CARE Delivery Type: In person

One day Principles and Practice of Palliative and End of Life Care for Homecare workers

Providing the essential building blocks to support people at the end of life and their families

Advanced Clinical Practitioner and Nurse Consultant Development Programme

A one-day training day to increase the confidence and skills of homecare workers caring for people who are approaching the end of life and their families. By attending the training, carers will gain an understanding of:

  • What is palliative and end-of-life care? Dispelling myths
  • Sensitive communication and working with informal carers
  • Maximising the potential of the person you are supporting
  • Recognising and responding to common symptoms 
  • Recognising dying and care in the last days of life
  • Lone working, self-care and reflective practice

St Christopher’s are really pleased to be putting into practice recommendations for palliative and end-of-life training for homecare workers following an extensive study of the first-hand experiences of homecare workers, managers, people receiving care and their family members, health and social practitioners and commissioners.

We are looking to partner with homecare agencies who can send up to 5 team members on our first iteration of this training on Wednesday 11th November with the ask that the attendees also take part in evaluation of the training so we can understand how the training has impacted on practice. 

Attendees will receive refreshments, lunch, a tour of the hospice, a certificate of completion and resources to support their ongoing practice.

We really hope you can join us.

Managers, Carers and Senior Carers at Homecare agencies.

We encourage up to 5 attendees from each agency to maximise the impact.

Gill Early

Gill started her career in a Croydon nursing home at the age of 16 years old. She trained as a nurse, graduating as a Registered General Nurse in 1986.
Read More Gill Early

Additional tutors may present certain sessions on the day.

Eating and Drinking Towards The End of Life Workshop

Nurse and patient

A practical, interactive workshop for healthcare assistants and professionals who support people approaching the end of life.

During this workshop we will explore what to do when a person’s ability and desire to eat and drink changes, and share practical strategies for you to incorporate into your work.

This two-hour workshop will take place at St Christopher’s CARE in Sydenham.

As well as sharing practical strategies to support comfort, choice and enjoyment around food and drink, we will also look at person-centred approaches to managing risk of aspiration and choking at the end of life, as well as ways to support patients and their families through these changes.

Using real-life scenarios, the workshop will provide practical guidance, discussion, and ideas that can be applied in everyday practice. This will include exploring common challenges such as how to support individuals with cognitive impairments, like dementia, who may experience fluctuating swallowing difficulties.

After this workshop you will:

  • Know the principles of eating and drinking and changes towards the end of life
  • Understand how to support families when eating and drinking becomes difficult for someone who is approaching the end of life
  • Be able to apply practical strategies that support eating and drinking towards the end of life
  • Be able to evaluate products and resources to support comfort and enjoyment of eating and drinking at the end of life

The course is appropriate for all Nurses, Nursing Associates, Healthcare Assistants, Care Home Managers and other allied health professionals 

Isla Jones

Isla Jones has worked at St Christopher’s hospice as a speech and language therapist since 2020 and prior to this has over 15 years experience working as a speech and language therapist with adults with communication and swallowing difficulties primarily in the acute setting. 
Read full profile Isla Jones

We Need To Talk About Frailty Conference

Our one-day frailty and palliative care conference brings together experts, practitioners and leaders from across health and social care to explore the latest research, policy and practice. More importantly, it asks how we can turn knowledge into action.

Through shared learning, practical examples and cross-sector discussion, this conference will challenge us to think differently about how we support people living with frailty and those approaching the end of life.

We Need To Talk About Frailty Conference - graphic with date (3 December)

Please look at our ‘Progamme’ tab to explore the full overview of the day. The conference will include three workshops based on examples of frailty care in practice and integrating across systems. In-person conference attendees will have the choice between different settings; hospice, hospital and community. Virtual conference attendees will join the hospice workshop.

The theme of this year’s conference is We need to talk about frailty: from conversations to actions.

Frailty is one of the defining challenges facing health and care today. As more people live longer with increasingly complex needs, professionals across hospices, hospitals, primary care, care homes and community services are supporting people living with frailty every day.

During the conference, we will explore how health and care systems can work effectively with communities and wider society to support people living with and dying from frailty. Together, we will examine how we can move beyond recognising the challenges of frailty towards taking practical action that improves care and outcomes.

Through discussions on national policy, including MSFs (Modern Service Frameworks), alongside the latest research, innovation and examples of best practice, we will consider how different sectors can work together to provide more coordinated, person-centred care.

