A Peterborough hospice has delivered a staggering 816 hours of care virtually over the past year, offering people in and around the city and the wider region ‘life-changing’ activities and therapies via Zoom.
It has been one year since Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, based at Longthorpe, launched its virtual day services programme to support people living with a neurological condition to stay safe and independent at home.
Since then a team of three hospice staff, three volunteers and virtual guest speakers have delivered 260 hours of virtual quizzes, 208 hours of chair-based exercises, 156 hours of virtual complementary therapy, 70 hours of arts and crafts, 52 hours of relaxation and meditation and 52 hours of writing for wellbeing, in addition to one to one support as needed to support members individually.
Helen has been delivering complimentary sessions virtually via zoom.
Linda is part of the Virtual Day Services team.
And feedback shared by the local people it supports has described the service as ‘life changing.’
One member shared, “These sessions have become my lifeline,” while another added, “It picks me up on my sad days and makes me laugh on my good ones.”
Another member said, “I have met new people and am really enjoying it. It is something to look forward to” while another shared it was an “absolutely essential service that I could not live without.”
The passionate team behind the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice virtual day service, headed up by Jo Hazell, is keen to make a difference to more people in the region. Jo said, “We’re absolutely thrilled with the fantastic feedback we have received from our members and everything we have achieved together in the year since the service’s launch.
“But we have more care to give and space to support more people. That’s why we’re reaching out to anyone in the local community who lives with a neurological condition – or anyone who might be caring for or supporting them – to get in touch and find out more about what we do.
“We can invite you along for free taster sessions so you can take part in the virtual sessions and therapies yourself.
“Or if you’re a GP, specialist nurse or carer and want to find out more about how the service could help someone in your care please contact us to register for a webinar with the team, so we can tell you more about what we can do. Our healthcare professionals’ webinar will take place in March, with more details to be shared soon.
“We want to be there when it matters for as many people as we can in our local community. I would love to see the hours of virtual care and online therapy sessions we deliver increase over the coming year so more people are supported.”
Through the service’s online eight week programme people will be able to access Sue Ryder experts specialising in holistic care and enjoy exercise, complementary therapy and relaxation sessions alongside opportunities to socialise and take part interactive activities such as quizzes, art and poetry and listen to guest speakers.
So versatile are the virtual sessions that one patient was even able to continue their therapies and sessions while away on holiday!
The service is available to anyone living with neurological conditions such as MND, MS, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, dementia or following a stroke in Peterborough, Rutland, Stamford, The Fens, Warmington, Ramsey, Bourne, March, The Deepings, Whittlesey, Wisbech and Huntingdonshire.
When joining, patients can create a fully individualised programme of five one hour sessions per week over an eight week block at the weekly cost of £35, which can be paid for from personal care budgets or via continuing healthcare funding allocated to support their eligible social care needs.
Referrals can be easily made by anyone – patients themselves, their carers or a lead healthcare professional by emailing sryc.thorpehall.dayservices@nhs.net or calling 01733 225900.
Please note anyone wanting to enjoy free taster sessions of the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall virtual day service will be individually assessed prior to this being offered to make sure they meet the criteria to receive support from the service.
For more information on Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice visit www.sueryder.org/thorpehall
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Lead Picture: Jo Hazell
About Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice
- Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice is the only specialist palliative care inpatient unit in Peterborough.
- We provide expert palliative care and support for people who are living with life-limiting conditions, as well as supporting their families.
- Our multi-disciplinary team includes doctors, nurses, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, complementary therapy, bereavement counsellors, and psychological and spiritual support.
- We also offer a variety of other services, including aHospice at Home service for people who prefer to receive palliative care at home, family and bereavement support, complementary therapies and spiritual care.
- Our staff and volunteers provide people with the compassion and expert care they need, to help them live the best life they can.
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