St Columba's Hospice Life magazine autumn 2016

LIGHT UP A LIFE
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS
OF ST COLUMBA’S HOSPICE
REMEMBERING MUM
AUTUMN 2016

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for our latest news:
www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk
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@StColumbas
St Columba’s Hospice
15 Boswall Road
Edinburgh
EH5 3RW
T: 0131 551 1381
E: fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk
Scottish charity number: SC003634
Registered in Scotland No. 48700
Design by teviotcreative.com
03 WELCOME
04 NEWS
06 STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HELP YOU TO FEEL BETTER
07 DAY HOSPICE DELIGHTS
08 LIGHT UP A LIFE
10 OUR FIVE YEAR STRATEGY – ONE YEAR IN
12 CREATING FRIENDSHIPS, PUSHING YOUR LIMITS –
THE CELTIC CHALLENGE
13 CHRISTMAS FAIR 2016
14 CELEBRATE WITH US IN 2017
16 PHYSIOTHERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AT THE HOSPICE
17 THE TAR-TIN ARMY
17 THE PUSH 2016
18 REMEMBERING MUM
19 GIANT PUB QUIZ
20 RESEARCH MATTERS
21 INTRODUCING THE PERSON-CENTRE CARE PROJECT
22 SUPER SHOPS!
23 EVENTS CALENDAR 2016/17
24 BURNS SUPPER 2017
If you would like to receive your edition of Life via email rather than post,
please let us know by contacting fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk
IN THIS ISSUE
02 | WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK

WELCOME TO THE AUTUMN EDITION OF LIFE. WE HOPE THIS NEWSLETTER FINDS
YOU WELL, AND THAT YOU ENJOYED THE FEW DAYS OF SUNSHINE WE HAD OVER
THE SUMMER MONTHS!
WELCOME TO
THE AUTUMN 2016
EDITION OF LIFE
MAGAZINE
WWW.STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK | 03
Autumn and winter is a special time for the
Hospice, as we launch our annual Light Up A Life
appeal and enjoy the festive period. The festive
season can be a time for reflection and
remembrance and we hope you will share your
memories with us as we light up the Tree of
Remembrance as part of the appeal. The appeal
raises money for the Hospice to be able to care
for patients and families over the Christmas
period and we hope you will support us to
do this.
In this edition of Life you can read about the
work we have been doing over the last year to
bring the vision of our five year strategy, Care
and Compassion Matters, to reality. We have
been incredibly busy and we have achieved
a lot in the last year, and we have done all this
alongside providing our care and support to
patients and families. It’s thanks to the hard
work and dedication of all our staff and
volunteers that the achievements over the last
year have been possible. We could not have
achieved these things without the support of our
wider community, so we’d like to thank you too.
As we reflect on what we have achieved over
the last year, it’s also time to look forward to
2017, which will be a very special year for
St Columba’s Hospice. 2017 marks 40 years
since we first opened our doors of our Trinity
home to the public. The Hospice was opened
on Tuesday 6 December 1977 with enough
money in the bank to stay open for just three
months. We have come such a long way since
that day, and we are so grateful to every person
who has been connected with the Hospice – you
have made the Hospice the special place it is
today. I hope you will join us in celebrating 40
years of St Columba’s Hospice, we have lots of
exciting things planned and we can’t wait to
share those with you!
Thank you for your continuing support,
Jackie Husband
Chief Executive

A WALK TO REMEMBER
Thank you to everyone who participated in
A Walk To Remember which took place in June.
We had almost 200 participants join us to
walk through the heart of Edinburgh along the
picturesque Water of Leith.
Together you raised over £30,000, a massive
achievement so thank you! These funds will help
us continue to provide care and support for our
patients and their loved ones. The fun-filled
day was a huge success, so a big thank you
to all of our participants, volunteers and
sponsors for all of their support.
Why not get the whole family involved with
next year’s A Walk to Remember, which will
take place on Saturday 17 June.
ERGOCOACHES HELP PATIENTS
TO MOVE
Helping patients to move around safely and
comfortably is really important to the Hospice,
and so several of our staff members have
undertaken specialist Ergocoach training in
which they learnt techniques and skills to help
patients move. Diligent, a moving and handling
training company, provided training to eight
staff members, who can then share their
knowledge with the rest of the team.
This picture shows the staff members being
trained in the correct use of hoists, which can
be used to help patients in and out of bed.
NEWS FROM
THE HOSPICE

A NEW LOOK FOR MORNINGSIDE
ROAD
It’s a busy time for our shops as we continue
our work to refurbish each of our shops across
Edinburgh.
Our shop on Morningside Road, which has
been there for over 20 years, is the most recent
shop to be given a fresh new look with a lick
of paint both inside and out. The exterior of
the shop is now an on-trend grey, with an
eye-catching new sign and a dove above the
door. The inside has been given a vibrant new
look with our walls and display units now a
gorgeous shade of green.
We re-opened our Morningside Road shop in
July and you can find all the same treats and
bargains inside. Don’t forget to donate your
unwanted items too!
Earlier in the year we opened a new shop at
74 Dalry Road, which really needs your help to
stay open. Can you spare a few hours a week to
volunteer in the shop? Please get in touch with
Sarah Munro on 0131 555 0625 if you can help.
TOP GRADES FOR THE HOSPICE
FOLLOWING UNANNOUNCED
INSPECTION
Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS)
recently announced the results of an
unannounced inspection of St Columba’s
Hospice. HIS undertakes inspections of
independent healthcare services across
Scotland and is responsible for the regulation
of independent healthcare services. HIS
inspectors check independent healthcare
services regularly to make sure that they are
providing high quality care and complying
with necessary standards and regulations.
The inspection, which took place in June,
assessed the Hospice on five key areas – quality
of information, quality of care and support,
quality of environment, quality of staffing and
quality of management and leadership. Across
all key areas the Hospice was assessed as being
very good or excellent – which are the two
highest grades available.
Clinical Services Director Dot Partington
said: “Since our last inspection we have
developed many of our services, as well as the
environment in which we care for patients and
families. We are thrilled with the results of this
inspection and believe that it is a reflection of
the excellent care provided by our incredible
team of staff and volunteers.”
PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE TODAY
Planning for your future can seem like a
daunting task but if you take a little time to
do it now, it will save you and your family lots
of time in the future. Setting up a Will and
ensuring your legacy continues can mean that
your wishes are kept. We have partnered with
McClure Solicitors who are offering to review
and write your Will for free. They will also help
you arrange your Power of Attorney at half the
cost of their normal fee. Find out more about
the service on our website.
CHRISTMAS TREATS AND GIFTS
NOW AVAILABLE
Our annual Christmas cards and gifts are now
available in all of our shops and to buy online,
including a selection of gifts, diaries, calendars
and Christmas cards. Pick up your catalogue
at the Hospice, or buy online at
www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk.

