Bluebird Care raises funds for Thames Valley Hospice

Funds raised and local care teams trained in partnership between Thames Hospice and home care firm

A partnership between a hospice and a home care team is helping people receiving end-of-life specialised care.

The team at Windsor-based Thames Hospice have designed and run a programme of specialist enhanced training for the home care assistants at Bluebird Care Reading, Wokingham, Maidenhead, Windsor and Bracknell.

The training, held over two sessions, showcased techniques and the best ways to support people and their families.

To show their gratitude, the teams from Bluebird Care raised funds for the hospice

A range of initiatives have been held, including last year’s Woodley Carnival, where a game for children and a cake sale raised £159.

Justine Robinson, Bluebird Care Reading, Wokingham, Maidenhead, Windsor and Bracknell care assistant, said: “The end-of-life training is incredibly informative and thought-provoking. “The Hospice trainers were very knowledgeable and were happy to share their experiences of both working within the hospice but also from a personal perspective which led to some really powerful group discussions.

“I really felt empowered to approach this in a sensitive, informed and caring way. We were honoured to be able to provide three counselling sessions for Thames Hospice patients or family members through our fundraising activities.”

Andrea Finch, Head of Education, Thames Hospice, added: “Why is palliative and end of life care training so important? It is important that all of us provide the best care for people who are coming towards the end of their lives.

“Hospices provide specialist palliative care to people who have more complex needs at the end of life. Those needs could be physical, for example, complex pain management, or more difficult psychological and emotional needs.

“We have specialist trained nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, and counsellors to help with this.

“One of the important roles that the hospice has is to share our specialist knowledge, so that teams such as Blue Bird Care, are better equipped to ensure excellent end-of-life care to those they care for.”

To visit Wokingham Today and see the full story please click here