Category Archives: Derian News

Good afternoon, could I please ask everyone to avoid parking by the Lodge reception on Wednesday as we will have a company on site to Valet the 3 Micras in readiness for their return to Nissan.

After they have been valeted, they will stay there until the day of collection, but sadly we will not be able to use them.

Kind Regards

Good afternoon, on Wednesday of this week we will be taking out of service PF69 ODJ, NXV and ODC, to make way for our new Jukes which will be arriving tomorrow.

Registrations should be available from tomorrow for booking purposes.

Initially, we can expect some confusion due to the Micras being pre-booked, however please see facilities who will gladly help out.

Please double check your bookings as we will be back down to four vehicles.

Dear all,

Oliver McGowen training is now required as part of our mandatory Training.

Please read what is required below.

• The training is named after Oliver, whose death shone a light on the need for health and social care staff to have better training on learning disabilities and autism, and has been campaigned for by his parents Paula and Tom McGowan.
• The 18-year-old had mild hemiplegia, focal partial epilepsy, a mild learning disability and was autistic. He died in November 2016 after he was given antipsychotic medication, even though he and his family warned it could be harmful. His death was determined to be “avoidable” by an independent review.
• The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism has been co-produced and co-designed with autistic people and people with a learning disability. There are two tiers to The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training ensuring all health and social care staff receive the right level of mandatory training for their role and to meet the requirements set out in the Health and Care Act 2022.
• Tier one has been designed for staff who need general awareness of the support autistic people or people with a learning disability may need such as administrative and estates roles
• Tier two is for people who may need to provide care and support for autistic people or people with a learning disability, such as frontline health and care staff.

The first part of both tiers is now live and involves staff completing e-learning package that takes about one hour and 30 minutes to complete. Everyone should do this e-learning whatever their role and whichever tier they need to complete.

The e-learning will help staff understand learning disability and autism, as well as methods of communication and reasonable adjustments people may need.

Those needing tier one will then take part in a one hour online interactive session with people who have lived experience of learning disability and autism.

Those needing tier two will then take part in a face-to-face training day that is co-delivered by people with lived experience also.

HEE is now working with partners to finalise the second part of the standardised The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism packages and trainer’s training.

Please access the e learning as soon as possible.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism

Handbook: The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism

E learning for health will register and record that you have completed this so no need to email me

Hello Team Derian,

Help Derian House by becoming a Wish Maker

Derian House has entered a first-of-its-kind partnership with Make A Wish UK to offer our children and young people extraordinary memory-making experiences – and there is an opportunity for you to become one of 10 volunteers to help kick-off the project.

Starting later this year, we will be offering wishes to a number of our children and young people, working alongside the UK arm of the global charity that brings joyful experiences to children diagnosed with a critical condition.

As part of the project, we have been asked to provide 10 volunteers to help children design their wish.

The Derian wishes – which will see children design their unique experiences – will begin in September. But before that, Make a Wish UK has given us a number of places on their magical UK Disney Wish, taking place in June. This special experience, which takes place in an enchanted manor in the Midlands sees families enjoying exclusive character meets, epic Marvel adventures, accessible carnival ride and themed shows (see attached for more details).

BE A WISH MAKER

As a Wish Maker, you will be part of a team of volunteers who will capture wishes for children as part of a wish discovery. You will be involved by meeting children virtually and helping them to unlock their wildest imagination to create their wish story. You will be led by the wish granting and wish referrals team. You will be fully supported and given the relevant tools, training and support for the job. Wish discovery meetings can take from 30 minutes to two hours. It promises to be a very rewarding role.

