A NEWTON Abbot care professional says a specialist Rowcroft Hospice programme has transformed his confidence in supporting people approaching the end of life.

Joseph Clark-Skinner, office manager at local homecare provider, Teign Angels, recently completed Rowcroft’s End-of-Life Care Ambassador Programme, gaining the knowledge and skills to help improve support for patients and carers alike.

The nine-month programme, delivered in partnership with the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, gives health and social care professionals the confidence to drive positive changes from within their own workplaces.

Since its launch in 2018, more than 115 people have completed the programme, creating a growing network of ambassadors committed to improving end-of-life care across South Devon.

Teign Angels, a small home-care provider based in Newton Abbot, has been running since 2016.

Joseph, pictured, said the programme had been a hugely valuable experience, not only providing reassurance in his role, but also giving him the opportunity to share experiences with professionals from different areas of health and social care.

He said: ‘The Ambassador Programme is phenomenal, and I am so glad that I did it. It is given me a lot of confidence and reassurance, and the sessions themselves provided spaces where I was able to discuss different things with professionals I would never have met otherwise.

‘Most of the time, we are looking at the same issues and problems, just from different angles so being able to talk things through with the brilliant attendees and wonderful facilitators was really useful’.

One of the main areas where Joseph is putting his learning into practise is Advance Care Planning - help people discuss and record their wishes and preferences for future care.

Teign Angels is now rolling out an Advance Care Planning Conversation Guarantee to everyone is supports, ensuring people have the opportunity to talk what matters to them.

The organisation is also working to raise awareness among future health and social care professionals by arranging sessions with students at local school and colleges.

Advance Care Planning has also been incorporated into its work placement programme, while a social media campaign is planned to highlight its importance.

Joseph said: ‘We are also continuing to promote the role that Advance Care Planning can play and the importance for health and social care professionals to feel confident enough to talk about it with people they are supporting.

‘The confidence and knowledge I have gained from the Ambassador Programme has been instrumental in all of this, and I am very proud to be an ambassador’.

Kerry Macnish, head of education at Rowcroft Hospice, said the programme had seen inspiring commitment and creativity from its participants over the past eight years.

‘Each ambassador brings their own experience and ideas to improve care, and together they are helping to create meaningful change for patients, families and carers across South Devon.

‘We are so proud of this programme, as it enables outstanding care beyond our organisation to all those joining us from across our community’.

To find out more about the work of Rowcroft’s Education Team, visit: rowcrofthospice.org.uk/education