On the day, you can also expect:

  • Posters and exhibition stands
  • Expert plenary sessions, panel discussions and interactive workshops
  • Networking opportunities with professionals from across health, social care and community settings

Join us as we move the conversation on frailty forward — from discussion to action.

Aimed at any health and social care professional who supports people with frailty and those who are toward the end of life. The day will be of particular interest to those working in hospices, hospitals, community groups, care homes and general practice.

Helena Talbot Rice

Helena joined St Christopher’s in June 2011 after thirteen years working clinically in the acute sector in the NHS. Prior to St Christopher’s, she worked in various large teaching hospitals…
Read More Helena Talbot Rice

Dr Sara Robbins

Sara qualified from Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ Medical School in 2011 and is currently the Medical Director at St Christopher’s. From an early stage in her career, she developed…
Read More Dr Sara Robbins

Dr Esther Clift

Esther leads an Acute Frailty Service on the Isle of Wight. She is an associate lecturer at Winchester University, leading on rehabilitation in ageing. She examines and is a board…
Read More Dr Esther Clift

Dr Sarah Bell

Dr Sarah Bell is the Medical Director and Deputy CEO of Garden House Hospice Care. After training and starting her career at the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, she…
Read More Dr Sarah Bell

Dr Daniel Harman

Dan is a Consultant Community Geriatrician and Joint Clinical Lead at the Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre (JBICC), Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire. Dan and colleagues working within the…
Read More Dr Daniel Harman

Dr Tom Downes

Tom completed medical training at Guy’s Hospital, London in 1993. He has been a Consultant Geriatrician at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals since 2003 and gained his MBA from Nottingham University Business…
Read More Dr Tom Downes

Dr Daniel Stow

Daniel is a Lecturer in Epidemiology at the Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London. His PhD at Newcastle University examined frailty and end-of-life care in primary…
Read More Dr Daniel Stow

Dr Matthew Butler

Matthew is a Consultant Geriatrician at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, where he is the Trust Clinical Lead for End of Life Care, and the newly appointed Clinical Lead for Frailty at…
Read More Dr Matthew Butler

Mary Hodgson, PhD.

Mary is Director of Inclusion & Social Innovation at St Christopher’s where she is responsible for our community action, lived experience working and tackling inequalities work to create greater health…
Read More Mary Hodgson, PhD.

Dr Sarah Ribbands

Dr Sarah Ribbands graduated Exeter University in 2004 with an LLB in Law, and latterly from University of Cardiff with a masters in medical law LLM.  Subsequently, she worked in…
Read More Dr Sarah Ribbands
Time Session
9:00amArrival and Registration
9:20amWelcome and introduction to the day
9:30amNational Picture – current frailty policy
Tom Downes, National Clinical Director for Older People – NHS England
10:30amWhat is the evidence on the needs of people dying with frailty?
Daniel Stow, Lecturer in Epidemiology Queen Mary University of London

EnRICH research
Matt Butler, Consultant Geriatrician
11:15amMorning Break
11:30amLiving well dying well – Frailty model in Hull
Daniel Harman, Consultant Community Geriatrician

Frailty model at Garden House Hospice
Dr Sarah Bell, Medical Director & Lisa Hunt, CEO
12:10pmPanel Discussion and Q&A
Including Tom Downes, Caroline Nicholson, Cat Sullivan, and Esther Clift
12:45pmLunch
1:45pm
Workshops: Frailty care in practice & integrating across systems
Please see ‘Workshops’ tab for more info
3:15pmAfternoon Break
3:30pmComing together from workshops
Conference Chairs
3:45pmFinal plenary – call to arms
Caroline Nicholson, Professor of Palliative Care & Aging University of Surrey
4:15pmQ&A
4:25pmReflections & Close
Conference Chairs

As seen in the programme, we are holding afternoon workshops on ‘Frailty care in practice & integrating across systems‘.

All delegates will attend one 90 minute workshop focusing on examples in practice and integrating across systems.

Anyone joining in-person will be able to choose when registering which setting is most relevant to you: Hospital, Hospice or Community. You will be directed to the relevant room for that workshop.

If you are joining us online, you will be automatically selected for the Hospice workshop.

