Christmas Archives - St Gemma's Hospice

A Festive Thank You to our Volunteers!

December 11, 2023Blog Volunteering

We recently welcomed almost 150 volunteers across two days to join us at the Hospice for our annual festive thank you events.

There was a hot 3-course lunch and fun quiz, with lots of friendly competition! Laura from our very own fundraising team sang, providing brilliant entertainment. We also awarded two long-service awards and some of the Hospice Leadership Team gave updates, reflecting on 2023 at St Gemma’s.

These events are one of the ways we show our gratitude to our fantastic volunteers – we simply couldn’t be here without our dedicated volunteers. Each year, our volunteers give tens of thousands of hours across the Hospice and our retail operations.

Thank you to Manning Stainton and Daniel Footwear who kindly sponsored the events. We’re so grateful to them as well as our corporate volunteers, staff from across the organisation who helped out, and to our wonderful Bistro team who prepared the delicious food.

Charlotte, St Gemma’s Volunteer Coordinator, said: “Volunteers are at the heart of St Gemma’s and there’s no way we could do what we do without them. Our volunteers give their time across almost all parts of the Hospice and our retail operation. There’s so much skill within the team and it’s a pleasure to bring many of them together for these events.”

We received lovely feedback from our volunteers, including Sarra who generously gives her time volunteering in our gardens: “I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone involved in [the] volunteer lunch. It was so much more than I was expecting. I felt extremely blessed to be invited and experience such warmth and thanks. I love volunteering in the gardens and I’m very passionate about them. Knowing we are making a difference is so humbling and inspiring. Huge thanks again.”

We’d love to see you at our next volunteer event! Visit www.st-gemma.co.uk/volunteering to learn more and start your volunteering journey today.

Could you design our 2020 Christmas card?

December 23, 2019Blog Fundraising

Calling all Leeds artists! Your skills could raised pounds for patients next Christmas.

We are looking for an artist to create our 2020 Leeds Christmas cards. To express your interest, please complete the form below including an example of your work.

For the past three years, we have successfully collaborated with John Edwards on three exclusive depictions of iconic Leeds landmarks. John’s beautiful designs have raised thousands of pounds for patient care over the years. We are so grateful for his support!

For 2020, we are looking for a new artist to collaborate with who can incorporate their unique style into a new Christmas card design. Please submit an example of your work before January 31st 2020 that best illustrates the medium and style you would use for the final design.

The design would be exclusive to St Gemma’s Hospice and be considered a donation; please see below for full T&Cs.

Tips for Coping at Christmas

November 1, 2019Blog

Facing Christmas without a loved one is a daunting prospect. It doesn’t matter whether it’s your first year without them, or if you were bereaved long ago, Christmas can be painful.

These tips for coping at Christmas may help you feel a little less alone and a little more equipped to face the season ahead.

Take time for you

Don’t be alarmed if your emotions take over, just try to take some time for yourself. Remember there is no right way to grieve. Be kind to yourself; tell others around you what you find helpful and ask for help if you need it. If you don’t feel you have the support you need, seeking professional bereavement counselling may be the right step for you.

Be prepared

Christmas can be a difficult time when you are grieving. Think about what is best for you and your family and remember that it’s OK to take it one day at a time; there might be good days and bad days. Some people may want to cancel Christmas or try something completely different like volunteering or immersing yourself in a creative activity.

Green box with illustration of Christmas tree and words 'make a memory box'

Look after yourself

It’s easy to overindulge at Christmas. It’s okay to enjoy yourself, but using alcohol to escape pain only brings temporary relief and can make your feelings harder to manage in the longer term. Developing a good sleep routine and eating well will both have a big effect on your wellbeing.

Remember a loved one

Remembering a loved one is very special and personal. It can help to bring memories of those who have died into the celebrations. You may want to look at letters, photos or treasures alone or share with others. Attending a memorial ceremony like Light up a Life can provide a safe space to reflect.

Make a memory box

for your loved one and ask other people to contribute to it. Place anything that is meaningful and helpful to you in the box, such as photos, letters, poems, keepsakes or a perfume. Ask people to write about the wonderful times they have shared with them. Talking about your loved one with others really helps heal deep emotional wounds.

Christmas Isn’t Always Merry and Bright

October 28, 2019

As winter approaches and the festive season begins, we know how difficult it can be for people who are grieving or facing Christmas alone. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first year without someone who has died or you were bereaved long ago. Dealing with a serious illness or the death of someone close can […]