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Head to the annual Easter egg hunt at Swarkestone Nursery and Garden Centre to spot a stork sculpture created by our volunteer gardeners. The handcrafted wire sculpture includes a wire ‘cloth bundle’ dangling from its beak with a decorated egg laid inside. The stork is one of several egg-laying animals created from recycled materials by local charities and schools. The family-run garden centre store will hide sculptures around the premises for its alternative egg hunt. Thank you to our volunteer gardeners Nat Goodrich, Treetops Relationship Manager - Community Engagement, said the hospice was ‘thrilled to be involved with the egg hunt this year’. “We absolutely love the stork that our volunteer gardeners Steve Mills and David Driver have created. It’s very eye-catching and we’re sure it will be a big hit with children and families.“Getting involved with local community events like the egg hunt is a great way for us to raise awareness of the hospice and our care for local patients and families.” Stork to return to Treetops after Egg Hunt After the Easter egg hunt has ended, the stork will be returning to our 12.5-acre hospice grounds and gardens for everyone to enjoy. The egg hunt runs at Swarkestone Nursery and Garden Centre from Saturday, 5 April to Saturday, 19 April. Children collect brass rubbings on their way around to gain a chocolate treat. Afterwards they can vote for their favourite sculpture. The winning sculpture team will receive a fantastic prize of a gardening bundle worth £250. [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising-with-treetops/fundraise/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Fundraise for your local hospice[/button]

Mother’s Day on Sunday 30 March can be an especially challenging time for those who have lost their mother or a child. Whether the death is recent or occurred many years ago, the days leading up to Mother’s Day - and the day itself - can be difficult when others are celebrating. Mother's Day can be challenging for those grieving Our Therapeutic Services Senior Counsellor, Julie Wright, explains that even the days leading up to Mother’s Day itself can be challenging: “Anniversaries and celebratory days can be hard for someone who’s experiencing grief. For example, there are cards and gifts in the shops and people are making plans to celebrate. “It is not always possible to avoid these things. But even just talking this through with a family member or friend can be helpful and can help alleviate those fears.  In fact, letting people know how you are feeling and what you might need can make a big difference to how you cope.” Acknowledge Mother’s Day and its impact on you If you know Mother’s Day is likely to be a difficult day, it’s important to do what feels right for you. You may want to be on your own, being quiet and reflective. Or you may prefer company and to share memories with family or friends. Others around you may also be grieving. It’s important to remember that everyone grieves differently and at their own pace. Talking to others might help you negotiate how you manage the day together, according to what you all need and how you all feel. For example, time to be together, and time for space apart, if you need it. Be kind to yourself Give yourself permission to put yourself first and be compassionate with your own feelings. It is okay to not be okay. Don’t expect too much of yourself. Feelings associated with your bereavement are a natural, normal part of the grieving process and individual to you. It’s okay to allow yourself to feel those emotions.   Remembering the person who has died Consider what you might like to do to either think about your mum, or celebrate your mum, on Mother’s Day. This might be connected to places that you’ve been or things you’ve done together. Find ways to connect with their memory that feel special to you There are many ways to remember your loved one. You could light a candle, plant something in the garden, play some music, write your feelings down in a card, or do something you used to enjoy doing together Online tributes can also be a helpful way of reflecting on how much your loved one meant to you. You could post a message or photo on social media, or share a video with family and friends “Everyone feels emotion and grief when they’ve experienced the loss of a loved one and that’s normal. However, Treetops is here if you are one of those people that feels like you need a bit of extra help. Please do contact us.” [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/our-services/therapeutic-services/counselling-and-emotional-support-service/counselling-and-emotional-support-service-for-adults-dealing-with-bereavement/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]More information about our counselling support for adults and children[/button]

