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Issue 30
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| October 2021
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Welcome...
Billy was one in a million
By Heather Hardie, Senior Physiotherapist and Lynsey Cameron, Occupational Therapist
By Carla MacEwan, Chief Executive Officer Welcome to our revamped and renamed Hospice Newsletter. With all the new developments and changes afoot at the Hospice we decided it was also time to give the Article a new look, name and shape.
Billy Herd was one in a million and we don’t say that flippantly. Billy volunteered with Ayrshire Hospice after his wife Anne was cared for in the day services and the in- patient unit. If you were lucky enough to have met Billy his warmth, fun and mischief immediately improved your day. He started as a driver
Billy Herd
shortly before he passed to celebrate his local hero award. True to style, he retold his stories to our CEO and Chair of the Board including waiting patiently for a patient to apply her make-up before getting her picture taken with Santa! Billy was selfless, generous with his time and he never sought praise or recognition for what he did. We will miss his banter, his laugh and the difference he made to us all. Billy Herd really was one in a million.
Special Agent M. There are lots of amazing stories about our wonderful fundraisers and supporters, as well as information about our clinical teams and also one of our wonderful retail managers. The Hospice is a unique place to work and we hope therefore it is a unique place and service in the way it connects with our patients and their families. We strive in everything we do to offer our patients exceptional person centred care that truly reflects their hopes, needs and wants. Whether it is a prosecco afternoon tea or date night in the Wee House, supported
We have made it slightly smaller so it matches the size of an A5 notebook and it is now named after the original owner and name of 35 Racecourse Road, which has been home to the Hospice since 1989. It’s been a rollercoaster year for all our staff and of course for our patients too. COVID19 has enabled the Hospice to look at how it delivers care and support in new and innovative ways. In this edition you will be able to read about our Scottish first, Namaste Care, and you will also hear a wee bit about our search for Happiness with
access to the bowling or curbing that incessant pain, our teams work tirelessly to offer the support each and every patient deserves. We hope you enjoy reading this edition of the Eaton News and that you will join us at one of our amazing events or sign up to the Lottery, participate in your own fundraising activities or simply share the message of how special the Hospice is in making today matter for our patients and families. Thank you for taking the time to read our news update.
Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Billy would dress up as Santa or a Superhero when required and he’ll be the shortest Captain America we ever met! The reaction of the staff and patients when Billy and our previous chaplain,
before volunteering with the Occupational Therapy department and his role was to use activities to manage the symptoms and emotional consequences of patient illnesses. Billy was a mean domino player and loved lawn bowls, encouraging some healthy competition on our bowling green. His adventures to China and baton carrying for the Commonwealth Games made for entertaining stories.
Ian Stirling, recreated Britain’s Got Talent’s
Stavros Flatley dance in ‘See You Jimmy’ hats will always be remembered. We were lucky enough to have Billy visit the hospice
By Mary Drummond, Senior Fundraiser Our annual Memory Walk returned on 4th September and was our first mass event back since the pandemic! We were delighted to have over 350 walkers taking part, lighting up the streets of Ayr and Alloway and had a fabulous evening supporting the hospice! Welcome Back Walkers!
Taking time to take care of one another
By Fiona McManus, Complementary Therapy Co-ordinator Ensuring staff wellbeing has been a priority whilst they carry out their roles under difficult circumstances. Ayrshire Hospice's
Staff were asked to provide feedback of their experience of the programme and the results were very positive. The report captured staff wellbeing improved by 74% by rating how they felt before and after the programme. There was evidence of improved sleep, reduced pain and lessened stress. Encouragingly, all members of staff who participated in the programme said they would recommend the service to a colleague.
Go Purple! Memory Walk
aromatherapy products to support wellbeing were delivered to in house staff and to patients and carers’ homes. Relaxation and self-management advice was offered for staff, patients and carers too. Wellbeing group sessions for staff delivered online weekly consisted of massage self-treatment, Reiki, and guided relaxation.
Complementary Therapy team have created a new programme of support for staff, patients and carers, working remotely and socially distanced on site. The Complementary Therapists provided 1 to 1 consultation remotely via video call or telephone or, where safe to do so, socially distanced face to face sessions. Bespoke
they hit the road at 8pm! Along the route we had more surprise entertainment from Maybole Pipe Band, True Colours, Mary the Faerie, David Burns and Chick Douglas and the walkers were ably supported by a fantastic team of wonderful volunteers keeping them well-watered and motivated along their way! Special thanks to all our
They selected the 13, 9 or 4 mile routes and took special steps in memory of loved ones touched by hospice care. Clyde 1’s Michael Smith kicked off the walk build-up alongside top Ayrshire duo, Ebb & Flow belting out some fantastic tunes to entertain the pavement pounding entourage! Claire Houston got the walkers warmed up and ready to go before
sponsors - Ayr Audi, Tesco, The Chestnuts Hotel, AG Barr, Healthy Working Lives, The Ayrshire Post, South Ayrshire Council, McKissock Electrical, Burnside Event First Aid & Air Image Photography and to everyone who donated towards the event - your support is greatly appreciated!
To us…you’re all stars! Thank you!
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