Family Drop-In Support Sessions at Rotherham Hospice

family drop in support session

Drop-In Family Support Sessions at Rotherham Hospice

Carers (family and friends) don’t choose to become carers – it just happens and you get on with it. To continue to care safely and maintain your own physical and mental wellbeing you may need support. 

Rotherham Hospice offers carers support services to support carers who are looking after someone with a long-term health condition in the palliative stage of their illness, including our monthly Drop-In Family Support sessions.

Drop-in Family Support sessions are a chance to talk to others in a similar situation, share any concerns and get hints and tips about how to cope with the day-to-day challenges of being a Carer. 

Who

Drop-in Family Support sessions are for the family and carers of Rotherham Hospice patients. 

Where

Rotherham Hospice, Broom Road, S20 2SW
 

When

2pm – 4pm on the following dates:
 
  • Friday 16th June 2023
  • Friday 14th July 2023
  • Friday 25th August 2023
  • Friday 22nd September 2023
  • Friday 20th October 2023
  • Friday 24th November 2023
 
 

 We look forward to welcoming you. Refreshments will be available. 

If you wish to join us, please come into the Hospice reception where you will be met by a member of staff.

If you have any questions, please call the Hospice Reception 01709 308900, and ask for the Patient and Family Support team, 

Rotherham Hospice CEO Sally Napper Retires

Rotherham Hospice CEO Sally Napper being wished well on her retirement by Head of Trustees Bill Patterson

Rotherham Hospice bids a fond farewell to our Sally

On Wednesday 24th May, we said goodbye to our Sally Napper, who is retiring after being CEO of Rotherham Hospice for the last 5 years.

Sally Napper has worked in the health service for 42 years – since leaving school – and her ethos has always been to put the patient at the centre of our care. Sally steered us through Covid-19, when the world and our healthcare system faced unimaginable difficulties, and she has always ensured we provide essential care to the people of Rotherham.

“As my time as Chief Executive of Rotherham Hospice comes to an end, I would like to thank all staff, volunteers and member of the Board of Trustees for their support and hard work over the last 5 years.

I have really appreciated the contribution that everyone associated with the Hospice makes towards ensuring that we provide high quality care for all of our patients and families and I’m sure this will continue going forward.”

The Hospice held a leaving party for Sally at lunchtime on Wednesday 24th May, with staff and volunteers from all departments coming to say farewell.

Bill Patterson, Chair of Trustees, said: “When I think of the words I would use to describe Sally Napper, resilience is one.”

“The stress the sector has experienced during Covid is unbelievable and it’s a testament to Sally’s resilience that she has lead this organisation through that period of time.”

“I think when Sally looks back at her legacy here, she will see she has left us in a far better position than when she arrived. I’m very sad she’s leaving but we wish her and her family all the best for the future. I would like to thank her on behalf of everybody at the Hospice for all her efforts over her time here. “

Thank you to Sally from all the staff & volunteers at Rotherham Hospice, and from all the people whose lives you have touched through your work here! 

Midnight Memory Walk 2023

Midnight Memory Walk for Rotherham Hospice

Midnight Memory Walk for Rotherham Hospice is back!

Join us on Saturday 24th June 2023 for the Rotherham Hospice Midnight Memory Walk. Who will you walk for?

Rotherham Hospice Ambassador and RUFC honorary president John Breckin is on a mission to bring our whole community together to remember their loved ones and support a service close to so many people’s hearts – Rotherham Hospice. As John says:

The Hospice was there for my family when we needed them. Now’s our chance to come together, remember our loved ones, and be there for the Hospice!

With your help, the Midnight Memory Walk will be our biggest event ever. By walking 10K or 15K through Rotherham in the middle of the night, you’ll be supporting people affected by end-of-life illnesses across Rotherham. 

Online sign up for the Midnight Memory Walk 2023 has now CLOSED.


  • You can sign up on the night at New York Stadium for £10.
  • Please arrive between 10pm and 11.15pm for registration.

When

Saturday 24th June at midnight (finishing Sunday 25th June).

