Our vision is that our communities will have the best care and support before, during and after death. Much of that care and support is provided by the Hospice – but we also go beyond that. We deliver education and research to develop skills, expertise and confidence for health and social care professionals, well beyond our own team.

With 50% of the population receiving their end of life care in care homes or at home with the support of care staff, we want to provide the opportunity to increase skills, knowledge and confidence. For that reason, we offer a range of flexible courses and training options for care home and care agency staff, and pride ourselves on establishing and growing relationships with many of the local companies within this sector.

Our relationship with Signature Senior Lifestyle began in March 2017, when one of the care homes in the group successfully completed our Gold Standards Framework for Care Homes, and continues to this day.

In the Spring of 2021, Princess Alice Hospice delivered an End-of-Life Care Dementia Champion Training Programme. The training empowered staff to champion the specific needs of residents with dementia, which helped to shape the way that dementia was managed within the homes.

Between Autumn 2023 and Spring 2024, all nine of the Signature Senior Lifestyle care homes successfully completed our Six Steps to Success in End-of-Life care Programme.

Sandra Nandhra-Gourlay, Client Liaison Manager at Signature Senior Lifestyle Ltd comments about the impact and importance the training has had on their organisation and the residents:

“For our team, the training has enhanced our ability to manage complex care needs with greater confidence and compassion, improving communication, pain management and emotional support techniques. This helps us create a more comforting and supportive environment for both our residents and their families. We are proud to continue our journey of growth and learning with the amazing team at Princess Alice Hospice”

Since then, the care homes have been invited to join the Share and Learn Network for Care Homes and staff attended the Networking event in March 2024. Learners had tours of the Hospice and met many of the team here at Princess Alice Hospice.

More recently, a Clinical Trainer from Signature Senior Lifestyle attended a series of three Practical Care Workshops in our Skills Hub.

Signature Senior Lifestyle’s approach to continuous learning can only serve to benefit all the staff they take time to invest in and the residents they so diligently look after. We look forward to continuing the relationship in 2025 and beyond.

“For our residents and their families, the benefits are profound. They can feel assured that their loved ones are receiving the best possible care, with a focus on dignity, comfort and emotional wellbeing. Families can find peace in knowing that they are supported every step of the way, with access to compassionate professionals who understand their unique needs during this challenging time”