The newsletter for staff and volunteers at St Barnabas House and Chestnut Tree House The Bullen Snowman Spectacular Ball raises over £500,000 December 2018 During a visit to Chestnut Tree House earlier this year, when he spent me with some of the children and families, Peter Andre said he was blown away by what he had seen and experienced. Fast forward to Saturday 1 December 2018, and the singer took to the stage as the star act at The Snowman™ Spectacular Fundraising Ball, wowing the 523 guests who were aending to show their support for the charity. £516,230 was raised on the night. Inspired by The Snowman™, the picture book created and illustrated 40 years ago by Chestnut Tree House Patron, Raymond Briggs CBE, the Ball is our biggest annual fundraising event. Guests enjoyed a three-course meal in a spectacular winter wonderland seng at the Hilton Brighton Metropole, as well as a host of fundraising acvies and entertainment, celebrang 15 years of children’s hospice care. The Snowman himself aended to meet and greet guests at the drinks recepon, before appearing on stage to deliver a special message from Raymond Briggs, read out by host Danny Pike: “When I created The Snowman 40 years ago, I could never have imagined the pleasure he would bring to so many young lives. I am delighted that my Snowman has helped Chestnut Tree House raise so much money over the years to provide vital care for so many local children and families. I am sure the 15th birthday Snowman Spectacular Ball will be fantasc and I hope you will give generously this evening to enable Chestnut Tree House to connue to care for some of the most deserving children in our community. Thank you, and may you have a very Happy Christmas.”
Transcript
The newsletter for staff and volunteers at St Barnabas House and Chestnut Tree House
The Bulletin
Snowman Spectacular Ball raises over £500,000
December 2018
During a visit to Chestnut Tree House earlier this year, when he spent time with some of the children and families, Peter Andre said he was blown away by what he had seen and experienced. Fast forward to Saturday 1 December 2018, and the singer took to the stage as the star act at The Snowman™ Spectacular Fundraising Ball, wowing the 523 guests who were attending to show their support for the charity. £516,230 was raised on the night.
Inspired by The Snowman™, the picture book created and illustrated 40 years ago by Chestnut Tree House Patron, Raymond Briggs CBE, the Ball is our biggest annual fundraising event. Guests enjoyed a three-course meal in a spectacular winter wonderland setting at the Hilton Brighton Metropole, as well as a host of fundraising activities and entertainment, celebrating 15 years of children’s hospice care. The Snowman himself attended
to meet and greet guests at the drinks reception, before appearing on stage to deliver a special message from Raymond Briggs, read out by host Danny Pike:
“When I created The Snowman 40 years ago, I could never have imagined the pleasure he would bring to so many young lives. I am delighted that my Snowman has helped Chestnut Tree House raise so much money over the years to provide vital care for so many local children and families. I am sure the 15th birthday Snowman Spectacular Ball will be fantastic and I hope you will give generously this evening to enable Chestnut Tree House to continue to care for some of the most deserving children in our community. Thank you, and may you have a very Happy Christmas.”
Other fundraising activities on the night included a Gift Grotto, with over 600 mystery gifts donated by Headline Sponsor, Green People; British Airways i360; Paladone; Temple Spa and other supporters. There were also two prize draws – a Gold draw for a Caribbean Holiday, generously donated by Hugh and Carolyne Hazlehurst and Cap Maison; and a Silver draw for a UK Spa Break courtesy of Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa. The winners were drawn by Jodie Kidd and Sally Gunnell.
In addition to this, there was an online auction with over 50 lots, which opened to bidders a month before the Ball. Highlights included a special 40th Anniversary The Snowman™ package, with a copy of the book plus one of 2018 UK 50p Brilliant Uncirculated Coins – both signed by Raymond Briggs – which went for £1,200; and an exclusive VIP Phantom of the Opera experience for £975.
Supporters at the event included life-time Patron, Ambrose Harcourt; Olympic Champion, Sally Gunnell OBE DL; model and racing driver, Jodie Kidd; and Paralympic Equestrian Champion, Natasha Baker MBE. MasterChef 2018 Champion, Kenny Tutt, also attended and helped with the menu selection for the night. In addition to a set from Peter Andre, guests enjoyed energy-filled routines from street dance act, Nu Sxool, who wowed ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ audiences in 2012; as well as live music from solo jazz vocalist, Julia Birkinshaw; and party band Ambassador.
