February 2018 Information and inspiration from across Marie Curie How to... Show what hospice life is really like


As part of Hospice Care Week, Marie Curie’s Facebook audience was given a virtual tour of the charity’s Hampstead hospice. Kate Offord, Marie Curie’s Social Media Manager, explains how it worked.


The tour took place through Facebook Live, a video streaming service which allows users to broadcast live to their followers. There are risks with live content but we really wanted to give our supporters a chance to engage with us in this way. For many, the idea of going into a


hospice is very scary – so we wanted to give viewers the opportunity to see for themselves what they are really like. Thanks to everyone involved, we were able to show that hospices are warm


and friendly places where people feel comfortable. Karen Turner, a physiotherapist at the


hospice, volunteered to show viewers around, and several patients also took part in the broadcast. One patient, Elizabeth, told viewers she has been coming to the hospice for over a year, and that she had made many friends there. ‘We feel at home here,’ she said.


You can see the video at facebook.com/MarieCurieUK/videos


ON TOUR: Karen on Facebook Live


Bright ideas 09


Why we need a diverse approach to spiritual care What I’ve learned


Claire Wretham, Spiritual Care Co-ordinator at the Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff and the Vale, explains how her role helps people from different backgrounds get appropriate spiritual support at the end of their lives.


Research by Marie Curie in the Cardiff and the Vale area has shown black and minority ethnic (BAME) people are less likely to use Marie Curie services, often because they’re concerned their spiritual and cultural needs won’t be met. My role was created to address these research findings.


Spiritual needs are more diverse than ever Traditionally, people have belonged to just one religion. But as our culture becomes more diverse, people have more of a patchwork of different beliefs – and a variety of different thoughts, feelings, fears and wishes about death and dying.


A point of contact is vital My role has replaced the traditional chaplain role at the hospice. Along with my team, I liaise with religious leaders – including imams, priests and rabbis – as well as community representatives and patients, so people can get reassurance about what we offer. I also advise colleagues on best practice and particular cultural needs. For example, part of nursing care may include a shave but for some religions, a gentleman’s beard is extremely


As our culture becomes


more diverse, people have more of a patchwork of different beliefs.


important. It’s about educating colleagues and ensuring that patients have specific care plans in place to reflect cultural or religious needs.”


It’s not just about religion I’m currently in touch with Humanists UK and we’re working towards having some of their representatives coming in to provide non-religious pastoral care. We need to think more widely about what matters to patients – what’s important to them, what helps them connect with the world around them, and where they get their strength.


Find the full research report at mariecurie.org.uk/bame-report-cardiff or read advice on emotional or spiritual pain at mariecurie.org.uk/spiritual-pain


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