All the latest news from Treetops Hospice

TodayTreetops

Autumn / Winter 2014

Walking in the Moonlight

Cally’s Campaign

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This summer, I was proud to watch the official opening of our new Clinical Support Centre on the main Treetops Hospice site in Risley. It’s a new home for our Bereavement and Hospice at Home services.

It is also a base for a new venture for Treetops: a Support and Information Service. A nurse specialist will offer support from the diagnosis stage onwards to anyone affected by a life-limiting illness. What makes this new service truly unique is that I am talking about people with ANY life-limiting illness and not just cancer. This centre is a valuable new resource for the community, and means we can help more people at truly difficult times of their lives.

We decided to name the building the Cheetham Centre after Cally and Nev Cheetham, the couple who founded Treetops Hospice more than 30 years ago. Sadly Nev is no longer with us. Cally made the trip from her home abroad to open the building and you can read more about her story on pages 6 and 7. It is because of people like Cally that Treetops exists and continues to grow so thank you for your support.

I hope you enjoy reading your copy of Treetops Today.

George CameronChief Executive

ContentsAbout the Cheetham Centre

Cally’s story

Moonlight Walk

What it’s like to do my job

Poetic thanks Furnish your home Dates for your diary

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6-7

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11

13

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Treetops Today is produced by Treetops Hospice marketing team – Helen Trubridge and Lizzie Banks. To update your contact details or mailing preferences, email marketing@treetopshospice.org.uk

Thanks to Ilkeston Advertiser for the front cover image of Cally Cheetham.

Search for Treetops Hospice to follow us, like us, and say hello

The Cheetham Centre Opens

3www.treetopshospice.org.uk

Welcome to the Cheetham Centre

Conker is a room dedicated for teenagersThere are 2 rooms for children, specially designed to put them at ease

Adults have confidential one-to-one sessions with a bereavement support worker

To see more pictures of the Cheetham Centre, visit treetopshospice.org.uk/csc

The Cheetham Centre opened in July. It cost £800,000 to build and

took 10 months to complete.

It has five adult therapy rooms, each with a different colour theme

Helen and Teresa in the Hospice at Home co-ordination hub

Each therapy room is named after a tree

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Bereavement support is there for you

The Cheetham Centre provides a spacious and welcoming new home for the Treetops Bereavement Service. Having outgrown its facilities in Sandiacre, the service now has 8 confidential therapy rooms plus office space and a waiting area for clients.

“We help children, adults and families deal with the traumatic deaths of people close to them,” says bereavement service manager, Penny Lockwood. “There is a rise in demand for our services and the new building means we’ll be able to double the number of people we are able to support.”

Brian Nicholson says that counselling sessions helped put things into perspective after the death of his wife Christine from lung cancer. He says: “For 18 months I was used to carers coming in morning and night then when the final day comes everyone just disappears. You go into a total world of isolation, there’s no one there at all. I was lucky though, Treetops was there for me and even though my wife died 4 years ago, they are still there for me and they always remember.”

People don’t have to have a previous connection with Treetops to access support. Sessions are provided by fully trained support workers.

Riley Gallacher was 10 when his grandmother died. His mum Cass got in touch with Treetops to see if they could help: “The whole family was under a massive amount

of strain. For Riley to be able to ask for help and get help was so important. Yes, he’ll always miss Gran but now if he feels panicked, anxious or depressed he knows he can ask for help.”

Riley added: “After the sessions, I felt like a massive amount of weight had been lifted and there were less things I needed to panic about.”

To access any Treetops Bereavement Service, phone 0115 949 6944 or email bereavement@treetopshospice.org.uk

To access any Treetops Hospice service call 0115 949 1264

Cass and Riley Gallacher

Brian Nicholson

5www.treetopshospice.org.uk

With the opening of the Cheetham Centre, Treetops is now able to offer a brand new service to local people facing serious illnesses.

The Support and Information Service offers practical and emotional support for adults with any life-limiting illness, whether it’s soon after diagnosis or at any point on their journey. Family, friends, carers and professionals can also access the service.