Six brave Treetops Hospice supporters took to the skies this weekend, raising over £7,000 for the charity in an exciting tandem skydive challenge. Taking the leap for Treetops From those directly touched by the hospice’s care to thrill-seekers, each person had a unique story behind their jump at Langar Airfield, Nottinghamshire. Peter Woods, from Codnor, jumped to celebrate his 80th birthday. “It was really exhilarating coming down and I’ve really enjoyed it,” Peter said. “I turned 80 a few months ago and I knew I wanted to do a skydive so when I saw I could jump for Treetops, that was it. It’s a really important charity and I know it makes a big difference raising all this money.” Best experience I’ve ever had Martyn Ingram from Chellaston is receiving support from Treetops following a diagnosis of a Stage 4 brain tumour. Martyn shared his thoughts after the jump: “It was the best experience I’ve ever had in my whole life! I’d love to do it again. Treetops is a charity very close to my heart. When I first came to the hospice, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect but it’s a fantastic place. I’m totally blown away by the passion, kindness, and friendliness of everyone. They can’t do enough for me and others who need their help.” James Birchmore, from Codnor, received the skydive as a surprise gift from his wife on Christmas Day. “Treetops supported my mother-in-law and has done a lot for my wife and family, so this all raises money for a good cause,” James explained. “I felt a mix of everything going up in the plane – nervous, excited - but it was brilliant. I’d do it again for sure.” Others who jumped for Treetops included Julie Cook, whose husband was cared for by the local charity, and Martyn’s friends Mandy Taylor-Warby and Fiona Keppel-Spoor. Raising vital funds for Treetops The thrilling event helped raise vital funds for the hospice which provides nursing care and emotional support for adults with life-limiting conditions, those who’ve been bereaved, and their families.  Every year, Treetops provides vital care and support to over 2,500 people across Derbyshire. The next Treetops Skydive Day takes place on Saturday 27 September. Supporters are asked to raise £432 in sponsorship which would help fund four nights of Hospice at Home nursing care. [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/event/skydive-day/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Join the next Skydive for Treetops[/button]

Treetops is urging the government to provide sustainable funding for end-of-life care for terminally-ill patients, as the charity begins a third financial year with a deficit budget. A recent article by respected BBC health correspondent Nick Triggle summarised the precarious financial situation facing all hospices across the UK: At least three-quarters of the 650,000 people who die every year in the UK require palliative (end-of-life) care. Hospital is the most common place of death, although the overwhelming majority of people say they would like to die at home Hospice services are in financial difficulties and the current approach to funding is not sustainable. Over the next decade, the number of deaths a year is expected to increase by 12%. Just shifting 20% of the money spent caring for dying people in hospital would be transformative for community services as it would double current spending Challenging financial year ahead Every year, Treetops cares for over 2,500 people and their families. Our nurses help care for patients at the very end of life who’ve chosen to die at home with their loved ones. Our experienced bereavement counsellors support adults and children who are struggling following the death of a loved one, often under traumatic circumstances. All the hospice services are provided free of charge, but we face the challenge of a significant funding shortfall this financial year. Philippa Shreeve, Director of Clinical Services, said: “It costs over £5.7million a year to provide our vital care in the local community and run the hospice. Like many other UK hospices, Treetops receives funding from the Integrated Care Board (ICB). This covers less than 18% of the costs for delivering several of our care services. So, the remaining £4.7million we must raise ourselves.“Our overheads have increased significantly, partly due to increased National Insurance and the minimum wage. We are using our existing reserves to maintain the care our community needs. The continuing support of local people is crucial. If additional funding cannot be made available, then our dependence on the goodwill of our community will become more acute. More sustainable funding needed “The cash reserves we rely on today have come from gifts left in people’s wills, our charity shops and other kind donations. Unfortunately, this isn’t sustainable or reliable funding. Much more needs to be done to provide hospices like Treetops with long-term funding and ensure we can continue to provide our care for many years to come.” Treetops was one of 170 hospices in England to receive a share of £25million from the government last month, with the charity receiving £65,000. But this funding comes with restrictions, Phil explained: “Whilst the government grant was very welcome, this money must be spent on upgrades and refurbishments to our hospice buildings and infrastructure. The funding can’t be spent on nursing people at home or providing bereavement counselling, which is where we need it the most.” Help us continue to provide local care We are doing all we can to continue to support those in most need. We are using our reserves sensibly and investing in raising more funding. We welcome donations to ensure the future of the hospice and our services. [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/donate" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Donate to Treetops and help care for local patients and families[/button]