The highlight of the evening was the heartfelt speech by Lorna Cobbett, who spoke about what Chestnut Tree House means to her and her family. Lorna’s triplet daughter, Essie, went to Chestnut Tree House from 13 weeks old, before sadly passing away in August 2017, aged 18 months. She talked about how the care team helped the family make memories – little moments to treasure forever.
Auctioneer Nick Muston led the Spectacular Auction, encouraging guests to dig deep for some ‘money-can’t buy’ items and experiences, including a Goodwood VIP Motoring Experience with Jodie Kidd, which raised £10,000; tickets to the exclusive preview night of London’s Winter Wonderland 2019 went for £4,200; and a chance to be a character in Peter James’s next book raised £2,500.
Limited-edition signed prints of an exclusive illustration ‘The Juggling Snowman’ drawn by Raymond Briggs symbolising the 15 years that Chestnut Tree House raised a total of £9,000.
For the final two auction lots, Pay for a Day and Pay for an Hour - guests generously pledged to pay for 54 days and a further 141 hours of care for the coming year. Willmott Dixon, one of the Headline Sponsors pledged to raise a staggering £95,900 to pay for two weeks’ care; and Mike Holland – creator of the charity’s Pay for a Day initiative – paid for three days.
The Snowman Spectacular Ball will be back next year, taking place on Saturday 30 November 2019.
Cathy Stone, Clinical Director at Chestnut Tree House said: “We are always humbled by the support shown at The Snowman Spectacular Ball, and this year was no exception. £516,230 is an incredible amount to raise in a single night, and we are so incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, as well as all the individuals and organisations who donated their time, services and prizes for the event.
It was a spectacular event and we would like to say a heartfelt thank you to our Patrons, Raymond Briggs, who has supported Chestnut Tree House for many years and Robbie Raggio, a special supporter and tireless fundraiser for Chestnut Tree House. And thank you to our sponsors Green People, Willmott Dixon Amber Scaffolding, Avensys, Clearline Recruitment, Creative Pod, E3, ECE Architecture, Gemini Print, Gusto Wines, Hilton Brighton Metropole, Oliver & Graimes, Platinum Publishing, Shoreham Vehicle Auctions, and Sussex Life. We’d also like to say a special thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who worked tirelessly before and during the event.
We have been celebrating Chestnut Tree House’s 15th birthday this year, and would like to thank everyone who has helped us over the years. All support, no matter how big or small, is invaluable and really does make a difference.”
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CPCT have recently offered two new development roles to enable our registered nurses to gain competencies, knowledge and experience to fulfil a clinical nurse specialist role. With full support from a mentor, the Education Team and CPCT Managers, Chris Seymour, Registered Nurse, CPCT and Monica Oancea, Staff Nurse, IPU will embark on a 2 year programme from January 2019 and complete a portfolio to evidence their learning. Good luck to Chris and Monica!
Chris and Monica to embark on new development
opportunities
In January we will be looking for teams of four to enter our Health & Safety Team Challenge. Fun and interactive sessions will be held at Chestnut Tree House on 24 January and St Barnabas House on 31 January. Try your hand at our 5-minute challenges including ‘spot the hazards’, ‘word search’ and ‘true or false’ and your team could take the title of ‘Health & Safety Champions’. Retail colleagues will be able to enter a paper-based version of these games. Will you be part of the winning team?
Get ready for our Health & Safety Team Challenge
Farewell and thank you…Abi Harley Community Fundraiser – CTH, Eastbourne
Staff a nd volu nteer n ewsStaff a nd volu nteer n ews
Facilities ensured a safe and suitable working environment in 2018 2018 has been another very busy year for the Facilities Team with many projects and initiatives undertaken to ensure our working environments are safe and suitable for our needs.
From a complete redesign of the Stars garden at Chestnut Tree House to introducing a new IT service provider, this is what has kept the team so busy throughout the year.
The Team• John Hodges moved into a new role as Compliance
Manager looking after mandatory maintenance, testing and policies.
• Kelvin Warren was promoted to Maintenance Officer, managing the maintenance operations and volunteers at St Barnabas House.
• We said farewell to Scott Morgan and welcomed Jag Patel and Nick Collier as Facilities Services Managers.
• Shaun Dicker moved from his role as HOP Support Worker to become our full-time Fleet Manager.
• Emma Holden-Girt joined the team as IT Implementation Manager to oversee thirteen new IT related projects that commenced this year.
• Lynn Mealing became Housekeeping Manager for St Barnabas House.
Chestnut Tree House• Flic and her volunteers continued work on the
orchard at Chestnut Tree House and completely redesigned the Stars garden with
spectacular planting and seating.
