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Donate to help us care for more local patients

Treetops welcomes donations to help the charity care for more terminally-ill patients and their families in the local community.

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Two people smiling with hands lifted in the air showing off rings on their wedding fingers

Widow honours late husband with light on Light up a Life Tree

This Christmas, Tracey Thurlby-McDevitt will be remembering her late husband Dom with a light on the Treetops Light up a Life Tree. Each year, hundreds of people remember their loved ones with a light. Dom, 44, died in February from cancer. The couple were told Dom had only six months left to live on the anniversary of their first date. Tracey explained more: “We just enjoyed the simple things. We could talk for hours about anything and everything. There were a lot of late-night chats over a bottle of gin at the kitchen table with snacks, putting the world to rights.” Dom’s diagnosis was completely unexpected “One day, he had a seizure at home out of the blue. We rushed him into hospital, and they did scans and tests. They found a mass in his sinus. Because the cancer was so far advanced, surgery wasn’t an option. "It was such a shock. You look back and think, surely, we saw something? He was a fit, 43-year-old. But there was nothing at all." The day after receiving his diagnosis, Dom proposed to Tracey You can plan a wedding in five weeks. But we were also planning a funeral at the same time. It felt bizarre and it was hard. But that was our life. Dom and Tracey were married at Derby Registry Office five weeks later. “It was Dom's choice, but we did delay chemotherapy by a couple of weeks so that we could get married and have a bit of a little bit of honeymoon." We'd been married ten days and then chemo started “So, we'd been married about ten days and then chemo started. it was awful to see him go through that. When you want to help, but you can't.” The couple were determined to make the most of their last six months together. “We made those last six months about what Dom wanted. I thought, ‘we've not got long to do this, so let's make this all about you’. What's on your bucket list? What do you want to do? Let's give you a damn good six months. “I also wanted to celebrate the firsts as a married couple. The first birthday with him as my husband and things like that. But he would easily turn this around to, ‘but this is my last birthday’. Our first married Christmas was our last “Our first married Christmas, we knew was going to be our last. Our plan was to go to Skegness. We were going to take the dog, a picnic, and just go for a walk on the beach. I just wanted to make this a really special memory. But we couldn't go because Dom got sick. So, Christmas was at home, watching telly. But that was fine because we were together. Tracey’s dog, a basset hound called Archie, provided support for Dom. “I’d had him since he was a pup, so Archie was my little shadow, but when I first met Dom, he really took to him. He became Dom’s little support dog. “Archie was a massive comfort to him when he was ill. When Dom came home after chemo, he would lie on the sofa and Archie would just be curled up on the sofa next to him, tucked up in his knees, like a hug.” Dom wanted to die at home and Tracey cared for him “About six weeks before Dom passed, he could no longer manage the stairs. We needed a bed downstairs and cleared out the living room. We tried a couple of nights where I went upstairs to our bed because he knew how shattered I was, but I couldn't rest. So, after just a couple of nights, I was sleeping downstairs on cushions off the sofa, wrapped up in a duvet. I spent about six weeks on the floor next to him. “Archie would curl up on the floor by his head. Dom would hang his arm down so they could touch each other. Archie just wanted to be near him. Treetops nursing care and support “I couldn't leave him on his own. I couldn't leave the house. It got to a stage where he was going down and I thought, I need help here. This is more than what I can do.” Treetops Hospice nurses helped care for Dom during his last three nights. They provided the couple with ‘comfort and peace at a time when I was terrified’, Tracey continued. One of my worries for months had been doing it all on my own, especially towards the end. With the Treetops Hospice nurses, I wasn't on my own. They were just on the end of the phone. It was so reassuring It was the first night I'd been in our bed for six weeks “That first night with the nurse there, I was able to go to bed. It was the first night I'd been in our bed for six weeks. I was knackered. After a proper sleep, I felt I could take on the world. “Dom thought the Treetops nurse was lovely too. It helped him, because it helped me. It gave him a bit of peace as he could see it was taking a lot out of me. He was reassured that I could get the rest that I needed. There were times when I was Dom’s nurse and his carer. But for those few nights, Dom needed a wife, and I could be his wife again. That was a really big thing. Dom died peacefully at home with Tracey and Archie by his side “We were all in the front room. Just us and some candles. Dom was asleep and I was just sat there holding his hand and talking to him. Archie was asleep on the sofa, snoring away. “The moment that Dom passed away, Archie immediately woke up, jumped on his bed, and was pawing at his hand, nudging his hand. It was exactly what he and I needed. It was calm, it was peaceful, it was at home, and he was pain-free. Treetops Light up a Life appeal Tracey is sharing her story for the Treetops Light up a Life appeal, as part of Dom’s ‘legacy’: Dom was very adamant he didn't want to be forgotten. I think he’d be proud of me doing this. Hopefully, it will have a long-lasting impact for Treetops, and other people that are going to need the hospice in the future. Proceeds raised through the Treetops Light up a Life appeal go towards helping the end-of-life charity to care for patients and families in the local community. A special Light up a Life Event will take place at the hospice in Risley on Sunday 8 December. During the event, the Treetops Hospice Christmas lights will be switched on and there will be a moment of quiet reflection to remember loved ones.
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Two children and a lady wearing reindeer antlers, two with arms raised, in school uniforms.

