newsletter spring 13
DESCRIPTION
Spring MailoutTRANSCRIPT
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The Rosemary FoundationThe Rosemary Foundation
Hospice at Home
Registered Charity No 1064723
Spring 2013 Newsletter
Rosemary Ramble
Organiser Michael Wait inspired us all with his energy and enthusiasm!
Members of the
Petersfield Lions gave us
their invaluable support on
the day, particularly with the car
parking.
Our Rosemary Ramble was held at Queen Elizabeth Country Park at the end of September and was a huge success which exceeded all expectations. Walkers and their dogs had the choice of 5 or 10 mile walks and there was a treasure hunt for the children. In the afternoon there were games and a tug of war.
One participant
said “We had a lovely day,
the event was very well organised
and the route of the walk
was well signposted”.
The final total
raised was ov
er £4,000.
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Chairman’s Letter
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the Spring Newsletter.
I trust that you all had a peaceful Christmas. The festive season has always been a busy and rather special time for everyone at The Rosemary Foundation. This year in particular we were delighted by the wonderful success of the East Meon Christmas Fayre and by the attendance at our Lights of Remembrance service. The nurses always look forward to sharing memories and exchanging news with you every December.
On behalf of the Trustee Board, I should like to say how sorry we were to accept the resignation of Dr Gillies O’Bryan–Tear in September 2012. Due to circumstances and his demanding career, he felt that he was unable to give sufficient time to the charity. The Trustees valued his wise counsel and generous support during more than two years in office. We shall miss him but we are delighted to know that he and his wife, Lucinda, will continue to be involved with the activities of the Foundation. During 2013 the Board will seek to recruit two new trustees with expertise in business and finance.
Every year is a challenge to us as you can read in the financial report and 2013 is unlikely to be an exception. It is essential that The Rosemary Foundation attracts an increased amount of regular income through covenants and seeks funds through legacies and grants wherever possible, so that we have the resources to employ staff and cope with an increasing demand on our fine nursing service.
As always every donation and every fundraising activity is vitally important to the Foundation and we are extremely grateful to you all. Thank you so much for your continued support.
Dr Patricia Golding, Chair of Trustees
First the bad news.
I attended QA Hospital for a routine out‐patient appointment. I awoke some days later to find that I had come through two emergency operations for colon cancer. From then on, the hospital’s 100% priority was to get me out quickly and I was transferred to Petersfield Hospital for rest and to build my strength back.
Some days later I was asked if I was ready to go home, despite living alone, barely able to walk and still attached by a tube from my stomach to a large vacuum pump; the priority was to free the bed.
I went home for care in the community to find it was not easily accessible as the workload of the Community Nurses has increased and there are fewer of them. I have not heard one word from Social Services to this day.
I asked the Community Nurses if I could have a shower
and one said that the Rosemary girls might be able to help me.
Now the good news.
A Rosemary nurse arrived and took over my dressings and care. What a difference! Pleasant competent old‐fashioned care, no dashing in and out, they arrive when they say and take time for a chat. I am so pleased. I face a short and probably unpleasant future, but with peace of mind that I will receive the care that I need from The Rosemary Foundation nurses.
It’s a sad reflection on our society that the opportunity to access an enhanced level of care within the community appears only to be provided by charities.
May your Foundation long continue its excellent work. Many thanks for all that you have done for me. God bless your endeavours.
A very grateful patient, Tom Jones
Notes from a Patient
LISS FOREST WALK Gill Elmer's annual Charity Walk is taking place this year on Sunday 3rd March. This year, Gill is raising funds for The Rosemary Foundation and Loren's Fund for Meningitis. Meet at 10:45 for the six mile walk which starts from the car park in Liss Forest; dogs are very welcome! Further details from Gill on 01730 893485.
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News from the Nurses...
Once again as I write for the Spring Newsletter we have snow making life difficult for everyone, but especially for community nursing teams. Fortunately for our staff, with the help of their relatives and 4x4 RESPONSE (Hampshire) we carried on!
This winter we registered with the 4x4 Hampshire RESPONSE team. This is a voluntary group charging a minimal amount per mile, who if necessary would collect two nurses in their 4x4 vehicles, take them to the patient and return them home or to our office. This gave us peace of mind particularly overnight when our nurses are most vulnerable. They usually undertake this task without a second thought for most of the year. On some nights they might be out several times, but we know that patients or their families will only call if they really need help, and often speak of just feeling reassured by knowing that there is someone to call, who will know who they are and that they won't have to wait for a call handler to "get back to them".
