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.

Become a Volunteer Driver

My name is Alison and I am the Administrator in the Day Service.  

Part of my job is to arrange transport for patients who are unable to get to the Hospice Day Service themselves or with a friend or relative.  This means booking ambulance transport or a volunteer driver to bring the patients to the Hospice. 

Volunteer drivers are an integral part of the Hospice Day Service Team.  They make contact with their patient(s) the night before to reassure them that they have transport and to confirm the time they expect to arrive at the patient’s home.   Patients usually arrive in the Day Service for a 10.30am start and the drivers return to take them home in the afternoon.  Tea and cake is served at 3.00pm and the drivers are welcome to enjoy a cup and a slice before they take their charges away; the Day Service day finishes at 3.30pm.

Our volunteer drivers have varying degrees of commitment.  Some are able to offer a specific day each week, some work around their shift work, others are flexible as to which day they are available and even offer more than one day.  Whatever the case, we are always grateful for the support they give as without their time we would not be able to help as many patients as we do.

Drivers can claim back their mileage as we do not expect our volunteers to be out of pocket; they give of their time and they should not pay for doing so!  There is also the option to pay all or part of their expenses back (and giftaided, if appropriate) to the Hospice, but there is no requirement or pressure to do so.

New volunteers are always welcome and if this is something you are interested in, or you would like more information about, please give me a call on 01892 820509.   

Hope to hear from you soon,

Alison

What do we mean by Spiritual Care?

Living Positively with Illness...

Our very own chaplain Liza is starting a new group for our Hospice Day Service patients, read all about it in the flyer below.

Tunbridge Wells Winter Lantern Parade

The Hospice Day Service patients have been creating some beautiful paper lanterns over the last two weeks for this years parade, with the theme water.

We have also created a larger lantern of the Hospice House taken from Hospice in the Weald’s logo.  Volunteers, patients and staff have put a quote of how they feel about the Hospice on it.

This is an annual winter lantern parade that takes place along Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells involving as many members of the community as possible in lantern design, making, music and parading.  It starts on Saturday 7^th February at 5.30pm outside the Tunbridge Wells Library.