A Lancaster hospice's project helping families to look after their loved ones at the end of their lives has been highly commended in the annual National Charity Awards.
St John's Hospice's education programme Last Days Matter was a finalist for the longest-running and most prestigious awards scheme in the charity sector, in the Education and Training category, for the standalone three-hour education sessions to help the community to prepare for palliative and end of life matters.
The Charity Awards is the sector’s most highly-regarded excellence recognition scheme and is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary.
"Many people feel ill-equipped to deal with the issues around end of life and are worried that they won’t be able to support and care for their loved one as they want to," said Maddy Bass, director of nursing, St John’s Hospice.
"We also know some people are nervous about starting difficult conversations and others can feel nervous about looking after their loved ones at home if they aren’t a doctor or nurse.
“So, the three-hour standalone Last Days Matter session was developed by St John’s Hospice with North Lancashire Compassionate Communities and community colleagues to support people without any care or nursing qualifications to help look after their loved ones, be they friends or family.
“The feedback about the session is excellent, to read peoples’ comments about the positive impact of attending Last Days Matter is truly moving. The session is open to all, because palliative and end of life care is relevant to every one of us.”
Sue McGraw, chief executive at St John’s Hospice said: “We are very honoured to have been shortlisted for this award.
"This nomination is testament to the collaboration between St John’s and the community groups who have supported this work.
"Last Days Matter is now being taken up by hospices across the country, which shows just how valuable this education is.
"It was developed with a tiny budget, and we believe our decision to offer it at no charge to participants and other independent hospices was the right one for our charity to make.”
Staff from the hospice attended a black-tie dinner held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
Matthew Nolan, chief executive of Civil Society Media which organises the Charity Awards, congratulated St John’s Hospice on making the highly-coveted shortlist.
“For a quarter of a century now, the Charity Awards has been showcasing and celebrating the terrific work of UK charities large and small," he said.
“At a time when the sector is struggling with higher costs, shrinking donations and ever-increasing demand for its work, it is reassuring and inspiring to see the extent and quality of charitable activity that is still going on across the country.’’
To find out more about Last Days Matter and to book your place see HERE.
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