• 10 volunteers needed
• Currently open only to Derian House staff and volunteers
• Minimum age 18
• Must be available for training on Monday, 13 March from 11.30am to 1pm.
• To apply in the first instance, you can express an interest here: https://forms.office.com/e/F0aFifgMik by this Friday, 3 March (shortlisting will be done on Monday, 6 March)
• Once we have selected the 10 volunteers from Derian House you will be required to complete an application form with Make a Wish UK (you will be a Make a Wish UK volunteer – not Derian House)
• Full training will be given.
• Find out more about the role here: Wish Maker (Derian House) | Make-A-Wish UK Volunteering

I’m sure many of you will want to be part of this exciting new opportunity, and so encourage you to express interest quickly.

Best wishes,

Karen

We’re extremely proud to announce that Derian House has been shortlisted for ‘Student Placement of the Year: Community’ in the Student Nursing Times Awards 2023 

Year on year, we receive excellent feedback from student nurses who are on placements in community settings 

We offer them outstanding support, one-to-one help when they need it, and first-hand experience with children and young people who have complex conditions 

It’s an honour and a privilege to be recognised for the work we do, and we look forward to finding out if we’re the winners at the prestigious awards ceremony on Friday 28th April 

On Monday 20^th February 2023 we are launching our Summer Raffle Campaign, which will give our donors the chance of winning £10,000! The campaign will run for 10 weeks and will close on the 2^nd May 2023, with the draw taking place on the Friday 12^th May 2023.

On 20^th  February 2023,  books of raffle tickets will land on the doorsteps of 15,000 of our donors and it will go live on our website and social media platforms also.

What to do if you receive a raffle ticket enquiry:

During office hours (9-5 Monday – Friday):

–  All Telephone enquiries should be directed to the Fundraising Team. (ideally Sarah Proctor – Ext 263 or 305)

–  If any members of the public walk in to reception to buy a ticket please call a member of the Fundraising Team to attend reception.

Out of office hours evenings and weekends:

– Direct any calls or walk ins to our website – www.derianraffle.co.uk to purchase online/virtual tickets. Alternatively, ask them to call the fundraising team on 01257 271 271 during office hours to request Physical tickets.

Please Note: Raffle Tickets will not be sold in our shops at the present time.

Staff, volunteers and Trustees CANNOT enter the raffle

Unfortunately, all employees, volunteers and trustees of Derian House Children’s Hospice and their immediate families are explicitly excluded from entering the Derian House Raffle.

Please note “immediate families” means spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses regardless of where they live.

On Tuesday 14th February (Valentine’s Day), there’ll be a love-themed t-shirt day for all staff and volunteers to get involved with.

Get out your reds, pinks and heart-patterned clothes for a day to celebrate luuuuuuuuuurve <3

Please remember IPC policies when choosing your outfits.

With a new year comes a new calendar of fundraising events, and we’ve got plenty for you to get involved with in Derian House’s 30th year!

Derian’s Top Dog

It’s time for a W-A-L-K! Take the lead for the month of February and collectively walk 100km with your four-legged friends – all you have to do is raise a minimum of £100 on JustGiving! Your pampered pooch will receive a free bandana so they’re Derian-branded and raring to go!

£50 Business Challenge

Do you know someone who works for a business, or even owns their own? We’re challenging them to take on our famous £50 Challenge, and turn £50 into something much more by whatever means necessary! They could hold a bake sale, or even scale the Three Peaks – the world is their oyster! Who’ll come out on top and take the crown from our current champions, Anwyl Homes?

£50 Junior Challenge

NEW for 2023 is our school equivalent of the Business Challenge – think Dragon’s Den and The Apprentice… what will our schools get up to to raise as much money as they can from £50?

Morecambe Bay Walk

Derian House’s longest-running fundraising event is back and bigger than ever! 300 of our supporters will paint the Bay green on Saturday 27th May as we hike seven miles from Arnside to the picturesque village of Grange-over-Sands. Entry is just £50, or FREE is you raise a minimum of £50 on JustGiving.

Dare for Derian

Go on… we dare you! Due to the popularity of our Dive for Derian fundraiser, we’re tripling the adrenaline with the addition of a bungee jump and an abseil for this summer’s thrilling event. On the weekend of Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd July, take to the skies at Black Knights Parachute Centre, or climb the crane at Bolton Wanderers Football Stadium… Daring supporters must be 14+ for the bungee and abseil, or 16+ for the skydive, with minimum funds needed to be raised to secure your trip to the sky!

