Martlets Hospice

We want to dispell some common myths about hospices. 💙

Myth: Hospices are where you go to die.

Truth: A patient may be admitted to the Hospice at various stages of their illness but most patients can go home once we have their symptoms under control.

This time last year we launched our Shaun by the Sea art trail. We've missed seeing our out in the city's streets, but we are thrilled that each and every one of our ewe-niquely designed Shaun's have found their forever homes. 🐑🏡

The trail generated over £850,000 of income for Martlets! We are so incredibly grateful for all your support!

Whether you donated for a trail map, did your own Shaun themed fundraising event, took on the challenge of the Shear Drop, walked, ran, wheeled or cycled the trail, bought your own Shaun the Sheep from our shops, took part in a model making event, sponsored a Shaun, or came to one of our events, thank you so much for getting involved. We couldn't have done it without ewe! 💙

💬 We'd love for you to share your favourite memories from the trail in the comments.

"Being a Compassionate Neighbour is very rewarding and gives you a sense of making a positive difference in someone’s life. There is a real sense of human connection."

Our Compassionate Neighbours are trained volunteers offering friendship and a listening ear to people across Brighton and Hove, the Deans and the Havens. It aims to help to tackle loneliness and isolation for people living with terminal illness, or those caring for them. 💙

Kerry tells us about here experience as a Compassionate Neighbour ⬇️
https://www.martlets.org.uk/blog/kerry-compassionate-neighbour/

Only 4 weeks to go!

There is still time to sign up and join us at our Martlets Zumbathon. From beginners to Zumba enthusiasts, everyone is welcome to move and groove. 🕺💃

💙 Every step, shimmy, and shake contributes to life changing hospice care in our community. So sign up now:
https://www.martlets.org.uk/zumba/

Today is is – the perfect opportunity to lose yourself between the covers of a good book. Reading books can provide a much needed respite from the day-to-day strain of facing a life-limiting illness and coping with treatment. 📖💙

At Martlets, our patients often ask their loved ones and our staff members to read to them. It can be a source of comfort and connection. On our blog, Jaheeda, a healthcare assistant on our inpatient wards, shares her experience of reading to patients and bonding over books together. Read now ⬇️
https://www.martlets.org.uk/blog/national-read-a-book-day/

We’re saddened to hear the news that St Catherine’s Hospice in Crawley has announced that it needs to save £1.5m and is making redundancies to bridge the gap in funding. We’d like to show our solidarity and support to colleagues who are affected, as well as patients and families who are dependent on hospice care in the Crawley area. ❤️

We would like to reassure you that we are working closely with the other adult hospices in Sussex to provide support, mutual aid and ensure the continued delivery of palliative and end-of-life patient care across Sussex. Our work to merge with St Barnabas House also continues to progress and we feel confident that this will bring further resilience to those in the Worthing and Brighton areas.

Sadly, this news is reflective of wider funding challenges in the hospice care sector, with the majority of hospices only receiving a small proportion of their funding from the government. We would encourage all of our followers to support Hospice UK's call to ask the government to address the hospice funding crisis, by writing to their MP at: https://action.hospiceuk.org/write-your-mp-protect-hospices-rising-cost-of-living

After several years of high inflation and the rising cost of living, today we announce that we need to make £1.5 million in cost savings to sustain our future services🧡

“We’ll be consulting with our community service teams about proposed cuts to community facing services and how best we can deliver care in people’s homes – a service we deliver alongside NHS GPs, district nursing teams and other government funded services. It is with great sadness that I can confirm that our proposals will include a reduction of staff including nursing.

“It’s heartbreaking to have to reduce our team of highly skilled, specialist clinicians – some of whom have delivered expert support for many years and who all care so deeply about supporting families living with a terminal or life-limiting diagnosis and people coming towards the end of life.” - Giles, Chief Executive🗨

Read more on our latest blog ▶ https://www.stch.org.uk/news-blog/we-announce-1-5-million-cost-reductions/

❓ Ever wondered what the bird in Martlets’ logo represents?

A martlet is a mythical heraldic bird which is thought to represent the swift or house martin. Martlets have been traditionally associated with Sussex for centuries. They are typically shown in perpetual flight with open wings and no feet, never stopping to sleep.

As part of our logo, the bird represents Martlets’ ethos of round-the-clock care. 💙

❓ Have you joined ?

Be a part of our Facebook Group to promote your fundraising activities, see what others are doing and even get advice. 💙

Join here ⬇️
https://facebook.com/groups/martletssupporters/

As well as providing clinical care, we understand wellbeing is vitally important too. That’s why we offer social activities to both our patients and their loved ones too. 💙

Our social activities include our 'My Journey', spiritual group which explores what spirituality means to you and what is important to you through different topics, including words, music, art and nature. 🍂

Could you run for Martlets? Join us at the Brighton Marathon and take on the third-largest marathon in the UK. 🏃‍➡️

Our Martlets team will be there from the second you sign up to help with key information, advice and support. So sign up now and help keep Martlets caring ⬇️
https://www.martlets.org.uk/brighton-marathon-2025/

At Martlets, the staff on our inpatient wards ask our patients ‘What Matters Most’. Last week, what mattered most for one of our patients in his last days of life was to get a Mr Whippy! The brilliant team on duty listened to what mattered and made it happen.

