Heart of Kent Hospice Awarded First Community Grant
Published: 05/05/2016
Bluebird Care Maidstone is pleased to announce that Heart of Kent Hospice has been awarded the first ever Bluebird Care Community Grant. The grant of £500 will enable Heart of Kent Hospice to purchase Virtual Dementia Tour training which will enable delegates to ‘experience’ what it is actually like to have dementia, as opposed to trying to imagine what a person with dementia experiences.
Bluebird Care Maidstone is pleased to announce that Heart of Kent Hospice has been awarded the first ever Bluebird Care Community Grant which was presented on May 5th.
The grant of £500 will enable Heart of Kent Hospice to purchase Virtual Dementia Tour training which will enable delegates to ‘experience’ what it is actually like to have dementia, as opposed to trying to imagine what a person with dementia experiences.
Heart of Kent Hospice, which is based in Aylesford, provides skilled, high quality care for those facing the challenge of a life-limiting illness, and support for their families.
It is an independent charity which cares for around 1,000 patients and families each year. It costs nearly £5million to run the Hospice of which a majority is raised through the generosity of the local community.
About the Bluebird Care Community Grant, Jade, Bluebird Care (Maidstone) Care Manager explained that:
‘Heart of Kent Hospice is close to the hearts of our customers and staff and although there were a number of other very worthy charities who applied, the Hospice’s application received the highest number of nominations.
Our Community Grant Scheme is a positive way for us to support and recognise the great work of our local charities and I am delighted to be able to have a part to play in reviewing the applications we receive’.
Kerry Harrison, Heart of Kent Hospice’s Patient Services Director said:
'We are delighted to have been awarded this grant from Bluebird Care to fund the Virtual Dementia Tour training.
This innovative visualisation tool gives an accurate insight into what dementia patients experience on a daily basis and will enhance and improve the training we provide to healthcare professionals.
Through our dementia care services, we are able to support patients in coming to terms with their dementia diagnosis and as they deteriorate towards end of life.
This can be with practical support and advice, symptom management, and signposting for carers to access the best possible care and welfare support.
We also offer dementia care training for healthcare professionals and carers. Since introducing the service in spring 2015, we have supported over 150 patients and their families, who are also able to attend our monthly Dementia Café at the Hospice.'