Coming soon…

• The Great North Run (Skip the ballot and speak with our Fundraising Team today to secure your FREE place)
• Born Survivor

Visit our website to find out more about each of these events, or pop upstairs in Vinten Place to speak with our Fundraising Team today – https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/events/.

Who wants to start the year off as a winner?!

An exciting competition to ‘Draw it for Derian’ will see one budding artist’s masterpiece emblazoned on the front of a Volvo truck to celebrate 30 years of care at Derian House.

Youngsters up to the age of 16 are asked to submit their birthday-themed art for the challenge, led by truck dealers Thomas Hardie Commercials Ltd, and are encouraged to get as creative as possible.

The winning design will feature a ‘text to donate’ number that will encourage donations while the truck is out on the road or at events. Every customer that uses the vehicle will also be invited to make a voluntary donation.

Thomas Hardie launched their successful ‘Drive it for Derian’ campaign back in 2021, which saw their unmissable Derian-branded truck hit the road and raise over £7,500 for the hospice in the process.

Entries need to be returned by the end of January, and the winner will be chosen on Friday 3rd February. Visit our website below to download the design sheet and get involved… good luck!

https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/draw-it-for-derian…/

We invite you all to wear your Christmas jumper/t-shirt on Friday 9^th December for Derian’s Christmas Jumper Day.

Please remember if you are on the Care Team, or any other team working directly with the children or young people, to maintain IPC and wear a t-shirt rather than a jumper with your work trousers.

We look forward to celebrating Christmas Jumper Day.

Hello,

We’ve been asked a few questions about the party, so ahead of Friday here’s a bit more information…

• The coach will leave Derian at 7:00pm – there are limited seats so if you haven’t already booked a place you will need to organise your own transport to and from the venue. No alcohol is to be consumed on the coach and personal items (coats, umbrellas etc) can be left on the coach, but at your own risk.

• If you are making your own way there, please arrive promptly for a 7:30pm start.

• As you know, the format is a little different to last year and we will be having a 2 course meal instead of a buffet. Your menu choices will be on the reverse of your place card. Please collect your place card from the table next to the arrival drinks and pop it down when you have chosen where to sit.

• It is too late now to add any additional guests, but if you decide last minute that you would like to join in the fun – please arrive after the meal (approx. 9:30pm).

• The return coach will leave at 12:30am and for those staying after this the bar closes at 1am.

Thank you, we hope you have a great night!

AnytimeMenuDH

AutumnMenuWeekTwo

Dear Derian House Colleagues,

As the FIFA World Cup 2022 commences on the 20^th November.

I have been asked for England games to be showing and their first game will be on Monday 21^st November from 1pm in the dining room for viewing through your lunch or break.

Obviously, if any families or CYP have a specific game they wish to watch at Derian then the cinema or other TVs can accommodate these requests, please arrange with Estates or Steve in IT.

Thanks,

David

Hello,

There are just three Friday’s left until our staff Christmas party!

For those who have booked a place on the coach, this will leave Derian House at 7:00pm, please arrive early so that the coach can leave on time.

If you’re organising your own transport, please aim to arrive at Stanley House by 7:30pm. Postcode for sat nav is BB2 7NP.

The return coach journey will leave Stanley House at 12:30am and the journey back to Derian House is approximately 20 minutes.

There will be a free bar at this years’ party (drinks included are single spirits with mixer, glass of wine, pint or bottle of beer,) we hope that you will enjoy this responsibly.

If you have any other questions – please let us know.

Look forward to celebrating with you all J

Hello all,

Please find attached the first week of our new Autumn Menu, which will be beginning on Monday. Please try and let the kitchen staff know what you’d like to order for lunch before 11:00AM.