It’s not just cancer. The service offers information and advice on any life-limiting condition, including:• Heart failure• Lung conditions including COPD• Stroke• Cancer• Parkinson’s Disease• Motor Neurone Disease• Multiple Sclerosis• Dementia and Alzheimer’s DiseaseThe service offers:• Accurate and up to date information on

symptoms and treatments• Information on finances, welfare rights,

benefits, grants, staying in work and returning to work

• Information on other health professionals and local support groups

• A ‘sounding board’ to ask questions and discuss concerns and worries

• An opportunity for carers to gain the support they need to continue caring for their loved ones.

All support and information is given in a confidential, relaxed and friendly environment.

The service is open Monday to Friday, 9am - 4pm:

• Drop-in to the Cheetham Centre, Treetops Hospice, Derby Road, Risley, DE72 3SS

• Phone 0115 949 1264• Email supportandinformation@

treetopshospice.org.uk

A brand new service

Our clinical nurse specialist is here to help you

“With the time constraints placed on already over stretched health and social care services, our new service will aim to be a one stop shop that provides patients,

families and carers with sensitively delivered support and up to date resources. The service is available to anyone dealing with the consequences of a life-limiting diagnosis who is trying to make sense of their situation.”

Kathy Longden, director of clinical services

6 Treetops Hospice was originally called The Draycott Hospice Association

“Like many such ventures it began with personal experience. I had cared for both of my parents in the last months of their lives, and although there was a gap of 13 years between the two, and a marked improvement in nursing aids and in pain control during that time, caring for someone with a terminal illness at home was still a lonely and devastating affair.

Nev (my late husband) and I were lucky in that we could afford some nursing care for my father during the day but I was aware that this was not

an avenue open to all. Slowly the campaign began, at first just voicing the idea that there should be some help, which was not provided by a hospital, but by a hospice to assist not just the person with a life threatening illness but the family and friends of that person too.

To their great credit, Nev and our brilliant friends at the time did not dismiss me as completely mad, but instead offered support and encouragement. In fact without them I would have given up long ago, and there would be no Treetops.

There is no denying that the early days were tough and the funds were slow to materialise. But as much as they were challenging they were also exciting as we ran our first events – craft fairs, fashion shows (where everyone was roped in as models), floats in carnivals, pop up shops, coffee mornings – the list was endless. And then there were the meetings to formalise the Company, organise fundraising and so on. Looking back I have no idea where we found the time as we all had full time jobs and in our case Nev and I were

Cally’s CampaignAs Treetops Hospice celebrates the opening of the Cheetham Centre, we meet the woman it is named after - Cally Cheetham. In her own words, Cally describes the early days and what was behind her drive to open a hospice.

Cally laying the first brick

7www.treetopshospice.org.uk

About Treetops Hospice

The building known as Treetops was bought by the charity in 1986 and became its main

headquarters. By 1991, Day Care was open one

day a week and volunteers provided a home sitting

service for patients. In 1994, this became Hospice at

Home with qualified nurses providing care for people at

the very end of their life.

Bereavement support was introduced in 2000 for

adults, with a family service added in 2008.

Treetops Hospice in Risley is still there today and is home to each of the

hospice’s core services, as well as the chief executive, administration, fundraising and volunteering. A new

Day Care Unit was built in 2010 and the Cheetham

Centre completed in 2014.

For more information, visit our website,

treetopshospice.org.uk

playing in a jazz quartet in the evenings too.

Gradually more people came on board, many with skills we did not possess who were able to move us forward. When I look at it now it takes a real effort to remember those early days and what the building looked like then, with the boarded up windows and the Aladdin’s cave of a shop in the kitchen and the old Day Care area.

It’s a great honour to have a building named after you, and I’m sorry that Nev isn’t here to share this moment. But Treetops is not just

us – in acknowledging its origins we are also honoring the many people who were brave enough to campaign for the hospice even when the going was tough and we had little to show for our efforts. For all of us the reward is that Treetops goes from strength to strength, and long may it continue to do so.”

Treetops staff and volunteers watch

the opening

Cally declares the Cheetham Centre

officially open

Cally chats to Day Care guest Darran Broxholme

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Gillian Bosworth from Beeston took part in the Moonlight Walk in memory of her mum, who died in the month before. Norah McBride was 91 and suffered heart failure. She was cared for at home by

Gillian, with the help of Treetops Hospice at

Home nurses.

