Talking Tours give insight into hospice services

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A new initiative at Blythe House Hospice is giving an insight into the wide range of services we provide across North Derbyshire.

Sarah

Talking tours are available monthly at our base in Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Open to health care professionals, carers, and the general public, the events will provide information about the care and support available to members of the community and their families, who are facing life-limiting illness.

Sarah Sewell, the charity’s Community Engagement Officer, said: ‘People often have this misconception about what they think our hospice is. These new tours are about taking away that fear of the unknown and giving our community and healthcare professionals an insight into what we do, the services we provide and their benefits.’

The Talking Tours launched in January and have received positive feedback from attendees including: ‘Thank you so much to all the staff at Blythe House who took time out of their busy days to provide us with such useful information. I personally found the Talking Tour very helpful and informative. I will certainly be in touch to refer and signpost our clients to your services.’

The informal tours include a walk around the hospice; the chance to chat with the hospice chief executive; clinical teams; fundraising, volunteer and retail staff, and an opportunity to ask questions.

Sarah said: ‘We will show you around the hospice and tell you how we deliver services in the Community Hub to support people from the point of diagnosis with a life-limiting illness.

‘Our team will provide information on how we provide tailored individual care in people’s homes, to allow the patient to die at home if they wish to do so, and the support we provide to their families at a time when they need it most.’

The events also give those interested in supporting the hospice an opportunity to chat with the fundraising and retail team about their work and how they could get involved to help raise vital funds to support the charity’s work.

The next Talking Tours are set to take place on Thursdays 20th March and 17th April – and will continue throughout 2025.

See future dates, find out more or book your space on a tour.

 

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What a TREEMENDOUS Effort! £13,445 Raised Through Blythe House Hospice’s 2025 Christmas Treecycle

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Over 1,000 runners break fundraising record at Chatsworth

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Over 1,050 runners have raised a record-breaking £44,500 for hospice care, after the return of a prestigious 10k run in the grounds of the Chatsworth estate.

We hosted our annual Chatsworth 10k on Sunday 22nd September, with over 900 runners taking part. Following the longer race, 150 people including children and families, took on a 3k route.

The rolling fundraising total of over £44,000 is the highest amount ever for the event, since it was established back in 2008.

Adrian Mussett from the Colchester Harriers Athletics Club finished in first place, crossing the finish line after an incredibly speedy 35 minutes and 15 seconds. Sara Hallhort was the first female finisher, finishing sixth overall, after 38 minutes and 28 seconds.

Rachael Gee, fundraising and events coordinator at Blythe House Hospice, said: ‘The Chatsworth 10k is always such a fantastic day and I look forward to it in the hospice fundraising calendar every year. It simply would not be possible to put on such an event without such incredible support from our volunteers and sponsors; our race participants and of course their cheering loved ones. Thank you so much to everyone who was involved in any capacity, ensuring we’ve raised a truly spectacular amount of money for hospice care across North Derbyshire.

‘My immense gratitude goes to headline sponsor, BRM Solicitors, whose support for many years now means that a staggering amount of money has gone directly to local patient care. We’d also like to say a big thank you to our other corporate partners for their sponsorship and gifts in kind: The Eye and Ear Place; TF Jackson in Buxton; iBottles of Chinley; John F Hunt Power; Bloomers of Bakewell; Holdsworth Food from Tideswell; Up and Running; and Buxton Water.

‘We would like to thank all the amazing volunteers for their help in making the event happen, and to all the runners for taking part and raising vital funds for Blythe House Hospice; we hope you have a fantastic time!’

Next year’s event is set to take place on Sunday 21st September 2025. Super early bird registration is open now, and runners can register for just £22 for the 10k, or £7 for the 3k fun run, before Sunday 6th October 2024: register online now.

Full results from the 10k run on Sun 22nd September available to see here.

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Blythe House Hospice launches a new name and look to increase awareness of their care and support across North Derbyshire.

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Hospice staff and volunteers working towards their Rainbow Partnership Accreditation

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Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust staff and volunteers undergo LGBT+ training from Derbyshire LGBT+ to support working towards their Rainbow Partnership Accreditation.

John from Derbyshire LGBT+ and Laura, HR manager at Blythe House Hospice

On Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st May 2024 hospice staff and volunteers from Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust had training sessions to help them achieve their goal of receiving their Rainbow Partnership Accreditation. John, from Derbyshire LGBT+, hosted training sessions to educate all staff and volunteers around terminology, hate crimes, the LGBT+ community, and more.

Staff and volunteers were very pleased with John’s training as it helped grow understanding to better support LGBT+. Laura Savile, HR Manager, says ‘It was a pleasure to welcome John into the hospice, the support and training provided was both extremely eye-opening and educational, but heartbreaking to hear the day-to-day struggles people face who are part of the LGBT+ community.

We here at Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust find it extremely important that anyone within our local communities feel welcomed in accessing our services and support. Therefore working towards becoming Rainbow Accredited means a great deal to us along with having all staff and volunteers educated in supporting everyone who needs us.

John, from Derbyshire LGBT+ said ‘The hospice staff engaged brilliantly with LGBT+ Awareness training, and they’ve had their own window decals created to highlight their commitment to achieving this. What an amazing, uplifting couple of days’

For more information, support, or advice please contact our HR Manager at Laura.Savile@blythehouse.co.uk.

