Bernard and his wife of three decades, Rhian, are accessing support from our Community Hub team following Rhian’s diagnosis with cervical cancer in 2021, and secondary liver cancer the following year.
Bernard, from New Mills, explained: ‘We were both incredibly anxious after Rhian’s diagnosis and treatment. I have a history of anxiety and depression, and it’s been a fairly tough few years. We moved in with my Mum just before the Covid lockdown as she was becoming increasingly frail, and at the same time we were having building work done on our house due to subsidence problems.
‘Sadly, Mum died in 2020 and it was a really difficult period. Mum had a massive stroke and my siblings could not visit the hospital due to ongoing Covid restrictions. It has been four or five years of emotional mayhem, culminating and continuing with Rhian’s cancer.
‘The Christie Hospital referred us to the hospice. We were aware of it beforehand through the high street shops, and seeing that an old friend, Mal, was doing some fundraising for the charity.’
Louise Furmston, community engagement lead nurse, met the couple and offered advice and support initially, before referring both Bernard and Rhian to counselling and complementary therapy services.
Bernard said: ‘We have both had reflexology which has been extremely beneficial. Allowing us to relax, ease stress and tension.
‘I’ve also had counselling sessions with Kate, which have given me a better focus on what’s going on and helped me to process everything. I knew the ins and outs of what was happening, but the sessions have allowed me to get my thoughts and worries under control.’
Bernard explained that although he had accessed counselling in the past at other places, it had been ineffectual and made him feel that how he felt was his own fault: ‘Here at the hospice, I was given the ability to say what I wanted. It was good seeing Kate as she listened to what I had to say, and between us we came up with a series of processes for getting myself through.
‘The counselling sessions have really helped me to think through how to deal with my anxiety. I still refer to the processes and practices that Kate gently guided me through, and I have been working on them continuously ever since.’
Rhian continues to see Louise Furmston on an ad-hoc basis and has also attended the building resilience and wellbeing course.
Find out more about our Community Hub, and counselling and bereavement services.
Dr Sarah Parnacott has hosted a clinic weekly at Blythe House since 2002 and has been a member of our board of trustees since 2018, chairing the hospice’s clinical committee.
Dr Parnacott, a consultant in palliative medicine, is employed by Chesterfield Royal Hospital, providing care to patients across the High Peak and surrounding communities.
After retiring from her consultant and medical director role at neighbouring Ashgate Hospice just before Christmas 2023, Dr Parnacott is still incredibly busy in her work life, hosting weekly palliative medicine* clinics and a twice monthly lymphoedema** clinic here at the hospice, and visiting patients in their homes who are unable to travel to Blythe House.
Dr Parnacott is a honorary lecturer at The University of Sheffield, teaching communications skills to fourth year medical students including having sensitive and difficult conversations relating to palliative and end of life care. She also spends time each week as a medical examiner at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, scrutinising the medical records of patients who have died and liaising with their doctors and relatives before a medical certificate for their cause of death is issued.
Sarah said: ‘I didn’t always know that I wanted to be a doctor. Back when I was at an all-girls’ school, it wasn’t something that was openly discussed or offered; I thought I might become a nurse or a radiographer. When I was 14 years old, it was my chemistry teacher who said I should investigate a career in medicine, and this piqued my interest.’
It was undertaking voluntary work during her late teens that inspired Sarah into a career in palliative medicine particularly. She explained: ‘I undertook voluntary work for Trafford social services, and it was here that I had my first real exposure to someone who was nearing end of life, a former serviceman, and his abysmal quality of end of life care. My piano teacher’s husband died soon after at St Ann’s Hospice in Greater Manchester and it was she who suggested that I went to have a look around. I met the consultant, matron and ward sister, and spent some time with them. I was surprised and delighted when I was offered a job as a healthcare assistant, and worked at the hospice that summer and all my university holidays for the first two years of my medical degree at Sheffield.’
Later, Dr Parnacott worked at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and St Ann’s Hospice before deciding to train in oncology in Sheffield. After two years, she realised that her heart lay in palliative care so switched registrar posts, acquiring her certificate of completion of specialty training in 2000. Sarah was appointed consultant in Chesterfield and took up the post in June 2002.
Sarah said: ‘I am committed to supporting my patients improve their quality of life, and to ensure that they can stay at home at the end of their life, if that is their wish. I get massive satisfaction from my job; I hope to improve a terrible situation for my patients by managing their painful, distressing, or unpleasant symptoms to ensure they are living their best quality of life.
