Grant money allows Hospice to reach more who need us
AYR RACECOURSE SATURDAY 15th November 10AM - 4PM B B Q | C A F E | G I F T S R A F F L E A R TS & C R A F T S S H O P P I N G S T A L L S L I V E E N T E R T A I N M E N T F O O D & D R I N K S A N T A ’ S G R O T T O
£4 ENTRY UNDER 5’S FREE
The Ayrshire Hospice has been able to expand its reach into rural communities thanks to funding from the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, helping more people receive care at home, regardless of where they live.
Hospice UK’s report, Bringing Care Closer to Home, published by Hospice UK, calls for urgent action to improve palliative and end of life care in remote, rural and island communities across the UK. Key findings include: • Nearly two thirds of people living rurally said they or the person they cared for didn’t get the care they needed. • Two thirds of rural health and care staff said there aren’t enough workers with the right skills to support people with life-limiting conditions. • People are being forced to choose between home and care, with many having to move
For further information visit www.ayrshirehospice.org or call 01292 269200
It has allowed the Hospice to fund two Complementary Therapists who travel across Ayrshire to provide care in patients’ homes, making it easier for people in remote and rural areas to access vital end of life support. Our initiative was recently highlighted in a report by Hospice UK, Bringing Care Closer to Home, which called for urgent action to improve palliative and end of life care for people living in remote, rural and island communities across the UK. Tracy Flynn, CEO of Ayrshire Hospice, said: “At the Ayrshire Hospice, we are committed to making exceptional,
personalised palliative and end-of- life care accessible to everyone - regardless of where they live. “While we have long delivered care across Ayrshire, including our rural areas and the island communities of Arran and Cumbrae, this grant from the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation enabled us to strengthen and extend our complementary therapy services even further into people’s homes. It helped us to reach more people in remote settings with support that enhances comfort, dignity and wellbeing at the end of life. This kind of investment shows the difference that targeted, flexible funding can make in overcoming geographical barriers to care.”
Together they returned to the saddle
By Wendy MacPhee, Specialist Occupational Therapist
Maggie and Anne attended our self-management programme at the Living Well Hub. The sessions not only helped them find ways to manage day-to-day tasks, but also reignited their desire to enjoy their shared hobby - horse riding.
Speaking together, Anne and Maggie said: “The Hospice brought us out of our shell. We discovered we had a shared love of horses and now go to the stables together. Being around horses is good for our mental health and helps take our minds off our illnesses. This is something we’ve been able to achieve through the Living Well Hub.”
At the Hub, they worked on overcoming the barriers that had once kept them from their pastime - progress that ultimately led them back to the stables. As they put it: “We have not only returned to our shared love of horses, but we’ve also discovered a new friendship, which will be with us forever.”
hours away from family and friends to access support.
• Families of children with life- limiting conditions in rural areas face extra barriers, with staff often lacking confidence and experience.
Watch the video at https://bit.ly/4mF94bo or by scanning the QR code.
The Living Well Service is here to help you feel like yourself again. You can self-refer via www.ayrshirehospice.org
September 2025 | EDITION 40
10
11
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker