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Leamington Town Council is inviting residents to share their ideas for the possible use of the third telephone box at the top of the Parade in Clarendon Avenue.The Council has agreed to ‘adopt’ the telephone box following its de-commissioning by BT.Leamington Town Council is inviting residents to share their ideas for the possible use of the third telephone box at the top of the Parade in Clarendon Avenue. Picture supplied.The two others at the same location are already owned by the council.The first telephone box serves as an art box, showcasing small exhibitions throughout the year, most recently displaying last year’s Leamington in Bloom photographic competition entries.Displays are changed regularly and managed by the Friends of Christchurch Gardens.The second telephone box houses a defibrillator.The Council is now asking local residents how the third telephone box could be used.Possible options include another art space, a memorial box, or retaining it as an original telephone box.Cllr Sarah Boad, Mayor of Royal Leamington Spa, said: “We’re pleased to be able to adopt this third telephone box and give it a new lease of life.The other two telephone boxes at this location have been put to good use for the community, and we want to hear from residents about how they would like to see it used.”The Council will consider a range of issues before deciding on the telephone box’s future such as available resources, and ongoing maintenance.Hard copies of the questionnaire will be made available at Leamington Town Hall, the Royal Pump Rooms Information Centre, The SYDNI Centre, Brunswick Hub and Lillington Children’s CentreThe closing date for responses is Friday August 28.Continue Reading

South Warwickshire is full of so many worthwhile charities and good causes. The work that many of these organisations do is often life-changing. That is worth shouting about. The Courier and Weekly News will be running a regular feature to shine a spotlight on the organisations in our area that help people in the community. This time, we spoke to Ruth Freeman, CEO of The Myton Hospices.The beginningThe Myton Hospices has been providing specialist palliative and end of life care across Coventry and Warwickshire for more than four decades.The charity’s story began in 1979, when the Bishop of Coventry established a committee to explore the possibility of creating a local hospice for people with life-limiting illnesses.The Myton Hospices has been providing specialist palliative and end of life care across Coventry and Warwickshire for more than four decades. Photos supplied by The Myton Hospices.Following a community fundraising effort, Myton Hamlet, a former children’s home, was purchased and turned into what is now Warwick’s Myton Hospice.The hospice was officially opened by The Duchess of Kent in September 1982.A day unit opened in Warwick in 1984, followed by a purpose-built inpatient unit in 1998 and a new day unit in 1999.Rugby’s hospice opened in 2002 after local people raised £1million, and Coventry’s hospice followed in 2009 after a £7million community fundraising appeal.Ruth Freeman, CEO of The Myton Hospices. Photo by The Myton HospicesToday, Myton supports people living with life-limiting illnesses from diagnosis through to the end of life, while also providing vital support for their families and loved ones.Ruth said: “Our vision is that everyone in Coventry and Warwickshire can live well towards the end of life and have the opportunity to experience a good, natural death the way they want it to be, where they want it to be and with their loved ones supported.“Everything we do is underpinned by our values of respect, professionalism, valuing every individual, and working together as One Myton.”How the charity evolvedDuchess of Kent officially opening Warwick Myton with Rev John Gibbs in 1982. Photo by The Myton HospicesSince opening, The Myton Hospices has evolved to meet growing demand and the changing needs of patients and families.Ruth said: “Alongside our inpatient units, we now provide a wide range of services both in our hospices and across the community, including Myton at Home, Patient and Carer Wellbeing services, Lymphoedema care, counselling and bereavement support, and education for healthcare professionals.“Our approach has also broadened.“Today, we care not only for people living with life-limiting illnesses but also for the families and carers around them, recognising that hospice care is about supporting the whole family through one of life’s most difficult times.”The Myton Hospice site in Rugby nearing completion in 2002. Photo by The Myton HospicesThe Myton Hospices now also has 25 charity shops, which helps generate vital income as well as providing another way for people to support the charity.Fundraising and awarenessEvery year, Myton supports more than 2,000 patients and their families but the charity, like many, is also under funding pressures.Ruth said: “We care for people living with a wide range of life-limiting illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, respiratory conditions, neurological conditions and organ failure.“Across our inpatient units we have 36 hospice beds, but due to funding pressures we can currently only afford to keep 25 open.“As the only hospice in Coventry and Warwickshire providing specialist palliative and end of life care and inpatient beds, demand continues to grow, and we have waiting lists on most days.”Building work taking place at the Coventry Myton Hospice site in 2008. Photo by The Myton HospicesHow Myton fundraises has also changed.Ruth said: “The funding landscape for hospices has changed dramatically and charities across the UK are facing unprecedented financial pressures.“Our costs continue to rise while statutory funding has failed to keep pace. It now costs more than £15million each year to provide our free services.“With less than 20 per cent of our funding coming from the NHS, we need to raise more than £12million annually through donations, fundraising, retail, lottery, legacies and community support.”She added: “We’re working hard to protect patient care, but the reality is that we currently have hospice beds standing empty, not because they aren’t needed, but because we don’t have the funding to open them.“We’re working alongside Hospice UK to campaign for fair and sustainable hospice funding, while continuing to rely on the incredible generosity of our community to help ensure no one faces the end of life without the care and support they deserve.”Community supportThe support shown by the community every year helps the charity continue to operate.Ruth said: “Myton was built by the community, and more than four decades later it continues to be sustained by that same community spirit.“We’re also incredibly fortunate to have around 1,300 volunteers who give their time across our hospices, shops, events and services.“Their commitment, alongside the generosity of our supporters, is truly invaluable.“Quite simply, without our community, there would be no Myton.”Next year, the charity is marking its 45th anniversary and Ruth said it will be a chance to reflect and strive forward.She said: “It is an opportunity to reflect on everything our community has achieved together and the thousands of families whose lives have been touched by hospice care.“While we’re proud of how far we’ve come, the demand for our services continues to grow.“We have waiting lists on most days and, heartbreakingly, some people die while waiting for a hospice bed, even though we have beds that remain closed because we cannot afford to staff them.“Our ambition is to open all 36 inpatient beds, reduce waiting times and reach more people earlier in their illness, ensuring everyone who needs specialist palliative and end of life care can access it when they need it most.“With the continued community support, we believe that vision can become a reality.”Ruth added: “Myton is a vital community asset, and protecting it is a responsibility we all share.“Whether it’s making a donation, taking part in an event, volunteering, shopping in one of our charity shops or helping raise awareness, every act of support makes a difference.“By supporting Myton, people are helping ensure compassionate, specialist hospice care remains available for families, now and for generations to come.”Continue Reading