19 year-old Jess Sheridan’s mum died in May 2021. Cared for at home by Dorothy House’s Community Palliative Care Nurses, Jess saw first-hand the vital role the hospice can play at the end of life both for patients and families.
After her mum’s death, Jess joined the charity’s Teen Bereavement Group and has been working with the Hospice’s family support team to navigate her own bereavement journey.
“Since my mum died, Dorothy House has supported me at every step,” she recalls. “I am passionate about seeing grievers like me understood and not alone – and want to be an ambassador especially for children and young people, whose stories are invaluable and should be heard.”
In her role as Young People’s Ambassador, Jess has already helped the charity’s family services team to communicate the importance of grief literacy in schools. In June 2022, Jess visited Bath based Monkton Combe school to speak with school nurses and GPs from across the region about the importance of normalising grief for children and staff alike.
Drawing on her personal experience and own bereavement journey, Jess was able to explain first-hand what children need and how to take the first steps in supporting them. Her honesty and generosity to support Dorothy House’s vision to make death a part of life is hugely appreciated by everyone at the charity.
With 1 in 20 children in each classroom losing a parent before the age of 16, Dorothy House’s ambition is to rollout further grief and bereavement training to school staff across their 700 square mile patch.
Jess joins three other new Ambassadors for the local hospice charity.
Sir Al Aynsley Green – Young People and Dementia Ambassador
Over a long and successful professional life, Sir Al has gained a wealth of experience, which he has channelled into improving the lives of children and young people.
A trained children’s physician, clinical scientist and ex-President of the British Medical Association, Sir Al has occupied many influential roles, including the first Children’s Commissioner for England and first Director of Clinical Research and Development at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
“A child today across the UK experiences the death of a parent every 20 minutes and with proper understanding and support they can lead successful and confident lives. Dorothy House’s outstanding family support is needed urgently and deserves to be successful.”
Tom Dunn – Community Ambassador
Tom has just received a call-up to the England rugby squad ahead of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations. He signed his first long-term contract for Bath Rugby in 2016. Just 12-months later he was called up to play for his country. Call-ups followed in 2018 and 2019 before he secured his first cap in the 2020 Six Nations.
Tom knows more than most about the dedication of the Dorothy House staff; his wife Jen works as a pharmacist in the 10-bed Winsley Inpatient Unit.
“I’m really looking forward to being a part of a team that are so committed to the care they provide and are such an important part of our community, I hope I can support the team in any way possible.”
Kitty Dimbleby – Wellbeing Ambassador
Kitty is a writer, poet, bestselling author and PR expert with over 20 years’ experience writing for national newspapers and magazines.
As a former trustee for Cancer Care Map and an Ambassador for the Royal United Hospital’s Charity, RUHX, Kitty’s own health conditions and public spotlight on the importance of wellbeing bring valuable insights to our Hospice.
“My personal experience of living with a lifelong illness and chronic pain gives me a unique perspective on the vital role wellbeing can play in supporting mental health. Dorothy House has helped many people close to me and I am proud to be their new wellbeing ambassador.”