Volunteer with St Cuthbert's Hospice

At a glance

Causes

Older people / later life

Other details

Organisation type:

Charity

Geographical remit:

Local

Objectives

Our vision is to be a centre of excellence within our community and to provide all-embracing, compassionate and individualised care to all those affected by life-limiting illnesses, at a time and a place that is right for them. Our strategic goals are:

To enable people at the very end of life to achieve a good death in the place of their choosing,
To enable people living with a life-limiting illness who use Hospice services to live well and make every day count,
To provide the information and support that carers of people with life-limiting illnesses need to provide the care they want to provide,
To support those who have been bereaved as a consequence of a life-limiting illness to adjust to life without their loved one,
To break down the taboos associated with dying, death, loss and grief.

Our services include:

In-Patient Unit
Living Well Centre
Bereavement Support
Family Support Team
Dementia Support
Everything In Place
Community Outreach

Our impact:

If we achieve our aims, and reach our goals, the impact will be that more people will achieve a good death. People at the end of life will achieve a good death because:

They receive the end of life care they need and have the opportunity to die in their preferred place of death
During the time they are ill, they receive the palliative care they need and make the preparations they want for a good death
They know their carers are being supported and because their carers are able to provide the care they want to
They know that the people they love will be cared for and supported after their death
Their neighbours, work colleagues, friends and family members are better able to be support them during their illness and as they move towards the end of life.

This impact has consequences for:

The health of carers and bereaved people
The sense of community in County Durham, reducing social isolation
The NHS, reducing the number of inappropriate admissions to hospital
The economic well-being of the County, reducing days lost from work through stress and bereavement.

Activities

At St Cuthbert's Hospice, we offer the following services and care to meet our objectives:

In-Patient Unit - We can care for up to 10 patients at any one time. Each private room has warm, homely touches such as comfy chairs, cushions and curtains. They all have ensuite facilities and French doors that open to views of our award-winning gardens. The gardens are fully wheelchair accessible, and we can take beds out into the open if patients wish to feel the sunlight on their faces or hear nature buzzing by. Our team of specialist doctors, nurses and therapists bring a wealth of skills and knowledge when caring for patients staying at St Cuthbert’s. This care is provided 24 hours a day.
Living Well Centre - The Living Well Centre gives people with life-limiting conditions, and their carers, the opportunity to spend an enjoyable, activity based or relaxing day at the Hospice. We work with each guest to assess their individual needs and develop a personalised programme of support. This is usually for an initial 12 week period and is based on their own aims and goals. Those attending can take part in a range of activities that help to manage symptoms, improve mobility and independence and help them to feel supported. Guests can access therapeutic care, such as physiotherapy and complementary therapies, including reiki or aromatherapy. Some of our sessions are one-to-one where others are delivered as part of a group. We pride ourselves on being a happy, vibrant place to spend time and our aim is to make every day count and help to improve quality of life.
Bereavement Support - The Bereavement Support Team provide counselling support to In-Patient and Living Well Centre guests, their families and carers at each stage of their health journey. We also have a children's counselling service called Jigsaw.
Family Support Team - The Family Support Team provide support to In-Patient and Living Well Centre guests, their families, and carers at each stage of their health journey.
Dementia Support - Wherever a person is on their dementia journey, our Dementia Team can offer advice and support for both the person with dementia and also to their family. We aim to improve the well-being and quality of life for both the person with dementia and their carer. We promote positive approaches to living well with dementia and support carers to adjust and cope with the changes that dementia brings.
Everything In Place - At St Cuthbert’s Hospice we launched Everything in Place to help make talking about death and our own future wishes as easy as possible. We want to help break the taboos that surround death and dying and support these conversations to be open and less scary. Getting Everything in Place now can make it all a little bit easier in the future.
Community Outreach - The Community Outreach Project is an extension of our Hospice services into the community of Chester-le-Street. We provide a safe space for people to come together, where journeys can be shared, and support networks and interests can be developed.

Current opportunities

Trustee/Board Member required to help lead St Cuthbert's Hospice

St Cuthbert's Hospice

County Durham and Tees Valley, DH1 3QF

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead and influence the strategic direction of the Hospice...