Help for Havens Hospices from the Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill

In spite of the many challenges that the corona virus pandemic presents, the Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill continues to function, albeit remotely, through the magic of Zoom. Since the start of lock-down the club has continued its regular Monday night meetings via the internet. It may not be quite the same as the normal lively banter between the members, but the meetings still manage to have some of the sense of companionship and fun of our usual meetings.

The Zoom meetings also have a serious side: we still conduct business and have been able to have a presentation from the representatives of Havens Hospices, Community Fundraiser Sally Bridger and Director of Care Ellie Miller, who gave us details of the facilities at the new Fair Havens Hospice off Priory Crescent, up-dates on renovation work at Little Havens that took place last year by Loop Interiors and the work with older children by The J’s, which takes place in patient’s homes and the local community. Sally also cited several heart-rending letters from patients praising the sympathetic welcome and treatment that they had received from the staff.

Sally, when questioned about the additional challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic, indicated that the charity is continuing to provide palliative nursing at Fair Havens and through their Hospice at Home service out in the community.

They are also supporting the local NHS by opening up more beds to children at Little Havens/patients at Fair Havens, if they need to be discharged from hospital. This helps to reduce pressure and free up acute beds and staff so the NHS can help on the frontline treating patients with Coronavirus. The Care Teams are diversifying the type of care they provide – if patients/families choose to not have people in their home, the hospice is helping with fetching prescriptions, shopping and signposting to other support networks.

In addition, the charity has launched its Coronavirus Crisis Bereavement Line, with the support from NHS Southend CCG and NHS Castle Point and Rochford CCG, to support adults and children across Essex bereaved directly or indirectly as a result of the Coronavirus.

The corona virus pandemic has, however, presented a serious problem with funding as all their Charity Shops are closed and fund raising from sponsorships from major events such as the London Marathon has dried up. In common with all health care establishments, the Hospices have adequate supplies of PPE, but supplies are never guaranteed.

The Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill has supported Havens Hospices for many years and the members were again impressed with the care that it provides for the local community particularly in the current crisis and, after some brief discussion, decided to donate £1000 towards the costs of maintaining this caring, essential service.