"Staff and volunteers
help you to feel better"
These are the words of a patient on the Cedar Ward, about her experience of being at the
Hospice. Wishing to remain anonymous, the patient created these thought bubbles as a way
to share her story.
With massive thanks to an army of
volunteers from those who give out
water, to flower arranging, tending to the
beautiful gardens, manning reception and
helping with fundraising – it is because
of their dedication that the Hospice can
function in such an amazing way.
Linda the hairdresser is there to do your
hair, making you feel better when you
are unable to manage it on your own.
During days
with a feeling
of despair,
staff comfort
and help
fill you with
more positive
thoughts.
Amazing doctors with
huge expertise in palliative
care – kind, supportive –
giving you the security and
confidence that your issues
are taken in hand and can
be massively improved.
Wonderful, cheerful nurses
and support staff took
control of the decisions
about pain and stopped
my fear of clock-watching,
by deciding the pain relief
I could take and when.
A team of therapists
provide treatments such
as reflexology which give
you a lasting effect of
relaxation.
Marvellous kitchen staff
provide tasty food for
those with or without an
appetite and they can’t do
enough to help you when
food is unappealing to you.
Pauline, the counsellor, in a
very warm and supportive
way helps you to
rationalise your thoughts
and feelings.
Having eaten very little due to nausea
and losing weight – symptoms which
plagued me for several months – were
addressed.”

As part of phase one of
the development of spaces
throughout the Hospice, we
have given a makeover to
our inpatient wards and main
reception area. We have now
started work on phase two
of the interior design project,
starting with Day Hospice.
This area has been lovingly
decorated, transforming the
lounge and dining area, quiet
room, complementary therapy
room and treatment room.
The Day Hospice reception areas
have also been treated to vibrant
wallpaper and comfortable
seating. As part of phase two,
we have also been working
on our outpatients’ area and
gatehouse and we look forward
to including pictures of those in
our next edition of Life.
DAY HOSPICE
GETS A MAKEOVER

LIGHT UP
A LIFEChristmas seems to be a time of journeying
– to the shops, into the kitchen to stir up the
puddings, travelling to see loved ones far away.
Wherever our own Christmas journeys take us,
this is a special time of year, and here at the
Hospice it's a time to journey to Charlotte
Square to see our Tree of Remembrance.
With all the tradition, fun and busyness of being
together, it can be a time that we look forward
to celebrating, but we know that for some of
us it can be a difficult time too.
Being at home is such an important part of
Christmas for many people, and as it approaches,
people on our wards often tell us that is where
they want to be. In order to help people be at
home for Christmas, our social worker works
with the council to ensure that people have
access to the practical support they need to get
home. The environment at home can be difficult
for people to get around particularly at Christmas
with all the extra decorations and traditions,
so our occupational therapists will work with
patients and their carers to ensure that home
is a safe and comfortable place.
Lots of our patients find that it’s a difficult time
because it puts a spotlight on things that they
can’t do anymore. Our physiotherapy team will
support patients to work on their goals step
by step; together they break them down into
manageable chunks so that they are achievable.
So whether people want to be able to sit at the
table for Christmas dinner with the family, to
wrap presents or make the Christmas cake, we
are able to help people to reach their goal and
enjoy being part of the season.
Our counselling and chaplaincy teams work hard
all year round, but we often find that in the run
up to Christmas the call on the service increases.
The teams offer encouragement and support and
help people to find their courage. That might
be the courage to buy and wrap presents for
the children as normal, it might be to put up a
tree with the memories of all the times when it
was done together, or the courage to make new
memories for the next step of their journey. For
the people who spend Christmas with us on the
wards, the Christmas Day service provided by
the chaplaincy team can feel extra special for the
patients and their families, and for the staff team
who are working too.
All this can be life changing, not only for our
patients who can spend what may be their last
Christmas surrounded by family and friends, but
also for their carers’ and loved ones. Knowing
that someone is safe either at home or with us
at the Hospice, means that it is possible to nip
out to do last minute shopping, or to make their
Christmas hair cut appointment; small things that
mean a lot.
For inpatients, getting out to the shops for
presents can be a real worry. So this year,
we’re delighted to be hosting a series of
creative workshops in our newly furnished
Art Room on Pentland Ward in the run up to
Christmas. We have some amazingly talented
volunteers, including Margaret who has offered
to run a series of workshops which will enable
people to make a different gift each week.
These creations will be treasured by those
receiving them and, we hope, become a special
part of family stories for years to come.
Wherever your Christmas journey takes you this
year, we hope it will be as special as you help
ours to be.
By Becky Chaddock
HEADOFSUPPORTIVECARE
Remember your loved ones by making your
dedication and donation through our website:
www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk/lightupalife