‘I enjoy empowering patients to take control of their lives, giving them support to plan for their future and ensuring they have access to the right benefits, social care and health support during an incredibly overwhelming time in their lives. I hope to make situations the best I possibly can for my patients and their loved ones.’
Outside of her very busy work life, Sarah enjoys walking her dog, crafting and has recently taken up pottery.
*If you have an illness that cannot be cured, palliative care makes you as comfortable as possible by managing your pain and other distressing symptoms. Find out more.
** Secondary lymphoedema is caused by damage to the lymphatic system or problems with the movement and drainage of fluid in the lymphatic system; it can be the result of a cancer treatment, an infection, injury, inflammation of the limb, or a lack of limb movement. Learn more.
Our Hospice at Home service supported Barry, a real practical joker and family man, in the comfort of his Chapel-en-le-Frith home during the last 11 months of his life before he sadly died of heart failure in May 2023.
Barry, who very proudly had six children, 18 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, first went into hospital in December 2019 where he waited almost 10 weeks for double heart bypass surgery.
Mary, Barry’s beloved wife of 63 years, and Claire, his granddaughter, explain more about how Blythe House and Helen’s Trust came to support the whole family.
Claire explained: ‘After Grandad underwent the intensive double heart bypass operation in February 2020, his and Nana’s son, my uncle, sadly died from a heart attack in March, and then Covid-19 hit. I think that was the start of the downfall for Grandad; all of those factors had a big detriment to his health, and he never really fully recovered.
‘Grandad spent a lot of time in and out of hospital during the winter, but on one particular occasion he phoned me, and he was genuinely scared. He said “I don’t ever want to come into hospital again.” I contacted Grandad’s local GP practice, Thornbrook Surgery, and Trish Longden, community matron, came to see Nana and Grandad at home. Nana had been supporting Grandad to get up out of bed, washed and dressed for over six months; I don’t think people realised everything that she was doing.
‘Trish referred us to Blythe House, and Jude, Hospice at Home manager, came around to do an initial assessment. In an awful but humorous turn of events, Grandad had fallen over the night before and split his head open. Jude helped Nana to get the blood out of the cream carpet! Nana said it was one of those days she’d never forget!’
Barry and Mary
Mary said: ‘The Hospice at Home team started to support Barry at home in May 2022 with a daily call in a morning to help him to get up, washed and dressed. This allowed me the opportunity to run some errands, nip to the shop for some fresh bread and milk, or just have some time to myself. Later, the team also visited for longer on a Tuesday afternoon so that I could really rest and relax for a few hours each week.
‘The healthcare assistants became extended members of our family; we loved chatting to them and they loved Barry. It was the highlight of his day, chatting to someone different about his life, memories or holidays. You never walked passed the bathroom without hearing the sound of laughter. They weren’t just getting their job done; they were here to care. They were so brilliant and went beyond the call of duty.
‘Barry was very embarrassed and a very private person; he didn’t want carers or any extra support other that family, but the healthcare assistants cared for him in a way that maintained his privacy and dignity. He was very particular and liked to have a shave and a wash in a certain way, and they respected his wishes and were always so caring.’
Claire continued: ‘Miriam and Angela, the hospice occupational therapy and physiotherapy team, came around to see how they could support Grandad. They provided us with a wheelchair which was really imperative to Grandad. It meant that we could safely get Grandad out of the house to take him to the shops or even just for a little drive to get out for some fresh air. That was really so important to him; he’d sat through Covid-19 not being allowed to leave his house, and now he was allowed out again, his health had deteriorated. Miriam and Angela also provided other equipment including a vehicle transfer handle so he could get in and out of the car safely; a commode and shower equipment.
‘In November, Grandad’s brother, Charlie was dying at home and Grandad desperately wanted to go and see him. Using the equipment provided, I was able to safely get Grandad to his brother’s bedside to say a final goodbye to him. This was a lynchpin moment for Grandad and he realised how peaceful Charlie was at home, surrounded by his family. This cemented Grandad’s decision that he wanted to be at home with his loved ones too.
‘In January 2023, it was arranged that Grandad could have some holistic massage at home, provided by Mo, one of the complementary therapists at the hospice. Grandad had a huge build up of fluid in his legs because of his heart condition, and the massage made him feel so much better; he really looked forward to Mo’s visits and they made a huge difference to his quality of life.
