Chief Executive Nicola Ellis Expand Niki Ellis is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the Hospice sector for the past fifteen years, ten of which have been in Norfolk. During her time in the county she has spent a number of years working in an integrated role for the Norfolk Hospice and Norfolk Community Health and Care so has a great understanding of the opportunities and challenges that arise in integrated approaches to care. Alongside her previous role as Director of Clinical Services and Education, Niki embarked on a six month project led by NHS Norfolk & Waveney ICB, working as part of an expert team exploring current local provision, identifying gaps and making recommendations for a new commissioning model. Niki was appointed Chief Executive of The Norfolk Hospice in June 2022.
Things we are unable to accept Please note we are unable to accept some items. Expand These include Batteries Upholstered furniture without a Fire Label, unless it is pre-1950s Electric blankets Electric showers Sunbeds and tanning equipment Waste Disposal Units Power tools without instructions Gas appliances (mains or bottled goods) Gas cookers Oil filled radiators (not supplied with a thermostat) Oil filled heaters (mobile) Storage heaters (hardwired) Oil and Gas Buoyancy aids, lifejackets, and inflatable dinghies Safety helmets, riding hats, crash helmets Cycle helmets Safety harnesses Firefighting equipment Children's car seats Prams, pushchairs and buggies Highchairs Cots, carrycots, and playpens Toys without a CE marks or UKCA marks Home recorded DVDs, video and audio Home recorded computer games and software on recordable Cds and DVDs Computer hard drives, laptops and notepads Knives Chemical products Paint or varnish Razors Weapons including swords, sword stocks, crossbows, guns and ammunition (unless obviously toys) Opened or unsealed cosmetics or creams Medication including vitamins Perishable goods - but we can accept unopened food and drinks suitable for tombolas and raffles with long shelf lives, for example boxes of chocolates, sweets, biscuits, and bottles of wine Prescription spectacles Cleaning agents, solvents and adhesives Items made from ivory
Is there a minimum amount of time I need to volunteer? Expand We're grateful for your help and will talk to you to arrange the times you're available. For some roles the times are fixed, like helpers at our Day Therapy groups or outdoor activity events - so we'd like you to commit to those particular hours. Our shop managers will be pleased to hear from you, even if you only have a couple of hours to spend a week.
Applying to be a volunteer - what is the process? Expand You will need to find a suitable vacancy from Volunteer Opportunities. You can apply online or request a paper application form by calling Voluntary Services on 01485 601700. Once we receive your application we will pass it to the relevant department for consideration. For shop and Distribution Centre/warehouse vacancies there are forms ready printed at all of our retail outlets.
Do I need to have any particular skills to be a volunteer? Expand Some roles related to our care services do require a professional qualification or skill in a certain area - however for many roles, all that is needed is enthusiasm, respect for others and reliability. You might think that we'd want you to do something linked to what you've done in the past but there's probably something new you haven’t thought of doing.
Day therapy Outpatient Day Therapy clinical services involve holistic assessment and goal setting so that support is based around an individual’s needs and preferences. Expand Symptom management including managing breathlessness, pain, anxiety, fatigue or other symptoms Advance Care Planning discussions which may include DNACPR, completion of the ’Thinking Ahead’ documentation Emotional, social, psychological and spiritual support through one-to-one consultations or an appointment with the carer’s assessor Physiotherapy to maximise physical function and promote physical fitness through one-to-one sessions or exercise classes Occupational therapy which focuses on promoting independence through active goal setting Wellbeing sessions through creative therapy groups and relaxation techniques Complementary therapy including reflexology, Indian head massage, aromatherapy, gentle touch massage and therapeutic massage Companionship through social groups and peer support Palliative social worker offering advice or support To refer to the Day Therapy department, call the Coordination Centre on 01553 668526. To find out more information about Day Therapy services or to speak to a member of the team, call the Hospice on 01485 601700.
Hospice at Home Our Hospice at Home team deliver care in a patient's home during the last weeks of life. Expand The team bring the principles and philosophy of hospice care into the patient’s home, using an holistic approach. The service is available for people: - Who are registered with a GP practice in the West Norfolk CCG - Over the age of 18 who are expected to be in the last six to eight weeks of their life - With a malignant or non-malignant disease who wish to be cared for in the place they see as their home - On rapid discharge from hospital or nursing home The registered nurses provide specialist symptom management and handle the more complex communication issues. Daily planned visits from the palliative nursing assistants provide hands-on end of life care for patients. Patients and their carers have access to wider Hospice support. Night care can usually be arranged for up to three nights a week through the Coordination Centre, but resources are limited and night visits are prioritised on a clinical needs-assessed basis. Referrals to the Hospice at Home service are made to the Coordination Centre - call 01553 668526.
Bereavement support Our Bereavement Support Service supports people when someone they cared for has died. Expand The bereavement team uses a person-focused approach that is central to palliative care. A non-judgemental, empathic style encourages bereaved people to adjust to their loss and reconnect with life. An individual plan of care is agreed with the client and may be comprised of one of the following: - Companionship and social support through the monthly coffee morning, the Friday Friendship Group, the Footsteps Walking Group or the Roots and Seeds gardening group - Emotional support through a series of one-to-one meetings with a trained and supervised bereavement support volunteer - A series of appointments with the UK Council for Psychotherapy accredited bereavement counsellors All families and carers over the age of 16 whose significant other accessed support are followed up by the bereavement team. The team also accepts referrals from other hospices, where the bereaved live in our area. Children The Hospice works in collaboration with Nelson’s Journey who provide bereavement support for children up to the age of 17.
Family and carer support Our family and carer support team provides vital advice and support to patients and carers. Expand Psychosocial support is offered through the Specialist Palliative Social Worker. The Social worker delivers advice, advocacy and emotional support to any patient (with palliative care needs), carer or family member, as well as liaising with other social care services and health care professionals to ensure care is delivered in the best way and in the preferred place. For patients towards the end of life, swift referral for social work input can be needed at short notice. Carer Support Groups are also available for those looking after someone with dementia, Motor Neurone Disease, Polysupranuclear Palsy or Huntington’s disease. Find out more information about Carer Support Groups
Inpatient Unit The initial criteria for admission is for terminal care in situations where care cannot be provided at home and the hospice is the preferred place of care for the individual. Expand Referrals are made by telephone to the hospice IPU (Inpatient Unit) on 01485 601700 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm). The Consultant Nurse or nurse in charge will take the referral information and, where appropriate, arrange a visit prior to admission. All patients must have five days of their normal medication plus anticipatory medicines prescribed (including O2 if needed) prior to admission. These must accompany the patient to the unit. Patients must have a valid Do Not Attempt CPR order (DNACPR). Patients must consent to admission to the hospice - their families may deputise where necessary - and have an understanding that admission is for end of life care. Transport arrangements for community patients must be arranged through the GP practice or through the Hospital if transferring from an acute trust. Admission should be arranged preferably before 3pm. The patient must be willing to become a temporary resident with Southgates Medical Centre. Patients and families must be aware that the IPU is only commissioned to provide care for the last two to four weeks of life and if the patient stabilises the hospice will need to consider discharge. For patients whose situation stabilises or who wish to be cared for at home, alternative care arrangements will be made through the wider integrated palliative care team.