My Mum has been a supporter of the Hospice
for many years as my Granny passed away in
the Hospice on 22 December 1982. Mum has
taken part in the raffles, donated to and bought
from the shops, made regular donations and
supported the Light Up A Life appeal.
On 12 January 2009, my Dad was admitted
to the Hospice. He had been suffering with
cancer for 18 months and unfortunately he
deteriorated quite rapidly, so his GP
recommended he be admitted to the Hospice.
We were unsure if Dad was aware that he was
in the Hospice, but the care he received from
the staff was second to none and we have no
doubt that his final days were comfortable
and pain free. Sadly Dad passed away on
15 January 2009.
On the day my Dad passed away, it was also
the official opening of the Columba Room and
we were invited to be part of it. My Mum
didn’t want to leave my Dad’s bedside, so a
nurse kindly offered to sit with him to allow us
to attend the ceremony. It just showed to us
how passionate the wonderful staff members
are about their job and the care that they
provide to their patients.
Each year we support the Light Up A Life
appeal because every penny raised goes
directly to the Hospice to allow them to
continue providing the best care and support
possible to patients and families, like the care
that my Dad, my Granny and our family
received.
Over the past few years we have also done
various fundraising activities to raise funds for
the Hospice. Our most recent activity was on
18 September 2015 when Megan and myself
walked 11 miles from Prestonpans to the
Hospice, raising a fantastic amount of money.
Megan came up with the idea that she wanted
to raise money for the people who had
helped her Grunda and that we should walk
from the place he was born to the place
where he passed away. The walk itself was a
great challenge, especially for Megan who
was only 11 at the time, and we were both
sure that her Grunda would have been very
proud.
The Light Up A Life appeal means a lot to our
family as it is our way of remembering loved
ones we have lost over the years, especially
my Dad – it means our loved ones are always
part of our Christmas celebrations.
Over the years, we have seen the Tree of
Remembrance many times on our festive trips
to Edinburgh and this year will be our first
year attending the Light Up A Life event.
"WE LIGHT UP A LIFE TO
REMEMBER OUR LOVED ONES"
By Lynda Reid
HOSPICESUPPORTER

OUR FIVE YEAR STRATEGY
ONE YEAR IN
INOCTOBER2015,THEHOSPICELAUNCHEDAFIVEYEARSTRATEGYCALLEDCARE&
COMPASSIONMATTERS.THESTRATEGYLAIDOUTWHATWEWANTEDTOACHIEVEOVERTHE
NEXTFIVEYEARSUNDERDIFFERENTTHEMES–CAREMATTERS,GETTINGITRIGHTMATTERS,
COMMUNITYMATTERS,MONEYMATTERSANDKNOWLEDGEMATTERS.
Over the last 12 months, our team has been
working incredibly hard to achieve the goals
which we had highlighted for year one of the
strategy and we are delighted to share some
of our achievements with you.
The last year has flown by, and we’ve made
some significant and very noticeable changes
to the Hospice. We’ve also made some small
changes which make a big difference too.
CARE MATTERS
We have implemented strands of our art strategy
through the installation of Our Hospice in Words
in the glass corridor from the main reception to
the Iona Café and we have created an art room
for all patients, located on the Pentland Ward.
We have also developed a partnership with
Edinburgh Printmakers to create an exhibition
of art work inspired by the Hospice, and we are
seeking funding for an Artist in Residence.
We reviewed the roles of our ward volunteers and
our reception volunteers - strengthening the team
we have on reception to welcome visitors to the
Hospice and ensuring volunteers are on hand in
the wards to help staff, patients and families.
We have also introduced our furry friends – the
therapets! We now have therapy dogs who come
to the Hospice to visit patients and families, a
service which has proved very popular.
Our Supportive Care Team has been developed,
with the recruitment of new physiotherapists
and occupational therapists, and a head of
supportive care, to ensure our patients have
access to the services we offer.
The community nursing team now offer their
services seven days a week instead of Monday
to Friday, recognising that people need support
every day of the week.
Day Hospice services have also been redesigned,
so that they better fit the needs of the patients
and the Hospice. The Day Hospice team is now
fully integrated with the community nursing
team, making it easier for patients to be referred
between the two and for patients to access the
right service for them.
Getting It Right Matters
As part of our interior design project, both
inpatient wards now have comfortable and
relaxing family rooms, homely patient and family
lounges, play areas for children and kitchen
and dining rooms. The gardens have also been
developed to create a peaceful and pleasant
outdoor space.
Across all our services we have introduced a
new system for recording all the care a patient
receives, moving away from paper records to
an electronic system. The team has worked
incredibly hard to get the system in place and
to make sure everyone who uses the system has
the skills to do so.
Away from the wards, we have strengthened our
Clinical Governance team whose job is to ensure
we continue to provide high standards of care.
In addition, we have also introduced a new
accounting system to our finance department, we
have enhanced our risk management process, and
improved the WiFi coverage across the Hospice.

