2008 Overview... What  a Year!

This year has had its highs and lows, and has been a bit of a roller-coaster ride.

At the beginning of the year I was so pleased that we had new Committee members, Christopher Elliot-Newman and Fenwick Kirton-Darling. They have boundless energy and commitment, and have inspired us with their enthusiasm.

We had a lovely evening launching the web site, designed by Peter, who has really done us proud. The evening gave an opportunity for different people to talk about what they do for the Hospice, and why they enjoy doing it. It was a  moving experience  listening to their stories, and our guests, (from ‘Songs  of  Praise’)  our  Patron Major Enderby, our  friendly local traffic warden George Lackenby, and the amazing letter  writing  Mary Kohn’,  allowed us to photograph  them and obtain publicity.
After that, we started discussing the idea of making a DVD, as we felt that it would be wonderful if more people could know what we do, and a DVD might be a good way of communicating that, as well as being really useful for publicity. That idea has developed and a chance encounter with a semi-professional film maker is turning this into a reality. We hope to be filming in the New Year.

Throughout the year we have been even more conscious of money than ever. In the first half of the year we were dipping into reserves every month, and starting to wonder if we would have to cut back on the amount of care we could give. Our funding comes from the Care Trust, from the shop, and from donations. The amount we receive from the Trust has been fixed for several years now, and hasn’t increased with inflation nor is it linked to the amount of care provided. The amount received in donations fluctuates considerably, and we have been very pleased with the take- up on the monthly giving, as that is a regular source of income. The income from the shop has gradually increased and is invaluable.  However, we were concerned as to how to try and increase our income, without at the same time putting people off from seeking care where it was needed. This was a major issue for many months. We have cut back where we can on overheads, by sending back the leased car (we thought volunteer drivers would use it extensively, but they didn’t) and reviewed telephones and office procedures, but still we were in a predicament. We put off making a decision on cutting back on care provided until September. 
 
After appearing to be getting nowhere with our discussions with the Trust, we approached our MP, Peter Atkinson, and he was helpful and supportive.  We have now had encouraging letters from the Trust, and some additional money, but changing the basis of our funding is still under discussion.

We decided that we would have to ‘go public’ on our need for money. Peter designed the beautiful cards which were delivered by volunteers across the area. We held street collections and gave out more cards. Everyone pulled out the stops. Tescos and Waitrose took us under their wings, and individual volunteers, and our paid staff too, were incredible, with their fund-raising schemes and all their help. The support was overwhelming. I don’t want to start naming individuals, as so many people did so much, and it is all greatly appreciated. It raised our profile within the community tremendously, and we crossed our fingers that no-one in need would feel put off from seeking our help.

I was actually on holiday in France when I got a text message from Christine. We knew we were to receive a legacy in August, but didn’t know how much. When I read the amount I was staggered. It was incredible that this should come at this time. More incredible was the fact that we had no contact with the donor, and knew nothing about this generous benefactor. How sad that we can’t say thank you to him in person.

The total amount of care we have provided throughout the year seems to have remained stable. The number of people we are helping at any one time varies tremendously, some weeks we are rushed off our feet, and other weeks volunteer drivers are wondering what to do with themselves! Our paid nursing and support staff provide a marvellous service, and we are so lucky to have such super staff available ‘at the drop of a hat’. 

The shop has gone from strength to strength, and the amount of goods kindly donated to us has increased. However, we did have were concerns about Saturday staffing (when Christine, Liz and Lorraine were not normally at work) and also the future direction of the shop and other opportunities. We discussed if we could engage in ‘intelligent investment’ and employ someone part time for a trial period. The legacy made this possible, and on 1st October Edna joined the staff. The shop has a bright new look, and its takings have gone up and up. During the first week in December the shop takings from when we opened, reached an amazing £500,000!!!!!  Just think how much care has been generated by all those donations. A special thank you to the shop volunteers for their sterling work.
 
In the New Year we will look at ways of publicising this achievement, we are all  quite sure that local people like our charity, not only for what we do, but because  we  are  local,  and it will be nice to say thank you for all the support. 

Now, as 2008 draws to a close, we have just received another generous legacy, and we have healthy lists of fund-raising events and talks to give about the service, and the amount of care we are providing does not seem to have diminished. We are looking forward to welcoming new members onto the Management Committee, and we are discussing our forward strategy, as well as planning our film star roles! We hope we will continue to have the invaluable support of such wonderful volunteers, without whom the service would not exist, I hope you have found the work rewarding.

A big thank you to the 4 members of staff, Liz, Lorraine, Edna and Christine,
whose patience and dedication make the service worthy of its top class CSCI ranking, and who encourage us all. Christine celebrated 10 years with the Hospice this summer, and she has certainly been central to the success of this organisation.
  
In all of this we must not forget the purpose of the organisation. We know from the comments we receive that when our help is needed, it is appreciated so very much.  So, on behalf of the staff and all the many volunteers, thank you for all your support during 2008 and may we all have a peaceful 2009.