Hospices are a vital part of our healthcare system, offering support not only to patients but also to their families and loved ones during incredibly difficult times.

We’re proud to collaborate with hospices and share the belief that no one should have to face death alone. Our role involves partnering with healthcare organisations, including hospices, to help them establish and run specialist volunteer teams. These amazing volunteers are trained to provide comfort and companionship to people in their last days and hours of life, as well as emotional support to those close to them. It’s a simple yet profound act that makes a world of difference to patients and their families.

This Hospice Care Week, we stand alongside hospices across the country, helping them enhance the exceptional care they already provide at the end of life. Despite their vital role in the community caring for over 300,000 patients each year, hospices face significant funding challenges. On average, only one-third of their costs are covered by the NHS, forcing many to rely on charity fundraising for the remainder.

Recent reports from Hospice UK highlight that one-fifth of hospices are making cuts or planning to do so, which translates to fewer community inpatient beds and reduced home visits. As hospices strive to step up their services amidst increasing demand, the irony is that they are being forced to scale back at a time when their services are needed most.

This funding crisis not only impacts the hospices themselves but also places additional strain on the NHS, which must pick up the slack when hospice services are cut. Our partnership aims to support these vital organisations, helping them to maintain and enhance the level of care they provide.

You can read more about Hospice UK’s recent report here.

We’re excited to introduce our new Community Project Manager, Lynn. Lynn will be working directly with hospices and community NHS trusts across the UK, using her extensive experience to help them set and rub specialist volunteer teams.