Staff and volunteers Archives - Page 8 of 11

Celebrating Trustees’ Week

November 2, 2020 | 10:00am

This week we’re celebrating Trustees’ Week (Monday 2nd – Friday 6th November) at St Ann’s. We’re so grateful to have our Trustees as part of Team St Ann’s and we’re taking this week as an opportunity to thank them for their commitment and dedication to the hospice.

Our trustees are volunteers and ensure proper governance of our charity. They offer invaluable advice and expertise, and they each give significant amounts of time each year in support of St Ann’s. They are all from a variety of backgrounds and hold senior positions in their chosen field.

Professor Jackie Oldham, Chair of the Board of Trustees at St Ann’s, said:

“This week is Trustees’ Week and gives us time to pause and reflect on the major contribution all of our Trustees make to St Ann’s Hospice. Our Board of Trustees is responsible for the strategic direction and governance of St Ann’s, ensuring we fulfil our objectives and ambitious plans for the future as well as adhering to our philosophy and values.

“The Trustee role is voluntary and is bourne out of a commitment to the organisation, our patients, families and friends, staff and volunteers. Many Trustees will have seen loved ones taken care of in St Ann’s or another a hospice. Others have a deep commitment to ensuring the success of St Ann’s. Whatever the motivation their commitment is phenomenal and in my experience the drive and passion of the St Ann’s Trustees remains unsurpassed.

“This week, we take a moment to offer thanks to each and everyone of our Trustees alongside each other and all of our staff and volunteers.”

Some of our Trustees shared their favourite hospice moments with us…

My favourite moments as a Trustee are being involved in clinical leadership walkabouts, and acting as the Trustee monitoring our Health and Safety standards. I enjoy meeting staff and patients face to face, and hearing their views about our services. Often staff just need reassuring about their own potential solutions to problems and harnessing them to tackle things at work. It is also humbling to observe the immense talent we have in clinical and other areas. Our patients are so grateful for all that is done for them.

Mike Brown, Vice Chair and Trustee

One favourite moment was doing a walk around the hospice and talking to patients about their really positive experiences of care at St Ann’s. It made me feel really proud of the staff and grateful to be a part of the team as a Trustee.

Fiona Taylor, Trustee

My favourite moment during lockdown was attending a virtual meeting where the Executive Team explained how the hospice was dealing with the pandemic. Before the meeting I was expecting to hear bad news, but it was so reassuring to hear the positive stories. The staff were clearly doing an amazing job to keep the flag flying. I left the meeting with a warm feeling and total admiration for everyone at St Ann’s.

Luke Dillon, Trustee

Meet our Trustees

Get to know more about our Board of Trustees

Find out more

St Ann’s Staff and Volunteer Awards

October 19, 2020 | 9:16am

This year we hosted a special award ceremony to honour our staff and volunteers who have worked hard on the front line throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Our event, which was held virtually due to current restrictions, celebrated key moments from the last year, as well as recognizing the achievements of those who have gone above and beyond – including in the care of patients and families during the coronavirus crisis.

Eamonn O’Neal, Chief Executive of St Ann’s, explained:

I’m always proud to be part of the St Ann’s team, but never more so than in this last six months where colleagues across all departments have really pulled together to ensure our patients and their loved ones have been able to continue to get the specialist care and support they need. Our teams have been working hard on the front line, whilst also providing invaluable support to NHS colleagues, and this event was a way of saying a huge thank you to just some of the people who have helped us achieve that. The event not only enabled us to thank our staff, but also some of our 700-strong army of volunteers from across Greater Manchester who help us in so many ways. Many have supported us for decades, and not only did we present them with long-service awards, but we also gave out some additional special awards to some of those who have really surpassed all expectations in their support of our patients.

Eamonn O’Neal, Chief Executive

In addition to awards for long service for volunteers and staff, a range of trophies were also presented by St Ann’s Chair of the Board Professor Jackie Oldham, to recognize achievements and those who have gone above and beyond in upholding the hospice’s values over the last year.

Eamonn O’Neal, added:

It’s such an exciting time for St Ann’s, and as we approach our 50th birthday next year, it’s a time to pause and take stock of the incredible history of our organisation and our roots in the local communities we serve. But, it’s also a time to look ahead at the next exciting phase in our history – a new chapter which we’re all looking forward to embracing. In the coming months and years, we’ll be evolving further, as we adapt our services and our buildings to ensure we’re still able to provide specialist, invaluable care to those who need it most, for many generations to come.