On Sunday 6 April, Megan Radford will show her appreciation to Treetops for supporting three generations of her family as she joins hundreds of runners in the Derby 10k. Megan from Derby, is on track to raise over £300 for the hospice that cared for her late dad and grandad. Megan had bereavement counselling at the hospice following the death of her dad, Ian, from cancer. Counselling support Megan explained more: “When my dad died it was the most traumatising week of my life. I knew that I would need help to get over the overwhelming shock. "It was incredibly useful to have a counsellor at Treetops to talk to in-depth, as it is difficult to do so with grieving family or friends that you don't want to burden. “Unfortunately, the memories from that time turned into flashbacks that intruded on my day-to-day life. My counsellor helped me deal with these in an effective way, until they had gone. They say you have to grow around grief and my counselling sessions helped me do that so I could return to my life with a new, well-rounded perspective.” Treetops nurses helped care for dad at home Ian died of cancer just days before his 65th birthday. Treetops nurses helped care for him at home. “Dad didn't want to be in hospital. He wanted to come home and we wanted him home, so that's what we did. “In his last few days, we looked after him as a family, 24 hours a day, with regular daytime visits from NHS healthcare teams. In the night, there wasn't the same support and that's where the Treetops nurses came in.“Without the nurses, I don't know how we would've managed to look after dad properly. They had the perfect attitude: a friendly bedside manner coupled with a fierce eye for detail. They looked after my dad and were a sympathetic ear to us. When they arrived, it felt like we could breathe a sigh of relief. “When my dad died, we called the Treetops nurses one last time. At this point, it felt like having old friends come to the house in our hour of need. They helped prepare my dad and made the necessary arrangements, so we didn't have to. It didn't feel intrusive; they were very welcome.” Megan’s late grandad John also came to Treetops in Risley to meet with his oncologist and to take part in a wide range of activities on site. John was passionate about hospice care, as Megan explained: “My grandma passed away from cancer when my mum and her sisters were young. It was a difficult time for the family. They had to take two buses to see grandma in hospital. “Grandad could see how much better grandma's quality of life would've been if there had been a local hospice; what a difference it would've made to his wife and daughter's lives. “When the proposal came to set up a hospice in the local area, Treetops, Grandad was vocal in supporting it so others could benefit from what he would've loved for his own family.” Giving back to the charity that helped so much Megan signed up to the Derby 10k to “give back to the charity that helped me and my family so much”.“I think dad would be cheering me on at the finish line. He was always proud of his children and our achievements. I always think of him at the big moments in my life, or even the little successes. I can imagine him pulling me in for a hug, giving me a big kiss on "the bonce", and congratulating me.” Join the Derby 10k Treetops welcomes runners to sign up to the Derby 10k and raise money for the hospice. Register before Wednesday 19 March to take advantage of a special £5 discounted rate. Runners are asked to raise £108 which helps to provide a local patient with a night of Hospice at Home nursing care at home. The Derby 10k route starts and finishes at Pride Park, passing the Derbion and Derby Cathedral. The event is suitable for people of all abilities. Treetops runners receive a branded tech shirt, fundraising support and resources, and homemade cake at the finish line. [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/event/derby-10k-2025/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Join the Derby 10k and support local people[/button]

Throughout March, donations to the hospice will be doubled, helping us to provide more end-of-life nursing care for local people, all thanks to a generous donor. The anonymous donor understands the difference that hospice care makes for local people with life-limiting conditions and those who’ve been bereaved. They are matching the value of donations during the month up to the value of £10,000 and said:We want to support Treetops because hospice care is so vitally important, and we are aware that funding is under stress. [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/donate/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Make your donation go further in March[/button] Last year, Treetops nurses provided over 22,000 hours of nursing care for patients at the very end of life, in their own homes with their loved ones around them. Katy English, Treetops nurse, explained more about her role:We’re there to ensure someone’s last few days are as pain-free and dignified as possible. We also provide emotional support for families and loved ones. "It can be scary caring for someone at home. We offer a listening ear,  answer questions, listen to their concerns, and reassure them. Caring for someone 24 hours a day and through the night is incredibly challenging, physically and emotionally.Knowing that a dedicated and compassionate Treetops nurse will looking after your loved one while you get a rest, makes a huge difference. “It costs £5.3million every year to run the hospice. We have to raise 80% of this through donations from our fantastic supporters. We really hope people will dig deep, donate, and know they’re making double the difference this month.” [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/donate/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Donate today and help us care for more local people[/button]

Treetops has launched a new support group in Ilkeston, offering vital information and peer support for people who are grieving the loss of a loved one. In partnership with the Erewash Social Prescribing team, the Bereavement Hub takes place every Friday at Ilkeston Museum, from 11am to 1pm. The group is led by trained volunteers, providing attendees with a safe and welcoming environment to share their experiences and offer support to one another. [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/our-services/wellbeing-space/treetops-bereavement-hub" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]More information about the Bereavement Hub[/button] Julie Waite, Treetops Community Inreach Lead said: “Through the bereavement work we do at Treetops Hospice, we recognise that there is a need for support out in the community and not everyone can attend the hospice in Risley.” While the hub doesn’t provide formal counselling, it provides an opportunity for up to 15 people to connect with others experiencing similar grief. If additional emotional support is required, the team of trained volunteers will signpost to relevant services, including the Treetops therapeutic services.“Living with loss can feel isolating, but with the Treetops Bereavement Hub, you're not alone." Treetops have been able to launch the Bereavement Hub as a result of a grant from Erewash Borough Council, which has paid for the venue for the year.  

