Cuz Cussen is a man on a mission, with precious memories of his much-loved mum powering him towards his target of raising an incredible £100,000 for the charity closest to his heart.
Big-hearted Cuz, who lives in Mutley with his wife Lyn and son Tyler, is the force behind Rockfest, the annual live music extravaganza that has seen Plymouth rock out in aid of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth – which cared so compassionately for his mum Dot – every year since 2009, raising a staggering £90,000 so far.
Now Cuz is issuing a rallying call to live music lovers to unite and enjoy the 19 bands lined up over this year’s Easter weekend (20 and 21 April) at Crash Manor, Plymouth. With his unwavering determination and their enthusiastic support, he is set to smash his £100,000 target, giving St Luke’s a big boost towards the £4 million it needs to raise each year to help people who desperately need its care.
Diagnosed with cancer, Dot was looked after by the charity, first at home and later at Turnchapel, before sadly she passed away in 2008. St Luke’s was also there to support Cuz – her only child – and his dad Don, to whom she was married nearly 50 years, through their very difficult time.
Cuz said: “Mum was awesome. Kind, caring and generous, she was always looking out for others, whether it was family or her neighbours in Devonport, and did so much for them as well as holding down her job as a cleaner at Penlee Secondary School. And she made the best pasties in the world – never matched in the 11 years she’s been gone, sadly!
“St Luke’s was such a source of comfort for us all, as well as the outstanding way they took care of Mum’s medical needs. She was looked after in the very best way, with her dignity respected, and was able to pass away peacefully, surrounded by her family. I can’t thank St Luke’s enough for what they did in our time of need, but with the continued help of loyal friends and other generous fans of live music I can have the privilege of giving something back. ”
Packed with fantastic bands playing everything from rock to reggae and punk to metal, and with great raffle prizes too, Rockfest is a great opportunity to enjoy the Easter weekend in an electric atmosphere while helping Cuz reach that Titan of a total.
The doors open at Crash Manor at 1pm, ready for the first band at 2pm. No ticket required, admission is £10.00 per day. Hand stamps will be given which will allow those attending to come and go on the day.
https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Rockfest-IMO-Webblog.png7731030Robert Maltbyhttps://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/stlukes-logo.pngRobert Maltby2019-02-04 16:52:012019-02-04 16:53:15PR: Plymouth rocks to meet terrific total in memory of much-loved mum
Cancer can be one of the hardest experiences a person will go through.
This 4 February, World Cancer Day empowers all of us across the world to show support, raise our collective voice, take personal action and press our governments to do more. World Cancer Day is the only day on the global health calendar where we can all unite and rally under the one banner of cancer in a positive and inspiring way.
Here at St Luke’s we are here to provide compassionate support to patients and their families when they need us most.
Last year, 75% of the people our nurses cared for had terminal cancer. It’s your support that ensures their final weeks are pain free and full of wonderful memories with their families.
https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/World-Cancer-Day-Social-Media-Blogpost.png7731030Robert Maltbyhttps://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/stlukes-logo.pngRobert Maltby2019-02-04 13:56:182019-02-04 16:53:51BLOG: World Cancer Day - Monday 4 February 2019
Local charity St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth is to move into the empty Toys ‘R’ Us store on Western Approach.
Plymouth City Council and the charity have just agreed a temporary lease arrangement which will see a pop-up charity shop set up within the store.
As well as stocking furniture, the shop will also be the artists hub for Elmer’s Big Parade Plymouth, before the 40 individually designed Elmers hit the city this Summer.
St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth Commercial Director, Mike Dukes said: “This is a very exciting venture for us and will be our largest shop in Devon and Cornwall.
Our shops provide a vital source of fundraising to enable us to deliver compassionate care to patients and their families when they need us most. We estimate that we will generate enough income to support over 200 patients and their families with a whole package of care at home in the duration of the lease.
But we can’t do it alone, donations of good quality furniture and sofas are urgently needed, we also need volunteers that are so vital to the operation of the shop. We aim to be open on Monday 4 March, but donations are welcome now, just visit the website or give us a call on 01752 964455 for information about our free 7 day a week collection service.”