Also attached is our new Anytime Menu, which is a list of alternatives you’ll be able to order any day you don’t fancy any of the main options.

There’s going to be a suggestion box in Danni’s Diner from Monday, so you can let us know how the new menu is going.

Thank you, and I look forward to hearing your feedback on our new menus!

Warm Regards,

The Catering Team

– AnytimeMenuDH

– AutumnMenuWeekOne

– Monday14thDailymenu

HO HO HO, it’s fast approaching silly season and I have received numerous requests, once again, for our yearly £5 Secret Santa gifting.

If you would like to join in, with spreading Christmas cheer and gifting a fellow colleague, please email me and I will pop you on the list.

I will inform you of who you are buying your gift for on Friday 2nd December, happy shopping…

Please return your gift to me by Friday 16th December than the mischievous little elf can deliver your luxury gift.

Please would you all kindly spread the word.

Kind regards,
Tina Thorpe-Knowles

On Wednesday 9^th November our representative from Mattioli Woods (Pension provider) will be onsite to do a pension clinic.

This will be by appointment only in the Vinten Place meeting Room.

If you currently have a Standard Life pension and would like an appointment please email me and I will allocate you a 30 minute slot. I have times available between 9.00am and 2.00pm.

Kind regards,

Ben Leavesley

Hi All,

I know you will all be aware that the selection day for our new Chief Executive took place on Friday and I am sure you are all wanting to know the outcome.

I can confirm that we have offered the post to one of the candidates but at the moment we are not able to make an announcement as we are in the process of undertaking pre-employment checks – yes they apply to Chief Execs too!!!

I am hoping that we will be able to make an announcement next week, but we will let you know as soon as we can.

Can I also thank all those of you who were directly involved in the process – your input was invaluable in helping the panel to make a decision.

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” 

Join the Derian Voices from Wednesday 26^th October and enjoy mince pies and hot chocolate after choir practice.

We’re looking for new members to join the Derian Voices to perform at this year’s Lights of Love concert.

The musical celebration will be held at the beautiful Blackburn Cathedral on the evening of Friday 2^nd December and the performances from the Derian Voices Choir are what make the night even more special.

What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by singing carols on your lunch break each Wednesday throughout November.

All singing abilities are welcome and you may find that you have so much fun that you’d like to remain a member of the choir all year round.

For more information, please speak to Gill.

I am pleased to confirm that we have seen a significant reduction in COVID cases over the past week therefore are reducing COVID restrictions.

With immediate effect –

• You will no longer be required to wear masks (unless you are testing negative, showing mild symptoms or feel a little unwell but fit for work).
• There are no longer any restrictions in the dining room.

We are however still asking all staff to –

• Please maintain handwashing
• Please ensure that if you show any symptoms you do a lateral flow test (always perform tests at home, do not come into the Hospice and then do a test). Tests are available from HR if you do not have any at home already.

Thank you for your support and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.

Regards,

Ben (Head of People and Culture)

Following this Month’s SMT meeting, please find updates from it for your attention:

• COVID cases are on the rise and we have reintroduced a number of COVID restrictions. This will be updated on a weekly basis.
• Please ensure that all visitors and family members have lanyards to identify them (blue for family members and red for contractors and guests). These are available at reception and should be issued as standard when your visitors sign in but it is YOUR responsibility to check and make sure they have the appropriate lanyard.
• There will be Fire Marshal training held on the 16th and 17th November and we are particularly looking to increase our number of office based Care Team staff who hold this qualification.
• Following staff feedback about needing more vehicles, a fleet review has begun. We will have a new fleet of eco-friendly cars in the new year.
• We are changing the way we print letters. Instead of printing onto letterhead paper, we will use a template letterhead (which will save 8p per copy). Details of when this will transition over will follow shortly.
• CEO interviews are taking place on the 21st October and you have an opportunity to be involved! Please keep an eye out for communications from HR about how to take part.
• The Big House Giveaway total has hit an incredible £460,873!
• Derian House is doing its first-ever TV advert which will be aired before Christmas and will tell Holly’s story.
• New hoodies are available in reception including pink, grey and black children’s hoodies.

