31 May 2021 07:00

Meet one of our volunteers Terry for whom nothing is too much trouble

We have never been more dependent on support from our volunteers than in the face of the current pandemic. Terry Ludlow, one of our regular couriers, has stepped up to the plate magnificently in recent months, upping his hours so that vital medical samples can be delivered to hospital, and ensuring donations of everything from food to flowers are collected from our corporate supporters.

20 May 2021 18:08

Young Fiancee find comfort and friendship at ellenor's Bereavement Group

When Jazz’s fiancé died, she was left feeling “broken”. But the support she found at our bereavement group has helped her through the pain of grief. The 31-year-old project manager says: “The aftercare I have received from ellenor has been nothing short of incredible.”

19 May 2021 11:25

Wellbeing at ellenor is a truly holistic experience

We are a charity supporting those with life-limiting illnesses and their families. We believe in offering support for body, mind and spirit, empowering patients and those who care for them to stay as strong as possible, for as long as possible. Here, Andrew Lowden – our interim Head of Wellbeing – explains the benefits of this multi-disciplined, holistic approach.

19 May 2021 11:21

Spotlight on Services: Wellbeing | Living well, making the most of your time

The wellbeing services ellenor provides lie at the heart of the hospice’s total package of care. Operational Wellbeing Lead Andrew Lowden explains the importance of going beyond patients’ clinical needs and helping them and their families navigate the psycho-social complexities of living with a life-limiting condition

19 May 2021 10:55

Talking about Grief: How our Counselling Service is Helping Families Speak Up, and Break Down Taboos

If death is a taboo, how can you encourage people to open up about grief and bereavement? Moreover, how do you break down those walls and stigmas that society has built up around the topic of loss, and help those who’ve experienced it come to terms with those feelings?

19 May 2021 10:48

Counselling| What we offer

We are a charity that provides hospice care and support to patients and families facing life-limiting illnesses in the Kent and Bexley communities. As well as offering palliative and end of life care to patients, we also provide a range of wellbeing services and complementary therapies, which include spiritual and emotional care, as well as respite and bereavement support.

14 May 2021 12:30

Treatment Escalation Plans: What are They, and Why Do They Matter?

Treatment Escalation Plans (TEPs) aim to empower patients who are frail or with life-limiting illnesses, in conjunction with their family and the GP/doctor responsible for their care, to explore the treatment options available to them – and ensure that appropriate preparation has been made for a supported, symptom-free end of life period. Here we explain what TEPS are and why they’re so important.

14 May 2021 09:00

The Gate at the End of the Path: The Importance of Providing and Preparing for a Good Death

“I see it as a gate that opens onto the last part of life’s journey”, says Angela Cooke, Practice Development Lead. “You’re going through a garden, walking along a path. You’re talking to somebody and admiring the flowers that they and their family have planted. You’re beside them to support them, should they trip.

12 May 2021 09:28

Putting the care in care homes: how ellenor helps provide personalised experiences for local residents

We support patients with life-limited illnesses and their families within the Kent and Bexley communities. While we provide care from both inpatient and outpatient units in Northfleet – in addition to a range of wellbeing services – the majority of our work takes place within the community. That’s both from the homes of our patients, as well as a number of local care homes, too.

11 May 2021 13:15

Why Dying Matters: Putting Planning, Preparation and Patient Autonomy First

As one of our team of four doctors, Dr Sheraz Majeed’s role is more than a clinical one. In line with our ethos of ‘holistic care’, which pledges to treat the patient and their family, rather than the illness alone, Dr Majeed’s chief responsibility is to understand the individual needs of the patient.

11 May 2021 09:50

ellenor: Empowering People to Look After their Loved Ones as effectively as possible

While we provide direct expert support to those who need it, a key part of our holistic approach is to ensure that family carers are able to support those they love as effectively as possible. Sue Marshall, who has been part of our team for 20 years, has a passion for this aspect of ellenor’s care, borne out of her experience on both a professional and a personal level.

10 May 2021 17:22

A Last Gift to Your Loved Ones - An Advance Care Plan

We are all encouraged to make a will so we can say what happens to our estate when we die. But how many of us have thought about how we want to spend the final moments of our lives? That’s where an Advance Care Plan (ACP) comes in. It’s a will of wishes that says: “When I die, this is how I would like it to be”.