Hospital

In the Hospital workshop, you’ll hear from two teams that run specific frailty services supporting people towards the end of life within a Hospital setting. You’ll have the opportunity to consider how their learning could influence the services that you provide. The two teams speaking at this workshop are:

  • Croydon University Hospital A&E
  • T2 Ward (The Willows) from Addenbrookes Hospital: A nurse led end of life care ward focused on the individual needs and wishes of patients and their families.

Hospice

If you are working in, or with hospices, this workshop will enable you to hear and develop your own thoughts on best practice. Hear from Garden House Hospice who run an Advancing Illness service and consider how this sits in the national context with Hospice UK. Bringing these together may help shape and influence your services.

Community

Creating innovative and responsive services that meet the needs of our population is essential in the community and links into the NHS 10 year plan. The Isle of Wight Frailty Service will share their experiences and challenges to support you in thinking how you can apply this to your practice, or develop services appropriate to your context. Explore the wealth of community relationships outside of existing and traditional organisational structures.


Communication Skills Introduction

What is a meaningful conversation?

Stewards

A genuine, empathetic exchange that brings together connection and support—especially during emotional moments.

Perhaps you are a receptionist, porter, caterer, or health or social care assistant, who finds yourself supporting individuals or families in distress. This course will give you the confidence to hold a meaningful conversation in challenging situations.

Try out a conversation with one of our virtual humans:

Build your confidence and communication skills to respond with empathy, without the stress of real-time role play. It’s interactive, research-based, and offers practical tools for handling sensitive conversations, relevant across care, support, and even retail settings.

How is the course delivered?

By attending the course, you will have access to a range of realistic scenarios to practise your skills in a safe and supportive environment, with personalised formative feedback to guide ongoing improvement.

We’re excited to partner with Virti to bring you an innovative learning experience using AI-powered adaptive learning. This provides:

  • Scenario-based learning with AI-driven Virtual Humans
  • Safe, repeatable practice environment (no role play anxiety!)
  • Multiple realistic scenarios to build confidence
  • Personalised feedback to improve communication
  • Built with psychological safety and realism in mind

Watch the video below to find out more.

This course, will build your confidence and communication skills to respond with empathy, without the stress of real-time role play. It’s interactive, research-based, and offers practical tools for handling sensitive conversations, relevant across care, support, and even retail settings.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Confidently approach difficult conversations with compassion
  • Recognise common communication barriers
  • Identify distress in others and manage the personal impact of difficult conversations
  • Reflect on your professional role, its boundaries, and relevant policies and procedures
  • Strengthen emotional resilience and adopt strategies for self-care

When you sign up to this course you will have access to ‘virtual role play’ which is an innovative learning tool that provides a safe space for you to practice your newly acquired communication skills in different scenarios. Evidence shows that simulation-based learning and the opportunity to practice skills in a range of different scenarios helps to reinforce learning.

This half-day course is for those wanting to improve on communication skills in situations where you might have more challenging or sensitive conversations.

This course is particularly aimed at:

  • Receptionists
  • Porters
  • Health or social care assistants
  • Transport services
  • Catering staff
  • Domiciliary care staff
  • Retail staff
  • Anyone interested in further developing the skills and confidence when faced with more challenging conversations in the workplace.

Gail Preston

Gail has been a physiotherapist for over 20 years, initially specialising in Neuro Rehab before moving into Palliative Care. Over the last 15 years she has developed and evaluated services…
Read More Gail Preston

Principles and Practice of Palliative and End of Life Care

Providing the essential building blocks to support patients and their families at the end of life

Advanced Clinical Practitioner and Nurse Consultant Development Programme

Join us for a one day course, which provides health and social care professionals working in any setting with an introduction to the key principles and fundamental skills in Palliative and End of Life Care.  

What will the course look like? 

By attending this course, you will have the opportunity to discuss, evaluate and increase your knowledge, skills and confidence in end of life care.  

Our course embraces a multidisciplinary approach to support a truly holistic response to caring for people approaching the end of life. 

Our trainers bring together expertise from a range of professional backgrounds. While we acknowledge and speak directly to the unique contributions of individual professions during our sessions, we remain grounded in the core value of effective Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) working. 

The diagram below highlights the five key principles that form the foundation of our course: 

A diagram of the Five Principles

This course is for all professionals working in the health and social care sector who have limited knowledge of, or wish to refresh their understanding of palliative and end of life care. It is suitable for staff across a wide range of settings, including Care Homes, domiciliary care and may also be relevant for those working in primary care, social work, or those new to working in hospices.   