The Council acquired the long-hold lease on the building last year after Toys ‘R’ Us went into administration and the shop shut its doors.
The Council recently made the store’s 165 car parking spaces available to the public to park in addition to the 880 spaces available in the Council-owned Western Approach multi storey car park.
Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet member for Finance and City Centre Champion said: “We have long term plans to regenerate Colin Campbell Court and Millbay, which was why the building presented such a great opportunity for us.
“But regeneration takes time so it’s great to see an empty building brought back into use while we plot and plan the next chapter of the city centre.
“Having the building occupied is better for the fabric of the building, but it also means we can encourage more people down here and helps a great charity to carry on with their work.”
The other section of the building is currently rented by British Heart Foundation. They have been consulted about their new neighbours.
https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ELMER-WEBBLOG.png7731030Robert Maltbyhttps://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/stlukes-logo.pngRobert Maltby2019-01-29 10:59:292019-01-29 10:59:29PR: Mammoth news for empty Toys 'R' Us store
A local father who’s a familiar face at our Plympton Distribution Centre, where he devotes several days a week to volunteering with our Fundraising team, has openly shared his personal experience of having a terminal illness and highlighted the importance of conversations around advance planning in such a challenging situation.
Scott Prideaux, who received his diagnosis November 2017, said: “When I was diagnosed I was keen to find out as much information as possible about pancreatic cancer and through social media I tried to find people in similar situations so I could gain an idea of what my future might look like. While there’s an awful lot of information out there, I quickly discovered that there are very few men I could contact and have that conversation with. It is mainly women who are openly discussing these things online.
“It also became clear that the way ahead is uncertain, that there are no rules for this type of thing. I could have another year – or it could be five.”
It was a desire to ‘do something positive and give something back’ that resulted in Scott deciding to volunteer with our charity, generously giving time to help staff with a myriad of tasks, from preparations for events such as Men’s Day Out and drafting thank-you letters to our supporters.
He said: “It has really helped me to have something else to focus on other than my health, which I think is important.”
Crucially though, Scott has also found time to consider his future wishes, talk openly with his wife and children and involve them in his planning, which has helped provide more peace of mind for all of them at a vulnerable time.
He said: “It’s important to have everything documented and any issues put to bed, so I have organised my finances and moved all our utility accounts into my wife’s name. I also had a will drawn up during St Luke’s ‘Make a Will Week’, where local solicitors give an hour of their time for free in return for a donation to the charity.
“I think in situations like mine, it’s really important to talk to your partner and also to involve your children so that everyone is with you.”
Scott also shared his feelings about having a terminal diagnosis yet receiving underlying messages around ‘fighting it’, when the power to change the diagnosis is not within his control.
He said: “I want to ask, how do you suggest I do that? I can’t see it and I can’t punch it – there’s nothing tangible. What I can do is research and ask questions. And I can take comfort and support from what I’ve received from oncologists and nurses to make myself appreciate that I’ve had what there is and that I’m doing all I can.”
https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Scott-Webblog.png7731030Robert Maltbyhttps://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/stlukes-logo.pngRobert Maltby2019-01-29 10:08:292019-01-29 16:41:32BLOG: It’s good to talk
The compassion with which St Luke’s looks after people is about far more than hands-on medical care. Our approach is holistic, so it also includes emotional and spiritual support for patients and their families at the most difficult of times.
The Social Care team, which includes both staff and volunteers, comes alongside patients who request their help in very challenging circumstances and also their family members, who are referred if they need support as they navigate their way through the loss of their loved one.
The team sees patients and families in their own homes, but also at GP surgeries and at the specialist unit, too.
Speaking with Jutta Widlake, Head of Social Care, one thing is very clear – there is no ‘normal’ when it comes to the feelings people have when experiencing grief. “Am I ‘doing it’ right?” and “How long will these feelings last?” are questions frequently asked by people who are bereaved, but everyone’s reactions are different.
