The swan fund was set up almost 3 years ago with a £500 donation from a bereaved family that bereaved family was mine, my lovely Dad died on AMU RSH in July 2015 from sepsis he received excellent end of life care thanks to all the staff on AMU from the house keeper, HCA's, Staff Nurses, EOLC Champion, Palliative Care Team to the Consultant.
I am proud to say this is the hospital where I work. My Mum wanted to give something back so I talked to Sarah our then DoN & Nick Holding Quality Improvement Manager they supported me to set up the swan fund under SaTH Charity.
With £500 in the fund we were away, next came a wonderful donation from a local company doing the 3 peaks challenge and raising thousands, Debbie EOLC Specialist Nurse & Del Staff Nurse braved the zipline in North Wales, our annual hospital to hosital walk also raised funds by me and some fab work friends Jules Lock EOLC Lead Volunteer, Louise, Debbie, Hannah, Heather and Anna (Mother and Daughter) the pharmacy team did a local half marathon and so much more.
It amazes me how many bereaved families donate at the hardest of times. I always send a thank you card to all the people who donate to the fund.
We have invited many in to officially open swan rooms and this is planned for 2018. So many lovely local people have donated lovely prints for the rooms including staff. Thank you all for your kindness your doation is wisely used on improving end of life care at the Trust developing the swan scheme and creating more swan rooms to help and support families at the hardest of times.
Because of the wonderful support of the League of Friends at the Royal Shrewsbury and the Friends of the Princess Royal Telford supporting the funding of the swan memory boxes/swan paper bags & the Swan Fund, Team SaTH have the kindest future ahead and why is it so important its simple because we have one chance to get it right, for every person every time.
I miss my lovely Dad every day, every day we get to make a difference to end of life care, he would be very proud of Team SaTH.
Thank you all for your help and support with this one chance work.Jules Lewis EOLC Lead Nurse / EOLC Facilitator at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust @juleslewis6 check out my pinned tweet to find out more about the swan rooms.
I leave you with a photo of me and my lovely Dad thank you Dad wonderful things our happening in your memory #proud 💖