You might recognise Amy Brown, who has been part of LOROS for the past five years. After spending much of that time supporting patients and families in our Day Hospice, Amy is now one of our Community Specialist Palliative Care nurses. Next weekend, she’s swapping the day job for a very different challenge as she takes on the Snowdon at Night Trek with her partner, all to raise money for LOROS. It’s definitely a step outside her comfort zone – but knowing first-hand what that fundraising makes possible is giving her plenty of motivation. Here’s Amy’s story.
“Before joining LOROS, I worked in the community as part of an Intensive Community Support team, helping people remain at home and avoid hospital admissions. Before that, I worked at University Hospitals of Leicester in A&E and gastroenterology. Although palliative care wasn't my speciality at the time, I had experienced caring for people with life-limiting illnesses and felt I wanted more time to spend with patients and families.
My connection with LOROS started long before I worked here. My auntie died in 2013 and I saw first-hand the care and support LOROS provided. It stayed with me. When the opportunity came to join the hospice in 2020 during lockdown, it felt like the right step for me.
For five years, I worked in Day Hospice, supporting people living with life-limiting illnesses. Day Hospice is about so much more than people might expect. It's a chance for patients to have a change of scenery, enjoy new experiences and spend time with others who truly understand what they're going through. We provide holistic support, helping people smile again and offering a welcome distraction from the challenges they're facing. It's a place where friendships are formed, confidence grows and people are reminded that they're more than their diagnosis.
One patient who had a huge impact on me was Graham.
I met Graham on his first day in Day Hospice and was his nurse. He used to tell me all about his love of running and one day he asked me if I'd take part in a 10K with him because he wanted to give something back to LOROS.
The only problem was that I'd never run before, but it was one of the best things I've ever done. Not only did I achieve a 10K, but I helped give Graham the opportunity to run again and reconnect with something he loved by pushing him in his wheelchair. It was a really special experience for both of us.
When Graham died, I completed the event again the following year in his memory. It felt like a way of honouring him and everything we'd achieved together.
That experience taught me the incredible power of fundraising challenges and the difference they can make, which is one of the reasons I'm excited to be taking on Snowdon at Night. I've also completed events such as the Wolf Run for LOROS, with my son helping to support my fundraising along the way.
Today, I work as a Community Specialist Palliative Care Nurse, supporting people with complex symptoms in their own homes.
When people are referred to us, we carry out a full holistic assessment and aim to see them within seven working days. We help with symptom management, practical and financial support, and connect people with the services they need. We work closely with consultants, GPs, district nurses and many other professionals to make sure patients receive the best possible care.
When many people hear the words "palliative care", they immediately think it’s the end. In reality, palliative care can be a long journey of managing symptoms and helping people maintain the best quality of life possible. It's definitely a misunderstood term.
The same is true of LOROS. People are often surprised to learn about the range of services we offer. It's not just about end-of-life care. We provide support through Day Hospice, counselling, lymphoedema services, inpatient care and community services. We're here to help people live as well as possible for as long as possible.
The most rewarding part of my role is getting to know patients and their families as people. You learn about their lives, what's important to them and what they want to achieve. You have the time to listen and be their advocate when they're at their most vulnerable. It's incredibly rewarding when you help manage someone's symptoms and suddenly they're able to spend time with family again, go out for the day or take part in activities they thought they might never do again. We're helping people to live.
People often assume palliative care is all sadness and loss, but that isn't the reality. There are difficult days, of course, but there are also lots of moments of happiness, laughter and normality. When symptoms are well managed and the right support is in place, people can enjoy precious time with the people they love. It's definitely not all doom and gloom.
One of the things I've come to appreciate most is how important home can be for the people we support. For some patients, being surrounded by family, pets, treasured possessions and familiar comforts makes all the difference. Others may prefer the support of the hospice. It's about respecting people's wishes and helping them be where they feel most comfortable. We always try to create that same sense of comfort and belonging, wherever care is being delivered.
It's also important to recognise that no one delivers this care alone. Our community team is part of a wider integrated network of professionals and services. We work closely with GPs, district nurses, hospital teams and many others because supporting patients and families is a team effort. We all need each other to provide the best possible care.
This October I'm taking on the Snowdon at Night Trek with my partner. We'd talked about climbing Snowdon together for a long time and, when we saw this challenge, it felt perfect. It's something we can achieve together and a great way to support LOROS.”
