The Hospice in Highwoods, Colchester, remains open over Christmas, and SinglePoint continues providing support day and night throughout. Here are just some of the staff and volunteers working across the Hospice and Hospice in the Home this Christmas…

Hospice in the home

For many people supported by St Helena Hospice, this may be their last Christmas and many are supported by the Hospice in the Home team to remain comfortable in their own environment, surrounded by people they love in a familiar place. 

Angela Gaught is also a healthcare assistant on virtual ward and is on night shift with SinglePoint on Christmas Eve, added:  

“Even though Christmas is a time for celebrating, it is not always the case when someone’s loved one is dying or it’s someone's last Christmas. Being just a phone call away when they call SinglePoint on Christmas Eve night, a voice on the other end of the phone for reassurance or to go out and support them, and seeing their face light up as you bring a little joy and comfort, means the world to me and hopefully to them too.”

Hospice

Jackie Arnold will be volunteering as a ward helper on Christmas Day: 

“It’s always wonderful being part of the St Helena family, but especially so during the Christmas period.

“Amazing wafts are coming from the kitchen, as the chefs prepare delicious traditional homemade meals and treats, and all the staff are busy creating a familiar, comfortable and festive environment where patients and their families feel relaxed and able to enjoy Christmas away from home.

“It’s a really good feeling being together and sharing this day with other families; doing my little bit to help our patients enjoy the celebrations as much as possible.  I have worked on Christmas Day a few times and honestly, I don’t think I have been anywhere else where the spirit of Christmas is more evident.”

Deputy sister Claire Burton will be joining Jackie at the Hospice on Christmas Day. Claire said: 

“Christmas Day at the Hospice will be a special day for our staff and patients. Sadly, for some patients it may be their last Christmas, so the staff will make this a happy day for patients and their families. 

“As a deputy sister working Christmas Day I am lucky to share this experience with my patients and my family will know I’m doing my best to make someone else’s Christmas a memorable day. At the end of the day, I can celebrate with my family when I get home.”

At the Hospice in Colchester, staff and volunteers try to make the atmosphere as homely as possible for patients who are admitted. This year the domestic team decorated the real trees, which were donated by Fred Smith Christmas Trees, adding a little extra sparkle around the building. 

Lorraine Cheal, domestic supervisor, said: 

“It's my 60th birthday on Christmas Day but I can celebrate at home later. We have been decorating the Hospice and doing what we can do to make patients and their visitors feel comfortable and enjoy the season as best they can.”

Festive music plays along the corridor and throughout December various musicians and choirs have played for patients and their visitors. 

Karen Fryett, clinical support worker, said: 

“We make it Christmassy at the Hospice for patients and families. There is wine and mince pies and we make it special. We give presents out Christmas Day. I love it. It’s nice we can do that for patients on what may be their last Christmas; we’ve got to make it as special as we can. It means everything to me to help people make their memories, but we don't just do it at Christmas, we do it all year round. I make every day as special for people as I can.”

This will be nurse Abbie Sim’s first Christmas at the Hospice, and she is looking forward to making a difference on her Boxing Day night shift. Abbie said:

“It's going to be nice to help make memories for families and the patients, I think that will mean a lot to them. 

“The decorations around the Hospice make it feel like Christmas make it feel more like you want to celebrate and not feel secluded away. Christmas can be a very lonely time, especially when you're away from your home or family, but at the Hospice, seeing the decorations and being able to have your family and pets here, it makes you feel more relaxed and want to celebrate together around this time.”

For people missing a loved one at Christmas, bereavement counsellor Kaye Riley, understands this time of year can be difficult: 

“Christmas is a very difficult time when someone very close to you has died. Try to manage grief around the Christmas period by putting yourself first; do what’s best for you to help you cope, don’t worry about what others might do or think.

“If you would like to forget Christmas altogether, that’s ok. If you want to celebrate it, that’s ok too, you can feel happy when you are bereaved. Give yourself time to grieve and be open and honest with your family and friends.”

For information about any St Helena Hospice service and to refer yourself or a loved one for support, visit www.sthelena.org.uk/refer or call 01206 890 360.