Nelson Tasman Hospice needs your help
In the past, most people lived in the countryside close to nature. When someone became seriously ill, they were cared for in their home by family and relatives. People usually passed away in the presence of the family. The children got to experience death up close as a natural part of life. The older generations with their life experience could provide support and advice.
Now, most people live in the cities. The older and younger generations usually no longer live together. Many passes away in hospitals or nursing homes. As a result, we do not get as much experience of illness and death.
The modern concept of hospice as developed in England in 1967 by Dame Cicely Saunders, who famously quoted “you matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully but also to live until you die.”
Our very own Nelson Tasman Hospice has provided free palliative care services in our community since 1987. Hospice service is provided at Hospice’s Specialist Palliative Care Unit, at home, in a hospital or nursing home. There is often a misunderstanding that it’s only for the dying, but the real goal is to improve the quality of life of patients and their families facing any problem associated with any life-limiting illness.
Nelson Tasman Hospice provides free services for people who have any life-limiting illness at any age – supporting them, their families/whānau and carers through illness, death, and bereavement. The staff are specially trained and are available around the clock. The services are available to everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, culture, and gender. Nelson Tasman Hospice is a much loved and highly appreciated organisation with over 100 employees and a team of over 500 volunteers. The new facility opened in April 2019 in Suffolk Road in Stoke and the beautiful, award-winning building and garden were designed to include several eco-friendly features. There are 150 solar panels on the roof and three water tanks that collect rain which will be used to flush toilets and water the gardens. A UV filter means the water can be treated and used for drinking if needed.
Hospice’s Philanthropy Coordinator, Dr Georgia Ciaran explains: “We have built a new hospice at Suffolk Road in Stoke thanks to the generous support of Nelson Tasman people.”
It has ten specialized palliative care inpatient rooms, consulting rooms, space for families to meet and spend time together and allied support services, including pastoral care and grief counselling for families and whānau. It also features a training venue, commercial kitchen, extensive garden and new Manuka Café where the public is welcome to have a coffee and try the beautiful food”. Georgia says.
The hospice also has a four-bedroom apartment on site which means that families from out of town can stay for free with their loved ones and not have to worry about finding accommodation. The landscaped hospice garden is beautiful with a daffodil garden and more than 170 tree types being planted, from Kanuka and Kowhai to beech trees.
Nelson Tasman Hospice needs to raise $2.5 million each year to maintain its free services. People often ask how they can help. Here are some of the ways:
Donate or Sponsor a Day of Care for a patient in Hospice’s Specialist Palliative Care Unit by giving $1000. You can choose any day of the year for your gift – perhaps the birthday of a loved one, or the anniversary of their passing. Please contact Dr Georgia Ciaran if you would like to donate or sponsor a Day of Care: georgia.ciaran@nelsonhospice.org.nz or 027 548 1845
Make a major donation in your lifetime, or make a gift to Nelson Tasman Hospice in your will. Georgia can also help you with this.
Make a recurring donation through your bank or online at www.nelsonhospice.org.nz. Your recurring donation means your support is ongoing.
Donate to – and shop at – one of the four Hospice Shops (in Bridge St, Nelson; Richmond, Motueka and Takaka) where op shoppers can get quality goods at bargain prices.
“At Nelson Tasman Hospice we welcome community involvement, whether you are an individual or a business, the opportunities are limitless”, says Georgia. She explains that volunteers play an essential role at Nelson Tasman Hospice, they fulfil more than 40 different roles, and more are needed. If you would like to learn about how to volunteer at Hospice, please contact Krisca Gould, Volunteer Manager at: krisca.gould@nelsonhospice.org.nz or phone: 546 3912.
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