St Mary’s Hospice.
Supporting St Mary’s Hospice »
The Hospice
Real life matters. That is why we at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice help over 1,000 local families every year to cope in very difficult and extreme situations.
We do this in many different ways, for example:
- Helping people in their own homes as well as at the Hospice.
- Listening to each person?s individual needs and concerns.
- Being available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Supporting children, adults and families who have lost a loved one.
- Providing an educational programme for professionals
We have been working with local people since 1979, and have enjoyed an excellent relationship with the community we serve. We exist to provide palliative care for those in need and support for those who care for them, and people can access all our services according to their needs. To do this, we need your help. Please read on to find out more about the services we offer, and how you could get involved.
Patient Care
The specialist healthcare team based at the Hospice provides care and support to patients in three different ways:
- As an inpatient at the Hospice:
We have 25 beds at the Hospice, 13 of which are single en-suite rooms. We also have a self contained flat which can help families stay together at a most important time. - As a day patient to the Day Hospice facility:
We give specialist nursing care to people who come in from home for support on a day basis in a relaxed and caring environment. This enables people to stay at home with weekly support and has the added benefit of giving their carers a rest too. - In their own homes, visited by our specialist community team:
Many people the Hospice help actually live at home with the support of a team of local professionals, including our specialist community nurses.
These services are supported by a wide range of therapy provision including complimentary therapy, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy.
We work alongside the NHS care providers ? GPs, hospital staff and consultants to provide the best and most comprehensive service possible at a very important time in people?s lives.
Support for Families and Carers
People need to live, even after a major event in their lives. Our team of counsellors and social workers provide invaluable help to patients during their illness, at the end of life and for those left behind ? both children and adults. This includes discussing how to talk to others about what is happening, how to remember people well and how to rebuild lives.
This team works closely with specially trained volunteers to give a very practical service to all who would benefit.
Education
We are committed to promoting and developing the highest standards in palliative care. As part of this, we offer a wide range of training, educational and placement options suitable for our own staff and professionals in other organisations. We also work closely with local universities in training new clinical staff and in research projects, further developing our specialist knowledge of palliative care.
Volunteers
We would not be able to provide all these services with out our loyal volunteers, some of whom have been with us since we opened over 25years ago!
Volunteers work in all areas of the Hospice, from catering to driving, shops to reception. The list is variable and endless, and we are constantly grateful for all they do to achieve the high quality of care that we are proud of.
Conference Centre
The Conference Centre is another aspect of our work, generating more income for the hospice by providing meeting rooms with state of the art facilities for companies to use for conferences, seminars and training events. These facilities are widely used by local businesses and the public sector, and this also helps raise the profile of the Hospice to new audiences through out the city.
Do something life changing today ? Everyone can help, it is up to you to find out how best suits you!
We do not charge any patients for our services. The NHS covers only one third of our costs and we have to find the rest ourselves.
We are an independent, self-financing charity and depend heavily on volunteers and voluntary donations to maintain the services you have just been reading about.
Get involved and make a difference for life.
There are many ways you can get involved, here are just a few to get you thinking.
- Come to one of our fundraising events, there is something for everyone, from Ladies Lunches to golf days. Craft fayres to tea drinking! Or organise one of your own. We can give you plenty of practical help to get you on your way.
- Make a donation, a simple but effective way to help.
- Spread the word ? tell your friends and colleagues about us and encourage their support too!
- Consider a more regular gift. This type of commitment really helps us plan what we can provide to the local community.
- Come shopping ? donate or buy goods, or join the team of shop volunteers.
- Consider leaving a lasting gift in your Will. Legacies are a vital source of income from our supporters from across the world.
- Join our team of Hospice volunteers and get involved in one of the many aspects of Hospice life.
If you would like to find out more about the opportunities available please see our website, www.bsmh.org.uk or call the Hospice:
To find out about volunteer opportunities call the Voluntary Services Department on 0121 472 1191.
To find out more about ways of giving, call the Fundraising Department on 0121 472 1191.
