More care to more people
More care to more people
Press Release
St Michael’s Hospice says it has supported more people in the last year than in any year since it opened.
The Bartestree-based Hospice has helped more than 2,000 residents of Herefordshire and its borders since the start of the Covid pandemic last March.
This includes inpatients, day patients, those accessing Hospice at Home, and people receiving support services including bereavement counselling.
The figure is greater than in any year since the Hospice first opened its doors in 1984.
‘At St Michael’s Hospice it’s our aim to provide more care to more people in more places,’ said the Hospice’s Chief Executive, Mike Keel.
‘Covid meant we had to find new and innovative ways to provide our care within the same resources, if we were to make sure we could continue to give people the expert and compassionate care they expect from their Hospice.
‘In the past year, we have seen an expansion of our bereavement support programme, including the introduction of a Covid-specific counselling scheme, whilst our ever-expanding Hospice at Home service, which has just celebrated its fifth birthday, visited more than 820 patients.
‘We’ve continued to care for inpatients here at St Michael’s, and we’ve kept in regular contact with day patients through phone calls or on Zoom.
‘All this simply wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers, and the continued backing of our community.
‘Each year, we must raise over £5.4 million to continue to provide our care and support for free. About 90% of this funding comes from our wonderful community, and on behalf of everyone at St Michael’s I’d like to thank each and every person who has supported us, particularly during the last year.’
The Hospice’s Donation Stations and the vast majority of its retail outlets (Coffee and Books shops will be takeaway only) reopen this week. St Michael’s is also looking forward to a busy Events season with an Open Gardens programme beginning at Whitfield, near Wormbridge, on Sunday 16th May, before hosting its annual Plant Fair in the Hospice grounds on the 4th and 5thJune. The ever-popular Venus midnight walk also returns this year with a new summer date of Friday 9th July.
‘We know our supporters have missed these events, and we’ve missed staging them, so we can’t wait to see everyone again,’ added Mr Keel.
For more information, including shop opening times and how to book your place at Venus, visit www.st-michaels-hospice.org.uk