• The wildflower meadow in the memorial gardens was created with the help of a generous donation fund, which included new fencing for the area.
• The new garden store at Chestnut Tree House was completed in February.
• The car park extension proposal for Chestnut Tree House has reached the final planning stage and, if approved, this will increase parking capacity by 35 spaces.
• An operation to take down a diseased, very large oak tree was successful.
• At Chestnut Tree House a number of the children’s bedrooms were refurbished by Ken and his team of volunteers. This included redecoration and new flooring.
• New CCTV cameras were installed in the bedrooms at Chestnut Tree House, with a further upgrade of the general security CCTV system planned for December.
St Barnabas House• Nick, Flic and an army of volunteers worked hard to
bring the IPU patient gardens back to their former glory. This included repairs to a number of the water features and new planting themes to improve the original vision for the gardens.
• The team began an improvement programme to the main courtyard - ‘The Green Heart’ - at St Barnabas
Staff a nd volu nteer n ews
House, attending to eight years of growth of the large bamboos, to make it more manageable and a great place to sit and relax.
• Work was undertaken in the meadow garden in the spring and the walls of flowers were a delight to see in the summer.
• Pond works were completed and the spectacular new fountain was installed. A generous donation of furniture from Butlins means that there are now seats and benches from which to enjoy the view while having your lunch. The work will continue in 2019 with a new hedge line and pond planting.
• Nick has created a compost area with multiple storage bins to manage the large amount of green waste from the gardens and kitchens. This allows the gardens to have a regular supply of mulch and compost and greatly reduce the need for our green waste to be removed from site.
• A new kiln shed was installed at St Barnabas House for the art department.
• New signage was introduced on the first floor of St Barnabas
House to improve navigation for visitors and volunteers. A programme of improved exterior signage is being considered to improve directions from the car parks
for visitors.• An army of volunteers did a
fantastic job of repainting the IPU.
Retail Distribution Centre• New air-conditioning was installed to provide heating
and cooling for the upstairs offices and training rooms.
• The warehouse kitchen, toilets and main lobby toilet were refurbished to update the facilities and improve disabled access.
Eastbourne• We acquired a third office space for the team and
we are looking into a redesign of the three spaces, including the creation of a store and meeting room.
IT• The new IT service
provider tender commenced in January, resulting in the appointment of Aspire Technology Solutions in October.
• An external audit was undertaken of our IT services and systems to look at the helpdesk support we need for a growing organisation and the infrastructure needed to ‘future proof’ our IT services. This has resulted in a number of strategic ideas which we will now work on with Aspire to take forward.
• An upgraded telephone system at Chestnut Tree House meant we were able to connect all of the main sites together on one phone network. This is part of our ongoing plan to offer flexible working for users at any of our sites.
• We have commenced our ‘Wide Area Network’ upgrade to improve internet and network speeds, improve the links between all of the sites and retail shops, and offer us improved security against cyber-attacks and/or outages. This is planned to go live in January/February 2019.
• With the launch of GDPR in May of this year, there has been extensive work to ensure our systems and data are robust and that we have the necessary protective measures in place to secure our data.
• We also introduced a contactless card reader into the coffee shop at St Barnabas making it easier for you to pay for your lattes and lunch!
Transport• New vehicles were acquired for the Hospice
at Home Team and the St Barnabas Occupational Therapists.
• We are waiting for delivery of two new vehicles for Chestnut Tree House Fundraising, one of which will be based at Eastbourne.
• We bid a sad farewell to our Ford Focus which gave us many years of great service...
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“I would like to thank my entire team for all of their amazing hard work throughout 2018 and here’s to an even busier 2019”.
Steve Williams, Head of Estates and IT
So, take time to exercise, relax, sleep, eat, drink sensibly and most
importantly have a happy, stress-free Christmas break.
Looking after you r hea lth a nd wellbe ingTips for a stress-free Christmas We all deal with stress on a daily basis, often without realising it. Christmas can add to our stress levels when it should be a happy, relaxing and social time. We have put together some top tips to help you have an enjoyable festive season.
It’s hard to avoid ‘excess’ at this time of year. Don’t worry about calorie counting or missed gym visits - instead, give yourself permission to deviate from the norm. New Year’s resolutions and our Slim Down programme will help you kick-start 2019 on a healthier note.