Eamonn O’Neal, Chief Executive

St Ann’s Homeless Counselling Lead featured on international news site

October 9, 2020 | 9:16am

At St Ann’s Hospice, we’ve been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to continue providing the highest levels of care, and adapting our services to make sure we meet the changing needs of our patients.

One of the services that we’ve developed during this time is our homeless counselling service. We provide free counselling to people who are homeless themselves, or staff working in the homelessness sector who have experienced a loss of any kind.

This week, Joanne Brown, Counselling Lead of our Homeless Palliative Care service, told ehospice about setting up this much-needed service during the pandemic:

You can read the article online here.

Homeless palliative care

We support clients, keyworkers and health and social care staff when someone’s health is getting worse.

Find out more

Meet our new Director of Clinical Services, Emma Dixon

October 5, 2020 | 12:16pm

Meet our newly appointed Director of Clinical Services, Emma Dixon as she takes on the role for the 50th anniversary year and beyond.

Emma joined our hospice as Head of Clinical Services in March this year and will start her new role on 5th October, taking over from Rachel McMillan, who has been appointed as Chief Executive.

Emma said:

It’s such an exciting time to be part of the St Ann’s team and I’m thrilled to be taking on this new role. It’s a real honour to be part of such a dedicated and hardworking team, and as we approach our 50th birthday in May 2021, it’s going to be fantastic to look back at half a century of caring for local people, whilst also focussing on the path ahead. Hospice care has changed significantly since 1971 when we opened our doors, but the ethos of patient-centred care has always remained the same.

It’s not been the easiest of years for any of us, and at the hospice, we’ve had to ensure we’ve been adept at responding to changes quickly and efficiently, whilst also keeping the needs of our patients and their families at the heart of all of the decisions we’ve made. I’ve been really proud of the way our teams have worked so hard on the front line, supporting colleagues in the NHS, and ensuring our services could continue to grow and adapt.

We operate within a very complex landscape, both in terms of the challenges around fundraising – especially in a pandemic – and more broadly in terms of the political, economic and healthcare environments. But, despite there being challenges ahead, there are opportunities too and I’m confident that we can continue to collaborate with others across Greater Manchester, as we lead the way in providing specialist palliative and end of life care to those who need our care.

Emma Dixon, Director of Clinical Services

Emma is a Registered Nurse and joined St Ann’s from her previous role as Cancer Services Manager at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Her experience also includes time as Matron at East Cheshire Hospice, and Senior Clinical Quality and Clinical Project Manager (Cancer & End of Life Care) for NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive, said:

I’m so pleased that Emma is taking on this important role, especially at such an exciting time for the organisation. Since joining us earlier this year, she has made a real impact, and has worked with our clinical teams and others across the organisation to ensure that our patients and their loved ones have been able to continue accessing the care and support they need throughout the pandemic. She will be a great addition to our hospice’s Executive Team, and will be pivotal in driving forward our clinical strategy in the coming months and years.

Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive

Meet our New CEO, Rachel McMillan

October 1, 2020 | 8:12am

“As October begins, in many respects, it’s unbelievable to look back and think about how much has happened in 2020. All of our lives have changed in so many unimaginable ways.

“Today I begin a new phase in my own personal history and that of St Ann’s, as I start my new role as Chief Executive of the hospice, and it’s certainly an interesting time to be taking the reins.

“Whilst it’s not been what you’d call a normal year so far at the hospice, it may surprise many people to hear that during this period, we’ve actually been providing even more care and support than ever before.

“We’ve had to be fleet of foot, adapting to the changing guidance from our NHS, public health and government colleagues, whilst ensuring the needs and safety of our patients and their families, and the wellbeing of our staff and volunteers, has been at the centre of all decisions we make.

“Our teams have been on the front line, working on our wards, The Being You Centres and in our communities to ensure that those who need us – at what is often an incredibly difficult time in their lives – continue to feel supported and know we’re there for them with the specialist care that’s needed. It’s not just that specialist care that’s important either. For many of our patients, our teams were the only people that they spoke to or saw during lockdown, so we became a vital lifeline, helping them to know someone was there who cares.

“Being there for others is certainly something positive that has come out of the terrible situation we’ve all found ourselves in over the last year. In 2020, across all walks of life, we’ve all had to adapt and come together, uniting and supporting each other and our neighbours and wider communities, and that has really resonated with me when thinking about the hospice and our journey too.