You will understand the difference between palliative care and end of life care and dying (including key definitions). You will be able to explain key terminology and understand the changing face of death and dying with an aging population. You will develop an awareness of personhood and person-centred practice. 

You will understand the importance of key communication skills and how to apply these to common difficult questions from patients and family. You will understand how to manage and support patients and family who are upset or angry as well as considering conversations related to assisted dying. 

What matters to you? A central question to ensure we are person centred in future care planning. We will look at the basic outline of planning ahead and what it involves, including how we document future care planning. We will use scenarios to explore key terms and aspects related to Advance care plans. 

You will understand the importance of maintaining activity and function through deterioration. You will be able to employ basic exercises to maintain function and describe the importance of understanding “What Matters” to each person.  

You will understand and recognise key features of normal dying. You will be able to increase awareness and provision of holistic care at the end of life. You gain an awareness of the five priorities of care of a dying person, and their loved ones and how to relate these to practice.   

You will understand ways of reflecting, including debriefing. You will be aware of wider support such as the NHS guidelines on self-care. 

Gill Early

Gill started her career in a Croydon nursing home at the age of 16 years old. She trained as a nurse, graduating as a Registered General Nurse in 1986.
Read More Gill Early

Additional tutors may present certain sessions on the day.

End of Life Scenarios Skills Workshop

Scenario-based training to build confidence in communicating and managing a range of situations that may occur in the last days of life.

CPD accreditation logo

Participants will be able to practice skills such as assessment, decision making at the end of life and communicating with relatives. This workshop aims to provide a safe space, allowing professionals to experience what it might be like to care for someone at the end of life, encouraging them to feel more confident to do this in their place of work.

We are delighted to confirm this workshop now has CPD Accreditation.

During this workshop you will:

  • Feel more confident to care for someone at the end of life
  • Be able to discuss the communication skills needed to work with this patient group
  • Be able to discuss cultural differences with regards to end of life care

This workshop will take place at St Christopher’s CARE in Sydenham.

Who is it for?

The course is appropriate for all Nurses, Nursing Associates, Healthcare Assistants, Care Home Managers and other allied health professionals looking to refresh their knowledge about end of life care.

Kim Hydes

Kim is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at St Christopher’s Hospice, caring and supporting individuals and their families who are at end of life in the Bromley community area. She has recently joined the Professional Learning team at St Christopher’s CARE in a seconded role as a visiting lecturer alongside her community role. She will be facilitating the ECHOs for Bromley and Croydon mental health and learning disability care homes plus the Croydon and Lambeth care homes. She will also be teaching on a range of our skills workshops on offer. Kim has worked as a palliative care nurse in the…
Read full profile Kim Hydes

Community of Practice for Activity Coordinators & Wellbeing teams

Community of Practice for for Activity Coordinators HELP Care Home Partners

Come and join us for our Community of Practice, a place to learn and grow together, developing new skills through evidenced-based education, equipping you in your practice to help improve the quality of the life of your residents.

We look forward to seeing you at St Christopher’s CARE soon!

If you would like to become a Care Home Learning Partner and benefit from places on other training as well as this community please email us at education@stchristophers.org.uk

Next session: Thursday 5th November 2 – 4pm

Welcome to our Community of Practice for Activity Coordinators and Wellbeing practitioners. In this Community you will have the opportunity to network with likeminded individuals whose roles are all about enhancing the quality of life of the residents you work with.

We will meet four times over the year and explore topics such as goal setting, supporting people with dementia and the importance of maximising physical and mental potential.

As a community you will be able to shape the topics we cover, and receive knowledge and support. There is plenty of opportunity for networking, sharing ideas and problem solving together.

What you will learn will be shaped by the community giving you the opportunity to tailor the learning to meet your needs but we anticipate exploring

  • How we can support residents to keep moving
  • How we can support people with dementia to participate in activities
  • How it feels and how we can support ourselves, residents and other staff members when a resident dies

Who is it for?

This community is for anyone working as an Activity Coordinator, Wellbeing Practitioner or similar roles within a care home or other setting.

Care Home Learning Partners are entitled to free educational care home initiatives run by St Christopher’s.

