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About
Us
History
It was
a spring day in 1985 when the Charity was co-founded by Pat Jeavons
and Don Sturrock.
The
idea of a Hospice for the two boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley originated
from the fact that the nearest Hospice was St Christopher’s at Sydenham,
which was not easily accessible. Pat and Don being cancer patients
themselves saw the need for a Hospice for Greenwich and Bexley.
The initial
fundraising efforts were to produce a lot of interest and the profile
of the Charity was considerably heightened when the first Hospice
shop opened in Bellegrove Road, Welling in 1986. From the day it
opened, the shop produced a flood of donated goods and plenty of
customers to buy them. The shop takings generated nearly one third
of the initial building costs.
In 1988
the Co-operative Wholesale Society first indicated that they would
be prepared to negotiate a piece of land at Bostall Hill, Abbey
Wood.
On the
site stood a large Victorian house called Shornells, used by the
Co-op as a training centre and guesthouse.
After
long negotiations and having obtained outline planning permission
for the Hospice, contracts were exchanged with the Co-op at Woolwich
Town Hall in September 1991. The site was purchased for just £1.
The building
was completed in October 1993 and following the recruitment of staff,
fitting out and equipping the Hospice, the first patients arrived
in early 1994.
Opening
The
Hospice opened in two stages, exactly two months apart. The first
stage was the opening of Day Hospice and this memorable day was
7th February 1994. A momentous event for Pat, Don and all who had
participated in any shape or form to create the Hospice, because
the dream had become a reality. The second stage of
the opening happened on 7th April 1994 when the first in-patient
arrived to be cared for in the new 10 bed unit.
As the
years progressed, demand for the Hospice service increased as it
became more widely known and respected within the community.
Pat
Jeavons dies
In June
1997 Co-founder Pat Jeavons lost her battle against cancer and died
in the Hospice that she and Don Sturrock fought so hard to get for
the people of Greenwich and Bexley. Prior to her death, Pat was
Chairman of the Board of Trustees and following her death Don Sturrock
took over the mantle. He held that office for a further six
months and then felt it appropriate to pass on the responsibility
to others.
Local
Council Awards
Following
the death of Pat Jeavons, the two local Councils acknowledged the
tremendous achievements that she and Don Sturrock had made to the
communities and decided to present a combined award. Certificates
of Honours from both authorities were presented to Don and representatives
of Pat’s family at a special awards ceremony held in the grounds
of the Hospice in May 1998. This award is unique because on
no previous occasion had the two boroughs worked together on such
a project.
Forget–Me–Not
Appeal
In
1998 the Hospice formulated a five-year plan. Within the plan was
a commitment to develop the Hospice to meet the needs of the community.
This involved the building of new facilities.
That time
had now come and it was the responsibility of the directors at that
time to decide what to do. Following a detailed feasibility study
and a presentation of how additional funds could be raised, an appeal
was launched.
The appeal
was launched in October 1999 with a target of £1,000,000.
This would enable the void area beneath the building to be converted
into a multi-functional day facility with Lymphoedema clinic, Massage
and Therapy rooms, Counselling room, Relaxation room, Doctor’s Consulting
room, bathroom, toilets, lounge, dinning area, conservatory and
a lift.
With the
relocation of the day facility into the new extension it would make
available space to create seven additional bedrooms with en-suite
facilities, larger visitor’s room, new prayer room, Counselling
rooms and office space.
Funds
came from all sources. The community shared the vision as well as
local and national trust funds. The National Lottery under the name
of the Community Fund came up trumps with a donation near to half
a million. This meant that work could commence in November 2001
and Kind and Co. builders were appointed.
The
building works undertook two phases
Phase
one, the conversion of the space on the lower ground floor into
the new day facility. This was completed in June 2002 and named
Shornells after the house that once stood on the site the Hospice
now occupies.
Phase
two of the works, the conversion of the old day facility into new
rooms commenced in June 2002 and has now been completed.
Don Sturrock dies
In
August 2002, Don Sturrock lost his 20 year battle against cancer
and died in Donald ward at the Hospice. It was fitting that
both he and Pat Jeavons should spend their final days in the Hospice
they both pioneered and created for the people of Greenwich and
Bexley.
On
Sunday 13th October 2002 a Thanksgiving Service was held in the
grounds of the Hospice for the life of Don Sturrock .
The
completion of the extended hospice
The
building works were completed in the autumn of 2002 and as a result
we can now provide beds for 19 patients.
The
facilities on the in-patient facility comprise of:
- Two
four bedded wards called Patricia and Donald with access to
the inner courtyard, named after the co-founders.
- 11
single rooms with en-suite facilities.
- Prayer
room
- Counselling
rooms
- Chapel
of Rest
- Bathrooms
- Larger
Visitor's Room with self contained catering facilities
- Office
accommodation.
- Lift
to Shornells on the lower ground floor.
- Extended
Kitchen with new freezer room.
- Courtyard
for relatives, visitors, volunteers and staff.
The
years beyond the expansion
Shornells
soon became a well used and appreciated facility. Groups,
individuals and the community as a whole have all ensured it is
used wisely and effectively.
19 beds
being available for the residents of Greenwich and Bexley have also
been well received and widely used.
The increase
in beds and space for day care and clinics has understandably increased
our client numbers and in turn has increased the amount of work
the counselling and support staff has undertaken.
To enable
the Hospice to remain solvent and to meet all its liabilities the
income generation activities have also expanded, these include the
expansion of the retail shops and the development and enhancement
of our fundraising activities.
To meet
these expansions, premises are now leased at Bellegrove Parade,
Welling Way, Welling to accommodate the fundraising and retail operations
under one roof.
During 2007 and following discussions with both Greenwich Teaching Primary Care Trust and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich the Hospice took over the line management of the specialist palliative care team that works within Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the specialist palliative care home care team that works within the London Borough of Greenwich. The transfer of management took place on April 1st 2008.
Following a successful bid for Government funding additional building and refurbishment works took place during the summer and autumn of 2008. These works cost nearly £700,000 and included:
For Shornells
Additional conservatory
Extended decking
External lift to facilitate access to the Hospice grounds
Air cooling
For Woodlands
Air cooling
Sun lounge
Refurbishment of the family room to include a café
Establishment of a Hospice shop
Remodelling and relocating reception
Extending the main lift to access the upper floor
These works, although disruptive whilst they were taking place have improved the facilities that are available to our patients, their families and carers.
2009 marks the 15th anniversary of the Hospice opening its doors and providing the very special care and support that it does. So much has happened during the past 15 years and the Hospice has expanded to meet the ever changing needs of the communities that it serves. For the financial year April 2009 to March 2010 the budgeted expenditure is £5.6 million of which 60% is raised via charitable and community support.
To assist in raising the extra funds that are needed to ensure the Hospice can provide its specialist care a Lottery was launched in May 2009.
To find out how you can support our work click here.
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