Flattery really does get you everywhere. Last year I got a call from Suzanne, Head of Media & PR at Hospice UK and she asked me, as “a leading hospice communicator” to be part of their panel at the 2016 Hospice UK Comms Workshop. Well who was I to turn her down!
I travelled to Leeds the night before the workshop to make sure I got there on time and made my way to St Gemma’s Hospice in the morning. It is a beautiful hospice with lovely gardens and we were given a really warm welcome.
It is always reassuring to go to an event organised by Hospice UK, you know that it is going to be professionally run and the content will be interesting and useful.
Last year’s hospice comms day looked at how communications staff could extend their influence to enhance their work. This year’s programme will focus on the theme of story-telling to promote hospice care.
I am really hands on in my role as PR Manager at St Joseph’s. As the only PR person here I find myself taking pictures, speaking to people who turn up at the reception desk asking if they can film at the hospice, and giving tours to journalists and student nurses.
What I love most though, is telling the stories of the patients who come to the hospice. I think this is an absolute privilege, to share someone’s life story. It really is the best part of the job.
When I was on the panel I was asked how I am able to get access to the patients on the wards. I guess this threw me a little bit because our nursing staff are really helpful and understand how important it is to share patient stories. They often come to me suggesting patients I should talk to.
Quite a few of the people who attended the workshop said they were not allowed to go on the wards and I really think this is such a vital part of being able to tell stories.
So this is what I did when I joined St Joseph’s. I spent the first few months walking around the building, talking to the staff on the wards and in Day Hospice, the domestic staff and the porters (they always know what is going on) and I got to know people and formed relationships. This has really paid off and it would be my top tip when you start working at a hospice.
Aside from being on the panel at last year’s hospice comms day, it was a great opportunity to network. I met people from hospices all around the country and you realise we are all quite different, in size, the services we offer and the roles that we have.
But what we all have in common is wanting the best for our patients. So I would say go to the Hospice UK Comms workshop and take along those burning questions and speak to other people. I guarantee that someone will have the answer.
*The hospice comms day, taking place on September 15, is now fully booked. However, we will be live-streaming one of the sessions. Please register your interest for the event on our website to receive further information.
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