A group of dedicated staff from Weldmar Hospicecare were delighted to discover they had been invited to Buckingham Palace, to meet King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The King, who has been Patron of Weldmar Hospicecare since 1994, held the reception to honour those who work in community care for people with cancer (although Weldmar’s care extends to a number of other life limiting illnesses). 83% of all care provided by Weldmar is community based. The new Specialist Hospice at Home Service, launched in April, has hubs in the West, South, and North of the county, providing specialist care and support in patients’ own homes.
The King shared a personal message with all those who attended, speaking of his own cancer diagnosis and the “daunting and at times frightening experience” for those who are affected.
There were also a number of guests who have personal experience of cancer, such as Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden, actor Richard E. Grant, and Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts.
Director of Clinical Services, Caroline Sweetland, was joined by representatives from the three local hubs of Weldmar’s new specialist Hospice at Home Service, and Clinical Administration team, and were one of a handful of hospice charities to be represented.
“We were first to arrive,” explains Caroline, “and were ushered through to the ballroom, where Lorraine Kelly’s Change and Check choir were about to perform. The King and Queen came in, and spoke to the choir, and then came to talk to all of the guests. I invited him to visit our Inpatient Unit again soon, and he promised he would get that arranged. And, his written message was heartfelt and genuine.
“It was an honour to do something to represent not only Weldmar, but hospices from across the UK who play such a key role in their local communities. It was also inspiring to see people who had their own stories, talking openly about them, as well as being particularly special for me, coming in my fortieth year of nursing. It really was very special.”
Director of Clinical Services, Caroline Sweetland, shaking hands with King Charles III
Caroline King, Health Care Assistant with Weldmar’s North Dorset Specialist Hospice at Home hub, says: “I am still buzzing! I feel immensely honoured to have had the chance to represent Weldmar. The event was overwhelming, humbling, and such a inspiration to be amongst such wonderful people. We were lucky enough to have conversations with Amy Dowden, Dilly, Emma Willis and Adele Roberts. Our chat with Adele was a true highlight, as not only did she refer to us as the ‘Sugababes’, but she shared her personal story about how people like us, in hospice community care, looked after her mum. She was so thankful, and became emotional so I offered her a hug, which she accepted and said “I can see why you do your job”.
The Team outside Buckingham Palace
The King also said in his message to guests that, “What strikes us repeatedly is the profound impact of human connection – whether in the careful explanation from a specialist nurse, the hand held by a hospice volunteer, or the shared experience of a support group. These moments of kinship create what I might call a ‘community of care’, one that sustains patients through the most difficult of times.”
Karen Arnold, Specialist Hospice at Home Administrator, says: “It was a marvellous experience. As we arrived early we were lucky to be able to position ourselves at the front of the throng to enjoy the uplifting voices of Change and Check choir and we very quickly started to spot well known personalities who were as excited as us to see and be greeted by the King and Queen. In our conversation with the King he acknowledged he is looking forward to visiting us in the future. We joked that ‘Del Boy’ had not been let loose with the chandeliers, and I likened ascending the palatial stairs to being Cinderella. There are too many ‘pinch me’ moments to list, but entering the palace with it grand opulence and being introduce to the King and Queen will be a treasured memory.”
Caroline, Caroline, and Karen were joined by Community Nurse Emma Randall, and Weldmar Community Nurse Specialist Cathy Stone, from the Specialist Hospice at Home Service hubs in the north and south of Dorset respectively. Cathy says: “I felt so honoured, and very lucky, to have been nominated to attend this event to represent the new Specialist Hospice at Home Service, and in turn to be an ambassador for Weldmar Hospicecare as an organisation. The King, Queen and dignitaries all interacted with us and genuinely were interested in our work and what we do. It was a very inclusive evening and I think we all felt overwhelmed and emotional at times – tears at times but lots of laughter too! It’s a day that will stay with me always!”