Find out more about becoming a Care Home Learning Partner

Lizzy Jenkins

Lizzy has been an Occupational Therapist at St Christopher’s since 2021, with experience working across the inpatient unit and outpatients. Lizzy also works one day a week as a learning facilitator in the Professional Learning team. She chose to specialise in oncology and palliative care 10 years ago and has worked in a specialist oncology hospital, as well as several hospices in that time. Lizzy is passionate about supporting people to live well until they die.
Read full profile Lizzy Jenkins

When Time is Short:  Communication Matters

A one-day study day for Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) focused on reframing the SLT role in palliative care.

The day will feature multidisciplinary team (MDT) presentations, interactive workshops, and hands-on activities exploring how SLTs can support presence and connection between individuals with communication difficulties and their loved ones, within the context of MDT care.

Outline

This study day will:

  • Enable you to identify different approaches to supporting connection between individuals with communication difficulties and their loved ones
  • Provide time and space to reflect on your own practice and consider how to implement new approaches
  • Equip you with tools to use presence as an intervention to support connection

The day will also highlight the broad role of Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) in palliative care and hospice settings, helping to challenge common misconceptions about hospice care and the support available.

You will have the opportunity to share expertise developed through practice and research, including discussion of the St Christopher’s Communicating with Dementia course for people with dementia and their families.

We will also showcase innovative and evolving work from SLTs and other Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), sharing cutting-edge thinking to improve care and support communication and connection between individuals and those closest to them.

What will I learn?

Topics will include:

  • Communicating with dementia course at St Christopher’s – how do we work to support connection and interaction.
  • Family members reflections on their experience of attending the Communicating with dementia group.
  • Workshops delivered by art therapy, wellbeing & music therapy, focusing on presence as intervention and compassionate communication with people with communication difficulties, including legacy work.
  • Social work presentation on their role in coaching family and carers in coping with loss of verbal communication, changing identities, and validating grief, hope, fear and love.
  • Facilitated reflection activity with opportunity for attendees to consider how to implement new ideas and approaches.

Sessions will include:

Wellbeing:  The namaste session will explore how physical and sensory input can help make a compassionate and gentle connection for those living with dementia who have difficulty communicating. The Namaste approach is client-centred and focuses on acceptance and identity. This workshop will provide the opportunity to discuss and explore what resources and techniques can be used, and to consider how this approach can be used in different settings.

Music Therapy Workshop
This interactive workshop will offer an introduction to how music-based approaches can support connection and communication for people with communication difficulties. Participants will have the opportunity to experience simple, adaptable techniques that can be used across a range of clinical settings, with a focus on facilitating expression, engagement, and relational connection between individuals and those supporting them.

Art Therapy Workshop
This experiential workshop will explore how artmaking can support communication, expression, and connection where verbal language may be limited. Participants will be invited to engage in accessible creative activities and reflect on how these approaches might be adapted for use across different settings, supporting meaningful interaction between individuals and their families or care teams.

Who is it for

Speech & Language Therapists working with adults in hospices, community and acute settings.  Also open to Occupational Therapists. The day is designed with an assumption that people have a background knowledge of communication. 

TimeSession
9:00amArrival and registration
9:30amWelcome and introduction to day
9:45amReframing our practice: supporting meaningful connection at the end of life
Isla Jones & Paula Dougill
10:30amBreak
10:45amSupporting connection in practice: case examples and carer experience
Isla Jones & Paula Dougill
11:15amWorkshops:
1. Art therapy (Hilary Powers)
 
2. Music therapy (Sean Kenny)
 
3. Wellbeing (Sara Copes)

Delegates will join 2 out of 3 x30min workshops
12:15pmLunch
1:15pmSocial work presentation
Beth Kwesiga
1:45pmReflections: facilitated opportunity to reflect on own practice and implementing new ideas
Isla Jones & Paula Dougill
2:30pmSummary and evaluation
Q&A
Considerations for future community of practice
Isla Jones & Paula Dougill
3:00pmFinish

Isla Jones

Isla Jones has worked at St Christopher’s hospice as a speech and language therapist since 2020 and prior to this has over 15 years experience working as a speech and…
Read More Isla Jones

Paula Dougill

Paula Dougill has worked at St Christopher’s hospice as a bank speech and language therapist since November 2024.  She has over 15 years of experience (or since 2008) working with…
Read More Paula Dougill

Skills for Care Registered Managers Network Meeting

Skills for Care Registered Managers Network Meeting

In conjunction with Skills for Care, these meetings are held three times a year for teaching on specific topics and a Skills for Care update. Open to all Care Home Managers.

