The Friends

The Friends of The Wisdom Hospice is a Charity dedicated to supporting the work of the Wisdom Hospice, providing specialised end of life care and support to local people, their families, friends and carers whether at home, in the hospice or hospital. It's all about the patients and helping the hospice team to care for them and their families.

With your help, The Friends will be able to continue supporting The Wisdom Hospice and ensure that those facing life-limiting illness get the help they so desperately need. We need to raise more than £2,000 a day that is £720,000 a year towards The Wisdom Hospice's running costs. Whilst we are funded partly by the NHS, with every new day we are facing increasing pressure to achieve these targets.

Each day we meet new supporters that are raising money for us in so many inspiring ways. We really could not do the work that we do without the generosity and support from our local community.

THANK YOU.

Our vision and mission

The Friends Vision and Mission are one and the same - to promote the relief of suffering and the treatment of adults in Medway and Swale with life-limiting illnesses. The Wisdom Hospice delivers the best of care.

The Friends support the Hospice by raising money to provide an annual grant, plus those little extras, to ensure our patients are as comfortable as possible.

2023 Our History

The Queen 31st October 1984
Over thirty five years ago, The Wisdom Hospice opened its doors to the adults of Medway and Swale. The Wisdom Hospice was born out of need; a need for palliative care in the community...

Martyn Reeves

CEO

Martyn joined The Friends as Chief Executive in December 2011 joining The Friends having been the Managing Director of his family business for over 25 years. He was a National Director and Area Chairman for Life Education. A committed Rotarian in Faversham he understands the value of the charity sector in the UK. Martyn had experience of the exceptional work of a hospice when a family member was cared for by one some years ago. He began fundraising for that hospice and when the opportunity arose joined the Friends to help develop their income and profile so as to sustain their support of The Wisdom Hospice for the future. He has a passion for the Hospice movement and feels honoured to represent Molly Wisdom’s hospice. Martyn loves a challenge and has cycled, swam, trekked, abseiled and will do almost anything to raise funds for the hospice EXCEPT Sky Diving. He has a very rational fear of heights.

Jane Buck

Financial Controller

I have joined The Friends of the Wisdom Hospice as Financial Controller. I have worked in finance roles in the private sector for over 15 years. So working in the charity sector is a new experience for me. Just a couple of interesting facts about me:- I used to be in the Royal Navy. I worked as a volunteer in the hospice I love to paint and I also play the piano Everyone at The Friends of the Wisdom Hospice has made me feel very welcome and I am really looking forward to being part of a team that is doing such fantastic work.

Margaret Barker

Trustee/Director

I came to Rochester in 1981 but prior to that I had lived in Deal and experienced the loss of a dear friend who had received care from a hospice near where she lived. She told me of the care she received and how grateful she was. It then happened that Ann Robertson wished to fund raise for a hospice and my husband helped with that and eventually Pilgrims Hospice was opened. When we came to Rochester the Molly Wisdom hospice was in its early beginnings and Harold Rogers, the Chairman, asked me whether I would become a Trustee and I accepted. I am obviously getting near retirement and so I am anxious that anyone interested should contact the office and make arrangements to see the wonderful work they do and how you can help.

Vicky Webster

Trustee/Director

Wisdom Hospice played such an important part in giving my lovely mum a peaceful end of life at home. I was on my own caring for her, after losing my husband to cancer in much more difficult circumstances and I could not have coped without the Wisdom and Marie Curie nurses. I know that such a positive experience, in my sadness, really helped the pain of the grieving process too. Like many people, I had no idea what the Wisdom did until I needed them. We are so lucky to have them. Now retired, after a long career in education, I am very proud to be part of the Wisdom family and I’m reminded regularly of the powerful difference they make to families in our community.

Emma Dengate

Fundraising Co-ordinator

Emma Dengate, the longest serving member of our team, has been Fundraising Co-ordinator for The Friends of the Wisdom Hospice since April 2004. After spending a number of years in the hotel and corporate industry, Emma had a complete career change into fundraising. Emma has now spent a number of years working on a variety of different events and projects within The Friends and is proud to be a part of our local hospice service.

Maisie McDonagh

Accounts Office Administrator

Maisie joined the team in October 2019. Before joining us Maisie worked in the charity sector for 8 years. Coming from the banking sector, she brings a range of experience to the role.

Judy Oliver

Trustee/Director

I am a new Trustee of The Friends but have supported the Hospice for over ten years. Initially, I did this by supporting my late husband, David, when he was President of the Chatham Rotary Club and chose the Wisdom Hospice as his preferred charity. In 2013, when David was diagnosed with terminal cancer and sadly died in the September, the Hospice Team played a major role in helping our family through that time. The Wisdom is a very special place where they make it OK to talk about death as part of normal life. I can only describe it as feeling like someone wrapping a great big hug around you!

Ray Harris

Chairman

Andy Gray

Trustee/Director

Tessa Sillars

Trustee/Director

Jane Morgan

Community Fundraiser

Jane has just joined our fundraising team as one of The Friends Community Fundraisers. She has previously worked at another hospice. Some of you may recognise her as she also volunteers in our shop in Rochester. She is now looking forward to working with our community to inspire and encourage others to get out and have fun all in aid of the Wisdom Hospice.

Could this be you?

Fundraiser / Marketing

For further information or an informal conversation about The Friends and details of the role please email Martyn Reeves on martynreeves@fowh.org.uk or ring 01634 831163.

Barbara Fisher

Trustee/Director

I am a retired accountant who worked for Ward Homes in the Medway Towns and Lenleys in Canterbury. Since retiring I have been treasurer for a number of associations including The Arts Society Medway and the Soroptimists both in Medway and the Southeast Region. I am a Trustee for The Medway Town Soroptimist Trust who provide grants to local causes who mainly assist women and children. I became a Trustee of The Friends of the Wisdom Hospice as I had witnessed the work of the Hospice for one of my friends and really appreciated their compassion and care. I also had friends that were Trustees and I thought I might be able to offer something to the Friends to assist them in their invaluable work.

The Friends

Our vision and mission

2023 Our History

The Team

Martyn Reeves

Jane Buck

Margaret Barker

Vicky Webster

Emma Dengate

Maisie McDonagh

Judy Oliver

Ray Harris

Andy Gray

Tessa Sillars

Jane Morgan

Could this be you?

Barbara Fisher

Bob Coleman

Sylvia Fairbrace

Could this be you?

Keep me updated

Lights for Love… Jeanette’s Story

12 Sep 2023

Words of Wisdom Newsletter – Issue 38

06 Sep 2023

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