Now that we’ve added some new faces to our ever-expanding team at Derian House, let’s hear about who they are and what they’ll be getting up to here at Lancashire and South Cumbria’s children’s hospice!

Amy Collier – Assistant Shop Manager, Accrington

Although she’s actually been with us since the month of May, we didn’t want to stick Amy on the Intranet all by herself – so here’s a brief introduction to our Accrington shop’s assistant manager.

Bristol born-and-bred, Amy has worked in retail all her life, and joined us after an incredible 18-year stretch at Next where she specialised in window dressing. After relocating ‘up North’, Amy wanted to explore the charity retail sector and even began applying for a voluntary role in our Horwich store before seeing that we were opening up a shop in Accrington.

Amy has already put her skills to great use, and has taken ownership of our retail Instagram account, as well as decorating shop windows and helping to prepare for our Charity Shop Lock-In events.

When she’s not at work, Amy absolutely loves vintage shopping, exploring flea markets and charity shops, and participating in hotpod yoga! She’s also an identical twin!

Lauren Prochyra – Youth Worker

Lauren is the latest addition to our Wellbeing & Play Team, and has joined us from Barnardo’s children’s charity. Lauren has previously enjoyed working in the charity sector, and wanted to join the team at Derian House as she’d heard brilliant things!

Our new Youth Worker already has a great deal of experience working with children and young people in need of support, and permanently working from home throughout the pandemic and beyond limited Lauren and made her realise she wanted to be more hands-on in her work.

Throughout her first few weeks here at the hospice, Lauren has enjoyed getting to know our youngsters and already feels like a valued part of the team. Her induction process has seen her work with and get to know different teams, as well as plenty of trips out with our Lodgers!

Outside of work, Lauren loves walking her Doberman, Lola, and even used to have a pet donkey called Tilly!

Linda Pennington – Clinical Support Worker

The first of our two new Clinical Support Workers is lovely Linda, who joins Derian House after a varied career as a nursery nurse and community-based health care support worker.

Despite being passionate about her previous job role, COVID restrictions changed things, and Linda wanted to experience the memory-making side of health care.

16 years ago, Linda’s niece Abbie passed away at Francis House, and ever since then she’d thought about working in palliative care – never thinking that dream would become a reality. Now that her kids are older (26, 23, and 22, to be precise), Linda knew that she wanted to go in this direction and provide support to families who access our services.

When she’s not on shift, family-orientated Linda goes to watch her son play guitar in his band, and her daughters do competitive running. She also enjoys walking, socialising, and spending time with her Mum.

How’s this for a fun fact – Linda has hand-delivered over 1,000 baby lambs during her previous tenure as a farmer’s wife!

Edwina Green – Family Support Worker

Edwina started at the hospice earlier this month in the role of Family Support Worker. After five years working for child bereavement charities nationwide, she saw the job role at Derian as an exciting new opportunity to expand on what she’s done previously.

The new addition to the Family Support Team is both excited and nervous at the prospect of working with families pre-bereavement, however her varied experience in a number of job roles across the country will definitely play up to her advantage.

More than ready to get ‘stuck in’, Edwina is mostly looking forward to being heavily involved in our sibling service, and meeting families from a range of backgrounds. Relationship building was a large factor in why she wanted the job at Derian House, and she’s enthusiastic about helping to provide a totally bespoke and unique service to our families.

When she’s not helping families, Edwina is a huge fan of gardening (even if she does make it up as she goes along!), and is also prone to a spot of lindy hop dancing!

Edwina recently got engaged, and when she’s married next year… will officially be a Bond girl!

Chantal Porter – Clinical Support Worker

Also a newbie in our squad of Clinical Support Workers is Chantal. For the past three years, she’s worked on the pediatric ward at Royal Preston Hospital as a health care assistant.