Claire and her Grandad
‘On the 19th April, Grandad had a hypoglycaemic attack and he ended up going into hospital by ambulance. He was discharged six hours later, but he was adamant that he didn’t want to go back into hospital under any circumstance. When he came home, Trish Longden visited us again and took Grandad’s observations. She said we might want to rally the family to come and say their final goodbyes. Everyone came, and as sad as the occasion was, the house was filled with laughter and joking. We all ordered fish and chips for supper – and the kettle never stopped boiling! The next day I very much expected to walk in and hear the inevitable news, but I was shocked to see Grandad sat up in bed! He said he’d seen the Grim Reaper last night but he still had a few jobs left to do.
‘The Hospice at Home team stepped up to offering three or four night-sits per week, and as a family, we supported Nana and Grandad on the other nights. These last few weeks enabled us to have the opportunity to have important conversations with Grandad, including about his funeral wishes, and where he’d like his cremation ashes to be scattered. He told us that the fun and laughter that had filled the house had kept him going.
‘Grandad died peacefully at home on Monday 8th May 2023, just before 5pm. His colour and his breathing changed; so, we all sat around his bed and held hands. It was heart-breaking, of course it was, but it was so peaceful and full of love. Grandad knew what he wanted and how he wanted it to be; he knew he wanted to die at home, and be able to be with all his family in his own surroundings. Family was what it was all about for Grandad. He still wore his smile, right ‘til the very end.’
Mary said: ‘Barry had always been an avid supporter of the hospice. For his 80th birthday, he said he had everything he wished for in life so he asked everyone for contributions to the hospice at his celebratory afternoon tea.
‘Blythe House gave me the skills and the strength to continue to care for Barry at the end of his life. I had the support and reassurance to know that they’d got eyes on him as well as me, and I knew they’d make decisions that were right for him.
‘When our son, died in March 2020, this made Barry more determined that ever to die at home; he didn’t want to be in hospital for himself, or for me to receive a call that he’d died on his own.’
Claire added: ‘The hospice gave Nana such peace of mind; she felt so confident that everything they were doing was exactly right for Grandad and if he wasn’t 100%, or they had any worries, she knew they’d escalate their concerns. She was able to sleep well because she knew they’d wake her if anything was wrong; she felt so assured and at peace. Even though we’re a big family, I can imagine it is an incredibly lonely journey watching the person you’ve spent nearly your whole life with as they’re so poorly and then as they’re dying, but the hospice helped Nana to emotionally deal with the day to day of what was happening.’
Staff, volunteers and supporters are commemorating the 35th anniversary of Blythe House Hospice in 2024.
Rev Betty Packham
Reverend Betty Packham, and her life companion, Doris Turck, cared for Stan Blythe in the comfort of their Buxton home during the final months of his life after he was diagnosed with cancer.
Stan left Betty a £1,000 gift in his will, and Betty used this money to establish the hospice in 1989 in memory of Stan.
Back in 2019, when staff at the hospice were celebrating its 30th anniversary, Betty and Doris shared their fond memories of Stan from the time he resided with them at their home. Their words were used in small way during the celebrations in 2019, but were never fully transcribed or published.
Since Betty sadly died in late 2022, and Doris shortly after in early 2023, it has never felt more important to look meticulously through the hospice archives and ensure that we are preserving the charity’s legacy with pride and respect.
We hope you enjoy reading Betty and Doris’ fond recollections of Stan, his family and friends – recorded back in 2019…
Doris Turck
Betty explained: ‘Stan had lost his wife to cancer. He had one daughter, called Ann, and he was a secondary school teacher in Kent’s Bank. All the lads remembered him; if you said to anyone “Do you remember Stan?” They would say: “All we heard about was birds, and if you did something he really didn’t like, he would just grab you by the scruff of the neck and wham! You were outside!” And all these sorts of stories because he did have a temper. He and I had arguments galore! I really loved him as a man.’
Doris said: ‘He had a very little bit of sight, and he often he got letters so I would go up to his room and he’d say: “Read these or translate these for me!” and he was a great chap. He would have the television on, and I would say Stan: “Can you actually see any of this?” I think it was Barnsley football team, and he would peer at this, and I don’t know if he saw very much!
‘He always used to take a group from the wildlife group in Buxton to Chrome Hill because apparently that’s a place if you’re a bird person where you can hear nightingales, and so they would go at certain times of the year with lots of lovely memories. Often when you lose one faculty, like your sight, your hearing becomes more acute; his was absolutely brilliant.’
