
Just click here.
We’ve had a busy – and successful – July in the news.
Highlights included:
We can’t thank our volunteers enough for their support and help.
Each month we’ll be turning the spotlight on one particular person.
First up it’s Karen Ward, Volunteer Trusts Fundraiser.
Q: What is your role and task?
A: I assist the Trusts Fundraiser by doing preliminary research into possible sources of income from charitable trusts and foundations.
Q: When and why did you start volunteering?
A: I started volunteering at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care in the middle of December 2019. My desire to volunteer came from my experience of being looked after by the wonderfully caring and supportive lymphoedema nurses at the hospice when I was undergoing treatment for cancer. The hospice does an amazing job in providing this much-needed service, which is funded primarily from donations. Without this support, people like myself and others would be denied this vital treatment for what is often a very painful and long-term chronic condition.
Q: What’s the best bit of the role?
A: When you get a response from a charitable trust or foundation saying that they are willing to support you. It doesn’t matter if it’s £10 or £10,000 that’s donated, it’s just nice knowing that some very kind people out there appreciate how important it is to provide care for those with life-limiting illnesses, and are willing to fund the remarkable work that is carried out each day by all the staff and volunteers at the hospice.
Q: What advice would you give to anyone thinking of volunteering?
A: Just give it a go! You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. It’s such a lovely and caring environment to work in and you’ll feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that whatever contribution you can make is helping those who need it most.
Here’s a great way to enjoy a par-tea and also raise money for us.
Please get involved.
We’re proud of our dedicated and committed team.
As with our fantastic volunteers we’ll be highlighting one individual each month.
We start with our Chief Executive, Clare Gallie.
Q: What’s the best thing about your job?
A: The people we help and that I work with. They all work so hard to help others and face some difficult situations but always with a smile and kindness.
Q: What’s the best career advice you’ve ever been given?
A: Trust has to be earned, so work hard to earn people’s trust and respect that gift when it’s given.
Q: Tell us something about yourself that we wouldn’t know?
A: When my mother was very ill with ovarian cancer I took several months leave off work to nurse her until she died. I am not a nurse and it was a hard thing to do, but it was one of the most precious things I have ever had the privilege to do for someone.
Q: Describe yourself in three words.
A: Driven, Bold, Fun.
Q: If you were going to rule the world for the day, what law would you introduce?
A: That everyone has to learn something new every day. It may be very small things, but it would increase our understanding of each other and hopefully lead to a happier world.
And finally…
Our aim is to help as many local people as possible, who are dealing with a life limiting illness, to live their precious lives well.
There is no charge to attend Lewis-Manning Hospice Care.
If you wish to make a donation to support our extraordinary care, please visit lewis-manning.co.uk/donate.
If you would like to know more about our incredible services, or discuss anything in greater detail, then please contact a member of our team on 01202 708470 or email [email protected].