Hospices across Kent are coming together for the first time ever, to change perceptions of hospice care and highlight the vital importance gifts in wills have in providing this much-needed care.

For many of Kent’s hospices, legacy giving provides a significant proportion of their annual funding, for holistic palliative care services for children and adults in their communities.

Demelza, ellenor, Community Hospice, Wisdom Hospice Charity, Pilgrims Hospices in East Kent, Hospice in the Weald and Heart of Kent Hospice provide hospice care for a population of almost two million people.
 
The seven hospices are taking part in the ‘This is Hospice Care’ campaign, a national awareness campaign and appeal from Hospice UK.

The campaign includes a powerful national TV campaign based on real life stories from people who have experienced hospice care. It challenges misconceptions about hospices, showing the breadth of care and support they provide beyond clinical, highlighting their place at the heart of local communities. 

Modern hospice care is very much centred around living well for the time that’s left, rather than on dying.

Thanks to the generosity of people who have left a gift in their will, Kent hospices are able to continue supporting not only patients, but those close to them too – who also need support after a life-limiting diagnosis.

New data released from Hospice UK suggests legacy donations to hospices in Great Britain fund the equivalent of hospice care for 30,000 people per year.

How people of Kent can help

Kent’s hospices are now calling on the people of Kent to consider leaving a gift in their will to their local hospice, to ensure the vital care they provide is secured for future generations.

Another misconception about hospices is that only large legacies are welcome – but a gift in a will can be any size. Gifts can be a specified amount, percentage of the estate, or a donation of something to sell – an possession or property.

The campaign website helps people find their local adult or children’s hospice, ensuring the legacy they leave will directly help members of their community.

Many people may have already experienced their local hospice’s care, or they might have supported in a different way such as taking part in an event, visiting a shop, buying a raffle ticket, donating a prize, playing their lottery or volunteering.

Hospice funding – the national picture

Last year, many hospices across the country were forced to announce cuts to services and jobs following spiralling costs and a surge in demand for care, which is expected to increase by 25% by 2040.

Government intervention before Christmas saw a welcome £100m capital funding boost for both adult and children's hospices, and an additional £26m grant for children's hospices, but this short-term injection of funds does not solve the ongoing funding crisis affecting the sector. The campaign is hoping to secure hospice funding for the long-term future. 

Hospice supporters can pledge a set amount, a proportion of their estate or specific assets, such as property or shares, which can then be sold to fund care. This flexibility means that any gift of any size will positively impact the care of people at the end of their lives.

Catherine Bosworth, Director of Income Generation and Grants at Hospice UK, said: “It is great to see hospices in Kent come together to celebrate and raise awareness of the impact that gifts in wills have on quality of life and death for adults and children across the county.

"Hospices rely on charitable donations to keep their doors open, which is why we're asking everyone to consider leaving a gift in their will to a hospice close to their heart. By doing so, you can help us continue to provide this vital care, ensuring that everyone has the support they need for generations to come.”

Hospices in Kent unite

Staff representing each of the hospices came together at ellenor in Gravesend to highlight the parts of hospice care which are unknown to the wider public, each holding an image of someone who is a part of their hospice’s story – staff, volunteers, patients and supporters.

In addition to palliative care, hospices across Kent provide a wide range of holistic care for patients and those closest to them – including pre and post bereavement support, counselling, peer support groups, physical activity groups, music therapy, arts and crafts and creative activities, financial support, and drop-ins. Plus training and education for family to manage care at home, or other professionals.

The amount of NHS support that hospices receive varies, but the hospices involved in the campaign must raise millions of pounds each year to supplement the NHS funds.

Across the hospice sector nationally, gifts in wills make up 46% of total fundraised income, compared to 28% in the wider charity sector. This method of giving provides almost £180m of funding to hospices every year.

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