Photographic Memories

On 14th February some of our patients came to the Creative Family Saturday at the Hospice, to find the Hospice Day Service festooned in hearts and set up for an exciting photo shoot!  The Creative Family Saturdays are for patients and their loved ones to participate in an activity together on a Saturday morning.

Creative Arts volunteer Emily Brown was the resident photographer for the day. 
"Conducting the Valentine's Day photo shoot at the Hospice was an incredibly rewarding experience.  We had a lot of fun.  Using a range of different props and posing in front of a themed set we were able to capture some beautiful moments that can be treasured forever.  The Hospice in the Weald will always be a special place for me and I would like to say a big thank you to all of the families who shared their stories with me on the day."

"It was an amazing day giving me a chance to spend some time with my daughter and receive these beautiful photographs afterwards." Karen, a Hospice patient.

"Thank you for letting me me bring my family to the Hospice for the Creative Family Saturday.  We now have the wonderful memories of the day, sharing lots of giggles!"  Emma, a hospice patient.

Even some of the nurses took part....

For further information please contact Nell Mellerick, Creative Artist
01892 820559
nell.mellerick@hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Lesley's Story

I think of the Hospice as my second home – safe, secure and loving.  As soon as I enter the door, a feeling of peace comes over me.  Everywhere you can see beautiful floral arrangements created by the flower volunteers.

The whole building is light and airy.  One room that is extra special to me is the Quiet Room.  This is where we have the Spiritual Gathering, a short service taken by either Liza Waller (the chaplain here) or one of her many volunteers.  This caters for all denominations.  The room has a Quiet Garden just outside which ahs a water feature in it.  When the weather is warm, the door can be opened and you hear the lovely and soothing sound of tinkling water.

I think that I’m extremely fortunate to experience being an In Patient as well as using the Hospice Day Service.  During my stay for pain control the care I have experienced is second to none.  Living with my husband, who is not in very good health, caring for me 24 hours a day, to know that the support is there from the In Patient Unit makes a huge difference.

As a Hospice Day Service patient I have learnt various crafts, my main skill is in making cards.  Since learning at the Craft Group, the Christmas before last, I have not bought a single card.  I really enjoy making them and have now made well over 200.  I have also really enjoyed the therapies offered, including Reflexology and Reiki.  We can have a very nice three course meal for which there is a varied menu to choose from.

All staff at the Hospice in the Weald work extremely hard, backed up with an amazing network of volunteers.  They may be helping to serve meals in the In Patient Unit or manning the reception and coffee shop or helping in the Hospice ay service. 

A lot of volunteers do home visits now and I am very lucky to have three who visit me and have become friends.  One particular friend now comes to me weekly and reads to me, I so much enjoy this time.

I have been involved with the Hospice since the very early days when it was just a hopeful project that would one day happen!  All the care was given by ‘Hospice at Home’ as it was called then.  I helped in the first shop in Tunbridge Wells in Camden Road and thoroughly enjoyed my Fridays there.

I never would have thought that all those years ago that I would benefit so much form using our beautiful Hospice.

Wheels Around the Weald

What better way to dust off your bike after the winter than by joining our annual cycling challenge, Wheels Around The Weald.

Wheels (as we like to call it!) has something for everyone, from families wanting a day out with a difference to colleagues looking for a spring challenge. Or perhaps you're a more competitive rider looking for a training ride before your first competitive event of the year? Take part and raise sponsorship, funds vital for the Hospice, and take a tour of the beautiful Wealden countryside as you do so.

Once again, we have a choice of routes - a 15 mile route, a 40 mile and an 80 mile route (2 laps of 40 mile route). Supported by The Velo House once again, all routes have refreshment check points, on-route bike mechanics, sports massage and hot soup and refreshments when you return to the Hospice. And as a special offer, once you've registered, you can claim 25% off a pre-event bike service at the Velo House!

Children between the ages of 14 - 17yrs are welcome to take part on the 15 mile route but should be accompanied by an adult at all times. Regrettably, under 18s are not permitted on the 40 mile or 80 mile routes. Due to the reduced cost of entry, there is no early bird rate for 14 - 17yr olds.

If you would like to register and find out more please click here to submit your entry.

If you have any questions please contact Anna Hodsoll on 01892 820527 or email anna.hodsoll@hospiceintheweald.org.uk

Creative Family Saturday

Kandinsky's Pom Poms

Over the last two weeks in the Hospice Day Service we have been creating some pom pom's with all the wool donations we have received recently.  Our patients and volunteers have been working towards a larger piece of collaborative artwork representing the work of Wassily Kandinsky.

Everyone found the repetitive movements very relaxing and a lot of patients were able to participate from the comfort of their own chairs rather than moving towards the Craft area of the Hospice Day Service room.  This allowed lots of time and space for chatting with each other as well!  Everyone has commented on how textural this piece is and can't resist touching the woolly surface.

Come and see our finished piece in the reception area of the Hospice in the Weald building in Maidstone Road, Pembury.

If you would like to know more about our Craft Group please ring the Hospice Day Service on 01892 820 509.