11 Oct 2024 Community

Celebrating 25 Years of Compassion: Yvonne Howe’s Journey with The Kirkwood

As we mark Hospice Care Week, from 7-13 October, it is a time to reflect on the profound impact that hospices like ours have on their communities. We provide compassionate care during some of life’s most challenging moments. In the heart of The Kirkwood's work stands Yvonne Howe, a dedicated nurse who has been a beacon of hope and kindness for 25 years. Her unwavering commitment to providing comfort and support to patients and their families has made a lasting difference.

Yvonne Howe, now in her 60s, is one of the longest-serving nurses with The Kirkwood. Her journey into nursing began with a childhood dream, sparked by her own experiences as a patient: “As a child I used to be in hospital a lot, I had bad asthma,” Yvonne recalls. 

“I always liked speaking to the nurses that were attending me, and so I thought I’d like to be a nurse from a young age.” This early inspiration stayed with her, and after starting out in the administrative sector, Yvonne found herself drawn to the caring environment of The Kirkwood.

She initially joined as a volunteer, offering her time on reception and serving teas and coffees to patients. It was a friend who suggested that Yvonne apply for a role as an auxiliary nurse with The Kirkwood, and in 1999, she officially joined the team. 

Reflecting Yvonne said: “When I was offered the job, I was ecstatic, I couldn’t believe it. I was just so excited to be working for The Kirkwood. I was straight on the phone to my mum and dad to tell them.”

From those early days, Yvonne witnessed The Kirkwood grow and evolve, expanding its reach to provide care in the community as well as within its facilities: “Back when I started, The Kirkwood was a lot smaller in terms of its outreach. It’s great how we have grown over the years to offer the care in the community people need,” she says with pride.

Working on the In-Patient Unit, Yvonne has faced the unique challenges of hospice care: “You have to be strong emotionally to be the type of nurse I am and work on the In-Patient Unit. We are different to those nurses who work in hospitals. They are trying to make people better however they can; we have a very different job. Our job is to make people’s lives as comfortable as possible when it comes to end-of-life care.”

Yvonne’s ability to navigate these challenges with empathy and professionalism is a testament to her character. She has been a source of comfort for families during their darkest moments, offering a listening ear and a steady presence. 

She said: “It’s an extension of me now and a skill I have learnt over the years in how to talk to people about death. It can be a difficult topic to talk to people about, and that’s why I think you need to be a certain personality and be a strong individual. The last thing you need is a nurse crumbling in front of a family member or a patient’s friend emotionally, because that person is looking for comfort from you.”

Yvonne’s devotion to her role with The Kirkwood has been a cornerstone of her life, but now, after 25 years, she is preparing for a change. 

“I'm leaving the unit at the end of this month and going to work in counseling part-time. I've seen a lot, and I think I've given a lot over the years to this job,” she shares. 

“However, due to my own health reasons, I've decided to cut my hours down. I think it's like an extension from the unit doing those calls, and I help out in the bereavement support group on a Tuesday morning too.”

Throughout her career, Yvonne has always focused on making even the smallest moments special for her patients. She fondly recalls the joy of taking a patient for a stroll in the garden, helping them enjoy the fresh air and beautiful flowers, or running a hot bath for someone who hadn’t experienced that comfort in a long time. 

“It’s a special feeling knowing you may have made that patient’s day just that bit easier,” Yvonne says.

“Whether that’s talking to a patient and helping them have a happy memory, running them a nice hot bath, or even just having a trip around the beautiful garden in their wheelchair.”

Her dedication to maintaining a positive and welcoming atmosphere on the unit has been central to her approach: “Patients and families don’t want to see nurses with sad faces; they have enough going on in their lives, and so we try to keep the unit positive. We try to have a laugh with the patients and make them feel like they are in an environment which isn’t stressful.”

Yvonne’s story is one of resilience, compassion, and a deep belief in the mission of The Kirkwood: “It gives me enormous pride to work for The Kirkwood and to have worked for us for so many years. To help families and the patients in their toughest times and giving them comfort and that human touch when people most need it is what makes me want to do this job.”

As she transitions into a new chapter, Yvonne remains as committed as ever to supporting those in need: “I believe passionately about The Kirkwood and the care we offer; I know and have seen over the last 25 years the difference we have made to people’s lives. The comfort we have brought to patients and the support we have offered to families. We believe in Supporting Life in whatever way we can. The Kirkwood is a force for good and a movement I am proud to have been involved with for so many years.”

Yvonne’s journey with The Kirkwood is a powerful reminder of the profound difference that hospice care can make in the lives of individuals and families.

As we celebrate Hospice Care Week, we honour Yvonne and her 25 years of service, and we recognise the vital role that hospices like ours play in our communities.

Let’s come together to support this essential work and ensure that compassionate care continues to be available for everyone who needs it.

Please consider fundraising for The Kirkwood so that dedicated professionals like Yvonne can continue to provide comfort and support when it matters most.