Growing up in Astley Village alongside Ian Haydock’s daughter Lesley (Ian was the brother of Derek, their names of which were combined to create ‘Derian’), Chantal has always been aware of the hospice, and always wondered what it would be like to work here.

After getting the clinical skills required to work at the hospital, Chantal then made a career leap and started with us here as she desired a working environment that was family-orientated with a focus on children and young people.

Chantal is also no stranger to the fundraising side of things – just last year, she dived 15,000ft out of a plane as part of the inaugural Dive for Derian campaign, raising £1,000 for us in the process.

When she’s not in her scrubs, Chantal is in her hiking gear and up in the Lakes boxing off the Wainwrights!

Vicky Cadley – Derian at Home Team Leader

Last in our line-up is Vicky, Derian at Home’s brand new Team Leader, who’s not long returned from four years working in the United Arab Emirates as a Nurse Manager.

A local lass, Vicky had always known about the work that Derian does due to her previous role at Manchester Children’s Hospital, and her managerial experience out in Dubai has set her up nicely for her new role here at the hospice as part of our community team.

She’s mostly looking forward to getting out in the community, building relationships with our families and helping to fulfil their needs and wishes, and working as part of a wider team to continue improving the bespoke service that we provide.

Vicky is extremely close to her family and friends, and when she’s not working, is prone to a spot of yoga, meditation, and reading. She’s also recently started a hypnotherapy course to further her interest in counselling.

Good morning all,

It’s just one more sleep until Derian Day, our special day of the year where our supporters from across Lancashire and South Cumbria go big and go green in their own unique way to celebrate Derian House’s birthday!

Don’t forget to wear green tomorrow (Friday 7^th October) – fundraising t-shirts for all are available in Vinten Place if you want to come up and grab one – and celebrate with us throughout the day.

Our annual newsletter, Danni’s Diary is out now! You can pick up your copy at reception, or from around the hospice (can you spot yourself?)

We will be posting out copies to 40,000 donors on Friday, along with our Christmas catalogue.

If you would like any copies to hand out then please come over to Vinten Place store room where we have a big stash.

If you want to send to anybody in your professional networks then it’s online as a flipbook here: https://www.derianhouse.co.uk/derian-publications/

The kind people at Barrett Corp Harrington have generously donated a Christmas party for up to 50 people for staff at Derian House – organised by our Vice Chair of the Trustees, Matt Cowburn.

Places are being given on a first come, first served basis – so if you want to come then please let Caroline Taylor know by email ASAP – (caroline.taylor@derianhouse.co.uk).

The details:

15^th December – 6pm to 12.30pm

Holiday Inn Manchester City Centre

25 Aytoun Street

Manchester

M1 3AE

(it’s over the road from Piccadilly station so perfect for the train)

• Welcome cocktail on arrival
• Festive street food
• Two drinks tokens per person
• LED dancefloor
• Professional DJ
• Heated canal-side terrace

It’s an absolutely brilliant space.

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” 

Join the Derian Voices from Wednesday 26^th October and enjoy mince pies and hot chocolate after choir practice.

We’re looking for new members to join the Derian Voices to perform at this year’s Lights of Love concert.

The musical celebration will be held at the beautiful Blackburn Cathedral on the evening of Friday 2^nd December and the performances from the Derian Voices Choir are what make the night even more special.

What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by singing carols on your lunch break each Wednesday throughout November.

All singing abilities are welcome and you may find that you have so much fun that you’d like to remain a member of the choir all year round.

For more information, please speak to Gill.

We’re inviting fashion fanatics and charity shop lovers everywhere to our latest charity shop lock-in event at Derian House’s Blackburn store on Thursday 29th September.

If you enjoy a bargain, we’d love you to join us for an evening filled with vintage pieces, pre-loved designer brands and homeware goods. Plus:

– Food and fizz
– Goodie bags
– Charity shop challenges
– Live music from Emma-Rae
– Give your unwanted clothes a second life by bringing along donations

Tickets are free, but you MUST book to be added to our guest list. We can’t wait to fill our shop floor with fashionistas for a night to remember!

