About the Beacon of Hope
What we do
Founded in 2000 the charity was formed to bridge the gap in support for people coming to terms with the devastating news of a terminal illness. We are there to help from the moment of diagnosis – a first stop shop if you like where people can get immediate help. We help people with all kinds of illnesses including– cancer, heart disease, chronic lung disease, kidney problems, Parkinsons, CJD, multiple sclerosis etc.
We provide the following services, all of which are free to all our clients:- Hospice at Home
- Sitting Service
- Cysurfan – immediate comfort and support
Hospice at Home
We have found that, given the choice, the majority of people would prefer to stay at home throughout their illness, comforted by familiar faces and surroundings. At the Beacon Of Hope we have a team of specialist nurses throughout the county who will provide care in the home. The care is of the highest possible standard and delivered along with GP’s and District Nurses.
How can the service be accessed?
The GP, District Nurse or other health care professionals refer to us, or we welcome calls from prospective clients or their families. Our Nurse Manager is Carys Stevens 01970 612454.
Sitting Service
Our volunteer sitters relieve carers for a few hours, either regularly or on an occasional basis, allowing carers to have a much needed break to go shopping, meet friends, keep appointments – indeed providing a little of the ‘space’ we all need.
- Available to families in Ceredigion to give respite to their carers
- A sitter takes the place of the family/carer for a break
- The sitters are trained volunteers
- Support is provided by the Beacon of Hope for both the family and the sitters
How is the service organised?
- One of the Sitting Service team will visit you when you request the service
- The visit will include questions concerning your needs and checking on the home situation
- A second visit gives the clients the opportunity to meet the prospective Volunteer
- The actual times and the amount of input by the sitter will be decided during the home visit
Cysurfan
Our team of caseworkers provide immediate emotional and practical support. We know that when someone is worried it is difficult to know where to turn when forms need filling and bills need paying. Our caseworkers can provide:
- Information
- Help with Benefits Applications
- Help with Appeals
- Help with Tribunals
- We also apply to benevolent organisations to supplement income or obtain grants to enable people to live the best quality of life in the time they have left. Examples of this include, holiday breaks, renovations, repairs, utility bill payments and purchase of specific goods.
How can the service be accessed
People who suffer from a terminally or life-limiting illness (or members of their family or carer) can get this kind of help by telephoning the caseworkers:
Dilys Severs, Gabriella Walsh or Frances Foley in our Aberystwyth office 01970 615593
Gwynneth Shires, Lisa Bray or Jen Jones in our Cardigan office 01239 614989
Victoria Bamford at our Machynlleth outreach desk in the CAMAD building on Wednesdays 11-4 01654 700071
Who can get a service from Beacon of Hope?
People with a life-limiting illness living at home in Ceredigion
Life-limiting illness usually means where someone is receiving palliative care of some sort, i.e. there is no curative treatment for their disease or condition.
How can the service be accessed?
If you live to the north of a line between Aberaeron and Lampeter access this service by telephoning Ruth in our Aberystwyth office 01970 617042, or if you live south of this dividing line ring Gwynneth in our Cardigan office 01239 614989 or for those living in the Machynlleth area phone Victoria on 01654 700071 (Wednesday 11-4)
Dana Edwards
Development Officer
Dana Edwards is the charity's Development Officer.
Dana looks after the PR side of the charity and is usually the one to visit groups to give talks about our work. The other aspect of her job is local fundraising. Dana is happy to help anyone wanting support with fundraising - supplying sponsor forms, creating posters or tickets and really any other support required.
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