Treetops is celebrating a grant of over £37,000 from SC Johnson Foundation, which will allow us to complete a renovation of our Wellbeing Cafe. SC Johnson has a long history of working to make the communities they are in better because they are there. With SC Johnson Professional’s European headquarters in Denby, the company is helping to support Treetops efforts to provide a high-quality experience for patients and their loved ones. Meeting the needs of people living with life-limiting illnesses Since 2019, Treetops has been offering a Model of Care, designed to meet the changing needs of people living with life-limiting illnesses.  At the heart of the care model is the Café, a large, open-plan space with a glass front that opens onto a veranda and overlooks our grounds. The charitable grant will help transform this space, including a café counter to serve food and beverages from and much-needed improvements to the veranda, such as the installation of heating, and new outdoor furniture. Adela Appleby, Treetops Head of Community Relationships said:“Treetops aims to reach hundreds of local people each year.  Creating the right environment is such an important part of making it easier for them to turn to us for support while they are living with a life-limiting illness or recovering from a bereavement. Improvements to the Cafe “Now, we can make vital improvements to ensure the space is more comfortable and functional for our patients and their families. “We’re also excited to enhance access to our beautiful grounds. With the addition of heating, we’ll be able to keep the veranda open for longer, enabling even more people to enjoy it.” Work on the Wellbeing Space is due to begin shortly with renovations to be complete later in 2025. If your business is able to support Treetops Hospice, financially, via a gift in kind or volunteering, please contact Adela

With the support of our Hospice at Home nurses, Wendy Joyce from Codnor, was able to fulfil her wish to die at home after a long battle with breast cancer. Wendy’s daughter-in-law, Sarah Joyce, is sharing her family’s moving story to promote our Treetops Super Draw and help us raise vital funds to support other patients and families when they need it the most. “We will never forget the care and compassion of the Treetops nursing team during our darkest times,” explained Sarah from Swanwick.“The nurses made a world of difference. We wouldn’t have been able to give Wendy everything she needed at home without them." [button url="https://treetopslottery.rallyup.com/superdraw2025/Campaign/Details" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Play the Super Draw and help local patients and families[/button] Wendy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. She was told the cancer was curable, and Wendy underwent a mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Wendy's battle with cancer “It was a long, painful road but Wendy bravely battled through it,” continued Sarah. “She never complained and just got on with it, as there was light at the end of the tunnel. She really showed superhuman strength and resilience which was in her nature.” Wendy, 72, was a much-loved Dinner Lady and later, a Teaching Assistant, at Codnor Primary School. After retiring, she spent many hours cheering for her grandchildren on the sidelines at athletics events. “You could see in her face the joy she got watching them. She’d be beaming. It didn’t matter if they won or not, she was so proud of them either way. “Wendy and I got on so well,” said Sarah. “She was like another mum to me and everything you’d want from a mother-in-law. I counted myself really lucky.” Despite being given the all-clear, less than a year later in December 2021, Wendy was diagnosed with secondary cancer in her spine and other areas. “This time they said the cancer was not curable but treatable. Our world was shattered." “After a few months of attempting to control the growth and spread of the cancer, we were told that it was having no effect. There was nothing more they could do. Care and support from Treetops “In May 2022, the oncologist gave us a prognosis of no more than six to 12 months. In a strange way, we were all relieved. We thought we would hopefully be able to enjoy a good few months of making precious memories together.” But Wendy’s health rapidly declined. By June, the family was told that Wendy was now coming towards the end of her life. Returning to her family home in Codnor, just a few yards from the house in which she was born, was very important to her.“I can honestly say that we wouldn’t have got through the next few days without the invaluable care and support that Treetops provided us with; both caring for Wendy and supporting us as a family. [button url="https://treetopslottery.rallyup.com/superdraw2025/Campaign/Details" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Enter the Super Draw today[/button] “As things had moved so fast, we weren’t able to access carers for the first couple of days. And Wendy’s medication wasn’t managing her pain properly.” Sarah was encouraged to call the Treetops Hospice at Home team. “We’d only been referred to Treetops a few hours before our first call to them. The nurses were there within the hour to give Wendy the pain relief she desperately needed. “They took the time to listen to us and encouraged us to call at any time with any concerns. The difference the nurses made “They also reassured us that we were doing great for Wendy which was such a relief to hear. In that situation, you almost put pressure on yourself to become a medical professional and know exactly what your loved one needs and when they need it. The nurses lifted that pressure from us, which we will always be grateful for. “I can’t begin to describe the difference they made. We felt able to get some much-needed rest whilst Wendy’s care was in their capable hands. They were there for us, supporting us, preparing us for what to expect. Until you live this experience and know what it’s like, you don’t know how hard it is.” In the care of the Treetops Hospice at Home team, Wendy died peacefully with husband, Richard and son, Stefan, by her side. Sarah’s family are very proud to be supporting the Treetops Super Draw to ‘give something back to the charity’.“As a family, we’re very proud to support Treetops and the Super Draw. “It's really important to us to share our story because we know firsthand how much Treetops helped Wendy and us. We hope lots of people enter the Super Draw to raise money for the hospice so they can help other families just like us.” [button url="https://treetopslottery.rallyup.com/superdraw2025/Campaign/Details" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Play the Super Draw and help us care for more patients and families[/button]