MONEY Matters
The Fundraising Team has been as busy as
ever, with the introduction of new events and
initiatives to raise money for the Hospice. The
Giant Pub Quiz was so successful in May, we are
having another one in November, see page 19
for details on how to book tickets. We also have
three very brave supporters who will be trekking
100km in to the Arctic Circle in the spring of
2017.
This year we introduced our Tribute Funds,
with the installation of 800 handmade ceramic
forget-me-not flowers in to our Tribute Garden.
Since we launched the Tribute Funds, we are
pleased to say that over 40 have been opened
and £22,000 has been raised in memory of loved
ones.
We opened a new shop on Dalry Road, which
serves the local community and raises money for
the Hospice. The Dalry Road shop was the first
to feature our new colour scheme for the shops,
and Morningside Road has also been rebranded.
We will continue rebranding the rest of the
shops, with the Fauldhouse shop next on the list.
Furthermore, the shops also now have cybertills,
which means we can easily reclaim GiftAid on
items we sell.
KNOWLEDGE Matters
We have worked with our local NHS services
to provide a secondment opportunity for two
NHS nurses, to enhance their knowledge and
understanding of palliative care and how the
Hospice works.
Our Centre for Education & Research welcomed
two new members of staff – a research fellow
and a practice and staff development manager.
The research fellow’s role is to develop research
at the Hospice and to work in partnership with
other organisations such as Marie Curie and the
University of Edinburgh.
COMMUNITY Matters
We opened our doors in October 2015 and
September 2016 for Doors Open Day, inviting
the public to visit the Hospice and see our
facilities and learn more about our history
and services.
We also welcomed the public for our Art Friends
exhibition and sale, and have had visitors from
Iceland, Sweden and China who came to learn
from us so they can develop palliative care
practice in their home countries.
Applications to become a volunteer continue to
increase, and we currently have 680 volunteers
working alongside our staff, patients and
families. We were pleased to be able to give out
72 long service awards to volunteers over the
course of the year – tea and cake were enjoyed
by all!
We were delighted to be invited to speak at
Trinity Community Council, where we updated
the council on the latest developments at the
Hospice.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT Matters
Lynn Muir is a volunteer at the Hospice who has
been working with the management team to
help us structure how we report on the progress
of the projects we have been working on.
Working one day a week, Lynn is setting up
plans, summaries and reports which will track
the progress being made across the Hospice.
In order to do this, Lynn is gathering a thorough
understanding of the five year plan, all of the
activities that are being undertaken and who is
responsible for delivering the changes.
Lynn said: “For many years I was employed as an
IT programme / project manager in the financial
sector and I have also volunteered as project
manager in other charitable organisations.
I have enjoyed working on these projects and
as a volunteer at the Hospice, as it allows me
to use my commercial experiences to benefit
people as opposed to just financial institutions!
“Whilst my role doesn't shape the services,
it helps make visible the changes that others
are making to the services. To gather the
information, I have to ask a lot of questions
which in turn is making others think clearly about
the response to the strategy. Reporting on the
changes the team is delivering will help to bring
focus and visibility to the implementation of
the strategy, ensuring we are all working towards
the same goals.”

CREATING FRIENDSHIPS, PUSHING YOUR LIMITS
THE CELTIC CHALLENGE
The Celtic Challenge departs the Hospice in
Edinburgh and finishes on the tiny island of Iona,
taking in some of Scotland’s most scenic and
challenging cycling routes. Cycling 50 miles a
day for four days, the Celtic Challenge forms
friendships, tests your limits and is an incredibly
rewarding way to raise funds for the Hospice. Ian
Williamson, a volunteer at the Hospice, took part
in 2015 and tells us about his experience…
Why did you sign-up for the Celtic Challenge?
To raise funds for the Hospice and to get fit -
I like to have a goal to help motivate me!
What was it about the Challenge that appealed
to you?
I enjoy cycling, I like a challenge and the
opportunity to see some of Scotland’s beautiful
scenery really appealed.
Did you have any cycling experience?
I have some experience – I did the Whitehaven to
Tynemouth Coast to Coast ten years ago, but prior
to the Celtic Challenge I only cycled about town.
How did you find the training process?
The training plan was excellent with clear targets
for the weeks and months leading up to the ride.
The practice ride was also a great idea as it was
an opportunity to meet the other riders and
assure us that we could ride hills as well as the
next man and woman.
What was it like setting off from the Hospice?
Just superb – we all got kitted-up in our
Challenge cycling jerseys, had a great breakfast
and took over the Iona café. But the best part
was that as well as our relatives and friends
waving us off there were lots and lots of staff,
volunteers and patients wishing us well and
counting us down for the off.
How did you find the cycling, did it get easier or
harder as the days went on?
Having followed the training plan the cycling
was not as bad as I and others had feared. The
way the days were set out was excellent, we did
the ride in 10-12 mile sections and had lots of
refuelling stops. At each stop, we all waited until
everyone had a good rest before pushing on.
What were the hardest and most rewarding
parts of the route?
Without appearing immodest there were not too
many hard parts, apart from my self-imposed
alcohol ban until the last night! The Rest & Be
Thankful was the section we were all dreading
beforehand - so when we all managed it and
then whizzed down the other side to meet at the
layby at the bottom it was magical! Plus, we all
got a complimentary Mars Bar from the coffee
shack at the top of the hill! As for rewards – great
sense of personal achievement, raising funds for
the Hospice, making new friends and realising
that we all underestimate our abilities – no hill on
the route was too steep!
How did you feel when you reached the finish
point at Iona Abbey?
Brilliant! Friends and families had made the trip
to see us over the finish line and having a sweaty
hug made it all worthwhile. There were lots of
mixed emotions as we had all done the ride for
different reasons and many absent friends were
remembered.
What was your experience like overall?
It was a marvellous experience. I would
recommend the Celtic Challenge to people of
all ages and abilities. The age range was 30-76,
there were hybrid and road bikes plus a tandem.
Most importantly although it is a Challenge, it is
not a race. It is about enjoyment and it was most
certainly enjoyable!
Would you like to join our team of Celtic
Challenge cyclists in 2017? Do something
amazing for yourself and the Hospice in our
40th year – be part of the Celtic Challenge!
You can register today by going to www.
stcolumbashospice.org.uk/celticchallenge
or call the fundraising team on 0131 551 1381.
The Celtic Challenge will take place from
17 – 21 May 2017.