Jutta said: “Grief can be very intense and it is common for people to fear they’re losing their minds, so it’s important we’re there to listen and reassure them that many people feel this way but, leaving aside very few exceptions, whatever is ‘normal’ is what’s natural for them as an individual.
“Emotional distress is extremely common, but it is not unusual for some people to keep so busy that their grief can be delayed, or stifled, for a few weeks while they organise the funeral, or sometimes for many years. It is not always the case that we will see them soon after the death of the person they lost.
“At this time of year, though, people can be feeling particularly anxious. Perhaps they have had family around them over the Christmas period and busied themselves, but now there’s more time to reflect and they’re feeling their loss more acutely. Or perhaps Christmas felt so lonely without their loved one that facing the year ahead seems incredibly daunting.
“It’s common for anniversaries and family events to be particularly challenging so sometimes, if it feels appropriate, we encourage them to make new traditions that include memories of the person they’ve lost but help them move forward.”
Asked to pinpoint qualities and skills staff and volunteers need to make a difference, Jutta said: “Essentially we are facilitators who engage with people, firstly by listening to them, validating their experiences. Sometimes, there are very complex issues – for example, family conflicts or safeguarding concerns – so we help them work through those, too. The team continuously develop their specialist communication skills and use approaches such as mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy. Counselling skills can be very helpful, too.
“We need to be empathic; the feeling that they’ve been heard can be incredibly helpful to those we support. In addition, we can assist in practical ways. Our Social Care Support Workers often help the person navigate the complicated benefits system to access their full entitlement, and our volunteers help with shopping or creating a bucket list so the person can look to the future.
“It’s very rewarding when you hear that you’ve played a part in enabling someone to face the future with hope. And, if we feel there is another agency that would either be more appropriate or complement our service, we will work in partnership.”
Among the volunteers is Adrian Frost, who was inspired by the hospice care his brother received in Cornwall at St Julia’s and began giving his time as a van driver for St Luke’s before training as a befriender and bereavement visitor.
Adrian sees these as two sides of the same coin – while the befriending is about coming alongside people in their last days, helping the bereaved involves supporting them as they face a new future.
Over the years, Adrian’s kindness, listening ear and practical skills have helped many people, whether he’s visited them at home or taken them for a drive, recognising some people find it easier to share their feelings outside their everyday environment.
Adrian said: “Nature can be so helpful, so sometimes we spend time outdoors by the sea or in the countryside. It’s not always about talking – silence can be a powerful tool. Being comfortable with it is important as, of course, is being open and interested in what the person has to say.
“Some people find just one visit is all they require, while others I see several times. My role is about helping them take their first steps after their bereavement, until they can move forward more confidently. So, I could be helping them with practicalities, or simply listening. I can’t imagine my life without this role now, and I consider it a privilege to be allowed into their lives.”
For terminally ill people living in a rural area like Kingsbridge, it can be more difficult to get the specialist end of life care they need at home – if that’s where they choose to be looked after – than it is for their urban counterparts.
Last year at the Who Cares in Kingsbridge event facilitated by St Luke’s, local people expressed their desire to work together in a supportive network to enable choice and encourage compassion for those in their community for whom time is running short. However, they highlighted the need for a properly co-ordinated approach to harness their efforts.
Recently, thanks to funding from Hospice UK for the new role of Community Network Co-ordinator for Kingsbridge, St Luke’s has been able to respond to this need. We have appointed Robyn Newport, who is looking forward to getting to know local business owners, voluntary groups and health care services to help establish a Compassionate End of Life Care Community within the town.
Robyn said: “I’d like to encourage everyone in the community to think about how they support others through bereavement, to feel comfortable talking about end of life care wishes and help people think about their own supportive network. I hope this will help alleviate some of the anxieties and fears we all have about having these difficult but very important conversations.”
As part of her remit, Robyn will also be delivering free Compassionate Friend, Compassionate Champion and Compassionate Network Co-ordinator training, giving people the skills and confidence to have open, honest and sensitive conversations and think about ways they can support others in their community.