Eat wellProcessed foods put unnecessary burden on your liver - the home of stress hormone, cortisol. Foods containing magnesium are a great de-stressor, they act as a muscle relaxant and are incredibly nutritious. Try adding dark green, leafy vegetables like kale and spinach plus figs, apples, seeds and nuts to your meals - you can happily reach for the mince pies later…
Stress also tends to break down the protein in the body quite quickly so don’t hold back on the turkey, nut roast and smoked salmon.
Dark chocolateResearch suggests that people who eat dark chocolate have lower levels of cortisol after a stressful situation. So swap fondant creams with 70% cocoa dark chocolate and you will actually be doing some good.
Plan ahead• Make a realistic and achievable to do list, prioritising
those things that are more important. • Ask family and friends for help. This will reduce the
amount you have to do and others will feel they are contributing.
• Know when to stop – decide when you will stop your Christmas preparations and start to relax and enjoy the festive period.
Practice breathingStress increases your heart rate, so work on reversing the process by practicing your breathing. To instantly help reduce stress, breathe in deeply through your nose, hold for 15 seconds and then breathe out slowly through your mouth and repeat for a few minutes.
Sleep wellChristmas often means late nights and early mornings, especially if children are involved, meaning your normal sleep routine is impacted and you are more likely to feel tired, grumpy and stressed.
ExerciseExercise is a great way to reduce stress. It burns off hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline and helps produce mood-enhancing endorphins, so try going for a walk after dinner - the fresh air and exercise will lift your mood.
Looking after you r hea lth a nd wellbe ing
Have a safe ChristmasEvery year, A&E departments across the UK treat on average more than 1,000 people following accidents and fires at home involving Christmas trees, Christmas lights, cards and candles.
Follow these simple safety tips and enjoy a happy and safe Christmas:• Keep your tree away from doorways and fire exit routes.• Make sure your tree is stable and well away from any
heat source especially spot lights and candles.• Make sure your Christmas lights are in good condition
and not damaged in any way.• Never leave your Christmas lights on when you are out
or go to bed.• Keep decorations and cards away from fires and other
heat sources such as light fittings.• Never leave candles or tea lights unattended.
Driving in the dark – how well can you see?
Driving during the winter months can be particularly challenging, since weather conditions can make it difficult to see clearly.
There are the darker mornings, glare from the low setting winter sun, reduced visibility in rain and fog, as well as wet and icy weather and shorter daylight hours. All of these
factors can make driving conditions more hazardous at this time of year, particularly if you have any problems with your eyesight.
Eyesight deteriorates over time and this can happen at any age. As a driver you may notice some of the tell-tale signs that your eyesight is not as good as it used to be. You might find it harder to judge distances, struggle to read a newspaper, or maybe it’s getting more difficult for you to drive at night. That’s why it is recommended that all drivers have their vision tested at least once every two years.
If you notice any change in your eyesight, remember you are entitled to a free eye test, once a year, at Specsavers, our approved supplier. You’ll also receive a contribution towards any glasses required.
Contact lenses are not covered under this scheme, however, you are still entitled to receive a free eyesight test.
For more information please speak to a member of the HR team or email [email protected]
Hea lth & Wellbe ing Event
Colleagues and volunteers enjoy ‘me’ time at November’s Health & Wellbeing eventFrom manicures and massages to a gym challenge, more than 64 colleagues and volunteers took time out to enjoy the services on offer from health and wellbeing providers, who all willingly donated their time to ensure another successful and well-attended event.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to pop along.
37% of you are flu fightersThank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeve this winter to help each other stay healthy, and do their best not to endanger the people we care for, both at work and at home.
Chestnut Tree Hou se news
The Snowman™ helps bring some Christmas cheerThe Snowman™ and Chestnut Tree House have been getting into the festive spirit during November and December, as part of our 15th birthday celebrations. Celebrating moments, friendships, and making memories are central to both Chestnut Tree House and The Snowman™ story, which is why we are honoured to have both The Snowman™ and his creator, Raymond Briggs CBE, as Patrons.
The Snowman™ is celebrating 40 magical years, and this Winter there were a host of festive activities for Chestnut Tree House supporters to get involved with, including a children’s drawing competition and Get Festive with The Snowman™ fundraising campaign.
There have also been lots of opportunities to meet The Snowman™ at different locations across Sussex and South East Hampshire. The first took place in Brighton with The Snowman™ ‘flying’ above Brighton and the Sussex coastline on the British Airways i360, accompanied by some of the children and families cared for by Chestnut Tree House. He then made several appearances in Hastings on Friday 16 November before heading over to Portsmouth the following day to meet people at the Emirates Spinnaker Tower.
