In the Autumn of 2007, Help the Hospices held the final round of this grant programme. Since the launch of the programme in July 2001, 90 grants have been awarded, with over £902,000 being allocated.
Programme aims
The aims of the programme were to represent a major source of funding for a wide range of individual projects and to make a discernible difference to
In May 2009, a day event organised and hosted by Help the Hospices grants team, was held at St. Mary’s Hospice, Birmingham in order to showcase projects that had been funded by the John Ellerman Foundation since 2002. There is further information about the conference elsewhere on our website.
Examples of projects funded
Complementary therapy
Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Isle of Wight, was awarded £6,600 for a complementary therapy co-ordinator. The appeals officer at the hospice explains the aim of their project:
"Complementary therapy is an integral part of the holistically-based palliative care offered by the hospice. The aim of the project is to promote the development of a comprehensive service for patients through the new appointment. The specific task of the co-ordinator will be to recruit and integrate an enlarged team of volunteer qualified therapists - establishing firm foundations for the future operation of the service."
Information centre and library
Hospice in the Weald, Tunbridge Wells, was awarded £12,000 for an information centre and to relocate its library. The aim of the project was to provide better and more appropriate information to patients and their family and carers regarding medical and nursing issues.
The hospice proposed the development of a patient/care information centre in its reception area. This will provide information on a range of diseases and medical conditions, including leaflets on subjects frequently raised by patients and their families on issues of death and dying, finance, social and spiritual matters. It will be supported by controlled Internet access and will share data held electronically and managed centrally by the library facility and IT department.
Lymphoedema project
Lions Hospice, Gravesend, was awarded £10,000 for a Lymphoedema Locally Project. This application was made to address the issue of the lack of lymphoedema services in the Dartford and Gravesham area. The hospice proposed starting its own service as means of moving forward, providing comfort, increase independence and reducing travelling for the patients within the area.
Communication through lightwriters
Shakespeare Hospice, Stratford-upon-Avon, was awarded £6,767 for an Expression through IT project. It wanted funding to purchase Lightwriters, which offer the chance to communicate to those patients who are otherwise unable to do so. The machines are extremely effective. This is what the hospice had to say about the impact of their project:
"The three lightwriters purchased have given invaluable assistance to patients, enabling them to communicate effectively with their families, make decisions regarding their treatment and have increased independence whilst out shopping, socialising and so on."
Considering spiritual care
St Luke’s Hospice, Harrow, was awarded £10,000 for a 'Creation and Development of Spiritual Care Provision for Patients and Carers' project. The aim of the project is to improve the provision of spiritual care at St Luke’s by bringing together, under one specialist, all aspects of this fundamental pillar of palliative care.
The hospice felt the need for this project because:
"The clinical staff at the hospice are trained and experienced in providing help with patients’ practical and emotional problems. However, their core skills are not in spiritual or religious care, and with the development and growth of the hospice, a specialist is required to manage and provide spiritual care for people from a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse community."