The coming year again will be a challenge for The Rosemary Foundation as GPs and community nursing teams go through the changes that will come in April when the Primary Care Trusts become the Clinical Commissioning Groups. We will have to work hard to make sure that we remain a relevant, responsive and appropriate service for both our patients and the GPs.
We attend the CCG governance meetings regularly and meet every three months with the regional team leaders of similar services to ours. The aim of these meetings is to share good practice, to exchange ideas and to help each other with any difficulties that may arise. As one of the first teams in Hampshire providing “Hospice at Home” we have already encountered many situations that our colleagues are now coming across and we hope that we can provide valuable advice and support.
Looking back at past Newsletters, change is a recurring theme and I am seriously in danger of repeating myself. We hope that the one thing that doesn't change is the high standard of care that we offer to our patients and their families. But we are never complacent about this and would always welcome your comments and constructive criticism concerning The Rosemary Foundation.
All our contact details are in this Newsletter, so please call the office if there is anything that you think we could do better. As always, if there is anyone you think would benefit from our involvement, please pass on our contact details. We look forward to the challenges that this year may bring, and hope that a very wet spring, summer, autumn and winter is not one of them!
Last but not least, our grateful thanks to the members of the Petersfield Flower Arranging Society who presented us with a cheque for £800 at their AGM in January. We are sad to hear that the Society may now close because new officers cannot be found to continue the work of this talented group .Thank you for all your support over the years.
Julie Cotsell
Petersfield Festival of Food & Drink – 15 & 16 June 2013 This year’s Petersfield Festival of Food and Drink, which has run successfully in the Town Centre for 11 years will move to Queen Elizabeth Country Park in June this year with all proceeds going to The Rosemary Foundation.
Michael Wait, who organised last year’s Rosemary Ramble at the Park was keen to grow this event into something much bigger for the Foundation. After talks with Food Festival organisers, Bill Oversby and Philippa Steward it was decided that they would incorporate the two events. Michael will take over most of the
organisation, with help and guidance from Bill and Philippa.
Put the weekend of 15 and 16 June in your diaries and if you can help in any way please call Michael on 07879 750432. Stalls cost £45 per day or £80 for the weekend. Application forms are available by emailing Philippa: appeal@rosemary‐foundation.org.uk. The Ramble will take place on Sunday 16 June and anyone taking part will be given free access to the Food Festival. More details of the events will be available nearer the time on the website: www.petersfieldfoodfestival.com
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Petaprint Ltd ‐ proud to support the great work of The Rosemary Foundation
http://www.petaprint.co.uk 01730 262450
Masonic Support for The Rosemary Foundation The Grand Charity of the United Grand Lodge of England has made a donation of £500 to The Rosemary Foundation, the third donation in a five year programme whereby hospices and charities caring for those with cancer in the United Kingdom receive support annually.
The work and service provided by the dedicated staff at The Rosemary Foundation is highly appreciated and respected by Freemasons and the charity will continue to receive financial support not only nationally but locally through donations from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Provincial Grand Charity and local Masonic Lodges.
Noel Voice, Secretary of the Provincial Grand Charity
Sky Diving Jo
Jo Della‐Rocca is a nervous flyer and is pretty scared of heights so what did she do to raise funds? She threw herself out of a plane on a sponsored sky dive in memory of her father. Jo writes “I cannot re‐iterate enough that without the help of The Rosemary Foundation I truly believe we would not have been able to care for Dad at home and we would have been forced to move him into a Hospice. Something that none of us wanted and for this reason we will forever be grateful”.
Liphook Golf Club
It was with great pleasure that the outgoing team Captains of Liphook Golf Club, Gillian Howeth and Peter Mobsby presented a cheque for £6,000 to Julie Cotsell. Gillian and Peter had chosen The Rosemary Foundation as their charity for the year as it was particularly close to the hearts of people at the club, having provided nurses to care for previous members who had fallen ill. The money was raised through special events and competitions, quiz nights and social events.
The Rosemary Consort was founded by local musician Louisa Denby
with the aim of raising funds not only for The Rosemary Foundation, but also other good causes. The Rosemary Consort Project 2012 began in September with a Choral Compline at East Meon where All Saints’ Church was lit by candlelight for this service and a wonderful atmosphere of peace and serenity was created. “A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon” was the comment from members of the audience at the end of the concert the following month, which was given by the Free Radicals and the Rosemary Consort string quartet in a programme of traditional favourites and jazz standards. The conclusion of the project was an outstanding concert from choir and orchestra in a programme of Mozart and Haydn at St Peter’s Church. Our grateful thanks to Louisa for her musical expertise and the energy and commitment that she brings to raising funds.