Betty then explained: ‘Doris sends her friend from Surrey a regular update of the hospice – she wrote back to Doris and she said: “It’s extraordinary after reading your update; seems only yesterday I visited you in Buxton and there was Mr Blythe in the room next door.” She has a personal interest as well as general support for the hospice.
Stan Blythe
‘All Stan’s friends came to feed him, it was lovely. His daughter Ann had Down Syndrome; he taught her a lot; she was very clever. When he died, she came to visit him, and she took his pipe and put it on his forehead as he lay there, and I will always remember that.
‘The most important thing is when he was dying, he was told by the doctor that it was coming, I went to hold his hand and he had his little radio on the side, on his window because he used to wake up in the middle of the night and put it on. This damn radio was shouting out, something about the “birds are singing and I don’t know how to say goodbye.” He was an ornithologist of really good repute, he really knew what he was doing – and this blasted thing came out as he was lying there dying and that sort of thing is just so special, it’s a tremendously emotional thing.’
Doris said of Stan’s funeral: ‘One moment during the prayers when there was stillness, we heard birdsong. It was so right because he was the longest serving president of Buxton Field Club.’
Feature image – 137 Manchester Road in Chapel-en-le-Frith where the hospice was founded; taken from the 1992 hospice newsletter
‘I wanted to go to sleep and not wake up – I genuinely don’t think I’d be here if it wasn’t for Blythe House.’
After trying to call the hospice six times but always hanging up before someone answered, Ann was brave enough to allow her call to be picked up in January 2023.
Ann, who lived in Buxton, had been ‘struggling for months, crying all the time and feeling really low’ after being diagnosed with nasal cancer in November 2021, and facing several other health issues that followed.
Someone at Citizen’s Advice, followed by Ann’s GP, advised her to get in touch with the hospice.
Ann said: ‘It took six times to finally pluck up the courage to let my call ring through to the hospice. I wasn’t suicidal, but I wanted to go to sleep and not wake up. I have never felt like that before in my life, and I never want to again.
‘It all started a few years earlier. Every couple of days when I blew my nose, a scab would come out of my nostril. I was undergoing tests through the ear, nose and throat department at Macclesfield Hospital, and had a scan on my lungs. I was sent for a biopsy and was diagnosed with rare nasal cancer. It felt like a blow like no other being told that I had cancer.
‘I was transferred to The Christie Hospital for surgery in January 2022. The surgery was a success, and the surgeon was absolutely fantastic. But afterwards, I started to get a very severe pain in my eye. I spent 10 days in Leighton Hospital in Crewe with acute angle-closure glaucoma.
‘I recovered from my eye condition and was undergoing check ups for the nasal cancer every two months. At one of my check ups in February 2023, the test showed abnormal cells and I was sent for a biopsy. Alongside this, I was having tests for a lump in my breast [I’ve since found out that this is not cancerous, but I am on a waiting list for surgery to remove it.] It felt like one thing after another, and I convinced myself that the cancer had returned.
‘I lost both my parents very young to cancer. My Mum died on her 49th birthday when I was just 19 and I convinced myself that this was going to happen to me. Back then, I didn’t understand what Mum had gone through and all the things she must’ve shielded me from and how frightened she must have been. I felt an incredible weight of guilt for feeling the way that I did; I was falling apart but I should’ve been so thankful that my situation wasn’t worse. I’d see people at The Christie in much worse situations that me and I’d feel so guilty for feeling so low. When you’re going through cancer treatment, you somehow manage to cope and survive because you must, but it’s when it’s all over that it hits you.
‘The last 12 months had been mentally horrendous, and I knew I needed help to feel better. I wish I had rung the hospice earlier, but I was building up the courage. I was referred to Louise [community engagement lead nurse] and cannot put into words what her support meant to me. I can’t say enough about her; she’s the one that has got me through. I don’t know what it is about her; her voice or her manner, but there is genuinely something special about her.
‘Having tough conversations brought back memories from my childhood that were hard to face. It’s hard to go through these situations and face things that you didn’t realise you had to face, but I wanted to do everything in my power to feel better. I was referred to have reflexology with Kate which I found so calming. I suffer from tremors, and Kate helped me to feel relaxed, rested and supported. I also found counselling with Hannah incredibly helpful.
‘Getting back to “normal” hasn’t been easy, but thanks to Blythe House I have been able to do so. I am in a much better place now. I still have days when I feel down and have a wobble, but the coping skills I learnt from the hospice help me so much; I recognise my feelings, what’s happening, and I know what I need to do now to manage them. I find great comfort listening to audio books and still listen to a CD on breathing techniques that Hannah gave to me. I am looking forward to the summer when I can get out into the garden more; it’s my happy place with my dogs.
