Essential to the daily maintenance of St Teresa’s is the Catering & Housekeeping Team who, like all staff at the Hospice, have had to adapt to new ways of working in recent months.

In response to the outbreak of COVID-19 the housekeepers changed their cleaning routines to ensure all areas are constantly clean and safe for everyone.

The new routines and the need to wear full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times presented the team with new challenges, as Gaynor Regan, Housekeeping Team Leader, explains: “Normally it would

take 30-40 minutes to clean a room on the Inpatient Unit (IPU) and now it takes 40-60 minutes. We always clean to a high standard but we’ve been even more thorough with cleaning and disinfecting, and we’re much more aware of how important this is.”

The housekeepers build up a rapport with patients on the IPU, who often appreciate the chance to chat informally with non-medical staff. Wearing masks and visors has made communication more difficult.

Gaynor explains: “The patients can only see my eyes and can’t tell when I’m smiling. I was talking to one gentleman and I had to

Prepared for you by the team at St Teresa’s Hospice | Issue #5 | Positive news update

Good NewsHello, and welcome to Issue #5 of Good News. As ever, I hope this finds you well. As reported on last issue we have now begun a phased reopening of our shops and I would like to thank you all for your patience as we get used to new ways of working. This issue we look at other ways we’ve had to adapt at the Hospice and in the community where fundraising through events remains a challenge. You can read all issues of Good News at darlingtonhospice.org.uk. Please pass them on! Yours in hospice friendship, Jane Bradshaw, Chief Executive

www.darlingtonhospice.org.uk | Follow us: @StTeresas /stteresashospice | Tel: 01325 254321 | Registered Charity No. 518394

We’re all in it together

l-r Maria Sowerby, Housekeeper, & Gaynor Regan, Housekeeping Team Leader

say “I am smiling under here!” A few days later I was in his room, and he pulled down his oxygen mask and said “I’m smiling you know” which was so nice, because it was like he was saying “I know how you’re feeling”. We worry for them, and they also worry for us.”

Working in such challenging circumstances has brought the Housekeeping and Inpatient Unit teams even closer together. The nursing staff have regularly checked up on the housekeepers and both teams feel comfortable sharing worries.

Gaynor said: “We’re all in it together and it’s been good to know that I can talk to them when I’m worried and stressed. You feel normal sharing problems when you realise that they feel the same way.”

Not being able to see colleagues regularly has been hard, and Gaynor had an emotional reunion recently: “I don’t get to see Maria [Sowerby, Housekeeper], I just leave notes for when our shifts crossover,” Gaynor said. “I bumped into Maria in Asda and it was so emotional. We all broke down crying because we hadn’t seen each other for so long!”

Paul Frankland, Housekeeping & Catering Manager, praised the team for their efforts: “The housekeepers have a massive responsibility to keep everyone at the Hospice safe. During lockdown it’s been just Gaynor and Maria. They make sure that everyone’s gone home safe because they’ve been in a clean environment. It’s a physically demanding job having to clean wearing all that PPE, especially in the hot weather we’ve had recently. They do a brilliant job and I’m so proud of them.”

Easter fun run… in July!

www.darlingtonhospice.org.uk | Follow us: @StTeresas /stteresashospice | Tel: 01325 254321 | Registered Charity No. 518394

Please send a #hugtoStTeresas! Donate at www.justgiving.com/campaign/HugToStTs

The Easter bunny will be making a belated appearance in Darlington’s South Park on Sunday 19th July, when the Darlington Trail Series host their “virtual” Easter Fun Run.

Organiser Darryn Wood was forced to postpone the 5K run because of the COVID-19 outbreak but was determined to make it happen to raise much-needed funds for St Teresa’s Hospice.

The Easter Fun Run would have been the group’s first major event of 2020 and will now take place on Sunday 19th July. It’s a virtual event, and entrants are encouraged to complete their own run in their own time between 10am and 4pm, before finishing in South Park where a medal and Easter egg will be waiting for them. Darryn and his team will be following current Government guidelines and will encourage all runners to do the same.

Darryn said: “We were disappointed that the event had to be postponed but we knew it was the right thing to do for everyone’s safety. I don’t give up easily, and especially where the hospice is concerned I will do whatever I can to get people involved in raising funds. I love the idea that we are holding an Easter fun run in July. I just hope the eggs don’t melt!”

The Easter Fun Run is open to all ages and abilities and you can run, jog or walk.

Fancy dress is encouraged! Advance registration is essential, please go to https://racebest.com/races/533ve

Iceland Darlington deliver treats for our frontline staff

Visit www.ebaystores.co.uk/St-Teresas-Hospice-Shop to find hundreds of interesting items each month. You can also donate to St Teresa’s Hospice when you shop at Amazon. Head to smile.amazon.co.uk to find out more.

Hospice HeroesWe’re grateful for the continued donations of PPE and other practical items that have helped us to respond to COVID-19. Thank-you to the following for their recent donations: CAG Management Solutions Ltd, 3M UK PLC, Ruck Engineering, Iceland Darlington.

Bark-Off Success! Staff and students from Durham University Bio Sciences Society had great fun during their Bark Off sponsored dog walks on Fri 5 June! Organiser Gillian Campling said: “Despite the weather BioSoc members and their furry friends completed walks from the wilds of Northumberland, rural Durham to coastal paths in Wales, leafy parks in the home counties and even a walk in the warm Italian sunshine.” Baxter the dog and his BioSoc superstars have raised over £1,400 for St Teresa’s Hospice!