Hospices across Wales warn community care needs stable funding

This Hospice Care Week, hospices across Wales are uniting behind a clear message: don’t leave hospice care to chance.

Every day, hospices provide essential care, comfort and connection to people living with terminal and life-limiting conditions, not only in hospice buildings, but in homes and communities across the country.

Their work is diverse and often life-changing. Yet most hospices still rely on charitable fundraising for most of their income. As demand grows and complexity of need increases, leaders warn that without stable, long-term funding, the services families depend on risk being left to chance.

Across Wales, hospice teams are supporting people long before the final days of life, helping families navigate uncertainty, offering dignity, specialist clinical care, and creating moments of joy and connection that stay with people forever.

Here, hospices across Wales are highlighting the breadth of the invaluable support they provide to families and patients in the community alongside palliative care:

Nightingale House Hospice: Opening the door to hospice care earlier

Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham continues to show how early access to hospice support transforms lives. Their work with the MS Group, including Helen, who has lived with MS for 25 years, demonstrates how specialist care can reduce isolation, improve symptom management and help people stay connected to their communities.

The MS Group offers tailored support including hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and peer connection. For Helen, these sessions have helped her maintain confidence and independence. She says the hospice has given her “support, friendship and encouragement” and helped her focus on what she can do.

This impact is strengthened by the work of Nightingale House’s Neurological Link Nurse, Gwyneth Roberts, who collaborates with primary, secondary and community teams to encourage earlier referrals.

Gwyneth Roberts, Neurological Link Nurse, said: “Hospice care is about living well. The earlier we can support someone, the more positive impact we can have on their confidence, independence and overall wellbeing.”

St Kentigern Hospice: Helping men live well

At St Kentigern Hospice in St Asaph, their Men’s Group continues to show how hospice care can reduce isolation, build confidence and help people live well with terminal illness.

Designed specifically for men who often struggle to seek support, the programme offers practical activities, peer connection and space to talk openly about illness, fear and identity.

John, who lives with pulmonary fibrosis and heart failure, says joining the group has been an ‘eye opener’ and an important reminder that he is not alone. Hearing the word hospice initially made him fear the worst, but being part of the group has changed that completely.

The men support each other through conversations they may not feel able to have at home. “Talking together lightens your mood and helps lessen the fear that often comes with a terminal diagnosis” said John. “We’re on the same journey and support each other.”

Tŷ Hafan: Supporting fathers through the unimaginable

At Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice in Sully, the essential support it provides to fathers of children with life-limiting conditions and to those grieving the loss of a child is making a real difference.

Family Support Worker Dan Notley leads this work by creating safe, informal spaces for dads to connect. From football and rugby meet-ups to community hub gatherings and online groups, Dan helps men build supportive networks with others who truly understand.

Many dads have also formed their own peer-support communities, including a Facebook group with more than 100 members.

One of those fathers is Ian Watkins, who lost his five-year-old son to cancer. Ian describes Tŷ Hafan as “the only place where we could breathe,” adding: “They held us through the darkest moments and helped me find a way to talk about grief when I didn’t have the words.”

He says Tŷ Hafan’s work helped him feel less alone, giving him space to talk honestly about grief, anger and love.

Dan Notley, Family Support Worker, said: “Men often carry their grief quietly. We try to give them places where they can talk, laugh, share memories or say nothing at all. No dad should feel alone in this.”

Skanda Vale Hospice: Finding joy in the everyday

Skanda Vale Hospice in Saron, near Llandysul, continues to show how hospice care can bring joy, meaning and connection even in the most difficult times. Their patient outings, from meeting the elephants at the monastery to afternoons on local beaches, remind people that hospice care is about living fully, not just preparing for the end.

These moments offer families calm, wonder and togetherness at a time when life can feel overwhelming. They help create memories that bring comfort long after an outing, showing the value of hospice support delivered in the community.

Kiera Jones, Lead Nurse, said: “We only get one opportunity to get end-of-life care right. When it’s done well, it shapes how families grieve and remember. Hospice care should never be left to chance or seen as an add-on or optional extra.”

Don't leave hospice care to chance

Matt Brindley, Policy and Advocacy Manager for Wales at Hospice UK, said: “Every story shared this week shows the extraordinary value and impact of hospice care in Wales. Compassionate care in the community is at the heart of everything we do.

“Welsh hospices support over 20,000 children and adults each year but increasing demand and rising costs are putting this care at risk. We cannot leave something this important to chance. Wales needs fair and stable funding for hospice care now.”