Quentin Blake, John Burningham, Adam Hargreaves, Shirley Hughes, Helen Oxenbury, Chris Riddell, Posy Simmonds, Andy Stanton and Ed Vere, have all paid homage to Raymond Briggs by drawing The Snowman™ in their own iconic style. The resulting artworks with accompanying quotes and messages are poignant and surprising and together form a fitting tribute to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Raymond’s classic picture book.
The Snowman™ was created and illustrated by Raymond Briggs as a picture book in 1978. Narrated entirely through hand-drawn illustrations, the book tells the magical story of a boy whose snowman comes to life. It perfectly captures the wonder and innocence of childhood and has become an intrinsic part of family Christmas, loved by generations of children.
The artworks are on display as part of a wider exhibition of Raymond Briggs’ original illustrations from The Snowman™ at Brighton Museum and Art Gallery until 6 January. The signed, one-off artworks are being auctioned online during the same period, with all proceeds going to Chestnut Tree House.
If you’d like to see this special exhibition, visit Brighton Museum before 6 January. And if you’d like to bid on any of the pieces visit the auction site at www.fundraising.bid/mysnowman
Leading children’s book illustrators pay homage to Raymond Briggs during the 40th Anniversary of The Snowman™
Describing why The Snowman™ is so important to Chestnut Tree House, Sarah Colbourne, Head of Fundraising said: “The Snowman™ is loved by many, but the themes and emotions particularly resonate with us and the children and families that we care for. The young boy in the story gets to experience the most amazing adventure, but then he loses his new friend. But, when you think of The Snowman™, it’s not the sad ending you remember. It’s the happy times they have together and this is very much what Chestnut Tree House is about – providing wonderful care, experiences, and precious memories of happy times together.”
Describing why he became a Patron, Raymond Briggs said: “Chestnut Tree House is unique, and it was a privilege to be asked to help in any way. I am delighted that my Snowman has helped Chestnut Tree House to raise money to provide care for so many local children and families.”
Christmas came to Eastbourne and Worthing on 24 and 25 November for families cared for by Chestnut Tree House, with two festive parties.
On Saturday 24 November, children and their families from across East Sussex attended a Chestnut Tree House Christmas party at Hailsham Community College. This was followed by another party for families in West Sussex and South East Hampshire on Sunday 25 November at the Charmandean Centre, Worthing.
Both parties had a magical Christmas theme, with carols provided by the Downland Singers, fun, laughter and dancing provided by children’s entertainer Pom Pom and a DJ. There was also face painting with Chantel and Dee, a funky photobox, balloon modelling, party princesses and Savage Caricatures. Of course, no Christmas party would be complete without a visit from Father Christmas, and he didn’t disappoint, coming along to meet the families and give them an early Christmas gift.
Thank you to everyone involved in helping to organise an early Christmas gift for the children we care for, and to Jo and Vanessa for the spectacular festive themed cake!
Festive fun for Chestnut Tree House families
Chestnut Tree Hou se news
St Ba rna bas House news
On Saturday 8 December, St Barnabas opened up the Day Hospice in order to host an event called Remembering…Stars. It was an opportunity for the children and young people within the St Barnabas community to come together to celebrate the life of a relative or friend that had died whilst in our care.
The 19 children that attended were aged from 3 years to 15 years, and there was something to do for everybody. The theme of Stars underlined the day, and the Art Room was laid out with an array of activities. The children had the choice of decorating photo frames, painting tree decorations and personalising star shaped candle holders. There were candle holders for everybody to decorate, and also the opportunity to write a message or sentiment on a star, which was then added to our Christmas Tree. The adults did not miss out, and it was lovely to see both children, young people and adults getting involved with the coloured paper, glitter and stickers! Staff and volunteers from the Family Services Team were on hand to offer support, and there were copious mince pies and biscuits available.
The day was then pulled together by a time of reflection, whereby Sarah from our Chaplaincy team read a poem whilst two volunteer children enacted out a star themed story.
The sentiment of the day was well summed up in a line from the poem,’ I know that it’s still here, though no one can see, the invisible cord from my star to me’.
Barnabee lights up Christmas treeStaff and colleagues gathered to enjoy mince pies and mulled wine, kindly donated by Caring Lady Funeral Director, Worthing, and to see Barnabee switch-on the Christmas tree lights at St Barnabas House. They were joined by Chair of Trustees, Patricia Woolgar, who said a few words, and Ovation, a local choir, who led the carol singing.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the official switch-on.