Treetops Reindeer is out and about!

Primary schools, sports clubs and community groups are being encouraged to sign up to the Treetops Reindeer Dash, as part of their festive activities and to help support local bereaved children. Treetops official ‘Reindeer’, aka Natalie Godrich, Relationships Manager for Treetops Hospice, will be visiting 70 Derbyshire organisations in the coming weeks to promote this special fundraiser. “It’s wonderful when the children spot me,” Natalie said. “But I can get some odd looks when I leave the house and some double-takes when seen by someone in a car by the side of me.” Reindeer Dash fun The Reindeer Dash is a popular annual fundraiser for Treetops Hospice. The hospice provides every child with a pair of antlers to wear, a sponsorship form, and certificate. Teachers and group leaders decide the date for their Dash and chose the activity for their children, from PE lessons, football matches and discos to children simply dressing up for the day. Supporting local children struggling after the death of a loved one Last year, 4,300 local children took part in the Reindeer Dash, raising over £27,193 together. The money was used to help the end-of-life charity provide bereavement services for children and young people struggling after the death of a loved one. Treetops welcomes more organisations to sign up to the Reindeer Dash and is encouraging parents to put forward the festive and fun event to any clubs or groups their children attend. Children from nurseries and child minders take part in the Reindeer Dash as well as Brownies and Cubs, and dance, drama, and sports clubs all join in the fun. This year, we even have our first Reindeer Dash on horseback!
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Group of hikers with "Treetops Hospice" banner on a hill with scenic views.

Fundraising partnership creates perfect trek

Through a special partnership with Treetops, a team from HW Martin Waste Ltd has raised over £8,000 for the charity, by completing an 11.5-mile trek through the Peak District.
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Person in pink blazer standing in front of a decorative metal screen in a garden.

Free advice during Make a Will Month

Treetops is celebrating national Make a Will Month in October by sharing free advice on making a Will and the importance of leaving a legacy.
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Group of people in white Treetops shirts with a person holding a yellow bear

One year since DIY SOS Big Build

Wednesday 11 September marked one year since the DIY SOS Big Build for BBC Children in Need came to Treetops Hospice.
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Person in a blue Treetops Hospice nurse uniform sitting in a beige room next to a plant and lamp.

Donate to help us care for more local patients

Treetops welcomes donations to help the charity care for more terminally-ill patients and their families in the local community.
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A large outdoor gathering of people smiling and waving at the Treetops Moonlight Walk event with string lights at dusk.

Hundreds sparkle on Treetops Moonlight Walk

The streets of Derby city centre sparkled on Friday night as hundreds of people took part in the Treetops Hospice Moonlight Walk.
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Two individuals seated on rocks at the beach, with overcast skies and cliffs in the background.

Ruby Wedding couple raise £3,000 for Treetops

A local couple celebrating 40 years of marriage have donated over £3,000 to Treetops Hospice after asking for donations to the local charity in lieu of gifts.
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Two white hospice nurses in dark blue uniform standing together