“The hospice is only here because members of our local community created us almost half a century ago. That was only possible because other people in Greater Manchester joined them to embrace the cause and help create a new facility to care for patients who needed it. And the work of the hospice was only sustained thanks to those same local communities pulling together and supporting St Ann’s fundraising activities throughout those 50 years. What an incredible achievement.

“We simply wouldn’t be here without those communities that surround us and take us to their heart, and it’s important that every decision we make has our patients and their communities at its core.

“In recent years our previous Chief Executive Eamonn O’Neal has worked alongside teams from across the organisation to transform the way we work, and ensure we’re able to carry on providing care for many generations to come. He’s worked tirelessly together with colleagues to raise awareness of the issues hospices face, helping to forge partnerships, create strategic collaborations for the benefit of our patients and their loved ones, and ensure that as an organisation we’re ready to take on the challenges ahead.

“My role now is to take all of that fantastic work that has been done and, with the amazing team of staff and volunteers at the hospice, ensure that we continue to move forward apace. After all, at such a time of change both in the health and social care landscape, but also the wider world too, it’s more important than ever to keep moving forward. Our values and ethos remain the same today as they have done for many years, and will always be at the centre of everything we do, but we’re also adapting to ensure we remain fit for purpose and able to meet the needs of the patients who need us.

“I know many members of our local communities well already – I’ve been at the hospice for eight years, both as Director of Clinical Services and also most recently as Deputy Chief Executive too. But I’m looking forward to meeting even more of the amazing people that make up the St Ann’s family of patients, carers, donors, healthcare professionals, business owners, staff, volunteers, shop customers, lottery players, and so many more, as I begin my new role. Every member of our community really does make St Ann’s what it is.

“As we embark on the next exciting chapter in our history – improving our hospice site in Little Hulton, and beginning an ambitious project to create a new building in Heald Green to ensure we can provide care for many decades to come – I’m proud to be part of such a unique and special family. We have such a privileged position in the lives of communities in Greater Manchester. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey so far, and to everyone who will be joining me and the rest of our St Ann’s family on the next leg of that exciting journey. I can’t wait to see what 2021 holds.”

Flexible Working – Bending without breaking in the workplace

September 30, 2020 | 7:41am

Flexible

/ˈflɛksɪb(ə)l/

adjective

Capable of bending easily without breaking.
Able to be easily modified to respond to altered circumstances.
(of a person) ready and able to change so as to adapt to different circumstances.

“Fundraising by its very nature is flexible. Those members of our community who so generously give their time and skills to support the hospice generally do this outside of the normal 9-5. Rotary Club speeches and cheque presentations are often held in the evening; we’re used to meeting at the crack of dawn to set up an events course, hours before the participants awake. We’re not a team reliant on being in the office, so in theory, the government’s advice to work from home coupled with the hospice’s requirement for support in other departments during both office and ‘non-office’ hours should not have been a challenge.

“With solid business continuity plans in place, one WhatsApp message was enough to get the team working from home less than 24 hours after Boris’ announcement on that fateful Monday. As the week went on, we adapted and changed to meet the needs of the business and the government, NHS, and Public Health England advice, adapting the office space, developing staffing rotas, readjusting our fundraising activity.

“Flexible working has, in some ways, become synonymous with ‘working from home’ but there is more complexity. For some flexible working was adjusting hours to split childcare with their partners, to complete home-schooling. For some it was a mixture of working from home and the office on alternative days, for others it was balancing care needs for vulnerable members of their family, for my team, it also includes taking on new roles in the hospice and working regularly in the evenings and weekends.

“Journalists and commentators have had plenty of content this year on the overwhelming benefits of flexible working, no more stressful commutes, and quiet focussed working spaces where we can be in our favourite hoody or pyjamas. Popping the dinner in the oven whilst making a cup of tea. Video calling reducing the hours spent travelling to meetings. Sounds like Utopia.

“We also need to think about those for whom home working is not the Utopia that the media portrays. If you are in a house share with noisy housemates, people on furlough or young children, if your WiFi is weak, if you have no table and chairs. Noisy neighbours, lack of access to open space, and that’s without even considering those for whom being at home is not the safe haven that it should be. As leaders, we need to be aware of these potential situations and sensitively, ensure that homeworking is possible and safe, without prying into our team’s private life too deeply.

“Without effective systems for monitoring and reporting, flexibility can lead to inefficiency, the lack of structure of being ‘in the office’ or ‘working hours’ can easily morph into logging on early to get some things done, taking a longer than usual lunch break because you can work late. Structure starts to crumble at the edges and whilst for some that is a real bonus, for others, it can lead to poor outputs. Our new way of working required an increased level of trust in the team.”

