Welcoming New Clinical Expertise to Our Board
Capture Ayrshire After Dark Enter the 2027 Calendar Competition
From sunset to sunrise, we’re inviting photographers to see Ayrshire in a different light.
We are delighted to welcome two new Members to the Ayrshire Hospice Board, Dr Laura McCusker and Dalene Steele, whose extensive clinical experience will bring valuable insight and perspective to the future direction of the Hospice.
Both Laura and Dalene bring a deep understanding of palliative and end of life care, shaped by many years working across health and community services in Ayrshire and Arran. Their appointments further strengthen the collective expertise of our Board and reinforce our commitment to ensuring the voices of patients, families, and frontline professionals are reflected at a strategic level.
Professor Tom Steele, Chair of the Ayrshire Hospice Board, welcomed the appointments, saying:
“Laura and Dalene bring a depth of knowledge from frontline practice and system leadership that will add real value to an already skilled and committed Board. We are extremely grateful for their willingness to give their time and expertise in support of the Hospice.”
Our calendar competition returns for 2027, inviting local amateur photographers to play a part in something special - and to see their work featured in the Ayrshire Hospice calendar, with the winning image appearing on the front cover.
This year’s theme is “Ayrshire at Night - from dusk ’til dawn.” As the sun sets and the light slowly changes, Ayrshire takes on a different feel. From dramatic sunsets and quiet twilight to stormy nights, moonlit coastlines and the first light of early morning, we’re looking for images that capture the atmosphere of our local landscape after dark. There’s no single way to interpret the theme. You might be drawn to night-time landscapes, seascapes or skylines; illuminated landmarks or historic buildings; peaceful village scenes or livelier evening moments. Creative long-exposure shots, reflections, light-trails, silhouettes, moonrise or stars are all welcome, as are artistic approaches that focus on mood, contrast or colour. All images must be taken within Ayrshire and submitted in landscape format. Each month in the calendar also features a tear-off postcard, designed so images can be shared or sent on - another way for your photograph to be enjoyed. We welcome all styles, from realistic to abstract, as long as they fit the night-time theme. If your photograph includes people, please ensure privacy and consent considerations are followed. Night photography often reveals a side of Ayrshire many of us don’t often see. It’s a chance to slow down, look again, and share a different perspective of familiar places. If you’ve ever found yourself reaching for your camera as the sun sets or the lights come on, this one might be for you.
The competition is open to amateur photographers aged 16 and over, with parental or guardian consent required for anyone under 18. A judging panel will select 12 images to feature in the 2027 calendar, with the overall winner chosen by
Dr Laura McCusker is a GP based in Ayr with a specialist interest in palliative care. She trained in Scotland before gaining international experience
Tracy Flynn, Chief Executive Officer of Ayrshire Hospice, also shared her enthusiasm:
“We are delighted to welcome Laura and Dalene to the Ayrshire Hospice Board. Their combined clinical expertise, leadership experience, and passion for palliative and end of life care will be invaluable as we continue to develop and strengthen our services for people across Ayrshire and Arran. Alongside the strong range of skills and experience already represented on the Board, their current clinical insight will help ensure that the decisions we make at a strategic level are firmly grounded in the needs of patients, families, and the professionals who care for them.” The Ayrshire Hospice relies on the dedication and commitment of its volunteers and Board Members to help guide our strategic direction and support the continued delivery of specialist care for people affected by life-shortening illness across Ayrshire and Arran. We are grateful to Laura and Dalene for joining us on this journey.
in Emergency Medicine and Palliative Care in Melbourne, Australia. Laura is a GP Partner at Cathcart Street Practice and currently holds the role of NHS Ayrshire & Arran Primary Care Lead for Cancer and Palliative Care. Having previously worked within Ayrshire Hospice, she brings valuable insight into hospice, primary, and community-based care.
attendees at our Ayrshire Hospice Living Well Hubs. We’re grateful that the competition is once again sponsored by Robert Griffiths of Vennal Cameras in Ayr, who has
Dalene Steele joins the Board with more than three decades of nursing experience. She is currently Associate Nurse Director for NHS Ayrshire & Arran and Lead Nurse for the East Ayrshire Integrated Joint Board. Dalene provides strategic leadership across community nursing services and has led significant transformational work
generously provided a
£150 voucher for the overall winner.
to strengthen models of care. She is deeply committed to multidisciplinary working and improving experiences for people at the end of life.
You can read more about our Board at ayrshirehospice.org
You can submit up to FOUR images per person, with entries closing at 5pm on Friday 1st May. Full details on how to enter, along with the terms and conditions, are available at ayrshirehospice.org
March 2026 | EDITION 41
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