Theme: Our care and services

What attracted you to work at St Ann’s? 

My first experience of St Ann’s was as a community Social Worker. I visited several times to support with discharge planning. The depth of compassion and dedication shown by all the staff always struck me, and the welcoming atmosphere.         

I also have a personal connection to St Ann’s, as my brother was cared for at St Ann’s Hospice. It was truly comforting to know that he and his family were so well cared for at the end of his life.      

When an opportunity to work at the hospice arose, I instantly knew it was a place I wanted to work. I have been extremely fortunate to work at the hospice for nearly 9 years. I’m Team Leader of the Patient and Family Support Team and also Safeguarding Lead at the Hospice. 

What does safeguarding mean? 

Safeguarding is about keeping people safe from harm, abuse and neglect. It is about supporting individuals to make their own choices and promoting the wellbeing of the person, making sure we treat people as individuals and take into account their thoughts, feelings, wishes and beliefs. 

What does your role as Safeguarding Lead involve? 

St Ann’s Hospice takes its safeguarding responsibilities very seriously. We make every effort to make sure we provide safe and effective care. My role as the Safeguarding Lead is to help ensure the Hospice continues to provide excellent care and is a safe setting for patients, families, staff and volunteers. 

My role includes:         

• Ensuring our safeguarding policies and procedures are up to date. 
• Making sure patients and their families, staff and volunteers know what to do if they have a safeguarding concern. 
• Training all staff to understand the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect 
• Providing support and advice to all staff and volunteers regarding policy, procedure and their responsibilities in safeguarding.    

• Managing safeguarding concerns and liaising with partner agencies such as Social Services and the NHS.   
• Maintaining and reviewing St Ann’s strategic plan for safeguarding. 
• Supporting an honest and open culture at the hospice.  

What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?  

I have a degree in Fine Art and before training to become a Social Worker I worked as an Artist. I gained grant sponsorship from North West Arts to provide Art sessions in the community and discovered that I had a passion for working with people.   

What do you like to do when you’re not at work? 

I love taking my dog Isla on long walks, especially if there is opportunity for a pint of the local brew in a cosy country pub…however we invariably only get to sit outside the pub as she’s a bit of mucky pup!  

For some, the difficult time we’ve all been going through has also presented an opportunity to build new friendships with neighbours, with local communities coming together to support those shielding and looking out for vulnerable people near-by. 

It makes me proud that in Greater Manchester there are so many people willing to step up and put others first.  We’re a city that has endured so much but we always come together with a spirit of unity to face whatever comes our way. 

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary this year, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on the power of community and how the care we’ve been able to provide to local patients has only been possible thanks to those around us. 

At St Ann’s, we support the NHS and social care services, providing care to people with cancer and a whole range of other life-limiting illnesses, from the point of their diagnosis, through their treatment and beyond.  We take pressure away from hospitals whilst also ensuring those who need us can access the very specialist palliative or end of life care that the hospice provides.   

As a charity, we’re only able to do that thanks to the community that supports us, whether by volunteering their time, spreading the word, or helping us raise the £20,000 a day we need to continue our services. 

Local people that choose to support us surprise me every day.  They come up with unique ways to raise funds.  They take time out of a busy schedule to think of our patients.  Many have such a lot going on in their own lives, but – even during a global pandemic – continue to think of St Ann’s and enable us to keep our doors open for the people of Stockport and beyond. 

As people in Greater Manchester move forward, seeking whatever a ‘new normal’ might look like, it’s heartwarming to know that at St Ann’s our local communities will continue to support us.  We simply wouldn’t be here without that amazing selflessness and we never take it for granted. 

As our birthday year continues, I’m excited to think about what the next half century of specialist, world-class hospice care might look like – one thing I’m grateful for is that whatever future generations of patients in our area need, the local community will continue to come together to ensure that they’re properly supported at such a vulnerable time in their life.  

Thank you so, so much. 

Ensuring the homeless population in our city is safe and vaccinated is incredibly important.   

But, at St Ann’s, we’ve also been working hard over the last year to provide invaluable services for homeless people which many wouldn’t automatically think of when considering the care that hospices provide. 

For most, the word hospice conjures up thoughts of care for people at the very end of their life – with cancer usually – all provided from within a hospice building. 

But, while end of life care provided by our specialist teams within our hospice sites is an incredibly important part of what we do, modern hospice care isn’t just about what happens within those walls. 

Everyone has the right to receive the care and support they need, and for many homeless people who are in need of support for cancer or other life-limiting illnesses, it can be incredibly difficult to access – especially if their health is getting worse, or they’re nearing the end of their life. 

Reaching out and going to where people that need our specialist care are is so important.  We always want to provide support in the way that is best tailored to their individual needs and wishes, and we know that a hospice building isn’t always right for everyone. 

We believe passionately in ensuring that anyone – whatever community they belong to – can access hospice care, which is why we set up our Homeless Palliative Care Service in Manchester. Working collaboratively with partners across the city who support people experiencing homelessness, our teams provide expertise and care right when it’s needed most. 

Our service helps people make informed decisions about their care, advocating for them and supporting them through challenging times.  It can help them reconnect with loved ones, and ensure, if needed, the provision of specialist end of life care too. 

We also train teams working on the ground with members of the homeless community to equip them with the tools they need to recognise if someone’s health is worsening, and to signpost them to appropriate support and care. 

The death of a loved one is distressing for all of us, but can bring additional challenges for people experiencing homelessness.  To support them through such difficult times, we offer bereavement support to staff and people experiencing homelessness themselves when there has been a death of someone they know.   

As lockdown begins to ease, we’re urging people across the city to not forget members of the homeless community who may need palliative and end of life care.   

A diagnosis of an illness which will shorten your life is devastating for anyone, but for homeless people it also brings additional challenges around where care will be provided, how that will be coordinated, and how your personal goals and wishes will be listened to and managed as your illness worsens.   

We’ve seen first-hand the impact that the specialist care we provide has on people at that extremely vulnerable time in their life.  Thanks to the support from our local community through donations and sharing information about the hospice, we’re able to continue providing services like this to people who need us most.   

As a charity, we really appreciate everything you do to help us continue caring, and never take that support for granted.  Thank you. 

“This month sees St Ann’s Hospice turn 50 years old. The hospice is one of the oldest and largest in the UK and, as chief executive, I’m so proud to be part of the team that is celebrating such an incredible milestone.

“We’re a charity that was founded by members of our local community, and we’re only able to continue to provide care to current and future generations of that same community, thanks to the generous support of local people. I would therefore like to say a huge thank you to our supporters for all of the support they’ve given over the years.

“There were those who took part in the initial appeal to create the hospice half a century ago, including groups of boys in Bury who sold conkers for four a penny. There were hundreds of people who headed to Granada TV when they opened the Coronation Street cobbles to the public for the first time in aid of the hospice. And there were those who turned out to see the Queen Mother when she officially opened our Heald Green site.

“There are so many people who have joined in our events, played our lottery, visited our shops, made a donation, or volunteered their time over the years. Thousands of individuals, all coming together to make a huge difference to the lives of our patients and their families.

“The support we’ve seen as we’ve worked on the front line during the pandemic has been phenomenal, and as we look to the future, which will see us creating a new hospice building that will be fit for another 50 years and beyond, I’d like to thank everyone who has been part of this amazing journey.

“We couldn’t do what we do without you, and your support is hugely appreciated. Thank you.”