Hello everyone,

I am delighted to let you know that we are now a 10 bed hospice and we have admissions to our new suites!   The expansion remained on budget and within the scheduled timeline.  We will be expecting some minor decorating over the next couple of months to ensure the suites look and feel home-like. We are adding on Personal Support Workers to complement our nursing staff. Beginning on April 15^th is Shannon, full time PSW and Danielle, casual PSW. We will be filling more positions in the future.

One of the changes that has come with the increase to our beds is that Karen Bellamy, Supportive Care Counsellor has been relocated from her office in the lower level to the main level break room. This will allow her to better meet the needs of more residents and families in our suites, while still meeting her obligations to those living in the community.  You are encouraged to use the lower-level kitchen with its amenities – fridge, microwave, coffee maker, table and chairs. There is also a very large closet adjacent to the education room for your footwear, coats and other personal belongings. I encourage you to keep valuables locked in your vehicle if you cannot keep them close by during your shift.

I am pleased that Lori Groves has joined our staff as Therapeutic Garden Coordinator. Lori will be working from now until November managing our lawn and gardens and getting our landscape design plan started.  Lori has helped with the maintenance of our garden as a volunteer with Northumberland Master Gardeners, and I can’t wait to see what magic she works with our garden volunteers this season. will still be working closely with Nancy with garden volunteers. 

We were successful in securing New Horizons funding for our Mourning Transitions grief and bereavement support groups, there will be some minor changes to the way the program is rolled out over the next year, and we are grateful for the funding support to enable us to continue to offer these supports. 

April brings us the opportunity to recognize your unique talents, skills and experiences as a Community Care Northumberland hospice volunteer during National Volunteer Week April 14-20. The theme this year is “Making Every Moment Matter” and I hope that you can join us as we celebrate your service on Wednesday April 17^th at noon at the Keeler Centre in Colborne for fellowship and recognition. 

With gratitude,



Sherry 

We have had 3 successful training sessions for the Direct Support Volunteers who provide support to the clinical staff, residents, and their families at Ed’s House. This gives us a total of 12 active volunteers for this role. We continue to require additional volunteers for Reception. This role is vital in making the families feel welcome and at home when coming through the front door of Ed’s House.

If you want to expand your volunteer experience or have a friend who would like to become a volunteer at Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre, please email Nancy Bruce at n.bruce@commcare.ca or call 1-855-473-8875 ext. 165.

Thank you to our community volunteers for driving to various homes throughout our county providing much needed respite for caregivers and a friendly face for the clients we serve.



If you have time once a week to sit with a client for 1-3 hours, get to know them and their families, it is a truly rewarding experience.



Specifically, we have a need for more respite volunteers in Brighton and Trent Hills!

Email Katie at k.stevenson@commcare.ca or call 1-885-473-8875 ext.161 for more information on these opportunities.