For tickets and info, please email gillian.rabbett@derianhouse.co.uk.

It’s that time of the year once again! Flu jabs will be being administrated by Siobhan and Hayleigh next week. There will be an update on which day and location, and anyone can just turn up.

Good morning everyone,

We are pleased to open entries for this year’s Julie Atherton Professional Development Grant.

Based on the success and positive feedback received last year we have decided to keep funding applications open to ALL staff.

Further details are on the attached poster so please have a read through, consider how you can develop and think big! The deadline for applications are Friday 30^th September and please send completed applications to either Lynn Grayson or myself.

To ensure fairness in the shortlisting process we will take into account whether or not you had an accepted proposal in previous years.

Good luck and don’t be shy to ask any questions.

Kind regards,

Ben Leavesley

We’re going back to the 80’s for our next Derian House dress-up day!

Dig out your Top Gun costume and get those flares on for a celebration day to remember on Tuesday 27th September.

Please adhere to IPC policies when choosing your costumes.

Good afternoon everyone,

I have the pleasure in announcing that the Department of Health and Social Care have paused the lateral flow testing program.

This means that the test you did and submitted yesterday was your last lateral flow test.

We would ask however, if you’re symptomatic please use one of the tests you have at home.

This does not change any restrictions on mask wearing therefore the same still applies;

• Mask wearing is only required if you’re involved in the direct care of a child or if you feel slightly unwell but fit to work.

We will continue to follow guidance from the Department of Health Social Care and at this stage testing is paused due to falling COVID-19 prevalence nationally. If Covid cases rise guidance may change and we will update in that instance.

Thank you to everyone for your patience and participation in the testing over the past (almost) two years!

Kind Regards,

Ben

Afternoon everyone,

As you may already be aware, the Great Big House Giveaway is coming to an end after a year.

Kingwood Homes are throwing a grand ball at Hoghton Tower on Saturday, September 17 where the lucky winner will be announced.

We have four tickets available for members of staff to attend the ball – would you like to come?

It will be a really fun night – the ball is a black tie event and fairground-themed. There will be a helter-skelter, hook a duck, strongman, comedian Justin Moorhouse and music from live band the Souljets.

If you’d like to attend then please drop me an email by next Wednesday (31 August) at the latest and I will pull names out of a hat if needed.

Thanks

Caroline

At 12:00 on Wednesday 7th September, in the Lodge Conference Room, Derian Voices will start rehearsing this Christmas favourite, and more, for the Lights of Love service on Friday 2nd December. 

For new staff and volunteers who may not know of Derian Voices – it is a choir of staff and volunteers formed primarily to sing each year at the Lights of Love service.  

Numbers are very depleted post Covid and unless a few more willing souls join us, performing at the Blackburn Cathedral service may not be possible.

We would love to have you back if you have been involved in previous years and look forward to giving a warm welcome to any new faces.  

Practices are each Wednesday lunchtime, between  12:00 and 1:00.  It is appreciated that staff shift patterns may  mean you can’t attend every week,  come when you can. 

For those who cry, ‘I can’t sing’ , ‘I can’t read music’ you may be pleasantly surprised, and the ability to read music is a bonus not a necessity! 

Please join us. 

Eileen Murray obo Derian Voices

Hello everyone,

Due to a recent security breach at the hospice, in which a member of staff had their email hacked, we will be taking extra precautions to strengthen our I.T. security measures.

All staff and volunteers with a Derian email address will be required to sign into their email using two-factor authentication. This means that you will need to input your mobile phone number and will be sent a code to verify your identity. You will only need to do this once, not every time you sign into emails (and also when you sign in from a different device).

Steve from I.T. will support staff in this process and will be in touch with team leaders to schedule in each team.