Treetops was filled with a colourful display of mismatched socks this week, as the Huntington’s Disease peer support group held an "Odds and Socks" event. Patients, family members, carers, volunteers and hospice staff donned their quirkiest odd socks and enjoyed a sock-themed cake to help raise awareness of the disease which affects approximately 7,000 people in the UK. Huntington’s Disease is a condition that damages nerve cells in the brain, causing them to stop working properly. Over time, the disease affects movement, cognition, and mental health. [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/our-services/wellbeing-space/huntingtons-support-group/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Find out about our Huntington's Disease Support Group[/button] The support has been life-changing Anne-Marie, 48, and her husband Richard, 50, from Stapleford, have been coming to the monthly group for just over a year. Anne-Marie was diagnosed two years ago with Huntington’s Disease. She said: “Coming to terms with having the disease and knowing that your mental capacity is deteriorating is a real challenge. This time last year, I wasn’t myself. I was sad and depressed. I’d lost my confidence and was coming to terms with showing symptoms. “Treetops and the support group have been phenomenal. There’s support for me, support for Richard as a carer, and support in place for our children. It’s been life-changing. “We’ve made friendships and meet up outside of the group. And the staff and volunteers support and treat you so well. They really see you as a unique individual.” Support to keep your quality of life for as long as possible Richard added: “Although I enjoy caring for Anne-Marie, coming here is a break and I can relax. It’s like a battery recharge. At home, I’d be thinking, ‘the washing’s on, I need to do the ironing, what shall we have for tea?’ Here, that’s all gone. “You can share stories and experiences with others in a similar situation, and it’s sociable. And you realise all the support that Treetops has to offer to keep your quality of life for as long as possible.” About the Huntington's Disease Support Group The Huntington’s Disease peer support group meet monthly at Treetops in Risley, to share experiences, information and advice. The Support Group is a joint venture between Treetops Hospice and the Huntington’s Disease Association. The theme of 'odd socks' is being used by the Huntington’s Disease Association to represent the 50:50 odds of inheriting the Huntington's gene from a parent with the disease. National Odds and Socks Day takes place across the UK on Thursday 27 February 2025. [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/our-services/wellbeing-space/huntingtons-support-group/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Learn more about the Huntington's Disease Support Group[/button]

