Katharine House Hospice

We’re thrilled to be part of the #ThisIsHospiceCare campaign, a groundbreaking collaboration between 143 hospices across England, Scotland and Wales, and brought together by Hospice UK. We’ve come together to shine a light on the vital role hospices play in our communities and protect our future. So we can be here for anyone who needs us, for generations to come. We're asking everyone to consider leaving a gift in their will to a hospice close to their heart. By doing so, you can help us continue to provide this vital care, ensuring that everyone has the support they need for generations to come. Together, we can make sure that hospice care lives on for all, for now, forever. ❤️ Find out more here: www.khh.org.uk/wills

Last year, thanks to the generosity of our local community, we raised just over £7,000 from our collection tins that are out in local shops and businesses! We're a small team, so we're hugely grateful to our brilliant volunteer tin co-ordinators, like Kriss, who help us to organise and manage the collection of these tins. 🙌 Kriss told us why he wanted to volunteer and what the role involves. "Words cannot do justice to the unparalleled end-of-life care at the hospice. My mother-in-law received the best care and was the happiest I’d seen her during her illness while she was at Katharine House. They accommodated Sue in unprecedented ways, organising a tea party for her and later a birthday party also. Nothing was too much for the team there and they made her remaining few weeks special, she didn’t just fade away. ❤️ "I wanted to give something back. So since March 2024, I’ve been a volunteer tin coordinator for the Chipping Norton area. I travel to different establishments and pick up and replace collection tins as and when I’m needed. "It feels great to volunteer for the hospice as it’s for a bigger purpose and because it’s essential to the continuation of Katharine House. Volunteering gives you a feeling of being whole. Knowing I’m helping a little and seeing the place thriving is the best thing." We're currently on the lookout for a new volunteer tin co-ordinator to help support us in the Brackley area. If you think you might be able to help, why not find out more here: https://lnkd.in/e_mt4FJy

Three cheers for our volunteers! 👏 Glynis is one of our brilliant cash counting volunteers, but she happily turns her hand to other admin tasks to support the charity team. Over the festive period, our cash counters are busier than ever totting up the totals raised from all our events – and we couldn't do it without them. ❤️ We caught up with Glynis to find out why she volunteers, what it's like to work with the fundraising team and why giraffes are her favourite animal! You can read more about Glynis here: https://lnkd.in/e68fEjgF

🌿 Planning for our much-loved Open Gardens scheme is underway! And we're on the lookout for garden hosts to be part of this special campaign. 👀 Suzy has opened her garden in Culworth for the past few years and told us why she was so keen to help. 👩🌾 "We love to open our garden for Katharine House to share our passion for growing cut flowers, our quirky outbuildings and lovely view. The hospice cared for a close friend of ours who also loved plants and gardening. When we open to help such a great charity, we think of her looking down on us while we beetle around to get the garden ready. We know she would have been here helping if she could and enjoying a slice of cake." 💚 Could you help raise funds for our hospice by opening your own garden? We've already got some lovely events lined up for this year, but would love to add even more to the calendar! Interested? You can find out more about what's involved in opening your garden here: www.khh.org.uk/gardens

Meet Allan Love: supporter, local businessman and adrenaline junkie! Allan LOVES a challenge... so this year, he's decided to take on THREE of our events. What a champ! 💪 So if you're planning to sign up for our abseil, skydive or wingwalk, you'll be in good company. Allan told us: "I've experienced the amazing care and support Katharine House offer first hand. My mum, my father-in-law and a very close friend of my wife have unfortunately suffered from terminal cancer, and Katharine House have been there to care for them, and to support us every step of the way. ❤️ "So, if I’m going to support this amazing charity and do something to raise some much-needed funds for them, what better way than to take on one of the challenges that they organise. I found it difficult to choose which one I would enjoy the most, so I decided to sign up for three of them! I’ve done skydiving a couple of times before and love the excitement of it, but the abseil and wingwalk are new to me. "I am super excited to be taking on these challenges and hope to raise a huge sum of money for Katharine House in the process." 👏 If you've been inspired by Allan, you can find out about all our challenge events and sign up here: www.khh.org.uk/whatson