Gillian said: “I can’t speak highly

enough of the Treetops nurses. They were so

good to mum. Mum was popular with the nurses too – I think she kept

them chatting all night! I’ll never forget what

Treetops did for mum and me.”

Gillian completed the 10km walk with a friend. On completing the event, Gillian said: “We’ve really enjoyed it. It’s something

positive, and it’s good to be able to give something back.”

The South Indian Association team

Walking in memory of Linda Furnival

The walkers setting off

In 5 years, 2,309 ladies have walked 25,224km raising £241,706 for Treetops

The atmosphere was electric as 630 walkers gathered at the start outside the University of Derby at 10pm. There was a sea of bunny ears and feather boas for as far as the eye could see as they set off towards Derby city centre.

Together, they will have raised £62,000 for Treetops.

Thank you to everyone who walked and helped on the night. We’d love to see you next year so please put this date in your diary - 19 June.

The Treetops Moonlight Walk on 27 June smashed records with the

most women ever taking part.

9www.treetopshospice.org.uk

We need volunteers

We’re looking for outgoing, friendly people to volunteer at a range of fundraising events throughout the year.

From dog shows and car boot sales, to the Santa Dash, Spring Fair and Moonlight Walk – there is something to suit everyone. Without volunteers, we simply couldn’t run these events and raise much-needed funds for the hospice.Lesley has been volunteering for Treetops since 2010. She says “I really enjoy helping out at Treetops’ events. There’s always a great atmosphere and everyone works together as a team. It’s an enjoyable way of supporting my local hospice.”If you would like to join Lesley as a fundraising volunteer, we’d love to hear from you. For a chat about the role, call Alex Ward on 0115 949 1264 or emailaward@treetopshospice.org.uk

Treetops volunteer Nicholas Bear has set himself a challenge to raise £10,000. He’s looking for 100 local companies willing to donate £100 each in return for a unique photograph of himself with their brand. Royal Crown Derby, John Lewis Nottingham and Routen Chaplin are just a few firms who have already signed up.

To help Nicholas meet his target, call Angela Stafford on 0115 949 1264 or visit treetopshospice.org.uk/photo-logo100

Lesley helping at the SantaDash last year

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Each year, pupils take part in “the £5 enterprise project” to see which form can raise the most money in four months starting with £5.

Form 7D, made up of 11 and 12 year-olds, raised the most and got to choose which charity they wanted the money raised by the whole year group to go to. Almost everyone voted for Treetops Hospice and six members of the class visited the Day Care Unit with a cheque for £960.84.

Remembering TreetopsIf you’re planning to write or amend your Will, have you considered including a donation to Treetops Hospice? No matter the size of your gift, you can be confident that you are helping your local hospice to provide end of life care for adults and their families in years to come.

Several local solicitors will offer a reduced rate if you mention Treetops Hospice. They are listed on our website: treetopshospice.org.uk/gift

Cooking up cash

We need to raise £1.7 million every year to keep the hospice going

Chris Bushby from Alvaston won the top prize on the Summer Raffle draw, which raised almost £18,000.

He’s pictured (standing) with Day Care guests Dawn, Cherry, Eve and John.

Summer Raffle Draw

Students from Lees Brook School with fundraiser Rosie Coates

Children from Lees Brook School in Chaddesden raised almost £1,000 for Treetops.

Be a friendA friends group is a network of local people who work together to help support the work of Treetops Hospice, by organising fundraising events and collections.

We are always looking for enthusiastic people to join or start a friends group in their local area. If you’re interested in finding out more, contact the fundraising team on 0115 949 1264 or fundraising@treetopshospice.org.uk

11www.treetopshospice.org.uk

After A-levels at school I did a Diploma in Health and Social Care and my original intention was to train as an Occupational Therapist, but when I heard of an opportunity to work at Treetops Hospice I decided to apply. I also work as a qualified swimming teacher for children aged 3 plus which I thoroughly enjoy.