These Registered Managers Network meetings are in conjunction with Skills for Care and are available to all care homes. We are looking forward to welcoming you. These will take place 10am – 12.30pm at St Christopher’s CARE in Sydenham. Lunch will be provided after the meeting.

The next meeting is on Thursday 8th October 2026 and the topic will be Managing Falls.

Book your space soon.

Syringe Drivers – Introduction to Syringe Drivers Workshop

Introduction to Syringe Drivers Workshop
CPD logo

An introductory workshop covering the theory and practice of using syringe drivers. A practical workshop with hands on practice setting up a syringe driver.

We are delighted to confirm this workshop now has CPD accreditation.

Outline

For a district nurse or nurse working in a hospice, using a syringe driver can be second nature. Health and social care professionals working in other settings are likely to be much less familiar with this piece of equipment that is such a critical part of palliative and end of life care.

Our expert nursing team will provide learners of all levels with a thorough introduction to the principles and practice of syringe drivers. As well as gaining confidence in using the equipment, attendees will also learn about some of the most commonly used drugs. The course tutors will also provide solutions to some of the most frequent problems that can occur when using a syringe driver, providing learners with the skills to troubleshoot.

What will I learn?

  • Gain increased understanding of the indications for use of a syringe drivers
  • Improve knowledge of the most commonly used drugs administered by syringe driver
  • Become confident with the procedure of setting up a syringe driver and troubleshooting

This workshop will take place at St Christopher’s CARE in Sydenham.

Participants will receive a certificate of attendance.

Who is it for?

The course is appropriate for all Nurses, Nursing Associates, Care Home Managers, Pharmacists and Doctors looking either to upskill or refresh themselves in the use of syringe drivers.

Kim Hydes

Kim is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at St Christopher’s Hospice, caring and supporting individuals and their families who are at end of life in the Bromley community area. She has recently joined the Professional Learning team at St Christopher’s CARE in a seconded role as a visiting lecturer alongside her community role. She will be facilitating the ECHOs for Bromley and Croydon mental health and learning disability care homes plus the Croydon and Lambeth care homes. She will also be teaching on a range of our skills workshops on offer. Kim has worked as a palliative care nurse in the…
Read full profile Kim Hydes

Falls Clinic Skills Workshops 

Falls Clinic Skills Workshop

Welcome to our Falls Clinic where we will explore how we can support people – from falls assessments through to how it impacts them as an individual, and how we can physically support them to be more active and reduce their risk.

We recommend attending both workshops.

Workshop 1: Introduction to falls risks

The contributing factors that might increase someone’s risk of falls

One in three people aged over 65 fall at least once a year with that risk increasing significantly as people age. In this first of two sessions we explore that factors that can contribute to someone being at risk of falls. This is a highly experiential session, giving you the opportunity to experience challenges, that people you support may face, in a safe supportive environment.  We will also explore the impact that falls have on someone’s sense of self and their identity.

This can be used as a stand alone workshop or to optimise a holistic approach to falls assessments and management please attend both workshops.

What will I learn?

Following this workshop you will understand the risks to be considered when completing a falls assessment. You will have had some experience of what it might feel like to be at risk of falls. You will learn how fear of falling can undermine who we are as an individual and challenge you to think differently about how you interact and communicate so that you can enhance a sense of self.

Workshop 2: Introduction to falls prevention

The first step to falls prevention is understanding the risks and so we would encourage you to also attend the morning session as part of these workshops.

In this sessions we will look at optimising someone’s physical function to enhance a sense of self and reduce risk of falls. We will look at and practice the practical skills that you can use to support people around mobility and exercise as a non specialist professional. We will focus on how we can support people to be the best that they can be and hold them and what matters to them at the centre of what we do. We will explore risk and the concept of ‘risk confidence’.

What will I learn?

The theory behind the importance of exercise and activity, exploring motivation and goal setting will all be covered in this session. We will practice completing some exercises appropriate to people with all different levels of mobility. We will also apply the learning to case studies and bring together activities from both workshops to change practice. 

These workshops are for anyone who has an interest in falls or works within a setting supporting people who may be at risk of falls.

This will be relevant to you if you are a nurse, health care assistant or allied health professional.

