Angela Sharma has been a trustee at Saint Francis Hospice since 2023. As part of Trustees Week (4-8 November) Angela shares why she decided to use her skills and over 28 years of experience in the local area as a family solicitor to help the charity.
I had never really experienced or understood what palliative care meant until my mum passed away in January 2023. She was 91 years old and had always lived independently since my father passed away in 2014. She was a very confident lady and had even learned to swim at the age of 70.
As her health deteriorated, as a result of a couple of falls, she was adamant that she wanted to stay in her home. We ensured her wishes were listened to and with a lot of care and support in place she was able to do this. We also knew we had the support of the local hospice if needed. As a result of the palliative care we put in place we were able to spend a lot of time with her as family and make those lasting memories. We were able to be with her in those last days, hours and minutes of her life.
Being able to spend precious time with Mum made me truly understand the value of palliative care and how important it is for people at the end of their life to be comfortable and for their loved ones to be with them without having to worry about anything else. Spending quality time is invaluable at this difficult time.
Mum did not want her family to be bathing and changing her. She was our mum and she would remind us of that from time to time. Her dignity was of paramount importance to her. Having a support network is so important in ensuring this.
A few months later, I lost my father-in-law. He also passed away at home and had palliative care support. Again, this external support was so important in allowing family to have special quality time with him.
Saint Francis Hospice allows people to retain their dignity and provide the care and support they need so their families can just be with them as a husband, a wife, a son or a daughter. This was one of the main reasons I was drawn to the hospice, so when I saw the charity was looking for a trustee with a legal background I applied for the position.
I have spoken to many people whose loved ones have been cared for by the hospice. My friend’s mum was there last Christmas, and he spoke about how wonderful the care team and volunteers were. One always hears of the outstanding care provided.
I feel very proud to say I am a trustee at Saint Francis Hospice. I find it very rewarding, and it enables me to give back to my local community.
Last year, I changed my working practice and became a Senior Consultant Family Solicitor working independently which means I am able to control my workload and spend time offering support as a volunteer to serve the hospice as a Trustee.
Working as a Trustee has been a learning curve in terms of personal development. In my time as a trustee, I have learned so much about the wide range of care and support the organisation provides, both at the hospice and in the community. So many people are not aware know of the counseling support available to people and families or about Orange Line, the confidential help line for people who are lonely, isolated or bereaved. There are numerous other services provided as well.
I have learned over time how much is involved in running a hospice and there is so much good work going on. There are so many incredible volunteers who give up their time to help in our shops and in every area of the hospice. I have also learned about the mechanics of how the organisation works, the issues about funding and how hard it is to keep that funding going, not just the government support but the fundraising and retail that raises vital income.
Coming from a legal background, I can bring a different view, and a different skill set and as an Asian woman, I believe I bring cultural diversity. Our catchment area is a very diverse ethnically mixed community, and we need to be able to attract these people so we can support them.
Besides English, I speak two other languages – Punjabi and Hindi. We are working hard to reach out to all our communities, and I hope I can help with that.
Over the next 6-12 months I am looking forward to spending more time at the hospice and getting to meet the staff and volunteers who make the hospice such a special place where people receive outstanding care and support at such a difficult time in their lives.
About Trustees Week
Trustees’ Week is a time to celebrate the efforts and achievements of trustees. It provides an opportunity for trustees to come together, share experiences, and participate in training and guidance
About Saint Francis Hospice
At Saint Francis Hospice, we believe that everyone has the right to be the person they are, to live without fear or prejudice and so we welcome people of any ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, faith and belief, or disability. We believe that our hospice is a better place to receive care, to work and volunteer when we all feel included, respected and welcomed. We are committed to inclusivity and our approach is rooted in our Vision, Mission and Values. As an independent charity and one of the largest adult Hospices in the UK, we play a vital role in our growing and diverse populations of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, Brentwood and West Essex