The process is simple and will make things much safer for Derian and all of us.

If you have any questions, please log with I.T helpdesk or speak to Steve Carr.

Good morning everyone,

After reviewing the COVID absence cases in the Hospice over the past few weeks and the reduction of COVID in the region we have removed all COVID restrictions apart from the below;

• Mask wearing is only required if you’re involved in the direct care of a child or if you feel slightly unwell but fit to work.
• The only visitor testing now required is if the visitor is involved in direct patient care.

No other restrictions are in force at this time.

A thank you to all for the increased participation in the lateral flow testing and reporting. In line with government requirements the bi weekly lateral flow testing is still required and will be in place until we hear otherwise from the Department of Health.

As we continue with our development of the Retail Estate to ensure we are Fit for the Future, we have an exciting vacancy which is currently open only to internal candidates.

We are strongly encouraging all suitable candidates to apply to help us to support our vision on Retail for the future.

Blackburn Store Manager

£21,389.08 – £25,163.95

If you require any further information or job descriptions then please speak to Andrew or Helen.

Expressions of interest to be sent to recruitment@derianhouse.co.uk by 26th August 2022.

“It has been an absolute privilege to lead Derian House and taking Derian from CQC ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Outstanding’ in just two years has, and always will be, our biggest achievement. It could only have been possible with the teamwork of our amazing staff and volunteers.”

Today we announce that our Chief Executive, David Robinson, will be retiring from the charity at the end of December, after almost five years of service.

Under David’s leadership, Derian House Children’s Hospice has made huge strides, improving palliative and end of life care for children and young people across Lancashire, South Cumbria and Greater Manchester.

During his five years at the helm, the charity has achieved an Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – the highest rating possible – and built strong staff culture and values.

David led a £1.7million transformation of the hospice building and its gardens and introduced a new Derian on Holiday service so families could enjoy a free holiday every year to make precious memories.

In 2019, Derian House won Charity of the Year in the national JustGiving Awards, and David travelled to Westminster alongside Lynn Grayson, Director of Clinical Services, to lobby MPs for fairer funding for children’s hospices.

David is now looking forward to taking some well-deserved time to pursue his passion for travel before considering non-executive opportunities to use his wide range of leadership skills in the future.

David, 57, said: “It has been an absolute privilege to lead Derian House and taking Derian from CQC ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Outstanding’ in just two years has, and always will be, our biggest achievement. It could only have been possible with the teamwork of our amazing staff and volunteers.

“I am incredibly proud of the strides we have made in ensuring Derian is embedded in the local health economy and recognised as a key provider in children’s and young people’s palliative and end of life care across the region and by NHS England nationally.

“Working alongside the staff and volunteers at Derian House has been an absolute honour and I will always look back on my time at the charity fondly.”

Over the coming months, David will work alongside colleagues and the hospice’s Board of Trustees to help recruit a new CEO.

Karen Swindley, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Derian House Children’s Hospice, thanked David for his dedication, passion and enthusiasm.

She said: “I would like to put on record my sincere thanks and appreciation to David for his hard work and commitment to Derian House over the last five years.

“During his tenure we have moved mountains, improving palliative and end of life care for children and young people from across our region significantly.

“David’s dedication and drive has made a real difference to local families at their very darkest times, ensuring they receive outstanding care when coping with the death of a child.

“On behalf of all of Derian’s staff, volunteers and trustees I would like to wish David all the best for his future endeavours – he will be truly missed.

“The Board is now committed to recruiting an individual who will continue to deliver our ambitious strategy to be the leading light in children’s hospice care.”

Dear Derian House Colleagues,

I am delighted to let you know that Gareth our Derian Gardener and his team of volunteers achieved a GOLD Award at this year’s Chorley Flower Show.

It is a great achievement and the Derian garden at the show, based on The Teeny Tiny Plumber story looked absolutely amazing.

I am sure you will join the senior team and myself in congratulating our gardening team when you see them around the hospice.

Thanks,

David