Hospice Care Week

For one week in October, Hospice Care Week shines a spotlight on our brilliant hospices, and their amazing staff. We’ll do this through telling their stories, hearing their voices, campaigning to policymakers, and harnessing the collective power of the hospice sector – that includes hospice supporters like you.

But it’s also an opportunity to speak up about the injustices they face, and make change.

We know local communities do incredible things to support their hospices – from donating to shops, to running marathons. But hospices need more support from governments to be able to play their full part in meeting the challenges we face in the UK’s healthcare system.

Hospice care eases the physical and emotional pain of death and dying. Letting people focus on living, right until the end. But too many people miss out on this essential care. 

Nearly 1 in 3 people don’t get the care they need at the end of their lives. And where you live affects your chance of getting the care you need.

With charitable income making up the majority of hospice funding, hospice care relies on the chance of local communities being able to fundraise enough – some can raise more than others.

The amount of government funding varies wildly from hospice to hospice, meaning the amount hospices receive can be left to the luck of the draw.

A broken funding model and rising costs means many hospices are reducing services, so the chance of care being available is shrinking in many areas.

Hospices are underfunded, underutilised and under more pressure than ever. And hospice funding can be down to the roll of the dice, leaving their future uncertain. 

But one thing that is certain is rising demand for their care. Everyone deserves high-quality hospice care, whoever they are, and wherever they live.

Join us this Hospice Care Week to say: don’t leave hospice care to chance. Help it to be there, for all, for now, forever.

There are some really easy ways to show your support for Hospice Care Week – in whatever way works for you.

You could:

• Connect with your local hospice Whether you sign up for a fundraiser or purchase something from their shop, support from their local communities is vital to hospices.
• Read and share the Hospice Care Week retail stories, below, on our website
• Talk to friends, family or colleagues about Hospice Care Week – maybe they’d be keen to support the campaign too!
• Consider making a donation to Hospice UK in support of Hospice Care Week: by donating, you’re helping fight for hospice care for all, for now and forever.

The more people we can get sharing our posts on social media, telling stories about amazing hospices, their staff and volunteers, or even putting a poster up at work, the more power we’ll have to secure fairer funding for hospices.

Resources - coming soon

We will be sharing resources to help you, your hospice or organisation make the most of Hospice Care Week. Check back for updates on when they will be available

Planning on fundraising?

Do you want to fundraise for Hospice UK? You can! Discover how easy it can be to support hospices across the UK.