Jen’s brother Andy was cared for on our inpatient unit in 2021. He died from cancer at the age of 45 and left behind his wife Sally and two young daughters. Here, Jen tells us about the care Andy received from Martlets and the difference it made to their family. “My brother Andy was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2019. He’d had a bad cough and the next thing we knew, he was diagnosed with stage four cancer. It was such a shock. The cancer had spread from his lungs to his leg, prostate, and lymph nodes, so that meant the prognosis had suddenly gone from slightly hopeful to devastating ..read more

Jaheda, a healthcare assistant working on our inpatient wards, explains how her recent pilgrimage to Mecca has given her a new perspective on her care work. “In February, my husband and I went on an amazing journey together to Saudi Arabia to complete our first Umrah Haj (pilgrimage). We started off at Makkah (also known an Mecca), then we went to the Kabbah (this is the house where our beloved prophet Muhammad was born). I attended teachings on all faiths including the prophets Noah, Ibrahim, Moses, and Jesus, and the Prophet Muhammad. A lot of this was new to me, as previously I didn’t follo ..read more

After a long winter, our Martlets allotment is starting to spring into life! Jane Newman, Martlets’ allotment coordinator, gives us an update on what’s happening at Plot 98.  “On our Martlets allotment at the Weald Avenue site, the dull drizzle is giving way to sunshine as we head towards the end of winter and begin to witness the first stirrings of spring. Longer days are slowly getting warmer and are brightened up with snowdrops, hellebores and daffodils coming to life. Garlic and onions planted in the autumn are showing shoots and lovely pink rhubarb leaves are beginning to unfurl.&nbs ..read more

It’s now 2 months since our Shaun by the Sea trail ended. We’ve all really missed seeing the #BrightonFlock out on our city’s streets, but we are thrilled that each and every one of our ewe-niquely designed Shaun’s have found their forever homes. The Shauns sold for over £400,000 at our Grand Finale Auction, which was an incredible amount! But the auction was just one part of the trail… We are absolutely delighted to let you know that in total, Shaun by the Sea has generated over £850,000 of income for Martlets! We can’t overstate how important that amount of funding is to Martlets ..read more

Don’t miss your chance to see Martlets FC play HPS Newhaven, in a match that will raise funds for life-changing hospice care. HPS have been long-term supporters of Martlets since their manager Matt Reed was cared for at the Hospice during his last days, in 2019.  Martlets FC will play HPS Newhaven on Friday 2 February at Newhaven Football Club, 7.30pm kick off. It is going to be an exciting match with lots of great prizes up for grabs in the raffle and silent auction. Remembering Matt   Andy Gander, showroom manager at HPS Newhaven, remembers Matt and explains why HPS continues ..read more

To highlight Nursing Support Workers’ Day, Emma Lewery, a Martlets healthcare assistant, talks about her role on our community nursing team.  Thursday 23 November is Nursing Support Workers’ Day, which shines a spotlight on the nursing support workforce across the UK, highlighting the vital contribution they make to patient care in health and social care. The true extent of the work carried out by the nursing support workforce is often hidden, and their value underestimated. Nursing Support Workers’ Day is an opportunity to amplify their voice, raise awareness, and celebrate the work they ..read more

During Children’s Grief Awareness Week, we’re posting a series of blogs from our counselling and clinical staff about how to support bereaved children. Here, Senior Staff Nurse, Simone, explains how our new Hospice will help support bereaved families.  “Children’s Grief Awareness Week (16-23 November) is designed to raise awareness of bereaved children and young people in the UK, and how providing those affected with free professional support can make the world of difference to their future. Here at Martlets, supporting families is a crucial part of the care we offer and that includes fac ..read more

Earlier this year, Cat’s dad was cared for by Martlets and spent his final days on our inpatient ward. Cat was supported by our bereavement counselling service, and Shaun the Sheep. Here, she explains how “travelling around town finding beautifully decorated sheep made me smile through the tears”.  “Like most people in the Sussex area, I had always been aware that Martlets existed. I had happily browsed in their charity shops, knowing my bargain purchases were going towards a good cause. But it is not until your loved one is affected by terminal cancer that you truly experience and apprec ..read more

Sue’s sister Margaret was a nurse on Martlets’ inpatient unit (IPU).  After becoming ill with terminal cancer, Margaret was cared for in her last days by Martlets on the IPU. Sue shares her story here.  “My older sister Margaret and I were great friends. I’m 71 now and Margaret would have been 74. She was my absolute rock, she stuck with me through everything in my life and vice versa. We were always there for each other.  Our mother was a Matron and nursed through the War;  Margaret followed in her footsteps and went into nursing, eventually taking a job at Martlets.  It must have b ..read more

Martlets supporter, Sindy, who’s 75, has donated colourful jumpers to our shops for the past five years. With our Shaun by the Sea art trail underway, we wanted to say a special thank you and celebrate her woolly wonderful knits! This week is Wool Week, a national awareness campaign that celebrates yarns, knitting, sheep and all things woolly – and rather conveniently coincides with our baa-rilliant art trail. What better time to say a big thank you to Sindy who has been knitting and donating woolly jumpers to our Martlets shops for the past five years. “Sindy’s jumpers sell at £15 each and we ..read more