Supporting Care Homes across Erewash

Faye and Laura are Care Home Development and End of Life Care Support Nurses. They share an insight into their working week at Treetops. [caption id="attachment_5238" align="alignnone" width="800"] Faye Thrasivoulou and Laura Slack[/caption] We provide education, training, practical support and mentorship to residential care homes across Erewash. This is a two-year project funded by The Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust. Our aim is to educate care home staff to recognise when a resident’s health declines and have the knowledge and skills to best meet their needs and final wishes. Monday Our week begins with a visit to a local residential care home to deliver training on recognising dying and symptom management. This is a three-hour session which supports staff to recognise when a resident may be deteriorating and empowers them to support residents at the very end of life. The training includes how to manage symptoms without the use of medication. For example, helping a resident who is suffering with breathlessness to sit up. Or to open a window which can help them to feel more comfortable. The training also covers when to seek support. Training for care homes All our training sessions are tailored to the individual needs of each care home and each session is delivered face-to-face. We educate entire teams, from care staff and managers to domestic staff. 17 staff took part in today’s training. Real-life case studies and group activities are included in our training to make it as interactive as possible, and check understanding as learning needs amongst staff are varied. We’ve had great feedback which shows how encouraging staff to be actively involved in the learning process has helped them to gain the most out of the sessions. We encourage staff to ask questions. Making a huge difference to care homes We also offer communication skills training, mouth care training, and advance care planning sessions. The communication skills and advance care planning sessions upskill staff to listen and talk sensitively to their residents. This is vital to identify and record their final wishes in advance. The project is unique and aims to influence the delivery of end-of-life care locally and nationally through best practice. The project started in January. We’ve trained 314 staff from eleven care homes within Erewash and five outside this area. We’ve established some excellent working relationships with the care homes which has made a huge difference locally. "The training has been fantastic. It was very interactive, and Faye and Laura were very approachable and patient with all my questions. It will impact a lot on my future practice.” [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/care/for-professionals/education-and-development/care-home-training/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Find out more about our Care Home Training[/button] Tuesday In addition to delivering face to face training, we also offer hands-on support to care home staff. Staff are supported to apply theory into practice. This aims to increase their confidence and practical skills, and embed to face-to-face education sessions. Practical support complements existing support already in place from GPs, district nurses and other healthcare professionals. It can help with the coordination of these services, avoiding unnecessary delays. Empowering staff We receive a referral for a resident who needs support due to a decline in their condition. We assess the urgency and make plans to visit the care home tomorrow. Residents may be living with several different conditions such as frailty, dementia, respiratory conditions, heart failure or other chronic illness. If it’s a residents wish to die in the residential home, our goal is to achieve this, avoiding crisis situations and unnecessary hospital admissions. Some residents may have lived in the care home for many years, and it is their home. We empower staff to put advance care planning skills into practice. We guide them to have discussions with a resident and make any relevant referrals to other professionals. So far, we’ve offered practical, bedside support for 27 residents. At the end of the day, we have a catch-up with our line manager. We let her know how our project is progressing and agree actions going forward. [caption id="attachment_7000" align="alignnone" width="800"] Faye and Laura with staff from Long Eaton View care home[/caption] Wednesday Today, we are shadowed by a Treetops Hospice at Home registered nurse. This is all part of her Continuing Professional Development to gain some of her competencies. We make an initial visit to the resident referred to us yesterday. We help the care home staff to complete an assessment involving the resident’s family. Effective communication We encourage staff to communicate effectively. It is important family members are informed of any changes in a relative’s condition if they wish to be involved. The care home staff are supported to make a referral for an urgent swallow assessment, as the resident has a choking risk. We encourage staff to contact us for any further support if needed and ensure they are aware of contact numbers for support out-of-hours. Thursday We visit a care home to attend their monthly palliative care register meeting. This is a meeting we encourage through our training. The register looks at all the residents within the home. The care staff are then encouraged to go through each resident individually and score them using a traffic light system. All staff within the home are encouraged to attend and can contribute any concerns they have. Where a resident’s needs are changing or deteriorating, this prompts care staff to ensure everything is in place. For example, if a resident is losing weight or has had several hospital visits, this will prompt them to organise a GP review. The palliative care register supports the care home with advance care planning and encourages staff to be proactive rather than reactive. Eleven care homes have set up these regular meetings so far as part of our project. At today’s meeting, staff highlight a resident’s condition has declined recently. This resident has decided that they don’t want to be admitted to hospital. This is communicated and documented to avoid any unplanned hospital admissions in the future. It will ensure that the resident's wishes for their preferred place of care and death is met. Sharing best practice We attend an education team meeting with professionals from other organisations within Derbyshire. We discuss any issues we might have come across in our area of practice and share ideas and best practice of how to overcome these. [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/care/for-professionals/education-and-development/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Find out more about our education and training programmes[/button] Friday On Friday, we deliver a mouth care training session at a residential care home. Mouth care is often overlooked at the end of life. When people can’t eat or drink, their mouths become dry and are more likely to get an infection. Good mouth care and oral hygiene can provide comfort and avoid complications. The training covers the anatomy of the mouth, common complications – and how to manage these, and how to best support their residents. A flexible approach We recognise that not all staff are available for training at any one time. Staff move on, and new staff join their teams. We overcome these issues with a flexible approach. We fit in with care home routines and availability, often providing more than one session for staff to attend. In the afternoon, we support a district nurse with setting up a syringe driver for a resident who is experiencing pain and breathlessness in the care home. We have a close working relationship with the district nursing and frailty service which enhances care. Symptoms are managed in the community avoiding an unnecessary hospital admission. Later in the day we attend an online end-of-life medicines working group. This is made up of community professionals such as consultants, specialist nurses, and senior pharmacists. We discuss any current issues with medication, review guidance, and plan how to overcome any issues. It keeps us up-to-date with information that we can then share with care homes. We feel privileged to have a role which makes such a difference. We’re continuously learning and developing ourselves and enjoy passing our knowledge and skills on to others for them to be able to make a difference. [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/care/for-professionals/education-and-development/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Read more about our education, training and development opportunities[/button]
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Two people standing side by side, one in a blue star patterned top and the other in a brown jacket.