I was aware of Treetops and the fantastic service it provides having looked after my Grandma at home with the support of Hospice at Home until she died.

My role as a Day Care HCA involves working with guests, volunteers and Day Care nurses. I am involved in completing an assessment on each guest to enable us to offer activities and to promote independence to suit each individual. I also liaise with families, other health care professionals, complementary therapists as well as our transport department to ensure each individual has a specific plan of care to meet their needs. Planning and recording accurate medical documentation is an important part of my role.

My other responsibilities include moving and handling trainer for staff and volunteers as well as being the health and safety representative for Day Care.

I expected that working with guests with life-limiting illnesses would create a sad environment but it is surprisingly happy and positive. I work as part of a team who support each other very well to achieve this.

Sarah Corke, Day Care health care assistant (HCA)

What it’s like to do my job…

I love the variety my work brings in getting to know our guests. Obviously there are challenging aspects to my role and sometimes difficult conversations to be had but I see it as a privilege to play a small part at such a sensitive time in the lives of our guests.

Around 125 guests visit the Day Care Unit each week.

Day Care guests have a range of life-limiting conditions including cancer,

heart disease, organ failure, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s.

Did you know?

Sarah with Day Care guest Maurice Church

12 The lottery rollover prize grows each week to a maximum of £10,000

Laura Stacey from Chellaston recently won £1,000 after buying a one-off ticket at the Treetops car boot sale in July.

Laura was thrilled to win and said: “When I bought the ticket, I said I never win anything so was amazed to hear I’d drawn the top prize. I plan to spend the money on my two children and some home improvements.”

Single one off lottery tickets can be bought for £1 each from all Treetops Hospice shops and also from the reception area in the Day Care Unit at Risley.

A gift worth givingAs Christmas approaches, why not treat a loved one to a Treetops Hospice lottery membership? Gift vouchers start at £10 for 10 weekly entries and are delivered inside a Christmas card.

Simon Whitfield from the lottery team said: “It’s a unique Christmas present and has the feel good factor of supporting a local charity.”

Money raised by the lottery goes towards providing respite and end of life care for adults and their families.

To buy a gift voucher, call the lottery team on 0115 939 9339 or visit treetopshospice.org.uk/lottery

It could be youDid you know…each Friday, the Treetops Hospice lottery gives away at least £1,350 in winnings.

Laura (left) with daughter Lexi and lottery manager Mel de Vos

Give a gift which keeps on giving

Do you want to support Treetops Hospiceand have a chance to win some money?

Are you already a Lottery member and want togive someone else the same chance too?

You can buy Lottery Gift Vouchers for familyand friends to give them the opportunity to winand support a great cause at the same time.

Treetops Hospice Lottery Top Prize is £1000 every week! Plus the £200 secondprize can keep rolling over if it is not won up to a massive £10,000!

Just cut out the form and send it back toTreetops Lottery with enough time for us to catchthe last Christmas post and your Christmas giftof giving and winning will be on its way!

The gift that keeps on giving

This Christmas

13www.treetopshospice.org.uk

My life has been humble, I’ve never had fameIf I had my life over, I’d do just the same

I’ve never had glory, I’ve never had wealthMaybe I could have enjoyed better health

I’m not going to grumble, it does me no goodI keep my fingers crossed while touching wood

Maybe tomorrow will bring better thingsPerhaps the good Lord will pull a few strings

I now attend Treetops twice a weekFor that I feel very privileged so to speakIt gives me a break from my four wallsIt can be very lonely when nobody calls

I love going to Treetops, it’s a lovely placeTo call it a hospice, that’s not really the case

We all have our problems, but they’re left asideWe get on with our life, take things in our stride

The worst thing about Treetops, to me anywayIs to make a good friend and they pass away

It leaves a big gap which is hard to fillBut you can’t forget them, you never will

Old age I’m sorry, I cannot recommendYour aches and pains seem never to end

Now as I grow older I breathe deep and sighThere’s nothing more certain, I’ll live til I die

Only God knows when to bring an end to my lifeThen I shall be able to meet up with my wife

But until that day comes, I’ll enjoy my last yearsWith help from the nurses, the staff and volunteers

All at Treetops are a wonderful crowdEach and every one should feel very proud

God bless you all, is all I can sayFor helping the guests in every way

A big thank you to TreetopsFrom the bottom of my heart

Alf CrossMay 2014

Poetic nonagenarian

A Treetops Hospice Day Care guest has captured the hearts of staff and volunteers with a beautiful poem written about his time at the hospice.