Jayne Smith, retired probate solicitor, talks about her career helping people write a Will and what can happen if you don’t have a Will when you die. Introducing Jayne "I was born and grew up in Nottingham.  I was the first person from my family to go to university.  I studied Law and French in Manchester, returning to Nottingham to do my Law Society final exams. I trained at a local firm called German and Soar. Two years after qualifying, I was asked to open an office in Wollaton where I practised for over 30 years.  I became a partner in the firm soon afterwards and after several mergers, the firm is now known as Rothera Bray. I was the Head of the Wills and Probate Department with responsibility for over 20 lawyers and paralegals.  I dealt with Wills, probate, trust and inheritance tax issues along with Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection cases.  I was really proud to get a Lifetime Achievement Award from Nottingham Law Society in 2022. I retired from practice in May 2023."Throughout my career, my driving force has been a passion to help people, especially in the most difficult times of their lives. I’ve met so many different people and have even supported several generations of the same family over the years. How many Wills have you helped write during your career? If I had to make a guess, after 40 years in practice, I would say it would be in the region of 7,500! Supporting Treetops Hospice Rothera Bray supported the Treetops Hospice Free Wills scheme for many years, and I was asked to do a talk at Treetops about the benefit of making a Will. I prepared my presentation ‘Confessions of a Probate Lawyer’ and have spoken several times to supporters. When I first visited Treetops, I was hugely impressed with the friendliness of the staff, the calm atmosphere, and the grounds.  Since retirement, I have had more time to devote to good causes and I jumped at the chance to become involved with Treetops. I am a Treetops Patron and also a member of the Treetops Development Board.I really enjoy delivering my talk and I get really good feedback. I like to see the reactions I get from my stories and anecdotes which are entertaining and thought-provoking. Lots of people have come up to me afterwards to say they learned something new, and it’s been a good prompt for them to do something. [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/donate/gifts-in-wills/free-support-writing-updating-will" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]More information about our FREE support to make a Will[/button]   Why is having a Will so important? For me, there is no better way to make things easier for your loved ones when you die. If there is no Will, they are left with the uncertainty of not knowing your wishes and of your estate being distributed in accordance with the rules set out by the Government. What can happen when you don't have a Will? If you don't make a Will, then you have no say in who gets what when you're gone, and the Government decides for you. The rules also set out who can administer the estate. One of the common misconceptions I used to hear was when people would say to me: ‘I'm married so I don't need a Will. My spouse will get everything’. And if there are no eligible family members to inherit, things can get extremely complicated. I came across the case of a 50-year-old woman who was an only child. Both her parents had died. Although she had been in a relationship with her boyfriend for over 20 years, they did not live together, and they were financially independent. She died suddenly and there were no eligible family members to benefit. Her entire estate of over £1.2 million went to the Government. Her boyfriend said that they had talked for years about making Wills but never thought that this could happen, and they had just been too busy. A lot of people also used to say, ‘I’ve not got anything of value to leave in a Will, so I don’t need one’. If you listed all your personal belongings, you might be very surprised! Charities also don’t receive anything from an estate unless there’s a legacy in a Will, or a donation is made by the solicitor dealing with an estate. What's the most memorable Will you've come across e.g. an unusual bequest? We once had a client who left a sum of money to her executors to be used to provide flowers for her and her parents’ graves on specific dates - birthdays and anniversaries – for as long as the funds lasted. Free support with writing or updating your Will As your local hospice we know that making a Will is one of the best things you can do for your family. It means that, after your death, your wishes are clear. We can support you, whether you’re just starting to think about your wishes, or if you’re making or updating your Will because of changes in your life. Gifts in Wills help provide care for up to two in five of our Hospice at Home patients. Leaving a gift to Treetops will help continue our vital work. [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/donate/gifts-in-wills/free-support-writing-updating-will/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Your FREE Wills support[/button]

Treetops was filled with celebration this weekend as staff and volunteers gathered to recognise over 420 years of dedicated service honoured through the charity’s Long Service Awards. 50 staff and volunteers were presented with five and 10-year awards, and one extra-special 25-year award was presented to volunteer gardener, Anne Hopkinson. I feel part of a family here at Treetops Anne said: “It feels unbelievable to get this award really. I don’t know where the 25 years has gone. “I’ve had lots of different roles and seen a lot of change here over the years. I’ve met some wonderful patients and staff here over the years and have many fond memories. I can’t walk anywhere locally without meeting someone I know through Treetops!“I feel part of a family here at Treetops. Even when the weather’s bad, I still want to come and help. I’d encourage anyone to give volunteering a go!” I really enjoy going out to support patients in their own home Wendy Williams, Treetops Healthcare Assistant, also received her 10-year award. Wendy is part of the Treetops Wellbeing at Home team, providing care to local patients who prefer to remain at home during their final days. “I really enjoy going out to support patients in their own home, where they are choosing to die, rather than in hospital.“Just sitting and listening to someone is really important. Patients can find it hard to open up to their families about coming to the end of their life, so they have the chance to express their feelings to us. “It doesn’t feel like I’ve been here ten years. It’s gone really quickly, but I suppose when you really enjoy your job, you’re not counting the days or weeks or years.” [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/about-us/job-vacancies/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]See our current vacancies[/button] [button url="https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/" template="block" class="btn-block--red"]Join us as a volunteer[/button]