Light up A LifeOur annual Light Up a Life services were held at Worthing Assembly Hall on Monday 10 December.
Around 1,300 people attended the afternoon and evening services, joining together to remember and celebrate the
lives and memories of their loved ones. Everyone who attended received a votive candle to light at home to remember their loved.
At both services, we were joined by The Worthing Salvation Army Band and our guest act - children and teachers from Thomas A Becket Infant School. The singing by the children truly touched the hearts of everyone there.
Both services were wonderful and poignant occasions.
Thank you to all involved for making the services so special for those who attended.
Remembering…… Stars
Fu ndra isi ng news
“You have not lived if you have not been to the Great Wall”, so the Chinese saying goes! Join our St Barnabas House China Trekking Team and explore the mysteries of the Great Wall in October 2020. Trek along this legendary, man-made Wonder of the World, experience the fascinating culture and explore the treasures of Beijing with its Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and famous Tiananmen Square.
The trek will also take you along the Badaling Old Wall section where you will ensure your place in the history of the Great Wall by helping to reconstruct a section of it. In addition, as many of you will be taking on this trek in memory of a loved one, you will have the opportunity to leave them a message whilst taking on the challenge.
Visit www.stbh.org.uk/china to find out more.
Pets get festive this ChristmasAs Christmas approaches, we have had the pleasure of seeing some wonderful furry friends entered into our first ever Pet Festive competition. From cats in elf suits to dogs wearing Santa hats, we really have seen it all!
We spoke to Rhiannon, who owns Maisie, 10 (she’s cute, right?!) and she said,“Maisie is the most loving pup who is completely full of life and a massive bed monster. She loves sleeping in the same bed as me and sometimes takes herself to bed even before I go! She loves dressing up and we have lots of outfits for her. She jumps up with excitement whenever we get one out for her!”
Judging will commence on Thursday 21 December by the Day Hospice patients, where a winner will be announced and awarded with a bottle of champagne. We’re sure you’ll agree, it will be one tough decision to pick a winner! Who would you choose?
For any last minute entries, the deadline is 14 December, so get that tinsel out and take a snap of your pet!
You can enter here: www.stbh.org.uk/petfestive
Santa i360 abseil On the evening of 23 November, a team of Santas could be seen dropping from the British Airways i360 Tower in Brighton. They were all taking part in the first ever i360 night iDrop and were raising money for Chestnut Tree House.
Twenty four people dropped 450ft in the dark, each aiming to raise a minimum of £285 - the equivalent of an hour of all the care costs for Chestnut Tree House. Mark Dunford, from the Brighton and Hove Independent, was the last Santa to descend:
“The ‘Santas’ were a mixture of people who just wanted to raise money, who wanted to get involved with the charity and some who had first-hand experience of the incredible work the hospice does. These were amazing people who were doing an amazing thing. After watching the other Santas go through the process of preparing to drop, with varying levels of nervousness, I thought I would breeze through it. But I didn’t. That moment where you are told to walk backwards to the edge and then lean back is probably the most nerve-wracking thing I have done. But once I was descending, it was an amazing and surreal experience. There were about two minutes where I felt like the only person in the world - it was peaceful, still and a beautiful vista. It was a great time to reflect on why I - and the other Santas - were doing this.”
The Fundraising Team would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who made the event possible.
Fu ndra isi ng news
Brighton Jive on i360On the morning of Sunday 14 October, Julie and Alan Maher with 40 members of a local rock and roll dance group, Brighton Jive, took over the i360 on Brighton seafront for an hour, and raised £430 for Chestnut Tree House. On reaching the very top of the tower, two lovely singers took turns to sing while they danced a Charleston stroll followed by a 1950’s jive! It was a unique experience that was filmed and will be used as a promotional video for the i360 and Brighton Jive.
Thank you for your donation Brighton Jive!
Join us for breathtaking views at 320ftTake advantage of our early bird offer, register for just £35 and take on the iconic Emirates Spinnaker Tower 320ft abseil on Sunday 24 March 2019. Drop from the top and do something incredible for your local hospice.
Early bird offer closes on 14 January 2019 with limited places available.
To register visit www.stbh.org.uk/abseil 01903 706354 | [email protected]
Education news
This study day was facilitated to provide an opportunity for us to begin to work together to explore how everyone should have the same access to high quality, personalised care at the end of their lives. This should be regardless of their diagnosis, age, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or social circumstances.