CELEBRATING
40 YEARSOF ST COLUMBA'S HOSPICE IN 2017
2017 WILL BE A VERY SPECIAL YEAR FOR ST COLUMBA’S HOSPICE AS WE MARK
40 YEARS SINCE WE FIRST OPENED OUR DOORS!
In the last 40 years, you have helped us care for thousands of patients and their families, and we are
incredibly grateful to every single person who has been a part of our Hospice community whether
that is as a patient, family member, volunteer, staff member or supporter – every person has helped
to make the Hospice the special place that it is today.
In 2017, we will be celebrating all year long and we hope you will join us in marking this special year.
Here are some of the things we will be doing to celebrate 40 years of St Columba’s Hospice…
A SPECIAL LOGO
Keep your eyes peeled for our special
40th anniversary logo, which will be
launched in January 2017 and will
highlight the 40 years we have been
providing care and support across
Edinburgh and the Lothians. You’ll see the
special logo sitting proudly next to our
regular dove logo for the whole of 2017.
THE NEXT 40 YEARS IN PALLIATIVE
CARE – A CONFERENCE
In the autumn of 2017 we will be hosting a
special conference in Edinburgh for health and
social care workers, looking at what the Hospice
has achieved over the last 40 years and what
the next 40 years might bring. The conference
will bring together some of palliative care’s most
respected speakers to discuss how the care and
support we provide might change in the coming
decades.
IS IT A SPECIAL 40TH YEAR FOR YOU TOO?
If it’s your 40th
birthday in 2017, or if you are
celebrating your 40th
wedding anniversary, why
not celebrate with us? Make 2017 and your 40th
celebrations even more special by fundraising
for the Hospice, for example you could have
a 1977 themed party and hold a raffle to raise
money for the Hospice! Or, you could mark the
occasion by taking part in four 10km running
events and run 40km in total throughout the
year! You could ask family and friends to make
a donation to the Hospice instead of giving gifts
- we like to think of it as a celebration donation!
We'd be incredibly touched if you shared your
celebration with us. Get in touch with the
Hospice’s fundraising team and we will support
you with lots of ideas and tips for making your
celebration a success!

Get in touch with the fundraising team
by calling 0131 551 1381 or email
fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk.
We also have lots of fundraising information
and inspiration on our website too!
A LOOK BACK
The Hospice has many photographs from
throughout our history, here’s a selection
from over the last 40 years. Do you have any
pictures of the Hospice from the last 40 years?
Please share them with us by emailing them to
media@stcolumbashospice.org.uk or get in
touch with the fundraising team.
1 Fundraising event in Charlotte Square Gardens, June 1981
2 Lord and Lady Provost with Dr Derek Doyle and Sister
Simpson, 5 year anniversary visit in December 1982
3 A bereavement support group meeting with Sister
McKenzie, Education Officer Jean Lugton, Dr Prue Barron
and Dr Gena Halliday
4 Occupational Therapist Rosemary Mackenzie welcomes
patients for the opening of Day Hospice in August 1981
42
31
MAKE YOUR EMPLOYER PART
OF OUR 40 FOR 40!
We are looking for 40 brilliant employers
to join our 40 for 40 club! We are asking
40 local companies to celebrate with us
by raising £1,000 each in 2017, collectively
raising a massive £40,000 for our birthday
year. This could be done through staff
fundraising, coming along to the Hospice’s
events or a one-off donation.
For more information about our 40 for
40 club contact our trust and corporate
fundraiser, Barbara Brockie, on 0131 551 1381.
ORGANISE YOUR OWN EVENT!
If you have an idea for a fundraising activity
that you would like to organise, we’d be
delighted to help you with your event. We can
provide you with branded balloons, collection
buckets and tins, t-shirts, posters and a
fundraising pack to help you with your event.
Get in touch with the fundraising team and let
us know what you are going to do!

PHYSIOTHERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY AT THE HOSPICE
Through our five year strategy, Care and
Compassion Matters, St Columba's Hospice
has demonstrated its commitment to the
development of services to help our patients
and families be cared for and supported
whether within the Hospice or at home. This has
included an exciting opportunity to expand the
occupational therapy and physiotherapy team.
This year we have welcomed physiotherapist
Donna Duffy, physiotherapy assistant Val Gibson
and occupational therapist Jennifer McLean.
They join the already established therapy team
of Yvonne Whitehouse, physiotherapist; Fiona
Cruickshank, occupational therapist; and Marion
Bowen, occupational therapy assistant, to provide
support for inpatients and community patients
alike. Both physiotherapy and occupational
therapy work closely together and patients can
be involved with one or both at different times
of their illness. This team is complemented by
Liam McAlonie, the patient and family support
assistant, who is integral in supporting patients’
transition between the Hospice and home.
Current figures show the majority of people
would choose to die at home and an increase
in therapy services will help support people
at home in their last weeks and days of life,
by assessing for and arranging provision of
specialist beds, chairs and other equipment.
The service helps families feel confident in caring
for someone in the safest ways to make them
as comfortable as possible. There is a common
misconception that palliative care physiotherapy
and occupational therapy are only appropriate
when someone is coming to the end of their
life; in fact, it is beneficial much earlier than
that. With the advances in treatments for life-
limiting illnesses, people are living much longer
with these illnesses and the side effects that
treatments can cause.
We provide practical support to enable people
to overcome physical and psychological
difficulties that prevent them from doing the
activities that matter to them. We can look at the
important areas of patients' lives and decide how
best to work with them to achieve their goals and
help people to move around and stay as active
and independent as possible. With the expansion
of the team, we have the opportunity to assess
more people at home to make the environment
more accessible, to provide equipment to aid
everyday tasks, to assess for small adaptations
at home like rails and bannisters and to provide
specific functional exercise to help them achieve
the things that are important to them.
We are also very pleased to now be in position
to develop classes for symptom control including
breathlessness, fatigue, anxiety, and muscle
weakness either from illness or its treatments.
We will provide guidance on appropriate types
and level of activity and exercise, and work on
specific things like strength and balance.
The additional input on the ward will help us
assess and provide rehabilitation to patients who
are admitted and will benefit from this to help
maintain their levels of ability, and build on the
existing role that we have on the ward supporting
the transition between the Hospice and home.
We work closely with our inpatient and
community staff as well as GPs, consultants,
district nurses and carers, ensuring patients get
a person-centred approach to their support.
We aim to maximise patient’s abilities and help
them to achieve their goals, whilst supporting
them to cope and adapt with some of the physical
and psychological problems they may face.