Robyn said: “St Luke’s is committed to working with our local communities to realise the potential of informal networks and develop more effective ways to provide compassionate carer support and choice for those at the end of life, so that they can die at home with those they love.”
If you’re based in Kingsbridge and would like to meet Robyn, or are interested in becoming a Compassionate Friend, Champion or Co-ordinator, please head over to our webpage.
Lee Braid is taking the plunge for St Luke’s in June following the care we gave his father, bravely taking on a bungee jump to raise as much as he can by way of thanks to our team.
And while many choose this particular experience for sheer exhilaration, there’s an extra-special reason for Lee.
Diagnosed with a brain tumour last year, he decided on the UK’s biggest leap (300ft!) because this gave him a ‘sense of living again’ following the downward spiral of feelings he experienced after being diagnosed.
Lee, who works for EE – which has kindly chosen us as its charity of the year – said: “While I can, I really want to make memories with friends and family. Memories are the one thing that don’t go away.
“My philosophy is live life now, while you can. You don’t know what’s going to happen further down the line.”
https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Bungee-Web-Blog.png7731030Robert Maltbyhttps://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/stlukes-logo.pngRobert Maltby2019-01-25 11:37:582019-01-25 11:37:58BLOG: “Yes, I am crazy – I’m going to do it!”
Kick start the new year by doing something great for your community by volunteering for St Luke’s.
Our amazing volunteers are at the heart of St Luke’s and the services we provide. We appreciate them every day and want to say an extra big thank you to them all for the difference they make.
If you’ve ever considered the idea of volunteering, but just haven’t got round to making that first step. Perhaps, some messages from our current volunteers may just inspire you.
The majority of our volunteers are based across St Luke’s 30 plus charity shops throughout the community. Trudy Turner is a familiar friendly face to customers at our Estover shop and has found that volunteering there has been a great way to both meet people and gain new skills.
A support worker and registered carer for her daughter, Trudy lives locally.
“This was a way to get myself back into the workforce after 12 months at home as a carer,” she said. “Even though I explained my experience wasn’t recent, that wasn’t a barrier. It was a case of come in and see how you get on.”
The flexibility of volunteering and the fun to be had along the way also appeal. “There’s no pressure,” said Trudy, who helps create the shop window and other displays. “I can do two hours on a Saturday or a full day – it doesn’t matter. There’s lots of mayhem and lots of fun.”
Inspired? Find out about volunteering opportunities in our new Plymouth city centre charity shop. Give us a call on 01752 401172 and ask for volunteer services.
Jennie Easterbrook – Dritwood Cafe volunteer
Behind the counter at our Driftwood Cafe at Turnchapel, the first thing you notice about Jennie Easterbrook is her mega-watt smile. Along with her fellow volunteers there, she ensures visitors receive a warm welcome and great service, whether they’re in for a work meeting or to spend time with a relative receiving our care.
As well as serving there, Jennie helps out in the kitchen and can also be seen wheeling the tea trolley around the ward, making sure patients and relatives can enjoy a relaxing cuppa, or collecting dishes.
Jennie’s father, who passed away two years ago, received St Luke’s care at home. It was witnessing the quality of the medical care and emotional support he received that helped Jennie decide to give back by becoming a volunteer. “It was eye-opening to see how much care is given in the community,” she said.
Seeing her face light up when she talks about our patients, it’s clear that making a difference to them is Jennie’s biggest motivator for getting involved. She said: “You would never be able to tell some people are so poorly. You chat and have a laugh. If you treat them as people rather than walking on eggshells, you get a lot back. They’re so grateful for the slightest thing and it’s just so rewarding. When one of them told me recently that I was a ‘ray of sunshine’, I could have cried!”
Reflecting on her time caring for her father before he passed away, Jennie says she found it both heartwrenching and rewarding to look after the person who had raised her, adding: “If I can help just one person – make a difference to that one – then it’s mission accomplished really.”