The day was supported by some excellent external speakers and experts in their own fields. The following communities were represented: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community (LGBT), people living with dementia, people that are homeless and people from the Muslim community.
All of the delegates were very engaged, and there was a focus on ‘getting it right’ for everyone at the end of life. There was a real emphasis on promoting what had been learned in to clinical practice.
Addressing Inequalities in End of Life Care Study Day – 6 November 2018
Recognising Dying Study Morning - 27 September 2018Education facilitated another of the ‘Recognising Dying’ study mornings in September which was well supported by learners with a wealth of experience from different disciplines, including nursing and physiotherapy. There was also a keen interest from the student nurses.
The study morning focused on the importance of why we need to recognise this phase in the patient’s journey, identifying any reversible conditions and ensuring the patient’s comfort. The implications of not recognising that the person is dying were explored through group work and discussion.
The need to be inclusive of those important to the patient in explaining what is happening and the decisions resulting from assessment with regard
to appropriate and inappropriate treatment and interventions were also explored.
Delegate quote:
“This study morning reminded me of firstly looking for reversible causes and the use of the Karnofsky scoring will aid my decision making in practice. Communication, communication, communication - being confident to speak out when recognising that the patient is in the terminal phase.”
The event was very positively evaluated, with 100% of the delegates suggesting the session had increased their confidence in relation to the overall subject, which is very encouraging.
Education newsEdu cation news
December Tuesday 18 Looking After YourselfThursday 20 IV Update (St Richard’s Hospital)
JanuaryWednesday 9 CPR, Defibrillation & Anaphylaxis for CPCTThursday 10 Journal ClubMonday 14 RGNs & NAs Clinical Stat Day (IPU & Day Hospice)Tuesday15 CPR, Defibrillation for Non Clinical StaffTuesday 15 Introduction to Caring for People with Advanced Renal DiseaseWednesday 16 Verification of Expected Adult Death (VOEAD)Monday 21 Swap Shop: Motor Neurone Disease & The role of the MNDATuesday 22 MCA, DoLS & Restraint with EDGE trainingTuesday 22 Funeral Directors Study Afternoon Wednesday 23 Certificate in EOL Care for HCAs – Day 1Thursday 24 Hydration at the End of LifeFriday 25 Looking After YourselfTuesday 29 Understanding Frailty (NEW)Wednesday 30 MCA, DoLS & Restraint Wednesday 30 An Introduction to Supporting Adults that are BereavedThursday 31 Understanding the Principles of Advance Care Planning
All the above courses are open to all employees at St Barnabas House and Chestnut Tree House. More information about the courses can be seen on the Education noticeboards and also on the W/Drive/Group Information/Education – booking forms are here, too. Alternatively, to book your place or to find out more, please email [email protected] or call the Education Team on 01903 706356.
2018/19 Education programme December and January courses 2018
External Course Programme: Don’t forget all staff are able to attend any of the external courses free of charge, details of all courses can be found in our Education 2018-19 brochure, on the posters outside the Education office, or on the “W” drive under Education.
Reta il n ews
Roaring 20s themed party celebrations for our St Barnabas House Durrington shop Our St Barnabas House shop in Durrington opened in 1998 and recently celebrated 20 years of trading with a party. We were delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor of Worthing, Councillor Hazel Thorpe and her Consort Mr Robin Rogers, to the event. Tony Clark, one of our Trustees, presented longstanding awards to shop volunteers - Elizabeth Amey and Mary Baker who have been with us for 20 years. Five year badges were awarded to Alexis Langford, Sheila Clarke, Shirley Freebody and Janet Guttridge.
Father Christmas visits our Bognor Chestnut Tree House shop Father Christmas took a break from his busy schedule and popped into our Bognor shop to say hello to customers and the shop team. Shop Manager, Jacky Donovan, and Assistant, Simone Sinclair, also ran a tombola on the day to raise funds for Chestnut Tree House.
Our Chestnut Tree House Hove shop holds an auction and fashion show In celebration of Chestnut Tree House’s 15th birthday, our Hove shop recently held an auction and fashion show.
Shop Manager, Sue Cronin, took on the role of auctioneer for the day, whilst Assistant, Lynda Hilton, and volunteers dressed up in a selection of party dresses and took to the catwalk, all to raise money for Chestnut Tree House.
New St Barnabas House shop opens in ShorehamWe are delighted that our new St Barnabas House shop is now open in Shoreham High Street. This is our 12th St Barnabas charity shop, stocking everything from clothing, accessories, bric-a-brac, small electricals and books to homeware. It also boasts an exciting children’s section with clothing, toys and games, to appeal to families in the local area.