Lizzy Jenkins

Lizzy has been an Occupational Therapist at St Christopher’s since 2021, with experience working across the inpatient unit and outpatients. Lizzy also works one day a week as a learning facilitator in the Professional Learning team. She chose to specialise in oncology and palliative care 10 years ago and has worked in a specialist oncology hospital, as well as several hospices in that time. Lizzy is passionate about supporting people to live well until they die.
Read full profile Lizzy Jenkins

Introduction to Communication Skills Workshop for Health & Social Care Staff

A photograph of two ladies, sitting down and holding hands. The ladies are looking at each other and smiling. The photograph demonstrates strong and empathetic communication.

Join this interactive workshop at St Christopher’s CARE that explores the importance of good communication and challenges we might face when doing this.

The session will allow participants to practice their communication skills in role-play scenarios. We expect learners who attend this session to fully participate in the activities. Full support will be provided to create safety through these activities.

CPD accreditation logo

You will build confidence in holding empathic and open conversations in various situations.

We are delighted to confirm this workshop now has CPD accreditation.

What will I learn?

Following this workshop you will be able to

  • Identify the components of good quality communication
  • Respond to conversation enablers openly and with empathy
  • Demonstrate empathic and open conversation with a peer

This workshop will take place at St Christopher’s CARE in Sydenham.

Participants will receive a certificate of attendance.

Who is it for?

This workshop is appropriate for all Nurses, Nursing Associates, Healthcare Assistants, support workers, Care Home Managers and other allied health professionals.

It is recommended that you have attended one of our Principles and Practice of Palliative and End of Life Care courses prior to booking this session – please contact education@stchristophers.org.uk for further information or visit here.

Kim Hydes

Kim is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at St Christopher’s Hospice, caring and supporting individuals and their families who are at end of life in the Bromley community area. She has recently joined the Professional Learning team at St Christopher’s CARE in a seconded role as a visiting lecturer alongside her community role. She will be facilitating the ECHOs for Bromley and Croydon mental health and learning disability care homes plus the Croydon and Lambeth care homes. She will also be teaching on a range of our skills workshops on offer. Kim has worked as a palliative care nurse in the…
Read full profile Kim Hydes

Gail Preston

Gail has been a physiotherapist for over 20 years, initially specialising in Neuro Rehab before moving into Palliative Care. Over the last 15 years she has developed and evaluated services and worked in a variety of teams within the Hospice. Having developed her skills in teaching she found a role within the Education Team and furthering her knowledge with a Post Graduate Qualification in education then embarked on the role of Head of Professional Learning at St Christopher’s Hospice. She is passionate about development and continued learning. She is also part of ACPOPC representing the voice of palliative care physiotherapists…
Read full profile Gail Preston

Learning Disabilities and Palliative Care Skills Workshop

How can we improve palliative care for people with learning disabilities?

This is an interactive session which aims to improve participants understanding of learning disabilities and how we can meet the needs of this patient group towards the end of life. It will include case studies and opportunity for Q&A.

Topics will include: supporting communication, decisions around hospital admissions, providing person-centred care and symptom assessment for this patient group. By the end of this session you will have improved confidence in supporting individuals with learning disabilities towards the end of life.

We are delighted to confirm this workshop now has CPD Accreditation.

Two people talking
CPD accreditation logo

What will I learn?

This workshop will take place at St Christopher’s CARE in Sydenham.

Topics will include:

  • Advance care planning
  • Symptom assessment for people with learning disabilities
  • Communicating about death and illness.
  • Decisions around hospital admissions

Who is it for?

This workshop is appropriate for all Nurses, Nursing Associates, Healthcare Assistants, support workers, Care Home Managers and other allied health professionals looking to refresh their knowledge about learning disabilities in palliative care.

Phoebe Mooney 

Phoebe is a Clinical Nurse Specialist for people with learning disabilities working in palliative care at St Christopher’s Hospice. She has always had a special interest in palliative care and prior to her current role Phoebe worked as an advance care planning nurse for adults with LD in East London. Phoebe also has experience of working as a community learning disability nurse in both physical and mental health. Phoebe is passionate about improving the support people with learning disabilities receive at the end of life and enjoys teaching and raising awareness about this topic.
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Kim Hydes

Kim is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at St Christopher’s Hospice, caring and supporting individuals and their families who are at end of life in the Bromley community area. She has recently joined the Professional Learning team at St Christopher’s CARE in a seconded role as a visiting lecturer alongside her community role. She will be facilitating the ECHOs for Bromley and Croydon mental health and learning disability care homes plus the Croydon and Lambeth care homes. She will also be teaching on a range of our skills workshops on offer. Kim has worked as a palliative care nurse in the…
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