Celebrating the international day of charity

On Sunday 5th it is the International Day of Charity so we wanted to highlight some of the amazing stories of people who support Martlets. We are so thankful to have such an amazing team working and supporting us. It is because of our incredible community that we can keep Martlets caring.

This day was chosen as the International Day of Charity for the reason that it marks Mother Teresa’s death. Mother Teresa worked as a nun with the poor and dying. The day commemorates the tireless work that Mother Teresa did by devoting her whole life to charity work.

Also, it is a day to raise awareness of causes and encourage donations to charity. We think it is important to celebrate some of the amazing work our community have done over the past year. From these stories we can she how important charity work truly is to people.

Louise, Clinical Nurse Specialist

“We talk about patients as a group of people but that doesn’t describe the humanness of what we experience when we visit. We are so privileged to go into people’s homes at this difficult time of their lives when they are feeling vulnerable. Us nurses bear witness to what they are going through, and we see the whole person, not just a patient.

When I go to someone’s home it’s not like being in a hospital. You see their carpets, you see the pictures of their family, you see their intimate possessions and what they like to read. You see what makes them a person and what matters to them. We can talk to them about those things and their lives and who they are beyond their illness. That’s the beauty of community nursing and why I do it. It’s so important that the individual person remains at the centre of what we do and that Martlets remains at the heart of the community”

Jackie, Carer

“Since my husband Ian’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s it can be quite isolating. It’s a big job being a carer 24/7, so it’s wonderful that Martlets offers services to carers as well as patients. Before the COVID pandemic, I had a massage and aromatherapy which was so relaxing. Ian and I would come along to coffee mornings at Martlets; it was such a joy to meet the lovely people and Ian loved the Hospice gardens.

It’s nice to have that connection with life beyond being a carer, it’s very beneficial for me. It’s brilliant because it keeps the motivation going for me. I can take a step back from my caring role; someone else takes over for what might be quizzes, or games or whatever. During COVID, Martlets has been running virtual coffee mornings online via video calls, and other sessions online to keep us all connected.”

Stephen, Senior Social Worker

“It’s been difficult working during the Covid pandemic; I’ve had to do a lot more over the phone with people rather than visit them in their homes. Some people are hard of hearing, or don’t feel comfortable talking on the phone about personal issues. Since Government restrictions have lifted though I have been able to do more home visits.

When you’re in someone’s home you can see their pictures on the wall and see how they live. You get more of a sense of that person and who they are as an individual. You are a guest in their home which is a privilege, and the relationship feels more connected.”

Steve, Warehouse Volunteer

“I love working with the people here, they’re so friendly and it’s like having a job that you look forward to going into every morning. My role here is something I really enjoy.  

I am proud to be a Martlets volunteer because it means so much to the city and the people of Brighton and Hove. It’s like a badge of honour to volunteer here – well I think so.”