Noel presenting the cheque to Barbara Pettegree
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Would you like to help with the printing costs of this newsletter? For sponsorship queries please e mail fundraising @rosemary‐foundation.org.uk
Fundraising at Christmas
Business Growth Network ‐ Petersfield Is it possible to enjoy the benefits of business networking without spending a ton of money? Back in November 2006, we were asking ourselves the same thing. We could see the advantages, but felt we weren't getting value for money from a national business networking group. So we formed the Business Growth Network (BGN) Petersfield, with the aim of providing high‐level networking opportunities for small businesses, at a sensible price. As well as introductions to new customers, BGN acts as a 'support group' and a business network in Petersfield: whatever business issues you find yourself
struggling with there'll always be another member who's been there before and will be happy to advise. And with our strict membership criteria, you can make referrals, form links and exchange information with like‐minded people who share your business values and quality standards. The tangible business benefits of belonging to BGN have already resulted in a 50% increase in our membership, and we're always on the lookout for new members. We meet in Petersfield one morning a week, finishing by 8.30 so there's no loss of time from the working day. Following a successful Pig Racing Evening, BGN members presented a cheque for £912.50 to The Rosemary Foundation. Many thanks to everyone who participated in a noisy, fun evening! Robina Talbot‐Ponsonby (The photograph shows Robina presenting the cheque on behalf of BGN)
The weeks leading up to Christmas were a particularly busy time for fundraising events. A cold and wet Saturday, ah yes, it must be a Rosemary Foundation Street Collection! My very grateful thanks to the team of collectors who cheerfully held their buckets as they sheltered from the rain. Thank you also to the ladies of Petersfield Voices who came to sing in Rams Walk on the day, to add to their other carol singing sessions to raise funds for us.
Several churches donated their very generous collections from their Carol Services and Petersfield Chamber Choir again supported us with the retiring collection from their memorable and absorbing concert. Sales of our Christmas cards were very strong at the Watoto Trust’s Christmas Fair at the Tithe Barn at Ditcham. We received generous support from this event, from the excellent Fayre at Hawkley and the Bazaar at Liphook.
Thank you so very much to all our fundraisers. It might not be possible to mention all of you and every event, but we really do value and appreciate everything that you do.
Allison Price, Voluntary Fundraising Co‐ordinator
The Rosemary Foundation’s Christmas Fayre 2012
A miserable day, with the rain pouring down, was this going to stop people coming out to our Christmas Fayre? Not a bit of it, from 10:00am when the doors opened, to the close at 1:00pm, East Meon Village Hall was full of people who had come to support The Rosemary Foundation, and children who had come to see Father Christmas. The stalls did a roaring trade with the cake stall selling out in record time and the kitchen was hard pressed to keep up with the demand for coffee and mince pies. The Event Co‐ordinator, Lindy Coles was delighted to announce that over £2,000 had been raised and was in no doubt that the additional efforts to publicise the event had really paid off this year.
Lindy is now busy organising our Easter Craft Fayre which is on Saturday 23 March at East Meon Village Hall. There will be a variety of craft stalls and a children’s craft table as well as a visit from the Easter Bunny! Entrance is £1 which includes coffee and a hot cross bun.
Julie Cotsell with Father Christmas
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Recycled Fashion Show
Can you help? The computers in our office are now extremely elderly and the systems are creaking as they endeavour to cope with the wonderful work that our volunteers are doing. Much time is wasted, waiting for the machines to load and save data. We recognise that we need to invest in some new equipment but the donations we receive are used for the care of our patients and their families. We have therefore decided that we must set up a fund to purchase some new computers and would like to invite small donations to make this possible. If you would like to help, please send your contribution to me c/o our postal address at 35 Lavant Street, Petersfield, GU32 3EL indicating that it is for computers.
Sincere thanks for your ongoing loyalty and support of The Rosemary Foundation.
Barbara Pettegree
“Thank you Michael” For many years (the now retired MP for East Hampshire), Michael Mates has supported The Rosemary Foundation. He was educated in Salisbury and went on to become a choral scholar at Cambridge University, providing a musical foundation and talent that Michael has generously shared. Together with his musical accompanist William Godfree, Michael has performed many fundraising events for charity. The pair gave a memorable and very successful charity performance of Flanders and Swann songs at Langrish House in 2004 for the benefit of the Foundation and since then Michael has been a frequent contributor to our funds and continues to take an active interest in the Foundation.
We take this opportunity to thank Mr Mates for his support and generosity over the years.
The fifth Recycled Fashion Show to be held at Alton Methodist Church will be on Tuesday 16 April 2013 at 7pm, with hundreds of donated items priced and modelled, then sold after the Show. This year the event will support the work of The Rosemary Foundation and the work of Debbie Thomson (known to many as Debbie Thrower) who is Chaplain to the Elderly within Alton. Tickets for the Show are £5, with customers encouraged to bring their own bags for their purchases.