I have long been an advocate that presentee-ism is not a healthy way to work. Sitting at your desk does not mean you are productive… but when you can physically see someone you have more idea of what they are working on, and can support if they need it. They are more likely to ask you something in passing than pick up the phone if they are struggling.

Anne-Marie Wynne, Head of Fundraising and Capital Appeal

“Collaboration is more difficult when hours are so varied. One piece of work in particular relied on feedback from three people, it took a week to gather thoughts, redraft and gather thoughts again.

“Spontaneous conversations were no longer a possibility – gone were the days of walking into the office and in five minutes getting a team opinion on something. Incidental corridor conversations a thing of the past. Our daily huddles seemed to become a roll call of who was on toil for working tonight, last night, the weekend or currently redeployed. Sometimes I wondered how we achieved anything!

“And of course, we missed the social side of work, the office banter, the walks at lunchtime, the instantaneous cheers when something goes well (it’s not quite the same when you wait for tomorrow’s huddle) and a colleague’s ear to bend when things are not going quite so well. Non-verbal cues which we pick up in a shared office, that we don’t see when we’re working from home. Although used to the team working out of hours, as a leader knowing my team are at work, in unusual circumstances, weighed on my mind on days I was not working. I felt on call and responsible for them. When your team member is having a very bad day, workwise or personally, supporting them through the screen is the only option you have.

“It is widely reported that some people would be happy never to return to the office, that they are more productive, less stressed at home, that they do not miss the commute. On the contrary, my staff are asking to come back – they value their colleagues, they miss their colleagues.

“However, we got there. One by one, we progressed through the cycle of change and accepted what became ‘The New Normal’. The energy and adrenaline needed to change our way of working to get through ‘the next 12 weeks’ was instrumental in our success, not only in adapting existing and creating new fundraising activity to generate much-needed funds for the hospice but helping our clinical colleagues and remaining a strong team. When the world turns on its head and the normal way is no longer a possibility, you instinctively become problem solvers. In our case, we could not fail. The patients needed us.

“Amongst the tragedy and disruption, 2020 has also given us good things. Our pets became members of the team, joining our morning huddles, and our team grew as more pets were adopted – a benefit of not being in the office every day. It wasn’t just the pets we got to know, one team member’s partner walked through the room every morning on the huddle at which point we would break off to all shout ‘hi’; and the real highlight when Batman joined us too some days.

“As the weeks and months passed, we found a new way that worked. A monthly survey of the team to discover what is working and what isn’t helped to tease out the real benefits and address the struggles of the new world. It gave those less vocal a chance to share their views honestly. I could not be prouder of my team for their determination to succeed, their willingness to adapt and their compassion in looking out for their colleagues throughout this time.

“A sociable bunch we kept up team spirit with prosecco Fridays (no it is not drinking at home alone if your teammates are all on the screen with you!) with daft games to keep us entertained, we shared our recommendations on books, films, and recipes.

“There is nothing certain about the future at the moment; except for the fact that flexibility and responding to change will stay an important tool of our management toolkits. As time passes, we will be in the more luxurious position of choosing the best parts of what we have learned this year and integrating these more permanently into our working lives.”

Volunteer Appeal for our shops in Cheadle and Edgeley

September 25, 2020 | 7:29am

Following the opening of many of our charity shops, we’re looking for local people to consider donating just a few hours of their time each week to help shop staff raise vital funds to support local patients.

We’ll be following government guidelines strictly to ensure every team member remains safe and offering training to help get our shops open to customers. All our tills will be shielded, and we’ll use floor markers to ensure two-meter distancing. In larger stores, we will also have a one-way system in place.

The hospice shops generate a large amount of income that helps our dedicated staff to continue to deliver outstanding care and support to patients and their loved ones.

By sparing a few hours each week, you can help provide a service to the local community whilst also raising much-needed funds for our hospice. If you’d like to volunteer for our hospice shops then click the link below.

he hospice’s ability to fundraise has been hugely impacted by the pandemic and our shops have now reopened and are doing really well as local hubs for people in the community to buy new or preloved goods in a safe environment.

However, now the shops are open again, we’re in real need of volunteers who can help our dedicated teams in a variety of ways. We’d love to hear from anyone who might be willing to help by giving a few hours of their time each week at any of our store locations – but particularly in Cheadle and Edgeley.