‘I don’t think anyone at Blythe House realises the true impact that they have on people. I genuinely don’t think I’d be here if it wasn’t for Blythe House; it saved my life. The service has been absolutely phenomenal.’
Find out more about hospice services that could support you or a loved one.
Mike has raised over £1,580 for the hospice since February 2023, when he started to support us after relocating to the Peak District.
Mike took on the immense London to Paris bike ride in aid of the hospice in summer 2023, and he also hosts regular 1950s tea dances for residents at local care and nursing homes.
Mike moved to the area from Bristol after his wife and partner of over a decade, Abigail, sadly died aged just 53 at St Peter’s Hospice, from lung cancer that had spread from her breast and brain.
Mike, who now lives in Buxton, initially moved to the area to take care of Abi’s parents who lived in Sheffield, and he joined the local cycling club as a keen biker himself and to make friends in his new community. He saw a poster for the hospice’s fundraising London to Paris bike ride and decided to sign up to support his new local hospice.
Mike said: ‘Following my retirement, I wanted to do something worthwhile and to raise money for a good cause. Hospice care has a special place in my heart after the support that we received when Abi was unwell. I like to give something back, and I am a firm believer that what goes around comes around; if you do nice things then good things will happen to you.
‘The London to Paris bike ride was a really great experience; I took part alongside around 125 other people, all raising money for their own personal causes. There was a great atmosphere, and I made some good friends who I keep in contact in via Strava. I was pleased to be in the top nine people to finish the London to Dover stretch which was particularly challenging with the roads and hills. Once we got over to France, the countryside and scenery were really lovely. I would definitely recommend the ride to any keen cyclists; it was a great experience.’
Mike has a great interest in traditional Shellac records, stemming from finding a mint-condition Dean Martin release in a charity shop. He has since collected a good number of classics from the 1950s including from Elvis Presley and Connie Francis, and he puts his spare time to good use by hosting tea dances at local residential care homes.
Mike explained: ‘I go along with my records and offer my time free of charge, just asking the care home residents or management to donate to the hospice for a few hours of entertainment. I have two record players, so I am able to line up another song whilst one is playing, meaning that the music is continuous. The tea dances have gone down really well including at Haddon Hall and Devonshire Place both in Buxton, and I hope to continue these well into 2024. I am glad to be getting out doing something I enjoy, whilst raising money for a good cause.’
Mike also hosted a tea dance as part of the Buxton Fringe Festival at the United Reformed Church in July 2023 and received a nomination as recognition of excellence for dance from the festival’s chairman, Stephen Walker.
This year’s hospice London to Paris bike ride is set to take place from the 5th to 9th June 2024. To find out more:
- Visit the challenge webpage
- Call Rachael Gee on: 01298 384 105
- Email Rachael
If you’re from a local organisation and you’d be interested in Mike coming along to your venue to entertain residents or guests, please email us in the first instance and we can put you in touch: communications@blythehouse.co.uk.
Louise came to Blythe House in September 2014, providing a drop-in service for local patients and families to gain advice, information and support if they, or someone they loved, had been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.
In August 2020, when the hospice launched its modernised services and brand-new Community Hub, Louise became the community engagement lead nurse. This new role combined both the delivery of patient and family care services within the Community Hub, and raising awareness of hospice services within the community and with health and social care professionals.
Louise qualified as a nurse in 1987 at Stepping Hill Hospital and has spent the majority of her career in palliative care roles including at St Ann’s Hospice, and as day-care nurse manager at East Cheshire Hospice for 10 years.
She said: ‘Back in 1992, I took a career break from full-time work to raise my three sons but undertook bank shifts at local care providers including hospitals and hospices. I worked at Blythe House Hospice back when it was located in a residential home on Manchester Road in Chapel-en-le-Frith. I cared for four or five patients in a small living room, with a tiny toilet at the back of the house!’
Here at the hospice in the present day, as well as vital one-to-one support for patients and carers, Louise coordinates three hospice support groups for carers, and those affected by breast and prostate cancers. These peer support groups are an opportunity for people to gain valuable advice and support, listen to guest speakers, share experiences, and form friendships. Louise is also responsible for setting up weekly bereavement support groups in partnership with local organisation, High Peak CVS.
