Making Friends

During the second visit to St. Christopher’s hospice, we met the patients for the first time which was quite exciting as we didn’t really know what to expect from them and I didn’t really know how I would react around them. As we got into a circle and started to talk you could see that a few of them had quite positive and humorous personalities and then there were some that were a little bit afraid, which seemed to make me put in a little bit more effort to try and feel comfortable and make them feel that way as well. Once they had chosen which workshop to work on I found it hard to keep them all busy at the same time as there were seven of them and one of me. I had to keep on trying to move round the table to help as much as I could. I was also trying to start conversations and get to know them and ask stories of their childhoods, which they didn’t seem to mind talking about. There was one guy that was quite bubbly but had a problem with his breathing and seemed quite uncomfortable which made me want to ask him questions about his illness but I didn’t have the right thing to ask as I don’t really know what I wanted to know but he seemed interesting. I've also realised that you have to approach them all on different levels as they don't take everything the way you do. This makes it harder to try and talk to the whole group at once. I enjoyed the day alot and look forward to going back next week.

St Christopher’s – The first meeting

It has to be said, I was pretty nervous about the first workshop at St. Christopher’s. I’m always the type of person who worries about what others may think of me. Would the residents take kindly to our workshop? Would they cooperate? Would the question of how they would like to be remembered bring a negative vibe to the whole day?
Part of that whole nervous feeling was washed away when I walked through the doors of the hospice and was greeted by kind and happy volunteers offering refreshments and also seeing other residents happily chatting away to others with smiling faces. We had a small briefing over what would happing during the next few hours and we all had our own discussions about how we would like to be remembered. We answered quite awkwardly as we all seemed to think that it would be rather strange to talk about the good qualities we would like to be remembered for without seeming to have a rather large ego! Though through the next half an hour and much discussion, we managed to go around the circle and each make a comment about how we would each hope to be remembered for.
When we had finished, we picked up our trays of sewing and knitting equipment and headed to the pavilion. We set up our own little work stations and sat down ready to welcome those who walked through the door. After waiting a few minutes, we began to have many people walking through the door, more than we expected to have! We made a small circle and we began to explain to everyone what we hoped to achieve over the next few weeks, and got into the conversation of how everyone would like to be remembered while introducing themselves. There were so many heartfelt answers, as well as a few humorous ones! It was lovely to see all the new comers warming to our ideas. We also had a conversation about their opinions and experiences of knitting and sewing.
After this everyone split up and went to the different stations to either do cross stitch, knitting or appliquet. I was on the cross stitch table with Dylan and Ebony, and we had two ladies come to work with us, Kim and Mary. They both seemed to be very enthusiastic and we all really enjoyed working with them. We had chats with them about all sorts, such as what were their experiences of cross stitch and they asked us all about what we do at the BRIT School. They both did extremely well once they got into what they were doing and fully understood how to start their stitching. We were all really happy with how it went.
Once the workshop had finish, it seemed we all really thought that it went extremely well for our first day. We liked how friendly everyone was and how well we all got on. I have to say I am really looking forwards to the next few weeks working with them!

My first workshop

After we had all met in the canteen for the morning briefing on what to expect from the workshop, we were asked a question that shook most of us, "How would you like to be remembered". I had no idea, nothing came to mind. I've spent most of my life in school and collage, i haven't done anything worth being remembered for. Strangely, everyone else had no idea what they would want to be remembered for at first. Even the question brought a strange atmosphere over the group as everyone tried to think about things that they have done that were worth merit. After a few minutes people began to think about things that they do for friends or have done for others that they would like to be remembered for. We were ready to walk down to the cabin where we would hold our workshop.

As the first people started to walk in and take their seats we asked the question, "what would you like to be remembered for?". People began to answer and i soon realised how each of these people were all completely different, how they were all characters in their own right.

One reply to the question that made me really think about life was, " I just want to be remembered.". That really hit me because it was so honest and there was nothing more to that answer than that, a man who was approaching the end of his life and just wanted to be remembered, it was kind of a beautiful melancholy.

We then started the workshops. Two women approached our station, Kim and Mary. Soon after starting to teach them how to cross stitch I realised that these two people, polar opposites one shy and one very outspoken we so different to anyone i knew. They had so many years of life under their belts and it had obviously shaped who they were for the better.