Where

Starting and finishing outside Rotherham United FC’s Aesseal New York Stadium, the 10K or 15K route goes around Rotherham, passing the Hospice on the way. 

10K route and directions here.

15K route and directions here.

Sponsorship

Getting sponsored is a wonderful way for your friends & family to show support, both for you and in memory of your loved one. And Rotherham Hospice is here to help.

You can quickly and easily set up an online Just Giving page here. Unsure how? We’ll send you a step by step guide once you’ve signed up.

We’ll also send you a printable sponsorship form, posters and more to help you smash your fundraising goal!

Set up your Just Giving fundraiser

Midnight Memory Messages

A Midnight Memory Message is a sweet way to remember your loved one. 

For a donation of your choice, Rotherham Hospice will send you a Midnight Memory Message tag for you to fill in.

This will then be part of our Midnight Memory Celebration Display, which will be viewable outside the Hospice on Broom Road during the Midnight Memory Walk.

Get your Midnight Memory Message tag
Midnight Memory Message

Volunteer

Are you interested in being part of our biggest event of the year, but don’t fancy walking 10 or 15K? 

As a charity, Rotherham Hospice relies on amazing volunteers to help to make the Midnight Memory Walk a fun and safe event. 

You could volunteer to:

  • be a midnight marshall to ensure walkers stay on the course
  • help register our walkers before the event begins
  • distribute Midnight Memory Walk T-shirts in the days before

If you would like to help the Hospice, please call 01709 308 700 and ask for fundraising, or email fundraising@rotherhamhospice.org.uk.

Register to volunteer

Why your support matters

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services and we can only do it thanks to our amazing supporters like you.

Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors

A huge thank you to our Corporate Sponsors who are backing the Midnight Memory Walk for Rotherham Hospice.

ASD  Lighting

Burrows Motors

Elvin Automation Services

Skoda Rainsworth

If your business would like to get involved in making the Midnight Memory Walk a huge success, please email fundraising@rotherhamhospice.org.uk. Thank you.

Celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III

king charles III coronation

Celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III

Rotherham Hospice joins the rest of the country in celebrating the coronation of King Charles III on 6th May 2023.

The coronation gives us an opportunity to come together to celebrate and reflect. We are supporting the people in our care to enjoy this historic moment however they choose to. 

 

We hope our Rotherham community enjoy the day of festivities with their family, friends and loved ones, and special thanks goes to those who have chosen to run  fundraisers at their coronation celebrations.

 

Your generosity ensures we can continue to support and care for those in Rotherham with life-limiting illnesses. 

Free Furniture Collection Service with Rotherham Hospice

free furniture collection service in Rotherham

Free Furniture Collection Service now available in Rotherham

Having a clear out? Need to make some space? You can now donate your unwanted furniture to Rotherham Hospice without having to leave your home. 

By using Rotherham Hospice’s free furniture collection service, you’ll be helping our charity shops raise much needed funds to care for our local community. 

How to book your free furniture collection:

free furniture collection van driver
Book your free furniture collection

Why your support matters

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services and we can only do it thanks to our amazing supporters like you.

Gaming For Good – a fun way to show you care

gaming for good

Gaming for Good: how to get started for Rotherham Hospice

Did you know, the gaming industry is one of the biggest in the world and streaming platforms such as Twitch get more views than YouTube videos. And gamers are making great things happen through Gaming for Good.

Gaming for Good is a movement where gamers dedicate a stream or complete a gaming challenge for a charity, encouraging those watching to donate as they enjoy the show. Most streamers complete a Gaming Marathon. This is where the streamer plays games for a set amount of time (often 24hrs), streaming the full event and raising money as they play. 

Gaming for Good for Denise

Nic is one such gamer. When Nic’s honorary mum Denise became ill and needed hospice care, Rotherham Hospice was there to make sure Denise was comfortable during the end of her life.

In August 2022, Nic did a 24 hour live stream, as well as shaving his head live on the internet (that’s optional!).

Hundreds of people watched, joined in gaming and donated to Nic’s 24 hour live stream, ultimately raising £2K to help Rotherham Hospice keep caring for people like Denise. 

