WINDOW OF MEMORIES
A beautiful stained glass window designed and made by patients and volunteers at Stratford’s Shakespeare Hospice was officially unveiled on Saturday 10 July at the annual fete.
Harry Potter star David Bradley (who plays Filch in the Harry Potter films), and Stratford’s Mayor, Coun Sheila Sandle helped with the unveiling, alongside glass artist Karen Jones and hospice patient Ruth Barnett.
 
Three years in the making, the four tiffany-style glass panels which make up the window in the hospice reception area, are the culmination of many hours of planning, design, hard work and collaboration.
 
Artist Karen Jones from Tiddington, who is project manager for a community arts charity, has been working voluntarily at the hospice in Church Lane, Shottery for the last three years.
 
She said: “The window is made from many many individual pieces of glass that have been cut, copper foiled and soldered. Lots of patients have been involved in the design and making of the window and some have sadly now passed away. The work was undertaken by patients under the direction of Chris Corner, our Diversional Therapist who has been brilliant.”
 
Ruth Barnett, from Alcester, has been attending the Hospice as a patient for seven years. She was one of the instigators of the project with Karen. She told the Hospice fete visitors: “It took me two years to go up to the Diversional Therapy table at the Hospice because I always thought I couldn’t do art. But now I’m there every week, taking part in water colour painting, silk painting, mosaic work and many other crafts.”
 
Karen said: “To me the beauty of it is not just the picture itself but the many stories behind individual pieces of the design and the people who have inspired them. For me it’s been a humbling experience and I have made some wonderful friends through it.”
 
Diversional Therapy is just one of the complementary therapies offered by the Shakespeare Hospice at their Day Hospice in Shottery, Stratford-upon-Avon. Available to both patients and carers, Diversional Therapy helps people to lose themselves in creative projects which not only help them relax and forget about their illness or caring responsibilities, but also provide a focus and something to look forward to. What’s more, while The Shakespeare Hospice has a dedicated and specialist counselling team, the Diversional Therapy creates a great environment for informal counselling and peer support and many long-term friendships are made through this service.    
 
As Chris Corner states, “A large number of patients and carers find Diversional Therapy of enormous benefit. It can give hope, a sense of purpose and builds self esteem by unleashing a talent which may have otherwise remained hidden away. A wide range of creative activities are on offer, all tailored to the individual’s needs and interests. From the gentleman who is building a model railway to the young mother producing beautiful cards and gifts for her family and friends, lasting memories can be created here. Diversional Therapy can help people on all sorts of levels and we always endeavour to find projects that our patients and carers will find stimulating and enjoyable”.

To find out more about Diversional Therapy at The Shakespeare Hospice visit our DT Blog

MILLION CELEBRATION
The success of The Shakespeare Hospice re-use shop at Burton Farm Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), in Stratford-upon-Avon has resulted in the charity raising in excess of £1m to help those affected by serious illness in our community.

Since 2003 the re-use shop at Burton Farm Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) has opened its doors to thousands of people, giving Warwickshire residents the opportunity to donate items that may otherwise be destined for landfill, in addition to supporting a good cause.
 
The Shakespeare Hospice is an independent local charity, which operates the re-use shop on Warwickshire County Council’s behalf. The income generated from the reuse shop is used to provide specialist palliative care for adults diagnosed with a life-limiting illness in the Stratford-upon-Avon district, and offer care and support for their families.
 
Cllr Alan Cockburn, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment and Economy, said: “We are delighted about the success of The Shakespeare Hospice re-use shop at Burton Farm. Supporting the shop by donating items is a positive way members of the public can reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfill, while simultaneously raising money for a very worthwhile cause”.
 
“I would like to thank everyone who has made donations and volunteered at the shop for raising this staggering amount of money.”
 
Angie Arnold, The Shakespeare Hospice’s Chief Executive, said: “It is with great appreciation of our partnership with Warwickshire County Council which has enabled us to reach this astounding amount of one million pounds net profit over the past seven years.
 
“The Shakespeare Hospice is very grateful to all the people who have already made donations to the shop and we look forward to welcoming future donations to help us support more members of our local community. If you would like to volunteer to help at the shop then please do get in touch, we would love to hear from you.”
 
Members of the public can contact the re-use shop directly on 01789 299285 for guidance about what and how to donate. 

All customers old and new are invited to a party at the shop on Monday 16 August to celebrate the first £1 million raised!
 

SIGN UP ON THE NIGHT
If you miss our new deadline of 4pm Thursday 3 June to register for the Moonlit Walk, don't worry - you can sign up on the night! This is due to the last minute rush we are experiencing! Please note no registrations will be taken on Friday - if you do not register by Thursday you will have to register on the night - we hope to see you there!

Visit www.theshakespearehospice.org.uk/moonlitwalk for full details.

The great thing about the 100 Heroes Challenge is your fundraising activities can fit around your own interests and your personal schedule. If you do rise to the challenge and become one of our heroes, the money you raise you will help The Shakespeare Hospice to provide care and support for more seriously ill people and their families in our local community, helping them through some of the most challenging days of their life.

If that isn't incentive enough, there will also be prizes up for grabs for the most innovative fundraising idea and the person or team who raise the most money during the course of the year. So, whether you are hoping to get fit for the New Year, want to try something new, looking for a reason to arrange a social event or fancy a different sort of team building activity. We welcome individuals, teams of friends, work colleagues, businesses, schools, colleges - anyone who is up for the challenge!

The 100 Heroes Challenge is a brilliant way to do something amazing in 2010.  Visit www.mytouchfm.co.uk to find out more and to register.