Since the recruitment of new volunteers at the
beginning of this year, the number of tins has
increased significantly and there has been a huge
increase on the Hospice’s presence in our local
community. We have 181 new outlets in this year
alone thanks to the incredible efforts of our tin
collectors, bringing the total number of tins to
377.
Thanks to the amazing work of our tin collectors
and the outlets who support the Hospice, in the
first seven months of this year we’ve already
raised more than our total amount raised during
2015 – an amazing achievement so a big thank
you to our tin collectors and the supporting
outlets for all of their efforts and for their
continued support.
Our tins can be found in pubs, cafés, hairdressers
and pharmacies from Deans to Dunbar and
we’re always looking for new volunteers and
businesses to support our tin fundraising.
If you are interested in becoming a tin collector
or if your business would like to display one of
our collection tins, please get in touch with our
fundraising team on 0131 551 1381 or email
tins@stcolumbashospice.org.uk.
OURCOLLECTIONTINSPLAYAVITALPART
INFUNDRAISINGANDAREMANAGEDBY
AGROUPOF 80VOLUNTEERSWHOEACH
LOOKAFTERANAREAWITHINEDINBURGH
THATISLOCALANDCONVENIENTTOTHEM.
THE TAR-TIN
ARMY
Thank you so much to the 178 participants
who took on the challenge of The Push in
September! Every participant conquered The
Push and raised money to ensure the Hospice
can continue to provide specialist support for
patients and their families – and everyone at the
Hospice is incredibly grateful for your amazing
efforts! The pictures from The Push are all on the
Hospice website, do have a look and if you’re
feeling inspired don’t forget to have a look at our
forthcoming events to see what other challenge
events we have coming up in 2017!
THE PUSH
2016

REMEMBERING MUM
KARENLAMB’SMUMWASDIAGNOSEDWITH
MOTORNEURONEDISEASEANDSPENTHER
FINALWEEKSATTHEHOSPICE.HERE,KAREN
SHARESHERSTORYABOUTTHEEXPERIENCE
SHEHADANDWHYSHEHASSETUPA
TRIBUTEFUND...
My Mum, Dorothy Tuner, was diagnosed with
Motor Neurone Disease at the end of February
2015. After being admitted to the Western
General Hospital for 10 days, she was admitted
to St Columba’s Hospice.
My Mum was my best friend and my soulmate,
and we loved to spend time together. Mum loved
going to our caravan in Jedburgh with my Dad,
pottering about and spending time doing the
garden.
When Mum was diagnosed, we had heard of
MND and knew a bit about it, but the initial
diagnosis was hard to understand and digest.
Mum was diagnosed promptly but her health
declined quickly.
When we visited the Hospice my Mum, Dad and
I were all struck by the location, the grounds, the
bedrooms and the sense of calmness throughout
the whole Hospice.
The whole team at the Hospice took away the
fear factor for my family, because everyone was
so kind and talked to us so much about how
my Mum was doing. The doctors explained
everything to us, gave us lots of information
and told us what was being done to help Mum.
The nurses were kind and light-hearted, using
humour to keep Mum’s spirits up. When I wasn’t
there at the Hospice, I knew Mum was being
looked after. I never worried about her being at
the Hospice.
We loved the room that Mum was staying in,
and she enjoyed being able to sit in the chair
in her room. She loved seeing and smelling the
fresh flowers in her room, looking at the garden
and the view over the courtyard. It was like a
home from home and that is really important
because it makes you feel so much more at ease.
The chaplaincy team at the Hospice knew I
was due to get married in the spring, so before
Mum died we had a blessing ceremony in the
Columba Room followed by afternoon tea. It
was so special to be able to share that with Mum
and for her to see us having the blessing. A few
weeks after Mum died, I got married. It was an
emotional day, even more so because I wore her
wedding dress.
Mum passed away only 33 days after being
diagnosed with MND. Losing my Mum was a life
changing experience and it made me realise how
amazing St Columba’s Hospice is.
When I was visiting the Hospice I saw the
stunning ceramic forget-me-not flowers in the
courtyard. I found out more about the Tribute
Garden and I thought it was the perfect tribute
to my wonderful Mum. I have opened my Tribute
Fund and I will raise money for Mum's fund and
the Hospice.
St Columba’s Hospice is the most amazing
place I have ever experienced. All of us will
lose someone we love one day and having the
support and care of a place like St Columba’s
Hospice has been wonderful.
If you would like to find out more about
Tribute Funds, visit our website at
www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk/tributefunds,
or call the fundraising team on 0131 551 1381.