In Nic’s own words:

Nic did a Gaming For Good fundraiser in memory of Denise

I did it in memory of an amazing woman, and as a thank you to the Hospice who gave us some very important help and moments with her. I'd do it five more times given the chance!

Nic, fundraising in memory of Denise

 

If you love gaming, and Rotherham Hospice means something to you like it does for Nic, why not complete a Gaming for Good challenge and raise money for the Hospice!

Set up Gaming for Good

Just Giving has written a detailed guide on how you can organise a charity gaming stream, but here’s a few tips to get you started.

Download Twitch overlay
Gaming For Good Twitch overlay 2
Download Twitch overlay
Gaming For Good Twitch Overlay 1

If you’re interested in setting up a fundraiser and need more information or guidance, or a Rotherham Hospice T-shirt, please contact our Fundraising Team on 01709 308 900 or fundraising@rotherhamhospice.org.uk.

Why your support matters

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services and we can only do it thanks to our amazing supporters like you.

5 Hospice Care Myths

Myth busting: Hospice Care

Hospice Care: 5 Myths Busted

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about hospices and hospice care, whether that be who can receive hospice care, the services we offer, or who pays for hospices. Let’s explore what’s a  myth, and what’s a truth at Rotherham Hospice!

Myth: Rotherham Hospice is just for those about to die

Truth

Hospices care for people who are dying, however palliative care is more than the last few days of life. Rotherham Hospice supports patients at varying stages of their illness, from the diagnosis of a terminal illness until the patient’s death and beyond, caring for the patients’ loved ones with our bereavement services.

Some people receive hospice care for just a few days, while others get support for several months, both in the Hospice and at home.

Rotherham Hospice Care Day Hospice Community Therapy Health and Wellbeing Healthcare Counselling Bereavement Support Phone CQC Information

Myth: Hospices are a sad place to be

Truth

There are sad times, of course, but our staff and volunteers try to make the Hospice a home away from home, where patients are comfortable, and their loved ones can focus on just being together. Hospice care is not about giving up, rather about making the best of the time we have. 

“The remaining days my beloved Mum had could not have been in a more perfect place – surrounded by wonderful people, filled with such compassion and kindness – you have touched our hearts and I know you made my mum feel special.”

Patient's relative

Myth: Hospices are just for older people

Truth

Hospice care is available for anyone who needs it, at any age. Rotherham Hospice is an adult hospice, caring for people aged 18 to over 100. It is a common misconception that hospice care is exclusively for the elderly, when in fact 25% of those that die in Hospices across the UK are under 65.

At Rotherham Hospice, our care doesn’t end with patients. We also offer bereavement support and counselling for the loved ones of our patients, including children aged 5-18 through our Sunbeams support group. Rotherham Hospice is a welcoming space for everyone.

Sunbeams Children's Bereavement Support Activity
A child and volunteer taking part in an activity at the Sunbeams Children's Bereavement Support Group

Myth: You can only be cared for by Rotherham Hospice in the Hospice itself

Truth

Hospice care happens wherever is the best place for it to happen, whether that is in our specialist 14 bed In-Patient Unit, in the Day Hospice, or in a patient’s own home, cared for by our Hospice at Home team. Rotherham Hospice supports patients to be where they want to be at the end of their life.

Rotherham Hospice Care Day Hospice Community Therapy Health and Wellbeing Healthcare Counselling Compliments, Comments & Complaints

Myth: We shouldn’t talk about death

Truth

Conversations about death and dying with the people we love can be difficult. It brings up uncomfortable emotions, so we tend to shy away from it. We might try to ignore what is happening until a loved one’s death is very close.  But starting conversations early is important to allow time for everyone to talk openly and honestly.

Rotherham Hospice Care Day Hospice Community Therapy Health and Wellbeing Healthcare Counselling Bereavement Support Phone South Yorkshire Cafe Types of volunteering

Being able to talk gives us the opportunity to share worries, fears or wishes. We can talk about our own death, a loved one’s death, being with someone when they die, asking what they want and knowing what to expect, and what we can do to make it the best death it can be.

