Our own masterpiece

The patients in the Hospice Day Service have been hard at work finishing off their own smaller pieces of a larger piece of artwork.

The Hospice Monet has now been completed, contributed to by patients, volunteers and staff of the Day Service using a multitude of materials.  We think you'll agree it's just as valuable as the original!

Carolling Choirs this Christmas

This December we at the Hospice Day Service have had the pleasure of seeing, and hearing, some amazing choirs from schools local to us.

Broomhill Bank School came to sing to us before whisking away to the Spa Hotel for their big performance.  Although a small group, the singing was clear and beautiful!

Pembury Infant School arrived later in the week with their own orchestra, who had been practicing for only THREE DAYS!  It was a fantastic performance and the patients, staff and volunteers were all invited to join in with the words we were handed.  We particularly enjoyed the dance moves.

We still have some more we look forward to seeing and hearing towards the end of the school term.

A big thank you to all the school pupils, helpers and teachers for bringing Christmas spirit into the Hospice!

Hospice AGM

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place on Tuesday 25th November.  For the first time, this year we were joined by a patient, family or carer who spoke about their Hospice in the Weald experiences to provide an insight into the five vital services that we provide.

Approximately 30 people attended the AGM including members of staff, Trustees, and charity Members.  We are proud to say that of the £6 million we need to raise each year 90p in every  goes directly towards patient care.  We know our services make such a difference to patients, families and carers so it was important that our AGM supporters heard first-hand how we put patients first to make their time as happy, fulfilled and comfortable as it can be despite their illness. 

We were lucky enough to be joined on the night by Kate, one of our Hospice Day Service patients.  You remember Kate from previous blogs, our newsletter or our Annual Review. 

If you would like to receive a copy of the 13/14 Annual Review to find out more about the financial year please don’t hesitate to contact Becca Hill – Communications and Marketing Manager on, 01892 820530 or becca.hill@hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Alison's Idea for Christmas Presents

My name is Alison Carrington, I've worked at Hospice in the Weald for nearly 8 months and every day I am inspired by the people I meet here. I have personal experience, through both family and friends, of the fantastic care provided by the staff and volunteers here at the Hospice. This care is something that I want to make sure is available to as many people as possible in our local area and that is why, as part of the fundraising team, I am passionate about helping to raise money for the Hospice.

My role is as co-ordinator of our Hospice weekly lottery and my challenge is to grow the number of people in our lottery from 7,500 to 18,000.  Our lottery is a really important means of fundraising for the Hospice because it brings in regular income, which allows us to plan ahead for the services we offer. The lottery currently brings in around £310k per year (after the prizes have been allocated) and my dream is for this to increase to around £850K.

£310,000 makes a huge difference to the lives of patients with a terminal illness that have been referred to Hospice in the Weald, their families and carers.  This amount of money can fund the cost of running our In-Patient Unit AND Hospice in the Home for 6 weeks!

If you are looking for a fun way to support the Hospice on a regular basis, then please consider either signing up to our weekly lottery or buying a Hospice Lottery Gift Voucher for a loved one for Christmas.

Our Hospice lottery costs just £1 per week, for this you are allocated a computer generated unique membership number, which is entered into the draw every Friday. This number gives a chance to win one of 43 prizes every week, our top prize of £1000, 2^nd prize of £200, 3^rd prize of £100 and 40 prizes of £5.

Hospice Lottery Gift Vouchers are available for  £26 or £52 and can be purchased directly from Hospice in the Weald, Maidstone Road, Pembury, Tunbridge wells, Kent TN2 4TA or by contacting Alison Carrington on 01892 820588 or alison.carrington@hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Once purchased we will supply you with a Hospice Lottery Gift Voucher with your unique membership number on, you then add your own personal message and put the voucher in the gift envelope we provide.

A simple and fun present with the chance of winning a fantastic prize!

Be one of the amazing people who help us provide our Hospice care to local people with terminal illnesses, their families and carers.

By playing our weekly Hospice lottery you will be supporting a local charity, as well as having the chance to win one of our fantastic cash prizes.

Pick up a leaflet at Hospice in the Weald on your next visit or contact Alison Carrington on the details above for your chance to enter.

Promoter: Alison Carrington, Lottery Co-ordinator, Hospice in the Weald, Maidstone Road, Pembury TN2 4TA on behalf of Hospice in the Weald, Registered charity no 280276. Hospice in the Weald is licensed by the Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act 2005 (www.gamblingcommission.go.uk) Licence no 29164. Players must be 16 years or over. A list of Terms and Conditions can be found on our websitewww.hospiceintheweald.org.uk