About us | St Luke's Hospice Plymouth

Who are we?

St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth is an independent charity providing specialist care and support to people with progressive life-limiting illnesses in Plymouth, South West Devon and East Cornwall. We believe that everyone deserves quality end of life care, no matter where.

Our vision is a community where no person has to die alone, in pain or distress.

Visit our care for more information.

What do we do?

We care for over 300 patients and their families at any given time. This specialist care is provided by a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social workers and occupational therapists to patients and their families at home and at our specialist unit at Turnchapel

We are dedicated to ensuring that everyone in our community is educated and informed when it comes to end of life care. Our education team engage with the local community in an effort to train and empower individuals and organisations to work in partnership to provide excellent care in all environments and across all services.

How can you help?

It costs over £13.6 million to run St Luke’s services. While we receive government support for 30% of that, the majority is from our local community. This would not be possible if it wasn’t for you, our supporters.

There are lots of ways that you can support us, from taking part in an event to raising money at work or making a monthly donation. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll be helping us to ensure everyone in our community receives the best care and support at the end of their life.

Find out how you can get involved with St Luke’s events and campaigns here.

blog, latest news, News

BLOG: You can take the lady out of St Luke’s but not St Luke’s out of the lady

St Luke's Hospice Plymouth has reunited with one of its earliest caring hearts during a surprise visit for this special lady on her 95th birthday. Brixton Venn Court resident Joy Ridley, one of St Luke’s first-ever nursing auxiliaries in the 1980s, was visibly moved when Jess Timbrell, a paramedic with the hospice, arrived with flowers and a birthday card for her this week. Although the two women had never met before, they quickly recognised in each other the same unwavering compassion for families affected by terminal illness.

blog, latest news, News

BLOG: Going above and beyond – Hospice Care Week 2025

Making what seems impossible happen – even the smallest of things - can have a profound effect for those whose time is running short and their families. At St Luke’s, we believe hospice care goes far beyond the physical care – it’s about living well until the very end. Every day, our teams go above and beyond to help patients make the most of the time they have, creating space for joy, connection, and unforgettable moments with loved ones. Whether it’s a final trip to a special place, arranging a wedding, or simply sharing stories over tea, we’re here to make memories happen. This Hospice Care Week (6-12 October 2025) we are shining a light on the compassionate stories that make up St Luke’s and the staff and volunteers that make them happen.

blog, latest news, News

BLOG: Pedal-powered moorland challenge Tour de Moor supports St Luke’s hospice care

Hundreds of generous-spirited cyclists pedalled with a purpose on Sunday to make this year’s St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth’s Tour de Moor bike challenge a memorable and successful occasion. Wearing striking orange branded T-shirts, more than 900 riders turned the wild landscape of Dartmoor into a thrilling two-wheeler spectacle while raising vital funds to support the charity’s compassionate end-of-life care for local people and their families.

blog, latest news, News

BLOG: Riding ahead of the pack: Meet Joseph

When 13-year-old Joseph realised that he wouldn’t be able to make it to our Tour de Moor ride on Sunday, he didn’t let disappointment slow him down. Instead, he took on the challenge a week early, determined not to miss out on the event he had been looking forward to all year. Avid bike lover, Joseph Florey, from Sherford, took part in our Tour de Moor with his dad for the first time last year. He loved it so much that he couldn’t wait to do it all over again this year and so signed up as soon as possible. However unfortunately, he is due to undergo an operation just before the big day, meaning he would miss this year’s event. But Joseph was not going to let that stop him from completing the challenge. He got out on his bike at the weekend and battled the weather to ride the 11km route and has raised more than £100 in the process.

blog, latest news, News

BLOG: Mini-Moor, Mighty effort: Five-year-old Lenny rides for St Luke’s

At just five years old, Lenny Harrison from Plympton is gearing up for a challenge that’s bigger than most children his age would dream of - taking part in the 11km Mini-Moor route of our Tour de Moor. Not only that, but he has already raised over £1,300 for St Luke’s and he hasn’t even crossed the start line yet. Lenny, who turned five in April, lives with his mum and dad, Mica and Dan, and his older brother Parker, who’s nine. He has recently discovered a love for cycling that’s taken off in a big way. “Although he’s been great on a balance bike for a while,” says Dan, “he only really became confident on his current bike around April or May this year. But now it’s clicked, we just can’t keep him off it!”

blog, latest news, News

BLOG: Mrs M makes her mural magic shine for St Luke’s Guiding Lights

With her signature blend of nature-inspired creativity, her passion for protecting the environment and her strong sense of community spirit, Plymouth artist Ellie Johnson, aka Mrs Murals, is a beacon of enthusiasm for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth’s Guiding Lights art trail and auction spectacular that’s set to dazzle the city’s streets in summer 2026. As one of two launch artists, alongside St Luke’s patron and celebrated city painter Brian Pollard, in May Mrs M proudly unveiled the design she created for a small scale lighthouse that will travel to different locations across South West and West Devon and into Cornwall in the lead-up to the event, encouraging public engagement and support for the hospice.

blog, latest news, News

BLOG: Vicki’s Ride of Remembrance: Tackling Tour de Moor for her dad – and herself