Not only did he tuck into a Mr Whippy, he also had the full experience of watching the ice-cream van pull up with the music tinkling away and enjoyed the experience in the sunshine. 🍦☀️

This small gesture brought joy to his day and will be a memory that his family and friends will treasure for many years to come. 💙

People often prefer to die in familiar surroundings. Or at least to be able to stay at home as long as possible before coming into the inpatient wards.

Our hospice at home team of nurses and health care assistants will do all they can to keep you comfortable in the familiar surroundings of home. The team will make visits and assist with pain management and symptom control. They will also provide emotional support for you and your family. 🏡💙

We hope you all are having a lovely bank holiday Monday. ☀️

We couldn't do what we do without your support. Thank you to everyone in our community for your continued support and thank you to all our wonderful team working hard this bank holiday. 💙

"What better way to remember mum than by supporting Martlets on our wedding day. All our guests will be getting a card explaining how Martlets helped our families and encouraging donations. They will all get a little Martlets pin of the Martlets bird in flight." - Keeley 💙

🎊 Got a wedding coming up? You can support Martlets at your wedding with our wedding favours package.

📧 Contact our fundraising team to find out more [email protected]

How are you spending your bank holiday? ☀️

If you are planning on doing some shopping, why not visit one of our Martlets Charity Shops? 🛍️

Please note, some of our shops and opening hours may change. Check below ⬇️

Advance Care Planning ensures patients’ wishes around their care are respected, so they are able to live and die in accordance with their goals, needs and values. 💙

Dr Simone Ali, medical director at Martlets talks about process and importance of Advance Care Planning on our new video resource for carers which provides support on a range of topics relating to caring for someone who is living with a life limiting illness, and the dying process. Watch now ⬇️
https://hub.martlets.org.uk/advanced-disease-and-advance-care-planning/

Senior staff nurse, Ruth, on our Hospice at Home team has been making these wonderful syringe driver bags for the community team. She has made 16 bags so far and is planning on making more. These bags will help patient carry and protect their syringe driver. 💙

When a loved one has died some people may find comfort in activities to remember that loved one and recount the time they spent together. 💙

We want to share some ideas of ways you can remember a loved one.

Light a candle whenever you want to remember your time with them or on the anniversaries that are special to you. This can be a lasting, and comforting connector between you and another life. 🕯️

We offer a variety of social groups for patients, families, and carers. These social groups are a great way to have fun, meet people and stay connected. 💙

💬 This is what Ann-Marie had to say about our life-writing group.

📣 There is only six weeks to go until Martlets Zumbathon!

Join us for a heart-pumping, toe-tapping, endorphin-enducing 3 hour Zumbathon extravaganza. From beginners to Zumba enthusiasts, everyone is welcome to move and groove as we fundraise for Martlets.

🗓️ Saturday 28 September at 6pm
📍 Brighton Syndicate Centre - Rooms 1 and 2
➡️ Sign up today at https://www.martlets.org.uk/zumba/

It is National Allotment Week so we wanted to highlight our Earthworks Allotment Project. The group is open to local men who live in Brighton and Hove and the Havens, who have been bereaved or who are caring for a loved one with a terminal illness. 🌱💙

📸 We wanted to share some pictures from our allotment and show you what has been growing over the summer.

It’s Afternoon Tea Week, so why not treat yourself? Visit our Cafe and enjoy a freshly baked scone with jam or a slice of cake with a cuppa! 🍰☕

Our cafe is open five days a week, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, serving a range of hot drinks, meals, snacks, and cakes. View our full menu and opening hours ⬇️
https://www.martlets.org.uk/cafe/

Are you fundraising for ? Whether you are taking on a challenge or hosting an event, we are here to help. 💙

We have got all the kit to make sure your fundraising is a success. You can find our DIY event decorations and posters on our website. We also have some items that can be collected from our office, such as collection pots, buckets, T-Shirts and more. 🎽

Find out more about fundraising with us ⬇️
https://www.martlets.org.uk/fundraising-toolkit/

"During one of the home visits, we discussed how I was going to become independent again. It seemed a huge mountain to climb. But Martlets told me about their amazing gym and rehabilitation team." 💙

Almost 18 months on, Karen is living independently, oxygen free. Martlets has supported Karen and helped her maintain her mobility and independence.

Some people choose to spend their final weeks with us on our inpatient ward. However, some patients come in for sympton management and then return home once we have their symptoms under control. 💙

🏡 Our new inpatient ward opened in November 2023. Each of the rooms has its own en-suite bathroom and access to outside spaces. The rooms are designed to be calming and comfortable.

🏅 Has the Olympics got you inspired to take on a challenge?

Whether you want to run, dance, jump or take on an inflatable obstacle course, Martlets has a fundraising event for you. You may not win a gold medal but you will be helping to support life-changing hospice care in your community. 💙

Take a look at Martlets upcoming challenge events ⬇️
https://www.martlets.org.uk/take-part/

We help people do the things they love with the time they have. But we’re only able to do this with your generous support. 💙

That’s why we would like to keep you informed of our latest news, future fundraising activities and other ways in which you can support us.

📧 Sign up to our newsletter ⬇️
https://www.martlets.org.uk/sign-up/

When a loved one has died some people may find comfort in activities to remember that loved one and recount the time they spent together. 💙

We want to share some ideas of ways you can remember a loved one.

Make a memory box and fill it with photos, letters and objects that remind you of your loved one. The memory box can be revisited throughout your life making it a lasting way to remember someone. 💌