£600
THURSDAY 10 NOVEMBER, 7PM
A Pie A N D A Pint
( B E E R , G L A S S O F W I N E O R A C I D E R )
INCLUDED IN THE TICKET PRICE
first
prize2ND AND 3RD PLACE PRIZES
ALSO UP FOR GRABS
(OR £15 PER HEAD)
For tickets
FUND@STCOLUMBASHOSPICE.ORG.UK
or call 0131 551 1381
The Giant
PUBQUIZ
£75 for a team of 6£75 for a team of 6£75 for a team of 6
St Columba’s Hospice is a registered charity.
Charity No. Sc003634
Edinburgh Corn Exchange,
10 New Market Rd,
Edinburgh,EH14 1RJ
AT EDINBURGH
CORN EXCHANGE

RESEARCH MATTERS
AKEYPARTOFTHEWORKDONEBYSTCOLUMBA’SHOSPICEISRESEARCHABOUTPALLIATIVE
CARE.THERESEARCHWEDO,OFTENWITHPARTNERORGANISATIONS,CANIMPACTHOW
PEOPLETHINKABOUTPALLIATIVECAREALLOVERTHEWORLD.
Led by Dr Barry Laird, who
is a consultant doctor at the
Hospice as well as a clinician
scientist at the University
of Edinburgh, research
was undertaken in to how
symptoms of cancer develop
which in turn showed that
people with advanced cancer
could experience less pain,
fatigue and loss of appetite.
Dr Laird’s research is the first
large study to show these
symptoms may develop as a
result of the body’s immune
response to cancer and not
simply as a consequence of
a tumour growth. Dr Laird
and the team he worked with
showed that by targeting
inflammation with existing
immunotherapy drugs, it may
be possible to prevent these
symptoms from developing
and improve the patients’
quality of life.
Dr Laird said: “This study
challenges the assumption
that certain symptoms are
an inevitable consequence
of advanced cancer, and there
is nothing doctors can do to
make patients feel better. If we
can understand what causes
symptoms such as pain, fatigue
and nausea, we can begin to
tackle them. We already have
drugs that target and reduce
inflammation, so using these
drugs specifically to treat
symptoms, may make a real
difference to people living
with cancer.
A team of researchers from
the Hospice worked with
Marie Curie and the University
of Edinburgh to identify
age disparities in access to
palliative care across Scotland’s
population. The research found
that people over the age of 70
are missing out on palliative
care as assumptions are being
made by their care providers
that it will not benefit them.
The research examined the
end of life experiences of
65 patients in Scotland. The
research showed that because
it can be harder to identify
clear signs which would
indicate a person’s condition
had worsened, the person
was more likely to miss out
on having access to palliative
care that would be of benefit
to them. To help to find a
solution to this, the Hospice
is working closely with other
health and social care providers
throughout Edinburgh and the
Lothians to ensure everyone
who would benefit from
palliative care can access
and benefit from it.
The Hospice’s Director of
Education & Research, Dr
Erna Haraldsdottir, had
an article published in
the European Journal of
Palliative Care, about how
important it is for families to
work together with doctors
and nurses when a person
is dying. Dr Haraldsdottir
said: “The death of a loved
one is most often incredibly
hard for the person’s family
and friends and so it’s
really important that where
possible, people have a
good death. What we mean
by this is that the person
does not experience medical
intervention for the sake of
it; the person is helped to
be as pain-free as possible;
and that the person’s family
and friends can be with the
person if they wish. As such,
it’s vitally important that
palliative care providers such
as St Columba’s Hospice
continue to provide teaching
and learning opportunities
to health and social care
practitioners both in
Scotland and globally, to
ensure that patients and
their families are able to
experience a good death.”
To find out more about
research at the Hospice
please visit our website.

INTRODUCING THE
PERSON-CENTRED CARE PROJECT
In October 2015, a group of Hospice staff,
volunteers and family members came together to
begin work on a Person-centred Care Project. The
project would be a 12 month journey of exploring
what person-centred care is, and how the Hospice
can improve it's person-centred care. Lynn Darke,
a community palliative nurse specialist, and Dr
Sam Bower who works on the inpatient unit,
explain the Person-centred Care Project…
Tell us about what the group has done so far
Sam: “We have explored a variety of issues
including what we feel St Columba's Hospice
stands for, what person-centredness means
to us, and how it is practiced in the Hospice.
We also have looked at what it is like to work in
the Hospice and what the workplace culture is
like here. In addition, we looked at what it is that
brings meaning to our work, and the challenges
of working at the Hospice.”
Lynn: “We have gathered thoughts, feelings,
and impressions from all members of the
Hospice community asking what does person-
centred care look like, how do we know when
we’re getting it right, and what gets in the
way of getting it right? We used these shared
observations to create a working definition of
what gold standard person-centred care looks
like. Exploration of this working definition helped
us to establish a benchmark from which to
map where we currently are in relation to our
gold standard definition, and begin to explore
the possibility of projects that will enable us to
engage with the whole Hospice community.”
How the group has approached the work it
has done?
Sam: “We have had lots of group discussion and
taken part in activities which helped us to think
creatively. It was very important for us to get the
opinions of everyone who works and volunteers
at the Hospice, and the patients and those
closest to them and we have done consultations,
observations and interviews to gather information
across a variety of settings within the Hospice.”
What are the next steps for the project?
Lynn: “Bringing our findings to the Hospice’s
management team in a way that captures the
heart and soul of the endeavour, not just our
findings from the research. We want to develop
safe, creative and inspiring ways for others to
explore what they might have to offer, and to
recognise the breadth of great work already
being done that nurtures and enables us to be
person-centred.”
Sam: “As a group we have a sense that this is
really the beginning of something bigger, and
we are currently working on ways to share the
process and what we have learnt with the rest
of the community.”
What does person-centred care mean to you?
Lynn: “The project encourages me to be fully
myself, and in such a way that helps others to be
fully themselves - recognising that may be easier
some days than others, so let’s be kind and do
what we can.”
Sam: “To me person-centredness means putting
people first, and dealing with situations in a
compassionate way. Person-centredness is about
creating a culture where people feel listened to
and appreciated. Our group has identified many
ways in which the Hospice is doing really well at
being a person-centred organisation, but there
are challenges to person-centredness which we
have to be conscious of in order to maintain this
approach.”
Lynn Darke Dr Sam Bower

