A look behind the scenes of Beaumond House Community Hospice as part of a week raising the profile of hospice care

Beaumond House Community Hospice will be taking part in a special week to raise the profile of hospice care.

This Is What It Takes: Hospice Care Week starts on Monday.

The aim is to look at the less obvious and less visible staff and volunteers at Newark’s Beaumond House.

Each week the hospice welcomes more than 450 visitors who are greeted with a smile from receptionist Amanda Longmire.

“It is my job to offer a warm welcome and to help everyone feel as comfortable and at ease as possible,” she said.

“Sometimes all that is needed is a listening ear and comfort and support to a relative or friend who want to share their memories.”

In a week, more than 800 cups of tea and coffee are made, plus dozens of meals.

Kitchen assistant Bridget Maxwell is part of a team that provides high-quality food for in-patients and those going to day therapy.

New patients are always asked about their dietary restrictions, medical issues influencing diet, cultural and religious needs as well as their likes and dislikes.

“I love my job and take great satisfaction if I can make a patient and their family just a little happier in what is often a difficult period,” she said.

Throughout the week the hospice will be posting messages to make people think. For instance, a nurse and health care assistant at the hospice cover six miles on each shift­— but are still smiling at the end.

That fact, and others, will be put together by Emma West, the marketing and communications officer at Beaumond House, who creates marketing materials for events, campaigns and in-house publications as well as managing the social media platforms and the website.

“We raise funds in many ways, including digitally, so this is something we are constantly striving to keep up with in an ever-changing digital world,” she said.

Beaumond House has one of the largest teams of volunteers in the Newark area with more than 150 people involved in day therapy, administration, driving, in shops, and fundraising.

But there are some more unusual jobs too. Sunshine Bear is an essential part of the fundraising events.

Sixth former Nathan Chandler helps out in day therapy once a week but also helps with the mascot.

“So many people recognise Sunshine Bear as being part of Beaumond House and the children love him,” he said.

Sunshine Bear will be busy at an open day and coffee morning at Beaumond House from 10am to 1pm a week on Saturday.

The event will give the public the chnce to pop in for a drink, see the facilities and services provided, and find out about career and volunteering opportunities.

“We really do have an army of people helping us to keep Beaumond House the special place it is, but we are always happy to welcome more,” said head of clinical services Louise Sinclair.

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