On its coming-of-age birthday, here are 18 reasons we should be thankful for The Martlets Hospice

But the charity, which is based in Wayfield Avenue, Hove, is facing one of the toughest periods in its history.

More people than ever before want to be cared for in the comfort of their own home with the hospice looking after 380 patients at home in the last financial year.

Nearly 200 died in their own homes – a 10% increase on the previous year.

Hospice chief executive Imelda Glackin said the problem is one of the biggest they have ever faced.

She said: “There is a much greater emphasis on supporting patients and their families in their own homes. For many it has been their choice that is also where they want to die.”

She said patients with conditions like renal and heart failure are also now seeking care at the hospice in addition to those with terminal illnesses.

Respite care is needed more than ever before as well with hospice staff making 1,340 visits last year, allowing 54 carers to take much needed breaks from their duties.

On top of this, the hospice’s in-patient unit continues to be almost always full with 273 patients treated there last year, up 7% on the year before.

Less than a third of the charity’s funding comes from the NHS so they rely on donations and fundraising.

It has to raise around £3 million a year to run its services – which is about £92,000 a week.

Ms Glackin said: “The fundraising team do a sterling job but funding is an ongoing challenge.

“The Martlets Lottery has gone from strength to strength with an income of half a million pounds in the last year. I think this is because people are keen to support us and the lottery is an affordable way of doing that.”

The charity has just opened its 10th shop in Brighton and Hove and annual fundraising events like the Midnight Walk and Hove Carnival continue to be a success.

There is also now a 24-hour support line and the charity is expanding its day services to offer support therapies. The hospice’s choir Good Vibrations is also growing in popularity.

Ms Glackin, who formally took up the post in September, said: “Everybody in Brighton and Hove at some stage in their lives will need our services.

“We will continue to grow and respond to their needs.”

To donate, volunteer or for more information call 01273 273400 or visit themartlets.org.uk.

ON its 18th birthday, here are 18 stories of people inspired by the loving care given at The Martlets:

1. Gill Dakin, chaplaincy volunteer: “I work as a chaplaincy volunteer at The Martlets Hospice. The volunteers come alongside patients, family and friends to support them, providing a space to explore the spiritual side of their lives.

“For some this is a caring, listening ear, for others it is meeting a deeper need for support in exploring personal dilemmas, crisis, loss, pain or loneliness. As a volunteer, you become part of an extensive team of staff throughout the organisation, who together seek to provide support and care through the Martlets Hospice and its community services.”

2. Jane Burke, who is taking part in Midnight Walk 2015: “I have always supported the Martlets, through the Midnight walk and the lottery. But last year we lost a close friend and I saw up close the important work that the Martlets does. The support they gave him and his family was incredible.”

3. Karen Sharpe, who is taking part in Midnight Walk 2015: “The Martlets is very close to my heart as they looked after my granddad and aunt in their last days, and their care was second to none. On realising how much money the hospice needs on a daily basis to keep running, walking the Midnight Walk is my way of giving something back to such a worthwhile cause.”

4. Harriet Topping: “My husband Malcolm had Alzheimer's and at times exhibited behaviour which was difficult to handle. Martlets Care understood this and, where possible, provided carers who could cope with our situation. From their first visit I found them to be people I could welcome into my home. Most importantly they listened to me and worked with me – they genuinely seemed to care. Around Easter time he began to decline and the Hospice at Home nurses got involved. They were very supportive. Knowing that I could call them about any concern – for example, the procedures to follow if Malcolm died in the night – was invaluable.”

5. Sarah Da Silva, arts and crafts volunteer: “Some patients are wary of arts and crafts. They will say ‘I’m not artistic’ or ‘I don’t enjoy that kind of thing’. That’s why it’s useful to take something with us, like a painted glass so they can see it doesn’t have to be complicated. Once they get stuck in, they really enjoy it. Since we’ve been working on the in-patient unit we learned how important it is to make things achievable in a short space of time as patients often get tired easily. People have made little gifts for family or something pretty they can take home.”

6. Mark Radcliff, who helps run the life writing group: “I'm not sure what we mean when we use the word community but, whatever it is, I felt it was easy to become disconnected from mine.

"The Martlets is local – I like that feel and I like what they do. I also felt that I had a skill which might be useful and being useful feels good, so it becomes a self-generating activity and an energising experience. And, obvious as it sounds, I spend time with people I otherwise wouldn’t and that is quite a way to see and hear stories and things that would otherwise be lost to me.”

7. Resident Stephen Grover and step-dad Michael Grover: “Staying at the hospice helps me put my problems to one side. It’s hard to describe what’s it like here, it’s an oasis really. I’ve spent so much time in and out of hospital that staying here really gives me a boost. I leave feeling quite replenished; less isolated and depressed. It’s the staff who make it – from the cleaners to the doctors, they all go way beyond their call of duty. “Michael, Stephen’s step-dad, talks about how hard it is to find things that he will want to eat. Our chef Paul has always been really helpful, and so now if there’s a dish that Stephen likes Paul passes on the recipe. I make them at home and they always taste just like they do here.”

