PATIENTS and their families at a county-hospice are to benefit from a £50,000 funding boost.
St Richard’s Hospice has been awarded a grant from The Eveson Trust to support its free care for patients with serious progressive illnesses, and those close to them, across Worcestershire.
The hospice, which provided free care for 3,181 patients, loved ones and bereaved people in the year to the end of March 2022, has seen an increase in the number of referrals received putting particular pressure on its Family Support Team.
Matt Jackson, Family Support Manager for St Richard’s Hospice, said: “The pandemic saw unprecedented challenges for bereaved families, with particular stresses for young people and children.
“A combination of loss, not being able to attend family members’ funerals and not being able to say goodbye all had a significant impact on families and loved ones.
“We’re here to help families navigate the complex emotions and questions that arise when someone close to them is ill or they are bereaved. Children can join our Dragonfly Group where they meet other children going through similar experiences, can ask questions, express their feelings and receive reassurance. Last month we started a new Dragonfly Group where the children also got
to meet a miniature donkey and pony in the hospice grounds.
“As a charity which relies mainly on donations and gifts in Wills we are so grateful to The Eveson Trust for helping make our services possible. It cost £8.75m to run the hospice last year, including patient care and all the necessary support services, and we simply couldn’t raise that sum without the support of wonderful charitable trusts and our amazing local community.”
Claire Bowry, chief executive of The Eveson Trust, said: “The Eveson Trust knows that the hospice provides vital care and support for patients and their loved ones across Worcestershire. We have awarded grants to St Richard’s since 1994 and we are delighted to continue our support this year with a grant of £50,000.”