Hits Radio East Midlands stars join Moonlight Walk

Hits Radio East Midlands stars Jo and Sparky will be joining hundreds of walkers taking part in Derby’s biggest charity night walk on Friday 6 September.
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Person in a Treetops Hospice shirt standing on a wooded path.

Making a Will: Ensuring your wishes are carried out after your death

Julie Walker, Legacy and In Memoriam Relationships Manager, shares information and guidance on Wills to support national Make a Will Month. [caption id="attachment_5066" align="alignnone" width="800"] Julie Walker, Treetops Legacy and In Memoriam Relationships Manager[/caption] Why do I need to make a Will? Writing a Will (or Last Will and Testament) is really important, as it ensures that your wishes will be carried out after your death. Your Will is a legal document that allows you to decide what happens to your property, money, possessions and investments (known as your estate) when you die. Making a Will takes away some of the stress and legal expense from those left behind. Quite simply, it’s the best way of looking after your family in the future and can give you great peace of mind. Can I write my own Will or do I need a solicitor? You can write your own Will in the UK, but you should get professional advice if your Will is not straightforward. Your Will needs to be formally witnessed and signed to make it legally valid. You can find advice on the Government website. It can be a good idea to consult a solicitor as they will often think of scenarios and circumstances that haven’t occurred to you. They can also advise you about possible tax implications arising from your estate, ensuring that your loved ones are not liable for more Inheritance Tax than necessary. If you have any questions about making a Will, Treetops holds Wills Clinics where you can book a free 30-minute appointment with a local solicitor. How can I find a Will solicitor near me? You can find a list of solicitors on the website of the Law Society which is the professional body for solicitors. Here, you can search easily for solicitors in your local area. We are not able to recommend a solicitor, but we do have a list of local law firms who kindly offer discounted rates for Treetops supporters. What should I consider when making a Will? Some of the important things to consider including in your Will are: Who you would like to benefit from your Will Who you would like to look after any children aged under 18 Who will be your executor. This is the person, or people, who will be responsible for sorting out your estate and carrying out your wishes after your death. This can be a friend or relative, or a solicitor. What should happen if the people you want to benefit from your Will die before you If you would like to leave a gift in your Will to a charity When should I make a Will? Most people will make several Wills during their lifetime. You might make your first Will when something significant happens in your life, for example, when you buy a house, when you get married, or when you have children. As circumstances change you may need to make a new Will – perhaps to include grandchildren, for example, or to specify who should inherit particular items of property or keepsakes. What happens if I don’t have a Will when I die? When someone dies without having a Will in the UK, this is known as being intestate. The law will decide who gets what. If you have not made your wishes known, your next of kin will need to apply to be an administrator of your estate. This can take some time and may be costly as well as stressful for loved ones who will be grieving. How much does it cost to make a Will in the UK? The cost of making a Will in the UK varies, depending how complicated your needs and wishes are. If your needs are more complex, perhaps involving setting up a Trust, then this will be more expensive. Can you make a free Will? Is a free Will legal? Online Wills have been around for many years. The company that Treetops works with is called 'Make a Will Online', which has been supporting charities in this way since 2008. Every Will is checked by a fully qualified solicitor who can also give support through phone calls and aftercare emails. You can make a free Will online from the comfort of your own home. This is suitable for people with simple circumstances and wishes. Some people still worry that a Will made online, rather than in the traditional way, might be open to challenge in the future. We can offer a free additional service that could give you extra peace of mind. Any Treetops supporter making a free Will through Make a Will Online now also has free use of Capacity Vault – a service usually costing £150. This service enables you to use your mobile phone or computer to record yourself answering questions and confirming your wishes. This recording is then stored securely by Capacity Vault and can be produced in the future if it’s ever needed. This may be especially important to anyone who is elderly, ill, concerned about family disputes, or who is leaving a substantial gift. Where should I keep my Will? Should I tell people where to find my Will? Your solicitor will keep a copy of your Will, and you will be given a copy to keep too. It is a good idea to keep all your important documents together in a secure place, such as a safe or fireproof box. Knowing where to find all your important