With a mullet bike, a fierce love for enduro riding, and a promise made on her dad’s 70th birthday, Vicki Boorman will be one of our riders taking on the 53km Tour de Moor challenge on Sunday 28 September. For Vicki, riding has long been her way of finding balance and clarity - a few hours of freedom among the trees - and this year as she takes to the inclines of Dartmoor, every pedal stroke will be both a tribute to her dad and a step forward in her own journey.

blog, latest news, News

BLOG: From Compassion to Commendation: Jamie’s Queen’s Nurse accolade

Clinical Nurse Specialist Jamie Jennings has made it a hat trick for St Luke’s after receiving the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse. It’s a title currently held by only 3,000 nurses in the UK – including St Luke’s Nurse Consultant Jen Nicholls and Clinical Nurse Specialist Debbie Hutchinson – and it represents a commitment to the highest standards of patient care, learning and leadership.

blog, latest news, News

BLOG: Compassionate care in action – our brand new Impact Report

Compassionate Care in Action – our brand new impact report for 2024-2025 has just launched, showcasing what we have achieved in the last year. Inside, you’ll find stories of triumph, moments of challenge, and the unwavering dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters. Their commitment has helped ensure that people in our community receive the compassionate end-of-life care they deserve. We invite you to read this inspiring publication, carefully compiled by our communications team to showcase the impact of our work.

blog, latest news, News

BLOG: Meet Yorkie: The friendly face behind the final rider at Tour de Moor

At the tail end of our Tour de Moor you will find some of our volunteers with a very important job…sweeping the route. Paul Cunningham or ‘Yorkie’ as he is known among friends is one of the friendly faces behind the final rider at our annual cycling event across Dartmoor. His job is to ensure that no riders are left behind, keeping the event running smoothly and in the right direction! Originally from Halifax in West Yorkshire, he came to Plymouth in 1977 when he joined the Navy and stayed here ever since. The 71-year-old is now happily retired and enjoys volunteering his time and skills each year for St Luke’s. He said: “I can’t really remember how long I’ve been ‘sweeping’ on Tour De Moor, pretty much from the outset. I do it with my friends Steve and Lee who have been good riding friends for a number of years and Lee is also a fully trained bike mechanic so he’s a good person to be riding alongside - as well as them both being superb friends.”

blog, latest news, News

BLOG: Family on wheels: Meet Ellis and mum Katie

You may have spotted eight-year-old Ellis Jenkins out and about on our Tour de Moor posters this year. An avid cyclist, Ellis completed the Tour de Moor last year with is mum Katie in memory of his grandad and he is set to do it all again this year. Whatever the weather, Ellis, from Modbury, can be found out riding his bike. With a love for Harry Potter, tractors, and his latest hobby - learning to skateboard - Ellis will give anything a go. He’s also a keen rugby player and a member of the Beavers, and when it comes to cycling, there’s no stopping him. Ellis took part in our Tour de Moor last year for the first time and since then, he has been excited to do it all over again, putting his gears to the test. Katie said: “I’ve been doing spin for a few years now and it has definitely helped me keep up with him! We are an outdoorsy family and try to get outside as much as possible. We cycle the lanes and take his bike to some of the fields near us and he loves going downhill really fast and will cycle back up again! We go to the local pump tracks with his friends, which he loves, and to Haldon Forest to do the bike trails and pump tracks there.”

blog, latest news, News

BLOG: Pete’s Ironman tribute to his brother David

“Supporting St Luke’s through the Ironman feels like the closest thing I can offer to a thank-you note.” Pete Thacker completed the Leeds Ironman last week - consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run - in memory of his brother David, who was cared for by St Luke’s back in 2023. Pete, from Otley, near Leeds is a self-described “keen albeit rather slow cyclist and runner”. He decided to take on his second Ironman in Leeds on July 27, completing it in a fantastic 13 hours and16 minutes. “I completed my first Ironman around twelve years ago, but the body is older now and responding to training in slightly more painful ways than it did back then! That said, there’s nothing quite like the sense of achievement when you cross the finish line whether you run, walk or crawl over it. There’s a strange enjoyment in pushing yourself to that point. When you come into the transition area for the second time to start the run, someone always says, ‘last bit now’ but what they don’t mention is that the last bit is a full marathon!”

Previous Next

Job vacancies

Our history

Governance

Press and media

Who are we?

What do we do?

How can you help?

Our supporter promise

Contact us

BLOG: You can take the lady out of St Luke’s but not St Luke’s out of the lady

BLOG: Going above and beyond – Hospice Care Week 2025

BLOG: Pedal-powered moorland challenge Tour de Moor supports St Luke’s hospice care

BLOG: Riding ahead of the pack: Meet Joseph

BLOG: Mini-Moor, Mighty effort: Five-year-old Lenny rides for St Luke’s

BLOG: Mrs M makes her mural magic shine for St Luke’s Guiding Lights

BLOG: Vicki’s Ride of Remembrance: Tackling Tour de Moor for her dad – and herself

BLOG: From Compassion to Commendation: Jamie’s Queen’s Nurse accolade

BLOG: Compassionate care in action – our brand new Impact Report

BLOG: Meet Yorkie: The friendly face behind the final rider at Tour de Moor

BLOG: Family on wheels: Meet Ellis and mum Katie

BLOG: Pete’s Ironman tribute to his brother David

Our Care

Support us

Courses

Information