For helpful tips on how to get started,  check out these resources by Dying Matters from Hospice UK.

Why your support matters

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services and we can only do it thanks to our amazing supporters like you.

Guide to Gift Aid

Guide to Gift Aid

Guide to Gift Aid

One of the easiest ways you can make your money go further for Rotherham Hospice is by Gift Aiding! 

Research shows that up to a quarter of eligible donations didn’t use Gift Aid, meaning Rotherham Hospice misses out on £1000s that could fund vital end-of-life care for our local community.

We’ve found, over the years, that not everyone knows what Gift Aid is, and how it works, so we’ve put together a Guide to Gift Aid.

What is Gift Aid?

Gift Aid logoGift Aid is a tax relief allowing UK charities to reclaim an extra 25% on every eligible donation made by a UK taxpayer. That means, for every £1 you give, we can claim an extra 25p in Gift Aid from the government at no extra cost to you!

There are some restrictions on what can or can’t be Gift Aided.

Yes to Gift Aid:

  • You make a monetary donation from your own funds AND have paid UK Income and/or Capital Gains Tax during that tax year.

No to Gift Aid:

  • You’re making a donation in return for something e.g. a raffle, physical Christmas cards or signing up to an event.
  • You’re making a donation on behalf of someone else or a group of people. For example, collections at funerals where money has come from multiple people or a donation in memory of someone.
  • You’re making a donation on behalf of a charity. You can only make Gift Aid claims on your own taxpayer status when spending your own money.
  • The donation is more than 4 times what you have paid in tax in that tax year.

For example, if you paid £100 in tax, you can donate up to £400 and Gift Aid your donation, meaning Rotherham Hospice would receive £500, at no extra cost to you.

How do I Gift Aid my donation?

When you come into the Hospice and donate, please let us know if you’d like to Gift Aid your donation. On your receipt, there is a Gift Aid form which we can fill in and apply to any future donations you make to the Hospice. 

When you donate online, there will be an option to apply Gift Aid when you enter your payment details.

If you have donated to the Hospice recently and want to request that Gift Aid is applied to future donations, please call 01709 308900.

You must also tell us if you stop paying enough tax to qualify for Gift Aid.

Why your donation matters

Rotherham Hospice cares for families experiencing an end-of-life illness, both physically and emotionally. As a charity, Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £3 million each year to fund vital end-of-life services and we can only do it thanks to our amazing supporters like you.

Apprenticeship award goes to Rotherham Hospice

apprenticeship award goes to Rotherham Hospice

Apprenticeship award goes to Rotherham Hospice

Rotherham Hospice is thrilled to have won the RNN Social Action Employer of the Year as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2023.

Apprentices are an integral part of the In-Patient workforce, and we work closely with Rotherham College to ensure the best experience for apprentices and our patients.

We’d like to thank all the staff that have contributed to our apprentices’ learning such as nurses, HCSW and housekeepers.

Special thanks to Phoebe and Hannah our current apprentices and to senior nurse Simone who mentors them and ensures they meet their academic requirements whilst they are with us.

Sending Our Love and Care this Valentines Day

valentines

Valentines Day is a time when people celebrate their love for each other, but we know for those who are grieving for their loved ones, it can be an incredibly hard day.  There are lots of ways to acknowledge your loved one on Valentines Day, and you can choose what feels right to you.

Sometimes writing our feelings out on paper can help us process the mix of emotions we are feeling. Writing to your loved one may feel strange, but it is a way of acknowledging your emotions and feeling closer to your loved one, even though they are not physically with you.

Either alone or with family and friends, raise a glass or cup to your loved one and talk about the good times you shared.

You may feel like everyone in your life is celebrating with a partner but know that you are not alone in your grief.

Most importantly, make sure you take some time on Valentines Day to take care of yourself. Your loved one would have wanted to treat you on Valentine’s Day, and you can do this in their place.  Buy yourself a bunch of flowers or your favourite box of chocolates, read a good book or watch a film.

If your loved one was known to the Hospice and you need some support, please contact us on 01709 308900 and ask to speak with the counselling and bereavement team.