In conclusion, I came to the hospice thinking that I would meet a group of people stuck in their ways and reluctant to take part in any workshops. I left thinking how amazing each and every one of these people were.

Workshop Number 1

To be totally honest, as I walked into the hospice I was rather nervous. Would the patients like me? How would they be feeling? Would they even be physically up to it? Would the patients just find us annoying students coming to patronise them? We were warned beforehand after all that some of the patients had other engagements like physio and they may be less than enthusiastic, but I couldn't allow that to dampen my spirits.

I felt very uncomfortable just laying out the tables- I never know what I'm supposed to do unless I've been given specific instructions and I was afrain people would get mad at me for standing there and not helping as I stood there confused. As the patients piled in, I panicked. I didn't realise there would be so many. How were we going to make a doll for each of them and run the workshop between us? The room was very crowded and noisy; by this point I was struggling, and yelped loudly when someone tapped me on the shoulder which was very embarrassing. When we were asked to introduce ourselves, I was overlooked- perhaps that was for the best?

When the patients started picking their stations, it was consolation that even they were a little apprehensive about approaching a table. We worked with Mary and Kim. Mary had more experience as a machine sewer, so we could spend more time just getting to know her. Kim, however, was more withdrawn and appeared to be getting very frustrated. She told us she used to cross stitch quite frequently, but began to feel like she couldn't do it anymore when she got it. I suppose it's even more annoying when you know you are/were capable of doing something and you're still finding it hard.

I threaded and knottted a needle for her and helped her pick a pattern. At this point I was twitching periodically from nerves, but Dylan did everything he could to keep me calm. I was unable to recognise when Kim was having difficulty, so Dylan would again assis by pointing out when I should and shouldn't step in. I drew onto the Binka/Aida for Kim in a brightlt colored pen; first we only did large, spaced out stitches. As she felt more comfortable we gradually progressed to stitches meeting eachother and decreasing in size. Then we picked a heart pattern and had a joke about the fact we both were having difficulties reading the grid and looking at the fabric- Kim because of her need for glasses and myself because of my VPD ^^;

Kim seemed really happy once she was making progress and would not stop until she was finished. I'm glad she went away with a sense of achievement and I'm glad they both found the look of determination on my face as I struggled to draw the patterns amusing. It was nerve-wracking, but worthwhile.

The First Visit

Before meeting the patients of St. Christopher’s Hospice, I was extreamly nervous as I sometimes feel that my communication skills aren’t that great. We talked about how we would like to be rememberd within our group before meeting everyone . We found it hard to be positive about ourselfs and give ourselfs compliments. When we discussed the concept of ‘How I’d like to be rememberd’ with the patients, the responce was incredible. We had a very large group which I think none of us expected. Everyone gave such heart felt answers that were inspiring to listen to. This brief talk really gave us a look into what the patients are like and their personalitys.
I really like how much character everyone in the group has. There is a lot of laughter and its a great atmostphere. I worked on knitting with Issi and Ellis and we had many people taking part with us in finger knitting etc. Talking to the patients was really moving, I think I find this project very touching as my Opa recently passed away from battling cancer for a year and I never really got to know him.
I really can’t wait to get into this project even more, making the plush dolls with the patients and I think not only us students, but everyone we work with, is going to find it really great fun. I just wan’t to go back already!

Meeting Joe

For our second visit to St Christopher’s Hospice we had been working on craft workshops to be done with the patients. Once again I was feeling really anxious and nervous before our visit especially as on this visit we would be meeting the patients.
When the patients first came into the pavilion we started off with a group conversation on the theme “how I’d like to be remembered”. I found this really helpful as we got to see a first glimpse of each of the patients and their personalities. We then started our workshops; I was on the knitting team. The patient that I was working with was Joe. He was really friendly and nice to talk to. I learnt that he has a huge family, five children and eight grandchildren. I learnt that when he was younger he used to play the drums but stopped so that he could spend more time with his family. I think this could transform into a really great plush doll of Joe; sitting in a wheelchair playing his drums.
Unfortunately I had to leave the first workshop day early as I had an exam. I am looking forewords to our future workshops and to getting to know more of the patients at St Christopher’s hospice.