The 93-year-old from Long Eaton has been visiting the hospice after being referred by the heart failure clinic at Royal Derby Hospital.

Alf says: “I can’t think of it as a hospice. You think of a hospice as everyone lying around dying. We’ve all got our problems, but at Treetops they’re left aside. We get on with our lives, and we’re enjoying our last years. That’s why I wrote this poem.”

Alf with Day Care staff Julie, Emma, Sarah and Jenny

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Furnishing your home can be expensive, but at Treetops’ furniture shops you don’t have to compromise between cost and quality.

From sofas to beds, and tables to lamps, Treetops Hospice shops are a source of quality furniture at affordable prices.

Our furniture shops are:

• Stapleford, 52 Derby Road• Draycott, 10 Market Street• Ilkeston, 32 South Street• Heanor, Market Place• Sandiacre, 10a

Derby Road• Ebay: stores.

ebay.co.uk/treetopshospice

If you would like to donate furniture, please phone the Treetops Warehouse on 01332 87 37 37.

Good as new

Bargain Buy3 seater settee £95

Vase £3

Coffee table £4

Set of Chinese soup

bowls and tumblers £5 for

15 pieces

2 table runners with 4 matching placemats

£4

Ikea Poang chair £35

Dropleaf table and four chairs

£95

Treetops has 13 shops and a coffee bar. Find them at

treetopshospice.org.uk/shops

Look out for Treetops Hospice 2015 diaries, on sale soon

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Unless specified, all events are at Treetops Hospice, Derby Road,

Risley, DE72 3SS

Phone fundraising on 0115 949 1264 or email events@treetopshospice.org.uk

Dates for your Diary

Car Boot Sale5 October

Gates open at 8am. £10 for cars. No need to book, just turn up.

Vintage Fayre12 October | 10am-4.30pm. £3 entry (under 12’s free)

Enjoy browsing our vintage themed stalls, fairground rides and classic cars. Cheer on riders taking part in the Tour de Treetops.

Tour de Treetops 12 October

Cycling 2 routes of 20 or 40 miles between Treetops Hospice shops. Includes a time trial lap of Donington Park. Register with Susan Vicars on 01332 597 913 or susan.vicars@sjpp.co.uk

Christmas Shopping Evening27 November | 7pm

Local crafts, gifts, cards, refreshments all under one roof.

Santa Dash & Paws Walk 6 December | West Park, Long Eaton

Join us for a 5k walk or run dressed as Santa or bring your dog for the Paws Walk.

Toddle for Treetops1 December - 20 December

A great event for pre-schools,nurseries and toddler groups; toddle 1 mile for Treetops Hospice.

Also take part in our Christmas Jumper day and Cash not Cards with your colleagues at work.

Light up a Life14 December

Sponsor a light on our Tree of Life in memory of a friend or relative, and join us for an annual lighting ceremony. Make a dedication at treetopshospice.org.uk/lights.

Pamper DayFebruary 2015 (Date TBA)

Fashion Show12 March 2015 The Village Hotel, Chilwell

Visit treetopshospice.org.uk to view the latest calendar of events.

Organised by Long Eaton Dawnbreakers Club

Contact us:

Treetops Hospice, Derby Road, Risley, Derbyshire, DE72 3SS

General Enquiries: 0115 949 1264treetopshospice.org.uk | info@treetopshospice.org.ukRegistered Charity No. 519540

Donate to Treetops Hospice

Treetops Hospice is a registered charity supporting adults and their families with palliative and end of life care. This care is provided to

a population of 1 million people in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

It costs £2 million each year to provide Treetops Hospice services.

We rely on donations and fundraising for 70% of these costs.

You can make a donation online to Treetops Hospice using Just Giving

or Virgin Money Giving.

Thank you.