documents helps someone manage your affairs for you after you have died. You can also tell people which solicitor you have used to write your Will. If your Last Will and Testament cannot be found after your death, they can write to the solicitor to obtain a copy, as it will be needed in order to apply for probate. If the solicitor has gone out of business, the Law Society may be able to help. Can I leave money or property to charity in my Will? Absolutely. This is a lovely way to leave a lasting legacy. Gifts may be pecuniary (a named amount) or residual (a percentage of your estate) or you can leave property in your Will. Remember that a pecuniary amount will lose its value over the years. A residual sum will continue to grow in line with inflation. You will need the charity’s official name, registered charity number and registered office address. If you would like to leave a gift in your Will for Treetops, our charity details are: Charity name: Treetops Hospice Trust Registered Charity Number: 519540 Registered office: Treetops Hospice, Derby Road, Risley, Derbyshire, DE72 3SS Do I have to tell people what’s in my Will? It’s entirely up to you who you tell about what’s in your Will. Your Will is a private document. You might want to explain your decisions about who will inherit what, or to manage expectations in order to avoid misunderstandings or disappointment after your death. What happens if I change my mind – how can I change my Will? If you want to update your Will, you need to make an official alteration called a ‘codicil’ - or make a new Will. How does a gift in a Will help Treetops Hospice? Up to two in five of our Hospice at Home patients are cared for thanks to gifts in Wills, so they are immensely important to us. Without the generosity of people remembering us in their Will, much of our work would not be possible. Even a legacy of a modest value makes a difference. Last year*, all the legacies of up to £5,000 we received, together could have helped provide a night of nursing care for 152 patients, and support for their families. After looking after your family and loved ones, could you support Treetops in this way? This could be your own legacy to help support and care for the local community after your death. Each gift is special and treasured in its own right, no matter the value. We offer a personalised gold leaf on our Memory Tree to mark each legacy we receive. ‘A gift today to give care tomorrow.’ [caption id="attachment_5065" align="alignnone" width="800"] Treetops Memory Tree[/caption] Should I tell you if I leave Treetops something in my Will? We’d love to know if you decide to leave Treetops Hospice a gift in your Will. Knowing about future gifts helps us plan for the future. Most of all, we would like to say thank you for your gift. We also want to keep you updated about our services, and from time to time we’ll invite you to special events. When we’re notified of someone’s gift only after they’ve died, it’s too late to thank them. So please tell us now, and we will send you a special lapel pin along with our thanks. What is an Advance Decision or Living Will? You may wish to outline your wishes for refusing medical treatment if you become terminally ill, or if you lose the ability to make decisions for yourself. This legal document is known as an 'advance decision' - formerly called a 'Living Will'. An advance decision is legally-binding but will be implemented only if you lose capacity or cannot communicate your wishes in person. It does not give someone else power to make other medical decisions on your behalf - for that, you'll need to put in place a Lasting Power of Attorney. What’s a Lasting Power of Attorney? A Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone to act on your behalf should you be unable to make decisions yourself. You can set up a Power of Attorney only while you still have the ability to understand information and make decisions for yourself, known as 'mental capacity' - so it's worth putting one in place early on. It’s advisable to make two LPAs – one for your financial matters, and the other for health issues. What is Make a Will Month? Make a Will Month is a simple way of reminding people of the importance of making a Will. We offer advice about how to make a Will easily and at a discounted price, by supporting a charity. At Treetops, we hold Make a Will Month activities every March and October. Gifts in Wills are really important to us, as they help provide care for up to two in every five Hospice at Home patients. For further information or advice, please do get in touch if you have any questions or would like to chat more. we'd love to hear from you. *figures correct at the time of publishing (August 2024)
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Three people and a dog in a field with sheep in the background.

Daughters join charity night walk to remember dad

When Walter Dodd was diagnosed with lung cancer, he wanted to spend his final days at home. Just eighteen days later, with support and care from Treetops Hospice nurses, Walter died peacefully at home with his wife and two daughters.
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Treetops Hospice Trust, Derby Road, Risley, Derbyshire, DE72 3SS

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Treetops Hospice Trust
CQC overall rating: Good
9 June 2016

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