St Christopher’s Workshop No. 1

The workshop at St Christopher’s went so well! We spent the day before preparing for it, making samples and deciding just what we wanted to do and making sure we had everything we needed. However, we had no idea how many people would actually turn up on the day, so when we had a room full of people at the start of the workshop it was a pleasant surprise. Everyone was really responsive, and most seemed to genuinely be looking forward to the project. Before we got down to making, we had a discussion all together about the theme of ‘How I’d Like To Be Remembered’, asking each member of the group to answer the question. The replies varied from sweet and sombre to just plain funny, but all were moving, despite the question asking a lot of those answering it. When we started the craft workshops, everybody was interested; the men who were there had little experience using the techniques we presented them with, but all were prepared to try. The atmosphere was so positive, everyone was getting on with making, having a chat and telling their stories. And it wasn’t just us doing the teaching – some of the people from the hospice taught us a well. One man was showing me how to double the strength of any string or rope by looping it repeatedly, so if I need to tie up a boat in the future, I’ll know how thanks to Carlton!

I think everyone felt nervous before this first workshop, not so much because of where we’re working, but more because most of us haven’t got much experience with this kind of project. Now, though, I think we’re much more confident in our ability to produce good work in collaboration with St. Christopher’s, and I’m definitely looking forward to going back next Tuesday.

Hospice No. 1

Today we visited St Christopher’s for the first time, taking a tour around the building and grounds with the community artist we’ll be working with. Although I knew that the ethos of the hospice was positive, and that the atmosphere would reflect this, I didn’t expect the quiet, white space that we walked through. The rooms and corridors exuded calm, lit brightly and relatively empty. The gardens and grounds were vigorously green, soaking up the sun and obviously well cared for. Being shown around the hospice, I realised how important it is for the people there to be active and creative, both independently and as a community, and the hospice serves as a major outlet for this. There is art everywhere around the building, all of it made through the art schemes run by the hospice. When we arrived at the art pavilion, we spoke to another of the community artists and saw some of the works in progress. Meeting some of the staff, I can see how much their work means to them, providing a means of interaction both with patients and community groups around the area. Having visited the hospice, I feel uplifted and excited about the project - can't wait for the first workshop!

Returning to the Hospice

Although I've worked with patients at St Christopher's beofre. I was still a little apprehensive about visiting again. Not because of a dislike for the place- actually, I may be one of the few people who seems to have no issue with the concept of death. I worry more about my own inadequacy, because I really want to do my best to enrich these patients' lives. The building was quite open plan, but it was still busy and noisy, which made it hard to concentrate, but I hope to listen to whoever I'm working with to the best of my ability. I guess one of the plus points of this kind of community project is the personal involvement with the patient (which could be considered a client in a way). The relationships I build with them will directly affect the final outcome and whether or not the project is a success, in both achieving my assessment criteria and livening up some really nice peoples' final years, months or days.

My emotions

During my first visit to St. Christopher’s Hospice, I found that the hospice itself was nothing like what I had prepared myself for. After years of watching soap operas on T.V in which the tragic older cast member slowly fades away in a white haled, depressing, clinical hospice I had told myself to expect the worst. However, upon arriving an hour earlier than the rest of my class, I soon found i was very, very mistaken.

I wandered somewhat gingerly into the main reception area and was quickly greeted by a very perky receptionist asking how I was?! This was nothing close to the bleak resting place for the terminally ill I had seen on the telly, this place was far more like a hotel. I muttered that I was here for the BRIT art course with the patients and was told that I was early.

I then proceeded back to Sydenham station, had a coffee and an English breakfast and pondered over whether the lovely receptionist was a front for a sad building...

An hour quickly passed and I soon found myself being escorted around the grounds of the hospice. I was shocked; we passed through a music therapy room with electric guitars, recording equipment and a drum set. We the proceeded upstairs to the first wing on off the patient’s floor. Musing to myself of a very elderly group of musicians rocking out in music therapy, I was greeted to a cold reminder of what this place really was beyond the music therapy and the beautiful grounds (even the gym where the patients do Pilates) by the tour guide saying, ”oh and down the stairs is the morgue”.

The rest of the tour after that sentence consisted of a lot of mixed feelings for me. Seeing the beauty of the building and the grounds, imagining how nice it must be to be able live out your last days in this resting place brought a lot of peace to me as my aunt had recently died in a hospice and knowing that she received this level of care brought a smile to my face.

I can safely say that I’m looking forward to meeting and interacting with the patients.