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Embracing Movement for Mental Health: Small Steps, Big Impact

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From the 13th to the 19th of May marks Mental Health Awareness Week, a significant time for reflection, support, and action. In 2024, the focal point is on movement and the positive impacts this can have on our mental well-being.

Life’s challenges often leave us feeling overwhelmed, which may lead to people feeling as thought they want to hide away indoors, away from the world. However, as the theme suggests, even the smallest movements can make a huge difference in supporting our mental health. It’s not about grand gestures; it’s about embracing manageable activities that uplift our spirits.

Here are some simple yet effective suggestions to incorporate movement into your daily routine:

  1. A Leisurely Stroll: Take a moment to step outside for a short, easy-level walk. This may be around your neighbourhood or a nearby park, staying active and setting yourself small challenges and goals supports you mental health in numerous ways.
  2. Household Movement: Sometimes, the best movements are those within the comfort of our own homes. Engage in light chores, rearrange your living space, or simply dance to your favourite music. Every movement counts towards improving your mood and overall well-being. A clean tidy environment can often make you feel less stressed, organised and have a clear head space.
  3. Social Interactions: Human connections play a crucial role in supporting mental health. Arrange to meet a friend for a coffee or a catch up with a loved one. Sharing experiences and laughter can provide a sense of belonging and emotional support.
  4. Nature Escapes: If possible, take a scenic drive to a nearby park or countryside. Nature can be incredibly therapeutic, offering moments of relaxation and reflection from life’s hustle and bustle.

Remember, the journey towards better mental health is a gradual process, and it’s essential to approach it with patience and self-compassion. Each day presents an opportunity to prioritize self-care and set achievable goals that align with your needs and capabilities. You’re not alone in this journey; reach out for support when needed and celebrate the progress, no matter how small.

We offer a counselling/psychotherapy service for hospice patients and carers who are experiencing emotional distress as a result of their own life-limiting illness or the illness of someone significant to them. We also bereavement support for carers, families and friends following the death of someone who received care from Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust .

For children and young people aged from 4 – 18 years old we offer counselling and bereavement services, which is open to anyone if their relative is accessing, or has accessed support from the hospice, or they have a parent or sibling that has a life-limiting illness, or has died.

Find out more about Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust counselling and bereavement services here.

Be sure to take each day as it comes, prioritize self-care, and set achievable goals for yourself. You’re not alone in this journey

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Let’s talk about the ‘Elephant in the Room…’

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From the 6th – 12th May we celebrate Dying Matters Awareness Week, where Hospice UK has decided upon the theme ‘the way we talk about Dying Matters.’

Volunteers working on the ‘Elephant In The Room’

To support this theme, Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust are speaking up about the importance of opening up those difficult conversations about death, dying, and bereavement.

To celebrate Dying Matters Awareness Week Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust have some exciting things going on around the Hospice. A team of wonderful volunteers have created an elephant out of chicken wire which will be placed at the hospice to encourage people to talk about the ‘Elephant in the Room.’

The elephant will over time be covered with luggage labels with words, messages or feelings which people within our local community have written around their experience of death, dying, or bereavement. This may be a message to someone they love who had died, how they are feeling themselves if they or someone they know is affected by a life-limiting illness, or more. The aim is to help open up those conversations that many people avoid.

Sarah, Community Engagement Officer at the hospice explains ‘It is extremely important that we try and break the silence when talking about death, dying, or bereavement. This is inevitable for us all, and having those conversations now helps our friends and loved ones around us know our wishes and needs for when we die.

It is important that we think and plan for the future as much as possible, whether it be writing your Will, planning your funeral, or simply telling those around you what you would like.’

 

Footsteps with Grief Walk

Emma Richards, Community Engagement Nurse, Liz , member of High Peak CVS, Louise Furmston, Community Engagement Lead Nurse.

Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust alongside High Peak CVS are hosting a Footsteps with Grief walk that is set to take place in Pavilion Garden, Buxton on Thursday 9th May from 10:30am – 11:30am.

The focus of this walk is to allow individuals affected by bereavement to go for an easy level walk and have the opportunity to talk to highly skilled bereavement support teams.

To book a place, please call: 01298 815 388 or email booking@blythehouse.co.uk

 

 

Death café

We warmly invite anyone within our community to join us on Friday 3rd May for our monthly coffee morning at Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust, Eccles Fold, Chapel-en-le-Frith.

This month’s coffee morning, in support of Dying Matters Awareness Week, will offer attendees the chance to discuss their concerns or challenges regarding conversations about death, dying, and bereavement with fellow community members and hospice staff. The ‘Elephant in the Room’ project will also be on display for those interested in contributing to the project.

Or simply pop along to enjoy a coffee and a cake to catch up with friends and support your local hospice, all are invited.

 

Stay connected on our social media channels!

Keep a look out on Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust social media channels, as there will be lots of information and support on how to open up those difficult conversations, how to be a good listener when talking to someone around death, and how to get organised before you die.

Death is something that many people choose not to talk about but it is something that will happen to us all, and it’s never too early to start having those conversations about your wishes to help ensure that your care needs are met.

Check out our soaicl media channels:

How to open up those difficult conversations about dying and why it matters💙

Getting organised before you die 💙

For more information, or support and advice call 01298 815 388

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