The role of a charity shop volunteer has really changed in recent years, and we see people of all ages who really benefit from the experience. We need help with everything from window displays and merchandising, to serving customers, organising stock, and lots more in between. There’s something to suit everyone’s needs, so please do get in touch if you might be able to help.

Amanda Brooks, Trading Company Manager

Among our shops that have opened is the specialist Cheadle Bridal shop and we’re looking for brides-to-be to view, try on and purchase dresses for their big day.

We’re taking bookings for either one hour or 1.5-hour slots over the coming months and will be open for fittings. Before and after every appointment, the shop will have a deep clean to ensure both staff and customers remain safe.

To book an appointment at the St Ann’s Bridal Boutique in Cheadle, please email cheadle@sah.org.uk or call the shop on 0161 428 5949.

Brides might be having to adapt their big day to meet the changes to lockdown rules, but it doesn’t mean they should compromise on their dress. We have put an appointment system in place so brides can come along and browse the range of amazing new and preloved dresses we have in our Cheadle shop at their leisure in a safe way. It’s a beautiful bridal room, with lots of original art deco features, and many of the dresses we have in stock are brand new or designer too.

We know many people have had to adapt their plans for their wedding day, and our team is here to help them to pick out the perfect outfit, however they are marking the occasion. It’s a real privilege to be involved in such a special day for so many brides, and we get people travelling to our shop from all over the north west and beyond.

Amanda Brooks, Trading Company Manager

Our hospice shops generate thousands of pounds worth of income every year for, which enables our charity to continue to provide care to our patients with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

Find out more about volunteering opportunities at St Ann’s Hospice’s shops

please click this link

Here!

Celebrating the Year of the Nurse

June 3, 2020 | 12:32pm

2020 is the first-ever Year of the Nurse. The World Health Organisation (WHO) dedicated this year to celebrating nursing in honour of the 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale. At St Ann’s, we have a range of nursing roles and expertise, and our staff come from a range of backgrounds and professions that represent our diverse communities.

We’re thankful every day for our highly skilled Nurses and the difference they make to the lives of our patients and their families. Some of our team shared with us what being a Nurse at St Ann’s means to them.

I started at the hospice in September 2007, 13 years ago. I joined because I’ve always had a passion for palliative care, which was confirmed after a hospice placement I had a few years earlier while working at Stepping Hill Hospital.

I worked in the inpatient unit for seven years, and have been in The Being You Centre for the last six years. I have equally loved all
my roles at the hospice, seeing how we make a difference to so many people never ceases to amaze me. Everyone at the hospice, in whatever role they do, is always happy to go above and beyond for our patients and their loved ones. This team approach is so
important for the holistic care and support we provide and why I truly love my job.

Amanda Connors, Team Leader in the Neil Cliffe Centre and The Being You Centre

Working at St Ann’s isn’t a job, it’s a passion and a commitment. I began my career with St Ann’s in the kitchen as a Food Service Assistant in 2003. In 2005, I applied to be a Healthcare Assistant and worked on the wards until 2016, when I moved to The Being You Centre.

I love my role because we always put our families and patients at the centre of what we do. Nothing is too
much trouble, which is thanks to the dedication and drive of the whole team. Being able and supported to deliver that holistic approach is why I still love being part of the St Ann’s family after all these years.

Amanda Connors, Healthcare Assistant

I’ve been at St Ann’s for 10 years now and first applied for a job here because my mum had been cared for at our Heald Green site. I was overwhelmed by both the quality of care she received and the way in which the staff supported us as a family.

I’m always proud to now be part of that team, and to be able to give the same care and attention that we received to others at a time when they need it most.

Sarah McDonnell, Ward Manager

I joined the St Ann’s team in January 2020. I worked as a Macmillan Nurse for the past 10 years and I was looking for a new challenge. Since starting, my respect and love of this organisation has grown. I feel part of a family with so many amazing professional people focused on the same goal, to support people and families at one of the most difficult times of their life.

Gayna Davenport, Advanced Nurse Practitioner (trainee)

I’ve worked at St Ann’s Hospice since 2000. Originally, I came to the hospice in December 1999 on a 1-week placement which was part of a course I was doing. As soon as I walked through the doors, I knew there was something special about St Ann’s. I had previously worked on an acute medical ward for over four years and had no intention of leaving. But this all changed after that
one week!

I’ve now been at the hospice for over 20 years as a Registered Nurse, with 15 years on the inpatient unit and now in The Being You Centre. I’m so proud to work with all the multidisciplinary teams, whose aim is to give our patients the best possible care.

Jo Crowther, Registered Nurse

Theme: Staff and volunteers