Local students are among the first to sign up to a new initiative by the Hospice of the Good Shepherd to help young people become better informed about end-of-life care and the work of the hospice movement.
Launched in September, the Young Ambassador Programme consists of a primary school programme focusing on Year 5 and 6 students and a high school programme incorporating an enterprise challenge. In its first few weeks, it attracted 85 students from no less than 27 schools.
“There’s a really strong educational element: we’re keen to inform young people about the work of our hospice in a responsible and age-appropriate way,” commented Programme Lead, Sam Eastwood. “A significant number of young people have already experienced the loss of someone close to them and I hope that some of them will feel able to engage with our ambassadors to share their feelings and experiences and perhaps become ambassadors themselves. “We hope that our Young Ambassador Programme will help develop more close links with schools elsewhere in local communities across Cheshire West, Ellesmere Port and Deeside.”
The programme includes a tour of parts of the hospice, engaging talks from end-of-life care clinicians and an opportunity to meet with patients at the start of the palliative care journey in the hospice’s purpose-built Living Well outpatient unit. Opportunities to experience other aspects of hospice life including volunteering and fundraising are also provided.
Sam added: “The programme is also helping participants to boost their confidence and gain more experience of teamworking. We hope that our young people will help raise awareness of what we do amongst their own families and friends and become part of the next generation of hospice supporters.”
Comments from young people included:
“My gran was here. Me and my mum and grandad were sitting right here last year and I want to help.”
“I didn’t realise how much the hospice does for families. Meeting the staff and patients made me want to help.”
“I’m proud to be the first hospice ambassador and help you get the money you need to keep the hospice running so I will be giving you some more pocket money when I earn it every month. Thank you.”
“As an ambassador for the Hospice with my school, Acresfield Academy, I decided to make and sell candles at my school and at my parents’ workplace. I’m really grateful for the support in raising this money for such a wonderful hospice.”
Teachers were equally enthusiastic. Miss Fuller from St Martin’s Academy commented: “The tour was perfect. The children came back with lots of ideas for fundraising. They couldn’t believe how much money you have to raise to keep the hospice going. Yes, the children saw some of the patients but I think it was important that they saw the love and individual care that the hospice provided for them. Other schools have nothing to fear or be apprehensive about.”
“The visit to the hospice was really thought-provoking and the children enjoyed seeing first-hand the impact of fundraising for such an important place,” said Ms Jackson of Saighton Primary School.
Ms Lewis of Hornsmill Primary School commented: “The tour was really good and certainly based at the right level for the children. I was lucky enough to have had both my parents at the hospice so I was able to explain about my personal experience and how lovely the staff are.
Mr Kavanagh of Archers’ Brook SEMH Residential School said: “The ambassadors spoke really well after their visit. It was clear they understood the importance of what the hospice does and they wanted to inspire the other pupils to join their mission.”
“The pupils have connected with a real-world cause and understood its importance. They have run hands-on fundraising activities which has helped them develop practical skills and they are enjoying supporting a local charity which has strengthened school-community ties.”
Danielle said “I came along with my daughter as she’s now an ambassador representing Little Sutton Primary School. It’s really inspired me to want to volunteer myself.
Thanks so much to the whole hospice team for a lovely morning. What you are doing inside that building is nothing short of amazing.”
Ambassador facts:
- Students from 14 participating schools completed the festive fun run on behalf of the hospice raising £35,856.
- The choir from Mickle Trafford Village Primary School came in to sing for the Living Well patients.
- Capenhurst Primary held a collection for the hospice at both their nativity plays, as well as selling hot chocolate and reindeer food.
- One of the ambassadors from Acresfield Academy made and sold candles raising £247 for the hospice.
- One young ambassador is sending us her pocket money.
- Horns Mill primary school had a PJ & Movie Night raising £361.63
- Archers Brook school students completed their enterprise challenge and raised £1,390.
For more information about the Ambassador Programme and how to get involved, contact Sam Eastwood on 01244 851811 or email samantha.eastwood@hospicegs.com