Hospice Care Week (5-11 October 2020) is where hospices across the country join together to raise awareness of the vital care and support we provide to people and their families.
We are taking the opportunity to show ‘This Is What It Takes’ and are highlighting the many aspects that go into providing the amazing end-of-life and palliative care that Isabel provides.
All our care is free and can be provided in your home by our Hospice at Home team, by our Living Well and community nursing teams online, or our In-Patient Unit.
Many of our patients have cancer, however almost 50% of those we care for have other life-limiting conditions.
At this unprecedented time we are supporting the NHS by caring for Covid-19 patients, some at the end of their lives and others who are able to be discharged home or to nursing or care homes.
We rely heavily on donations from our community, as well as income from fundraising events and from our 18 shops. We forecast that our income from fundraising and shops will be £1.9m lower than our budget this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At Isabel Hospice, 200 staff, almost 700 volunteers and charitable donations of £6.2 million a year are needed to support over 2,339 people in eastern Hertfordshire facing a life-limiting illness each year.
Denise, Nursing Support Assistant – In-Patient Unit
“Our In-Patient Unit is a safe haven where distressing symptoms are managed by our nurses, doctors and complementary therapists. Last year 30% of people were discharged home, whilst for others it was where they were cared for with love and compassion, until the end of their life.”
Camela, Retail Volunteer – One of our shops
“Our 18 local charity shops run by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers. Some have not yet re-opened due to Covid-19 but we are working on a phased approach. Our shops play a vital role in raising much-needed funds for patient care and are a great way of signposting local people to our care services. In them, we sell a fantastic range of women’s, men’s and children’s clothes and accessories.”
Pola, Counsellor – Family Support team
“Coming to terms with a terminal diagnosis is never easy, which is why we give patients, families and carers time and space to prepare for what is to happen and support them into bereavement.
Our support is spiritual, emotional and psychological.”
Linda, Senior Staff Nurse – Hospice at Home team
“Our Enhanced Hospice at Home team is able to give a high level of specialist care, mirroring that which a patient might expect at our In-Patient Unit.”
Angie, Practice Development Lead – IPU & Training Centre
“We deliver an innovative and wide-ranging programme of palliative and end-of-life care training to spread the knowledge amongst other healthcare teams and professionals.”
Ways you can support us this Hospice Care Week
1. Like and Share the Hospice Care Week posts you see.
2. Donate to help us provide essential care
3. Fundraise for us – see how many fun ways you can fundraise for us
4. Volunteer your time – see our latest volunteer opportunities
5. Shop with us – online or in our one of our high street shops
