VITAL to Bury Hospice are our facilities staff and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes.
Neil Jones, finance and support services manager oversees catering, housekeeping, maintenance and IT, all with one clear goal in mind – making sure every pound goes as far as possible towards caring for our patients and their families.
It will cost £3.5m this year just to keep the hospice running and we have to raise £3m ourselves.
So every penny saved really does help towards patient care.
Diane Fenton, Christa McAdam and Ameer Ali Hussain are the familiar faces behind the counter of the Café Retreat at hospice.
They cook and serve thousands of meals every year for both patients, staff and visitors.
The menu runs on a four-week cycle but the caring kitchen staff will often have special requests from patients.
As well as ensuring patients receive meals that support their care plan, the varied menu reflects seasons and trends and it is their caring attitude and attention to detail that makes the difference.
Kitchen manager Diane has also raised thousands of pounds for the hospice through fundraising events.
Diane Fenton and Christa McAdam
Diane and Robbie Williams tribute act Paul Munro
Diane took part in our Strictly Best Forward competition in 2019, which is one of the biggest events in Bury Hospice’s fundraising calendar.
Diane alongside Bury Hospice volunteer, Barbara Murray also arranges spectacular fundraising events every year in order to raise vital funds for the Hospice.
Recently they organised a Robbie Williams and Take That tribute event, which raised £3,550 for the Hospice.
Another team of unsung heroes who keep the hospice going are the housekeeping team.
Housekeeping manager Anne Rickets joined the hospice when it opened at the Rochdale Old Road site in 2013.
Housekeeping manager Anne Rickets
Hygiene is a vital part of patient care and there are strict regimes governing how every corner of the hospice is cleaned, from rooms on the ward to the reception area and offices.
All laundry, including staff uniforms are washed and ironed onsite with over 100 loads of washing done every week.
As well as the day-to-day cleaning, the team also deep cleans and sanitises all bedrooms after each patient so it is ready to be used again.
The hospice’s cleaning products are donated by Holchem and Barlow’s provides free annual services for the hospice’s vacuum cleaners.
Miller’s Vanguard also deep cleans the kitchen twice a year free of charge.
It makes a world of difference when companies step forward to help save money that can be channelled towards patient care.
As with so many departments in the hospice, volunteers are key across the facilities teams.
The support from volunteers ensures the smooth running of the hospice.
We could not do the work we do without their support.
If you would like to see how you can help the hospice through either volunteering or offering your business services get in touch with the team on 0161 725 9800
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