Blogs

Christmas for Togetherness

As we know, the world is currently experiencing a new wave of nationalism and populism. In the human search for meaning and purpose, one of the appealing solutions is to retreat nostalgically in mythical past eras and places, or to be lured into simplistic social solutions to complex cultural problems.

This kind of thinking suggests that if only we can detach ourselves from the difficulties caused by others, we can recreate a more secure world unthreatened by those people we do not like or understand.

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The latest in Blogs

Have we become too focussed on living indoors?

Although we may not be aware of it, in the last few generations in the West we have increasingly become ‘indoor people’. Whereas once almost everyone was a farmer or a gardener and spent most of their time outside, we have overwhelmingly moved to a more comfortable culture of life indoors.

Exeter: City of welcome, city of diversity

I was born in Exeter in 1955. In the next bed to my mother was a Sikh woman who had also given birth to a son. Her family had come to Exeter in 1947, mine probably in the 1500’s. Both of us male babies were native Exonians.

Kevin, bottom left, with his Band of Brothers

Go Kevin!

We’ve raised £890 on Just Giving! No, wait, add gift aid of £100 and that makes it £990 and still counting!

That’s a recent conversation at our house. Our good friend Ruth Regan died last year and her husband Kevin is taking part in Hospiscare’s sponsored Men’s Walk to thank Hospiscare for its “outstanding” support given to them both.

The donations and comments on Kevin’s JustGiving page are a wonderful testament to Ruth, Kevin and Hospiscare.

Tony Hogg discusses police funding in latest blog

Yesterday (Tuesday 19 January) I spent a couple of hours meeting members of the public in Honiton at one of my regular Meet Your PCC events.

This is our first such event since the Christmas period and the second since my team was successful in highlighting issues with the Government’s flawed review into the police funding formula.

Hospiscare: It's all in the name

Hospiscare, if you think about it, is a strange name for a charity.

It looks like a spelling mistake! If you were naming a new charity today you would pick something different, more dynamic and action focussed.

But 34 years ago, yes that’s how long we’ve been around, it made perfect sense. In fact it was a touch of genius!

Blog: How much is enough?

While the Christmas consumption orgy fades as the New Year progresses, maybe it is time to remind ourselves of William Blake’s comment ‘we never know what is enough unless we know what is more than enough’. How do we ever become satisfied in a culture of more and more?

Blog: A cuddle and a catch-up

“As soon as I enter Exeter Cathedral I make a beeline for Liz for a cuddle and a catch up!”

It’s not me being talked about but Liz, one of our amazing bereavement supporter volunteers. I was at Hospiscare’s Light Up A Life Service in the cathedral and met a lady who comes along every year.

She comes for two reasons, to remember her mum and catch up with Liz. When her mum died she found that our care continues with a dedicated support volunteer.

A Christmas Message from Bishop Robert

Millions of us will take to the roads, seas and skies over the next few days to try and get home to be with loved ones over Christmas. It can be a lengthy and stressful experience with crowded trains, coaches and airports to contend with.

Blog: What's Christmas really about?

Once more our senses are being bombarded with manufactured images and messages of totally irrelevant and mostly unneeded seasonal tat.

It is nigh impossible to escape the Christmas kitsch which pushes us to value ourselves by what we buy, never mind the costs of consumerism to other people, other places or the planet. As long as the tills keep ringing, we can forget the bells.

So what is really at the heart of the Christmas story? In one word - ‘hospitality’.

Hard work but worth it!

Competition in Exeter for your charity pound is fierce.

Raising the £5 million we need each year keeps everyone at Hospiscare under pressure – sometimes I get a little steamed up and ask these questions – out loud in the office!

What if we couldn’t raise the money and Hospiscare closed its doors?

Then I ask what difference would it make to Exeter if other charities closed their doors? Eventually I calm down. I always say that the odd huff and puff does you good, it certainly keeps me focussed on my job.