Website: www.friendsofthewisdomhospice.org.uk

Registered Charity Number: 284894

WELCOME TO

THE WISDOM HOSPICE

The Wisdom Hospice was opened in 1984 and was named after Molly Wisdom who raised money for a hospice in the Medway area, even though she herself was dying of cancer. Following her example the Friends of The Wisdom Hospice were able to raise the rest of the funds to build the Hospice.

The Wisdom Hospice is now run by the Palliative Care Services of the Medway Primary Care Trust. The Friends of The Wisdom Hospice make an annual grant to the Medway PCT of £365,000 towards the running costs of the Hospice (approx 1/3).

The recent £1.3million refurbishment and extension project at the Hospice was also funded by the friends.

Below are just a few of the services offered to patients by the Wisdom Hospice.

CARE AT THE WISDOM HOSPICE

The care provided by the Wisdom Hospice is concerned with the whole person, and offers support, counselling and advice to family members as part of its philosophy of care.

HOSPITAL PALLIATIVE CARE TEAM

The aim of the Hospital Palliative Care Team is to work alongside hospital staff in the Medway Trust, the Medway Primary Care Trust, Swale Primary Care Trust and the Kent Cancer Centre* in caring for people in the advanced stages of illness and their families and friends.

The service provided recognises and responds to any physical, emotional and social needs that the patient and family may have.

The majority of referrals received from hospital staff are for patients with a diagnosis of advanced cancer. The hospital palliative care team is also involved in the assessment of patients with other terminal illnesses if appropriate.

The team is based at the Medway Maritime Hospital, and is managed by the Wisdom Hospice.

*For people living in the Medway and Swale Area.

THE DOMICILIARY TEAM

The Domiciliary Team (Macmillan Team) consists of six specialist Nurses and Team Manager with the support of the Consultants and the Doctors of the Wisdom Hospice, Social Workers, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist and Secretary. The team is able to support and visit patients and their families in their own homes. Advice and help is available 24 hours a day. The Team also works in close collaboration with General Practitioners and Community Nurses.

THE DAY HOSPICE

The Day Hospice offers day hospice care on weekdays from 10am to 3pm (except Tuesdays) for patients coming from home or from the Hospice itself. Medical and nursing advice, complementary therapies, hairdressing and an opportunity to take part in therapeutic and creative activities is available. Occupational therapy, physiotherapy and advice from a social worker is also available on request.

Young person’s day is available each Tuesday from 10.15am to 2.30pm. It is an opportunity for young people to meet with other young people and take part in a variety of stimulating and creative activities aimed at developing new skills, and encouraging confidence. Themes include understanding illness and treatment, and how you are feeling about yourself. Social activities help to give new interests and hobbies. There are also opportunities for family events. A planned programme of information giving, therapeutic and social activities is offered for Hospice patients living at home, and for Hospice in-patients. Referral is by Hospice professionals and is for patients aged up to 55 years old.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT

Volunteer bereavement counsellors, with the support of Consultants, Clinical Psychologist and the Bereavement Services Manager are able to visit and support bereaved families after the death of a patient. On the first Monday of the month there is also an open evening for invited bereaved families.

SPIRITUAL CARE

The Hospice has a Chapel that is open for anyone to use at any time, which is situated just inside the main door, opposite the Reception desk. You do not have to be a Christian, or even to have any faith at all to use it – it is there for everyone of any faith or none who needs a quiet space to think, pray, or just to be apart for a while.

We have a regular Wednesday morning Holy Communion Service at 11.15am. This is an informal service to which all are welcome. We can also hold a Service on a Sunday morning if requested.

There is a Chaplain and an Assistant Chaplain who are available to pray with patients and their visitors and to bring Communion to the bedside if asked to do so, but mainly we are here to be an easily available ‘listening ear’ for anyone of any faith or none who would like to talk with us.

The Chaplaincy is ecumenical; as well as Church of England there are also Catholic and Free Church Chaplains who can be contacted if any of the patients would prefer to see one of them.

For those of faiths other than Christian who would like to speak to someone of their own faith, we have contacts with people from some of the main faith groups in the Medway towns so we can often assist in making contact if that would be more beneficial to the patient or their families.

THE FRIENDS OF

THE WISDOM HOSPICE

Through the Friends of the Wisdom Hospice you can help us continue the good work that goes on here. There are a number of ways to help from simply having one of our sunflower loose change boxes at home to arranging a charity ball......

In addition to its annual grant to the Medway PCT, Friends of the Wisdom Hospice also funds the hairdressing service at the Hospice and makes substantial contributions to the Marie Curie Nursing Service and Crossroads.

We need to raise in excess of £1,500 EVERY single day to maintain this level of support.

These are just a few of the ways you can help The Friends of the Wisdom Hospice.........

Apple Bobbing Auction Bike Ride Boat Racing

Bad Taste Event Cockney Night Colours Day Dress Down Day

Exhibitions Fun Day Fun Run Golf Day Grand Ball

Halloween Night Indulgence Evening Jokeathon Ladies Night

Lights for Love Murder Mystery Evening National Slackers Day

Old Times Music Hall Pantomime Pets In Control!

Quizzes Race Night Rock’n’Roll Shave It Off Day!

Swear Box Summer Fair Salsa Singing Only Day Signing Day

Sunflower Boxes Treasure Hunt Tea @ Three Underwear Revenge

Valentine Dance Wheelbarrow Race Wine @ Nine

Wrestling Wheelchair Race X-mas Fair

Zzz zzz zzz time for a restathon

Please be safe and keep it legal!!!!!

The Friends of the Wisdom Hospice also collect stamps, old mobile phones and ink cartridges/toners that we can recycle.

For any further information on the Friends of the Wisdom Hospice please do not hesitate to contact Caroline Ford, Fund-raising Manager or Emma Bainbridge, Fund-raising Co-ordinator on 01634 831163.

VOLUNTEERS

Community involvement is very welcome as The Friends of the Wisdom Hospice and The Hospice itself couldn’t run without its dedicated team of volunteers. If you would like more information on becoming a volunteer please contact Rose Lapping Voluntary Services Co-ordinator on 01634 830456.