Adrian Frost – Befriender and bereavement support volunteer
How does a Bristish Gas engineer with 33 years’ service become one of our Social Care volunteers, providing such valuable support to people facing the end of life and coming alongside those who have lost loved one? Seamlessly, it’s clear, hearing Adrian Frost talk about how he took up volunteering with us nearly 20 years ago. It was the loss of his brother Roger in 1996 at St Julia’s Hospice in Hayle that made Adrian take stock and decide to get involved with our charity in 1998.
“I can’t imagine not doing it now – I find it so rewarding,” he said. “I often take people out for a drive across Dartmoor or up by the coast. Sometimes we visit a cafe or take a picnic. When people are poorly and they can’t get out easily, that can make all the difference.”
And Adrian is quick to bust the myth that hospices like St Luke’s are depressing. “Yes, there are times of tears and sadness but the majority of the time it’s lovely. It’s full of light and laughter!”
Recently retired and with 45 year’s nursing experience under her belt, Amanda Jackson found that serendipity played its part in bringing her to St Luke’s.
“I was looking for a way to give something back to the community and use my skills at just the time St Luke’s was recruiting volunteers for the specialist unit at Turnchapel,” she said. “I do what’s needed on the day, whether it’s making beds and helping with bathing or spending a couple of hours listening to a patient. I enjoy the contact with them and their families, and listening to their stories.”
The one morning a week she volunteers means a great deal to Amanda. “When you retire, you can lose who you are and it’s important to get that back,” she said. “It’s made me feel valued again. It might be just a small part of my week and the Hospice’s week, but hopefully I can contribute something, and I get a lot out of it.”
Like so many of our hard-working volunteers, Brian McCourt enjoys putting the practical skills gained through a long career to great use to help St Luke’s and those we look after. With 30 charity shops and much related maintenance there’s plenty to keep him busy, and the skills he acquired from many years working as a carpenter, joiner and shop-fitter are in constant demand. Brian, who worked for Bambles and at the Dockyard, first became incolved with our charity through fundraising , including setting up a St Luke’s Hospice Cricket League. He has been volunteering for us for many years, giving two days a week of his time.
Brian said: “Plumbing, electrics, brick-laying, carpentry – there’s plenty to do around the shops. And if you don’t know, you’ll be working with a tradesman who does. “When there’s a new shop, I help set that up, too. I recently worked on the one at Southway. There’s no pressure though – you do what you can and as long as you’re helping, they’re happy.”
When visitors arrive at our specialist unit at Turnchapel, the warm and friendly welcome they receive plays a big part in the relaxed, peaceful and uplifting setting they encounter, often at a time when they’re expecting something far less positive. But did you know it takes 25 volunteers to help ensure the smooth-running of our busy Reception area?
Jenny Nicol, Senior Receptionist, said: “There’s a lot to juggle on Reception, from greeting visitors and answering the phones to dealing with enquiries from patients, relatives and staff. It’s really important that we provide a friendly and professional service, particularly as many of the people we see are going through a really difficult time. It just wouldn’t be possible to do what we do without our wonderful volunteers.”
https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/VOLUNTEERING-BLOG.jpg7731030Robert Maltbyhttps://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/stlukes-logo.pngRobert Maltby2019-01-14 12:00:142019-01-14 12:04:26BLOG: New Year, New You
Plymouth’s biggest and best Men’s Day Out is back! Join hundreds of men on the move for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth on Saturday 30 March.
It’s a great opportunity to gather your mates and walk our 12km route (with one or two watering holes along the way) and enjoy a pasty and a pint whilst watching a cracking rugby match, at the end.
https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MDO19-Webblog.png7731030Robert Maltbyhttps://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/stlukes-logo.pngRobert Maltby2019-01-01 06:00:532019-01-01 08:49:22BLOG: Men's Day Out 2019 - registration now open!
https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/MDO19-ANNOUNCEMENT-WEBBLOG.png7731030Robert Maltbyhttps://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/stlukes-logo.pngRobert Maltby2018-10-18 14:45:412019-01-01 08:50:29BLOG: The boy's are back!
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