8. Gavin Moore, former resident and fundraiser: “About three years ago my gorgeous wife and best friend Tor passed away after a brave and courageous battle with cancer. She was only 29. In the last few weeks of her life Tor and I moved into the Martlets Hospice. The amazing staff (or little angels as Tor called them) enabled us to spend quality time together. Their compassion and respect made the last weeks of Tor's life full of dignity, laughter and incomparable care. This is something we will never forget and we will be eternally grateful. It is because of this I have tried to raise as much money as I can for the Martlets.”

9. Maureen Hide: “My husband Alec was cared for by the Hospice at Home team for about a month before he died. I used to call the girls angels without wings. They were amazingly compassionate. They’d always ask how are you? It took me a while to realise it was an all-round kind of care, at first I wondered why was she asking as my husband was the patient not me. I found it very comforting to know I could call on them at any time – especially near the end.”

10. Ann Warne, from the hospice’s volunteer visiting service: “My late father was one of the first patients to be cared for by the Hospice at Home team when it started in 2002. So when I retired I was looking for something fulfilling to do and I wanted to give something back.

“I thought the visiting service was a great idea – people who have a terminal illness can always talk to a nurse or their GP about their health but not always about themselves. “In my experience people will do anything to talk about something other than their illness. The important thing is that the visit is all about them. It’s lovely to see the anticipation on their faces as you arrive as for two hours they can forget about their illness. I’d say this role is as fulfilling for the volunteer as it is for the client.”

11. Alma and Mary Haque: Mary, Alma’s mum has lost the ability to speak English because of her dementia. She can now only speak Spanish. Alma said: “Since Yumala, who is from Cuba, has been visiting mum she’s started to communicate again and she’s full of life. I know she looks forward to her coming. Yumala cares for mum with patience, complete dedication and kindness. I’m sure that this is what’s really helped her come out of herself again.

“Mum is still mum, she understands what we say to her.

“My mum has always been very feisty, our home has always been full of life, loud and vibrant. We’re still like that. Mum needs that, it’s what she’s always known and loved.”

12. Maureen Dickson, arts and crafts volunteer: “I was inspired to volunteer after the help I received from the Martlets when my husband died. Each morning we go around and talk to the patients, we’ll try to bring them along to the activity room if they’re well enough. Some patients are desperate for a change of scene, but most stay in their rooms. We’ve got special trays we use, with soft bottoms so it’s easy to work while they’re in bed. Then we stay and sit with them, to help if they need it but often just talk.”

13. Bereavement Support Service user, Jane from Brighton, said: “You were excellent at gently guiding me through this tough time. It has helped me to move on from feelings of pain to acceptance. I can talk about my mum without getting upset now. I think about the happy memories and how my mum would guide me, rather than feeling sad.”

14. Bereavement Support Service user, Graham Russell, said: “Shortly after my cousin and close friend, Michael passed away, I received a letter from the Martlets informing me of their bereavement service.

“Part of me said I don’t need bereavement counselling, that’s for people who really can’t cope. And deep down I knew I wasn’t coping. I admit that in agreeing to have bereavement counselling I had the passing thought of having failed in handling my life. And yet with that came a huge relief – that someone cared enough for me in the way I had cared for Michael. The greatest gift for me was having the opportunity to explore my feelings, my love, my anger, my frustrations and my tears. It was surprising how much was in there.”

15. Volunteer massage therapist Cathy Alderson: “I love doing the treatments. I come in once every two weeks and do mainly foot or hand massages at the moment.

“People find it incredibly calming and comforting.

“There’s been so much research into the physiological benefits of massage and I think it’s wonderful to have it in the hospice. Most of the patients fall asleep, which is good.”

16. Bereavement Support Service user, Sally from Hove, said: “Spending time with the counsellor enabled me to confront any unreconciled issues, to work through the grief and to walk out the other side to where there are rays of light. I could let my innermost concerns and sadness show and let the tears flow in order to move in a more healing direction. I am not at my destination yet but a supportive helping hand along the way has been offered by the Martlets counselling service.”

17. Bereavement Support Service user, John from Peacehaven, said: “It was really helpful that my first counselling session took place before my father’s death. I was able to explore how I was coping with his terminal illness as well as looking at how I would take over full-time caring for my mother. You helped me through life changing events and taught me the importance of taking care of myself.”

18. Bereavement Support Service user, Ian from Woodingdean, said: “I was in a bad way, desperate almost. I had explored other help but to no avail. You were my lifeline and the counselling changed my life completely. I will always be grateful. Your counselling service is essential for people like me.”