Springhill Hospice hosts a welcome visit for our Action Together team

This week, members of our Action Together Rochdale team were invited to Springhill Hospice to see, first-hand, the amazing projects they were delivering thanks, in part, to the Home from Hospital funding they received from us earlier this year.

Springhill Hospice is embedded in the local community of Rochdale and offers care for patients with life-limiting illnesses, and much-needed support for their carers and families.

In May 2024, their newly named 'Wellbeing and Outreach Team' set out to deliver a programme of self-management and wellbeing sessions in a variety of community settings close to home where people felt more comfortable. These sessions were in addition to the ones already taking place at the Hospice which support people at high risk of hospital admission due to living with a palliative life limiting condition.

The sessions have several outcomes, including;

• Teaching patients the skills they need to manage their condition, and improve their quality of life
• Reducing isolation
• Providing respite for patients and carers
• Enabling patients to remain as independent and comfortable as possible
• Planning for the future

A registered nurse, nursing assistant and creative therapist form part of the team who deliver the sessions in the community where people can receive advice and take part in relaxing, therapeutic and creative activities too.

By the end of August 2024, the Wellbeing and Outreach Team had successfully delivered 24 of the new Self-Management and Wellbeing sessions in a variety of locations. They have all been very well attended, and have received fabulous feedback, see quote below.

"Dear Hospice Dementia Team, You have truly made a difference to our Mum, and to us. We want you to know you are doing a wonderful job, and you are a beam of light in the dementia world. We pray and hope this invaluable service grows and grows. Sending love."

Four of the sessions were focused on symptom self-management, and 20 of the sessions were filled with creative and wellbeing activities including holistic therapies, aromatherapy, crafts, advance care planning, and of course lots of tea, coffee and cake!

Thank you so much to the team at Springhill Hospice for inviting us in, it was amazing for us to have the opportunity to see the wonderful success the new project is enjoying, and the huge impact it has on the patients and families using the service. We wish you every success and hope you continue to provide and develop this extremely helpful provision.