SUPER SHOPS!
BIG HEARTS!
We were recently approached by Hearts
Football Club who have a charitable
organisation called Big Hearts - a volunteer
programme which reaches out into the local
community through the club’s extensive fan
base. Many of the club’s supporters have
signed up to volunteer in our shops and we
are absolutely delighted that we already have
some Big Hearts volunteers in our Dalry shop,
which is on the ‘maroon mile’, and are looking
forward to welcoming more.
STEPHANIE JOINS THE LEITH WALK SHOP TEAM
Stephanie Steele has joined the Leith Walk shop as the new
manager, working alongside the team of volunteers. Following
a five year stint working for John Lewis in several of their
departments, Stephanie has enjoyed spending time in Vietnam
travelling, three months in Finland learning Finnish and is soon
to be marrying a Scots man! Having always loved charity shops,
Stephanie was delighted to join the team in Leith and said that:
“Working alongside the team of volunteers is brilliant. They are
all so lovely and come from all walks of life, they each have their
different stories and together we work to make sure the shop is
full of interesting, collectable and quirky items.”
STANDARD LIFE SET THE STANDARD!
All the shop managers whooped with joy when
they heard that Standard Life wanted to hold
another competition in the shops after the
massively successful fundraising day two years
ago. This year it followed the same format -
four teams were sent into four of our Edinburgh
shops with the challenge of seeing which team
could raise the most money in one day. Reccies
were made to the shops, windows planned and
fundraising events held ahead of the big day.
The Leith team spent weeks collecting yellow
items for a really striking Sunshine on Leith
window. A pub quiz was held in the VooDoo
Rooms and a huge bake sale in the office to
try to edge ahead of the competition! The day
itself was huge fun, both for the teams and for
the shops and volunteers. In the end, it was
close call but the winners were the Stockbridge
Team! Overall almost £4,000 was raised for
the Hospice. A huge thank you to all the teams
who really threw themselves into the challenge.
If you would like to give a day of your time
to volunteer for the Hospice please visit our
website.
GIFTAID GROWS HOSPICE FUNDS
The shops are now set up to receive donations
eligible for GiftAid, meaning we raise more
money for the Hospice! For donations which
are GiftAid enabled, we can claim back money
from HMRC - so for example, an item sold for
£10 would in fact generate £12.50 if the donor
has completed a GiftAid form. Signing up for
GiftAid is completely painless and could not be
simpler - and you only have to do it once! There
are forms in all the shops which require your
name, address, email address (if you have one),
phone number and signature. On completion
you will be given your St Columba’s Hospice
GiftAid card, and any time you bring donated
goods into the shop, your card will be scanned
and the goods effectively ‘GiftAid-ed’. It’s as
simple as that so please do become a GiftAid
donor!

EVENTS DIARY 2016/17
For more information on all of these events visit
www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk.
THE GIANT PUB QUIZ
THURSDAY 10 NOVEMBER, EDINBURGH
CORN EXCHANGE, £15 PER PERSON, £75
FOR A TEAM OF SIX
Join us at our winter Giant Pub Quiz! Book your
table for this fantastic evening, testing your
general knowledge for a chance to win the
£600 cash prize! Tickets include a pie and a pint.
LIGHT UP A LIFE
MONDAY 12 DECEMBER, CHARLOTTE
SQUARE GARDENS, EDINBURGH, FREE
Join us for this special evening as we light up
our Tree of Remembrance in Charlotte Square
Gardens, Edinburgh. Each light on the tree is
lit in memory of friends and family who have
passed away. Carol singers and a wonderful
atmosphere make this a special evening not to
be missed.
BURNS SUPPER
FRIDAY 27 JANUARY, EDINBURGH CORN
EXCHANGE, £35 STANDARD TICKETS,
£45 VIP TICKETS
Dance away the winter blues at our Burns
Supper! Enjoy an evening of live Scottish music,
the address to the haggis, a traditional Burns
Supper meal and dancing into the small hours.
STAND UP FOR ST COLUMBA’S HOSPICE
FRIDAY 24 MARCH, PRESTONFIELD
HOUSE, EDINBURGH, £95 PER PERSON
Save the date and book your tables now for our
annual evening of comedy, laughter, fine food
and dancing at Prestonfield House, Edinburgh.
Top comedy talent provide the entertainment,
with live music, a four course dinner, a
champagne reception, and dancing in opulent
surroundings.
CELTIC CHALLENGE,
17 – 21 MAY 2017, EDINBURGH TO IONA,
REGISTRATION FROM £125
Will you be part of an extra special Celtic
Challenge team as we celebrate our 40th
year?
Cycle with us from Edinburgh to Iona – 200
miles across Scotland in four days. An incredibly
rewarding challenge that is not to be missed.
THE GIANT PUB QUIZ
JUNE 2017, EDINBURGH CORN
EXCHANGE, £15 PER PERSON,
£75 FOR A TEAM OF SIX
Our Giant Pub Quiz is fantastic evening where
you can test your general knowledge with your
teammates and be in with the chance of taking
home the £600 cash prize for 1st
place!
ART FRIENDS
1 – 4 JUNE 2017, AT THE HOSPICE, FREE
Our annual Art Friends exhibition features the
very best Scottish artists alongside emerging
new talent. Hosted over three days at the
Hospice, the exhibition is the perfect opportunity
for you to view and purchase affordable art for
your home or as a gift.
A WALK TO REMEMBER
17 JUNE 2017, FROM BALERNO TO LEITH,
REGISTRATION IS £15 FOR ADULTS AND
£10 FOR CHILDREN.
Walk to celebrate and remember those no
longer with us, on A Walk to Remember. On
this 12.5 mile or 7 mile route through the hidden
heart of the city of Edinburgh, take time out to
reflect and enjoy the peaceful surroundings with
family and friends.

St Columba's Hospice Life magazine autumn 2016

St Columba's Hospice Life magazine autumn 2016

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