Supporter Stories: Nicolle Kennelly (Palliative Care Nurse)

Nicolle Kennelly is a Palliative Care Staff Nurse at ellenor. After graduating from nursing school, she worked as a post operative nurse at Darent Valley Hospital before joining ellenor’s Inpatient Nursing Ward eighteen months ago.

ellenor provides care and support to patients, their families and friends living with a terminal or life limiting illness in their place of choice – either in the home, community or at in the hospice in Gravesend.

Nicolle plays a key role in providing holistic care to patients at the end of their lives, making sure they are emotionally and physically supported; she improves their quality of life by managing pain control and symptom management as well as providing inpatient respite care.

Speaking about the privilege she feels to be with families at end of life, Nicolle says: “It is the first time that I have worked in palliative care and in a charity environment and I absolutely love working at ellenor. Yes, there are challenging days, it can be tough and extremely emotional but we do it, because we care. To be able to support and care for patients at such an important time of their lives – and at a very private time reserved for family and friends - is a real privilege.

I’m immensely proud of the work ellenor does and wanted to fundraise for them so have signed up for their Great Wall of China trek.It will be difficult in many ways - it’s my first solo trip without family and friends, my first long distance trip in years, and of course trekking the Wall will be the most physically demanding thing I’ve ever done! I’m incredibly nervous, but even more excited”.

By supporting ellenor this Christmas your kindness will make a real difference. Please donate online: https://ellenor.org/christmas-appeal or call our Supporter Care team on 01322 626509