Head of Retail, Jan Harper, said: “Since opening, the shop has had a wonderful first few weeks, being busy every day and really supported by the local community. We would like to thank everyone and welcome the wonderful volunteers who have already joined the team.”
If you haven’t already been to see it, make sure you pay a visit! We would also love your good quality donations. Please drop them into the shop at 46 High Street, Shoreham, Monday to Saturday between 9am and 5pm.
The shop is offering a 10% discount (excluding new goods) until 31 January 2019. Just download the voucher on our website at www.stbh.org.uk/shops/shoreham
Volunteering opportunities
Thank you
WIN A CAR Monday 17 December 2018Shifts available between 8.30am and 5.30pmSelling raffle ticketsArndale Centre, Eastbourne
TESCO BAG PACKING Saturday 22 December 2018Packing shopping for donationsShifts available between 10am and 4pmTesco Store, Langney, Eastbourne
VEHICLE UPKEEP VOLUNTEERTo carry out basic vehicle safety and running checks. Cleaning the vehicle too. You do not need to be a mechanic. Weekly role at the Eastbourne Office.Chestnut Tree House, Eastbourne Office, Eastbourne
SQUIRREL MASCOT Be our Squirrel MascotDress code:Squirrel costume!Be the Mascot’s Minder!Dress code: CTH T-shirtWe are looking for a Squirrel Mascot adult volunteer, someone who would love to wear a squirrel costume to promote us – please note this suit may be heavy. We also want a ‘minder’ for the Mascot, to ensure they are safe and in the right place.These roles would be on an ad hoc basis which could be weekday or weekends, daytime or evening.
PROMOTIONAL STAND VOLUNTEERSVisit locations to promote our events by talking and handing out leaflets eg Hit the Downs, Littlehampton 10k Run.Weekdays or weekends. As required.
CHESTNUT TREE HOUSE - COLLECTING BOX COORDINATORSCo-ordinate the collection, placement and replacement of our hospices’ collecting tins around the local area, primarily in Chichester, Horsham, Crawley, Brighton, Hove, Lewes, Uckfield, Heathfield, Hastings, Crowborough and Haywards Heath. Weekly commitment of 2 hours max.
WEAR IT FESTIVE @ TESCO Wednesday 19 December 2018Public collectionsDress code: FestiveShifts available 10am – midday, midday - 2pm 2pm - 4pm Tesco Extra, Durrington
QUIZ NIGHTS Quiz Master requiredLast Thursday of each month 7.30pm - 10pmSwallows Return, Worthing
ST B’S BEE MASCOT Be our Bee MascotDress code: Bee costume!Be the Bee keeper!Dress code: STB T-shirt** Full training given **We are looking for a Bee Mascot adult volunteer, someone who would love to wear a Bee costume to promote us – please note, this suit may be heavy. We also want a ‘keeper’ for the Mascot, to ensure they are safe and in the right place. These roles would be on an ad hoc basis which could be weekday or weekends, daytime or evening.
PROMOTIONAL STAND VOLUNTEERSVisit locations to promote our events by talking and handing out leaflets eg. Night to Remember, Hit the Downs.Weekdays or weekends. As required.
PRIZE SOURCING AND COLLECTORS IN THE COMMUNITY Sourcing new prizes and collecting prizes that have been donated by our supporters. As and when required, to suit you. As required.HANGING BANNERS Could you help us by putting up and taking down our event banners? They are placed in various strategic locations around our hospices and normally involve using cable ties and clippers. Full instructions and locations will be given.Using your own car to travel to the locations which will mainly be around Worthing, Arun and Adur areas. Expenses can be reclaimed. As required.
VEHICLE UPKEEP (EASTBOURNE OFFICE) Carry out vehicle safety checks and help
keep them in a good condition.
FUNDRAISING EVENTS (16+) Ensure our fundraising events run
smoothly and are a success (Ad-hoc)
SHOPS (16+ or 15+ for DofE) Assist in one of our charity shops, sorting donations and serving the
public.
FUNDRAISING STAND CO-ORDINATOR Transport and co-ordinate charity
fundraising stands, using your own vehicle.
WAREHOUSE (16+) Sort through our many generous
donations ready for distribution to our charity shops.
Chestnut Tree House Current Volunteering
Opportunities
All opportunities are a regular involvement unless otherwise stated.
For more information or to request an application form, please contact Voluntary
