Well what can we say? It feels like no time at all since we returned from Christmas and New Year, getting back in to the swing of things, and now it's February! Activities at St Vincent's have been moving at a similarly swift pace as well.
Since our official media launch on the 9th January we have been working very hard across the hospice teams to create our 25th Anniversary special edition Newsletter. This has been a wonderful team effort with everyone giving their stories and input. The fundraising team put on their design hats and worked away like busy little bees, and now the newsletter has been sent to print and will be hitting doorsteps on Wednesday.
St Vincent's Hospice has also been a flurry of activity this past week with lots of new faces; we've had the privilege of welcoming new volunteers in to help support our administration. Without the help of volunteers we simply could not provide the services which we do - volunteers manage our shops and the Barn Tearoom, count donations, assist in day hospice and help the fundraising team with collections and events. This is just a snapshot of how volunteers assist us, if you want to find out more about how volunteering helps the hospice and how you can get involved visit www.svh.co.uk.
Kirstin, one of our former volunteers who helped the fundraising team in the lead up to the busy Christmas period, was successful in securing full-time, permanent employment whilst volunteering at St Vincent's Hospice. She said; "it was a great experience for me and I would definitely not be in my current job without the insight I gained at St Vincent's."
From new faces at the hospice to a very familiar face, we had the pleasure of welcoming Hugh Henry MSP at St Vincent's Hospice for a visit. As he was being shown around the building meeting staff and volunteers, he expressed how surprised he was to find out that over 50% of our services are actually community based. Previously he believed that most of our care was carried out here in the hospice building; a view no doubt shared by many people in our community.
During his walk round he bumped into a former pupil of his, from his days teaching accountancy; our very own counsellor Theresa! After a good reminisce of the past and a brief catch up, Hugh popped over to the Barn Tearoom for a coffee and a look around our new Vintage Stall. Of course we couldn't resist the urge to take a few shots of him and our Director of Care, Brona McGee, posing with some collectables.
All in all it's been a very encouraging start to the month. During our 25th Anniversary year we want to invite everyone to come up to the hospice to see the care provided here; you may be surprised by what you find - it really isn't doom and gloom, in fact it is one of the most uplifting places you will ever visit.
We have been very lucky here at St Vincent's Hospice to receive a fantastic response from our supporters to our 25th Anniversary celebrations and £1m appeal. Fundraising fever has been spreading with lots of new Hospice events and external supporter events being announced, and now it has even spread to our own staff!
One of our brand new events for this year is 'Challenge 25'; an exclusive weekend cycle and trek on the Isle of Arran. One of the first people to sign up for this was our very own Director of Fundraising & Communications Karen Milne. She has jumped at the chance to get her cycling gear on and put pedal to the metal in aid of St Vincent's Hospice.
"After such a long, dark winter I needed something to get me motivated and out into the fresh air; I thought Challenge 25 was a great excuse to get back on my bike and shake the dust off my walking boots. I've lived locally for years but am ashamed to say have never conquered Goatfell and rarely cycle on Arran despite the close proximity. Signing up for Challenge 25 is a great way to get me exercising, attempting a new challenge and raising funds for local patients and their families.
"It's going to be a fantastic weekend - a good luck breakfast at St Vincent's, bus then ferry to Arran before we begin a beautiful cycle to Lochranza for a bit of a celebration dinner. Then on Sunday we cycle to the foot of Goatfell before trekking up and getting the most incredible West coast views, before returning to the Hospice before sunset. What a terrific weekend!"
The team took the opportunity to have some fun with Karen's registration and have made her the official 'face' of Challenge 25. In true fundraising spirit she donned her St Vincent's t-shirt, cycle gear and helmet to have some promotional pictures taken. This being Scotland it was hard to pick a day with sunshine, especially in February, but despite the elements we did the mini photo shoot in the Hospice courtyard in the middle of gale force winds and rain. And even with all that - doesn't she look great!?!
If anyone is inspired by Karen to take part in Challenge 25 please visit www.svh.co.uk for the booking form. Our information evening is at the Hospice on Thursday 21st Feb at 6.30pm, and everyone is invited to come for coffee and cake and to hear more about this amazing event from the organisers: Sport Ecosse Events.