Judy Nicholls and Karen Booker acknowledge the large team of helpers that will make the Show such a happy evening. Karen said, “This is a time to welcome the community into our church. It encourages people to recycle, while enjoying the
fun of finding a bargain. Judy and I have been collecting and pricing clothes since January, and plans are well in place for this year’s Show!”
A further reduced price sale with coffee morning will take place the following day. The remainder of the clothes are thereafter donated to the local charity shops, so the recycling continues! This is the last year that Karen will be running this event, so if anyone would like to take it on, do please come along to the evening to see how it works and meet Karen. Further details are available from Karen at [email protected]
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Financial Review
The Nuffield Club
The Nuffield Health and Fitness Club in Portsmouth held a 60’s disco evening in aid of The Rosemary Foundation. A cheque for £500 was gratefully accepted by Dr Patricia Golding, Chairman of the Trustees.
The last half of 2012 has been for us somewhat of a roller‐coaster ride. As we mentioned in our last report, in July we enjoyed our best monthly income ever. However, this was followed by four rather disappointing months, but December gave us a welcome Christmas present which meant we finished 2012 with a modest surplus for the period of around £20,000 – equal to about one month’s expenditure.
Given that donations are our main source of funds, our income has always been somewhat erratic. It is interesting to look at the history over the last 5 years.
This chart shows the monthly amounts and the average income for each month. For the statistically minded, the standard deviation is also shown for each month. What conclusions can we draw?
In general, our income is not seasonal, except that (not surprisingly) January and August tend to provide rather less.
In almost all months, we receive what we might call a regular income of between £10,000 and £15,000 and this is invariably made up of a larger number of more modest, but crucial, gifts. However, bearing in mind that our outgoings are in the order of £20,000 to £25,000 per month, we are fortunate that every so often we receive a few larger amounts – perhaps from legacies or from major fundraising events. The overall result is that we are generally able to balance our books, certainly with our current mode of operation. This demonstrates clearly how all donations, no matter their size, are important to us.
We continue to keep a tight rein on our expenses. All our administrative staff are volunteers, and our fixed costs are a very small part of our outgoings. We know how important it is that our resources are used to provide our front‐line services to the community.
Mike English, Trustee
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£000s Monthly Income 2008 to 2012 2008
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The Rosemary Foundation ‐ Hospice at Home 35 Lavant Street, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3EL
( 01730 266 329 (administration) or 01730 269 996 (clinical staff) www.rosemary‐foundation.org.uk info@rosemary‐foundation.org.uk
MARCH
3 Sunday
Liss Forest Annual Charity walk 10.45 am for details: 01730 893485
23 Saturday
Rosemary Foundation Easter Craft Fayre East Meon Village Hall 10.00‐1.00pm
APRIL
Friday 5 ‐ Tuesday 9
Tony Maxse’s Final Grand Charity Walk
16 Tuesday
Recycled Fashion Show Alton Methodist Church, 7:00pm
27 Saturday
Old Herbaceous – a one man play with Cliff Mullins
The Triangle, Liss 7.30pm Tickets £9 (01730 301000)
MAY
5 Sunday
Football for Cancer Final AFC Portchester
6 Monday
East Meon Country Fayre
24 Friday
Day Lewis Pharmacy - Fund Raising Day Day Lewis Pharmacy, Petersfield
JUNE
9 Sunday
LiDBA Charity Bike Ride, Liphook
15 Saturday
Petersfield Food Festival, QE Country Park
16 Sunday
Petersfield Food Festival & Rosemary Ramble
JULY
5 Friday
6 Saturday 13 Saturday
14 Sunday
27 Saturday
Rosemary Foundation Craft Fayre & Cream Tea East Meon Village Hall 1.00‐4.00pm
SEPTEMBER
21 Saturday
Opera Recital
St Lawrence Church, Alton, 7.30 pm
OCTOBER
19 Saturday
Quiz Night
East Meon Village Hall, 7.30 pm
Charity Bazaar
Liphook Village Hall, 10:00 ‐ 1.00 pm
NOVEMBER
30 Saturday
Petersfield Chamber Choir, Britten Centenary Concert,
St Peter’s Church, Petersfield, 7.30 pm
Free entry ‐ Retiring collection
DECEMBER
1 Sunday
Lights of Remembrance Langrish House at 5.00pm
7 Saturday
Rosemary Foundation Christmas Fayre
East Meon Village Hall, 10.00 ‐ 1.00pm
2013 Diary of Events
Open Days at Lavender Fields, Selborne 11.00‐4.00pm