Louise regularly attends and organises both internal and external events including stalls, presentations and training opportunities, to raise awareness of our care and services, to both members of the public and healthcare professionals.
Louise is chairman of the committee for the Association of Palliative Day Services, which she got involved with during her role at East Cheshire Hospice. She explained: ‘The association is fantastic for sharing ideas, knowledge and best practice; bringing together services from across the country to uniform structure and develop guidelines for practice.
‘I always wanted to be a nurse; it was never the high-tech, high-paced work that interested me. It was being at the bedside, spending time with people. This is why I went into palliative care particularly, as I wanted to spend that vitally important time with patients and their families.
‘I love my role here at Blythe House; we work so well as a team and value the work that we all do. We learn what’s important to individuals and what really matters to them. We learn from their experiences, and I’ve learnt the power of listening and giving time.’
Find out more about our Community Hub services that Louise is involved in.
Danie Gartside became our Hospice at Home coordinator in October 2020, following many years in hospital admin and organisational roles in Buxton.
Danie, who lives in Dove Holes, explained: ‘Before I started at Blythe House, I worked for the Integrated Community Team at the Cavendish Hospital in Buxton as a senior administrator for the district nursing and therapy team. Prior to this, I worked at Buxton Cottage Hospital as a receptionist and health records officer, and also as a ward clerk on Johnson Ward.
‘Within my role here at the hospice, I take referrals for patients who are in the last 12 months of life. I organise all the planning for patient visits on a weekly basis; support staff and our healthcare assistants with IT; attend meetings with our healthcare assistants and take notes and minutes from the meetings.
‘I do the quarterly reporting for the data of the Hospice at Home service; weekly budget reporting; complete mandatory training, and record the training completed by our healthcare assistants. I also undertake on-call duties in the evenings and weekends, and support our Roaming Car service team.
‘My favourite thing within my very rewarding role is knowing that we are always at the end of the phone for patients and families who are struggling; in a crisis or just needing to speak to somebody. Another good feeling is that we support our patients to be able to die in their own home, as they wish to.
‘I have had some good moments at Blythe House; I was brave enough to conquer my fear and complete a skydive for the hospice, jumping from 15,000 feet; I raised an incredible amount of money that will contribute towards providing essential care for our patients.
‘Outside of work I play football for Buxton Women FC, and I love spending time with my family.’
Find out more about our Hospice at Home and Roaming Car services.
‘I feel extremely privileged to work with such an amazing team here at the hospice. I have met and spoken to some of the most wonderful people in my role.’
Amy Bainbridge began working at the hospice in May 2023, following six years in an admin and recording role at Buxton’s Cottage Hospital.
In her Hospice at Home and Roaming Car service co-ordinator role here, Amy is responsible for liaising with local families and healthcare professionals to organise care for patients who wish to stay at home as they near the end of their life.
Amy, who’s from Buxton, explained: ‘The Roaming Car has been up and running now for six months (launched in June 2023). It is going from strength to strength. There are very limited resources through the night for local patients who wish to remain at home, so this service is extremely needed and is already making such a difference to patients and their families.
‘We currently have on average a 33-minute response time to all calls from around North Derbyshire. We work very closely with other services during the day and through the night to make sure we are delivering care as quickly and efficiently as possible.
‘The best part of my role here is knowing how much of difference we make caring for patients and their loved ones at home during the day and through the night.
‘In the short amount of time that I have been at the hospice, I have had many favourite moments. Just after I started working here, the hospice trustees kindly hosted a summer BBQ to thank all the staff and volunteers for their hard work over the past year. It was nice for me to attend to meet all the staff and volunteers who work at the hospice or in our charity shops.
‘We also celebrated the launch of the Roaming Car service at an event at Matlock Football Club in September. This was a special evening to officially launch the Roaming Car and thank all the sponsors who have helped make this service happen.
‘I feel extremely privileged to work with such an amazing team here at the hospice. I have met and spoken to some of the most wonderful people in my role. The staff, volunteers, patients, and carers all make my job worthwhile and a pleasure to do.
‘Before I started at the hospice, I previously worked at Buxton Cottage Hospital for over six years as a receptionist and health records officer. I really enjoyed my time at Buxton and took a lot away from my time there.
‘Outside of work I enjoy getting out and about in the fresh air. I enjoy walking and running with my two dogs, Stanley, and Bertie. I also enjoy socialising and meeting up with friends.’
Find out more about our Hospice at Home and Roaming Car services.
