Hospices receive a big boost
The three hospices serving Lanarkshire patients have earned a lottery jackpot of nearly £200,000 to continue their Compassionate Lanarkshire project for a further three years.
Kilbryde Hospice in East Kilbride, St Andrew’s in Airdrie and Strathcarron, which serves Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, will also then receive match funding from South Lanarkshire health and social care partnership for the vital work.
It has so far supported nearly 1000 patients and carers during its first three years, offering specialist support at home and in the community for those affected by life-limiting illnesses including cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease and progressive neurological conditions.
The three hospices will receive a three-year funding award of £199,691 from the lottery’s Improving Lives community fund.
It will allow them to keep supporting vulnerable and isolated individuals and families by providing emotional, therapeutic and practical support “to achieve the best possible quality of life”. Patients and carers can receive help with accessing services, support with emotional health and wellbeing and help to manage stress and anxiety.
National Lottery community fund Scotland chair Kate Still said:“This project is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others.
“Funding can make amazing things happen and lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is helping to support this vital work and to help communities thrive.”
Claire Rae of South Lanarkshire health and social care partnership added: “We and our North Lanarkshire colleagues are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our communities through all stages of their lives, and we look forward to Compassionate Lanarkshire informing wider developments in palliative care for the benefit of local people.”
St Andrew’s chief executive and project lead Joy Farquharson said: “Compassionate Lanarkshire helps individuals with life-limiting conditions to remain at home for as long as they can, living as well as they can and provides ongoing support to carers. The three partnership hospices are delighted that we have received funding to continue the service across Lanarkshire over the next three years.
“In addition to our co-ordinators, link workers and complementary therapists, we need volunteer befrienders to provide friendship, support and short-term respite for some of our service users - if you can spare an hour or two each week to provide companionship and a listening ear, your local hospice would love to hear from you.”