IPU Ward Manager, Abbie, and our Ward Administrator, Hayley, were thrilled to attend The Warriner School Careers Fair last week. Over the years, the school has raised more than £16,000 for the hospice through fundraising events and activities, so it was a wonderful way to give something back to the school community who have done so much to support us. 🙌 Abbie said: "Hayley and I had a lovely time meeting the students. It was great to be able to thank them in person for the hard work and support they have given to the hospice. We met many students who 'wanted to help people' and were interested in healthcare careers. A lot of them were surprised at what a huge variety of career opportunities are available to them through Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and Katharine House! We felt privileged to be invited to the event, which will likely shape many of their futures." 💙

Say hello to Zoe! 👋 Zoe has recently joined us as a volunteer receptionist, working on the ward as well as the front reception. She told us a bit about what her first few weeks have been like and why she signed up to join our volunteering team. "I live in Adderbury, so I was well aware of the hospice and the wonderful work they do. I had been involved in some of the fundraising activity in the village so when I retired, I approached them to ask if I could help in any way. "The reception role was a good match for my skills and experience and the 1:1 training is excellent. You will get opportunities to spend time shadowing experienced volunteers who can show you the ropes and build up your confidence. "I always look forward to my time on reception. The duties are typical for reception: answering phone calls and greeting visitors – the time flies. You will meet some lovely people too. "The warmth and dedication of the team at KHH is apparent right from the start. Without exception, they are patient, supportive and helpful; always on hand to give you support and encouragement. “It’s great to be part of such a fantastic team and a tremendous feeling to know you have helped." Thank you Zoe! ❤️ We know that a warm welcome and a friendly face on reception can make a real difference to patients and families when they come through our doors. Which is why our brilliant team of volunteer receptionists are such an important part of the Katharine House team. 🥰 We're on the lookout for new weekend volunteers for both the ward and front reception. 👀 If you've been inspired by Zoe, then you can find out more about the roles here: www.khh.org.uk/volunteer We'd love to hear from you!

Christmas may feel like a distant memory, but our fundraising team and cash counters have been busy totting up the total for our festive events. 👀 Sponsorship money and corporate contributions have now been collected and counted for our Santa Fun Run, and we’re thrilled to announce that it raised an incredible £40,974! 🤩 To everyone who pulled on a Santa suit and ran, jogged or walked to raise money for our hospice and the people we care for: THANK YOU! ❤️ Every penny really does make a difference! If you haven’t yet paid in your fundraising, you can find all the different ways to donate here: https://lnkd.in/eJg_YHyN

Our fabulous Fundraising Group has been up and running for the best part of a year now! Together, they have crafted, raffled, raised awareness, created friendships and had fun. And, as a result of this, have raised vital funds for Katharine House. 👏 But many hands make light work, and they are looking for more people to join them, either as fully-fledged members (meetings and events and all that jazz) or ad hoc helpers (the odd event where an extra pair of hands is needed!). They are also on the lookout for a group leader – someone that can really rally the group to get things organised, chair meetings and take a lead. On Tuesday 28 January from 2-3pm, we are inviting YOU to pop into our Living Well lounge at the hospice to come and meet some of the team here at Katharine House and some of our Fundraising Group members. It’s all very informal, just come for a chat and a cuppa and find out a little more (with absolutely no pressure whatsoever). We'd love to see you! 😍

The OUH Patients’ Choice Award nominations are now open! 💙 This is your chance to recognise a member of our incredible Katharine House team who has gone above and beyond. Whether it’s their exceptional care, kindness, or the way they’ve gone the extra mile to make a difference, we’d love for you to share their story. 🏆 Nominations close at 12 midnight on Sunday 16 February, so don’t miss your chance to show your appreciation. 👉 Find out more and nominate here: https://lnkd.in/eAPWn7DS #PatientsChoiceAward #ThankYouTeam #KatharineHouseHospice #OUH