Blog and Latest news

We’re delighted to congratulate George Lillie on his appointment as the permanent Chief Executive of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth. Formerly our Clinical Director and Deputy Chief Executive, last year George stepped into the role of CEO for a limited period at a time when we desperately needed his wealth of experience, understanding and leadership. Following a rigorous and robust recruitment process, with some very strong applications, our board of trustees have confirmed that George was the outstanding candidate.

St Luke’s is launching a brand-new podcast to help open up the conversation about death and dying. The St Luke’s education team are working in partnership with Livewell and Macmillan GP Facilitators from Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon to create a regular podcast for health and social care professionals centred around facilitating good end of life care. The podcast will cover a range of end-of-life care topics, offering top tips and tools to practitioners based on best practice guidance and day to day experience.

Every time Harry Stevens and his family drove past the Tour de Moor billboard he would always ask to take part, desperate to join the experienced cyclists as they took on the epic rides across Dartmoor, but always being just a little bit too young for the longer routes. Finally, for the first time, it is Harry’s time to ride, the now 9-year-old can ride alongside his dad on our adventurer style 28km route on Sunday.

Just like our hospice, good companies recognise the importance of connections and always keeping a compassionate heart for the communities they serve. Last month, it was our great pleasure to welcome representatives from local and regional businesses to the smart, comfortable surroundings of our b.kinda coffee shop* in Plympton for a networking event with a difference, not to mention mouthwatering array of treats! Over coffee and cake – plus, delicious brownies, buns and flapjacks – familiar faces already generously supporting St Luke’s mingled with ‘newcomers’ finding out about the many facets of our charity for the first time, from patient care to retail, education, fundraising and volunteering.

Emotional patient journey inspires Alin’s passion to give back to St Luke’s Driving a poorly patient on his final journey from home to St Luke’s specialist unit had a deep and emotional effect on Plymouth taxi business owner Alin Turi. Appreciating for the first time the exceptional service the hospice provides for people at the end of their lives, Alin promised himself that he would support St Luke’s in the future. Three years later, Alin’s DevonXpress Travel has not only become the chief corporate backer for St Luke’s Sponsor a Nurse campaign, but two per cent of every customer’s fare collected via a special online link will be donated directly to St Luke’s to support patient and family care.

“Being so young it was hard for me to understand the illness and what was to come, St Luke's attended our home regularly and helped me process our new way of life.” Dealing with the grief of losing a parent can be tough at any age, but as a teenager it can be a challenging time to navigate. This was especially true for Will Ross. Ten years ago, when he was just 14, his mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Now aged 24, he is embarking on a gruelling cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in Scotland all in aid of St Luke’s as a thank you for the care his mother received.

One man’s lucky win is in memory of his father. Richard Jenkins is the winner of our top cash prize of £2,000 in our summer raffle. Originally from Plymouth and now living near Derby with his family, Richard was overjoyed to hear that his ticket was the winning one. The win came as an unexpected surprise, following years of supporting St Luke’s since we cared for his father twelve years ago. “My dad is the reason I like to support St Luke’s and the great work the team do,” he explains.

There’s a rare opportunity to enjoy the glorious gardens and grounds of historic Flete House on Sunday, when the estate, near Modbury, welcomes visitors to raise funds for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth. The stunning 12 acres of elegantly landscaped parkland grounds, include charming Italianate gardens, a well-stocked shrubbery, water gardens, and a host of impressive specimen trees that take pride of place on the garden map, and there are panoramic views of the picturesque South Hams countryside.

An impromptu taxi tour to places that hold special childhood memories was exactly the nostalgia trip St Luke’s patient Steve Wright wanted after weeks of feeling too weak and cautious to leave the house. Spending time in the sunshine on the waterfront at Devonport, showing his wife, Bute, the places he loved when he was a little boy made him feel “like I’d won the lottery”.

It was Lynette Ball’s dearest wish to witness her son, Stuart, marry his partner, Amy. But with a terminal diagnosis and Lynette’s health deteriorating rapidly, time was running short. That’s when the St Luke’s nursing team caring for the 60-year-old mother and grandmother at her home on Plymouth’s Barbican pulled out all the stops to make her dream come true.

Halfway up a wild and wet Mount Snowdon, George Fletcher felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to find a little girl aged around seven or eight waiting to hand him a £10 note. She wasn’t the first or last to approach the 85-year-old from Ivybridge as he embraced the enormous challenge of climbing the highest mountain in Wales, accompanied by his son Marc, and family friend Mark Buckham, to raise funds for St Luke’s.

When Marc Fletcher and his best mate started making plans to climb Mount Snowdon in memory of his late mother, Eve - shining a spotlight on the care she received from St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth - they asked his father, George, if he’d like to take the train up to meet them at the top and perhaps walk back down. But the 85-year-old was having none of it. If they were climbing Snowdon – the highest peak in Wales – then George wasn’t going to take the easy option. For him it’s not only a way to honour his wife of 55 years, but also to raise funds for St Luke’s so that other local families can benefit from the compassionate doorstep urgent care service he had no idea existed until they experienced it themselves earlier this year.

Green-fingered volunteers have been busy transforming the gardens at our specialist unit. Ten volunteers from Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest generously gave their time and skills to clearing out the overgrown gardens at Turnchapel ahead of our new transformation works that will be commencing soon. The team, who are employed by Plymouth City Council, operate across Plymouth, Dartmoor National Park and the South Hams, providing funding and support to plant trees that will help with biodiversity loss, increase pollinators, capture carbon and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Launching yourself out of a plane at 15,000ft may seem daunting to many, but for one granddaughter, losing both her grandparents gave her the motivation and fearlessness that she needed. Carys Macaskill, from Plympton, recently took part in a skydive for St Luke’s and it was her grandparents who were at the forefront of her thoughts as she took that leap of faith.

They came, they ran, they did us proud. A record number of runners gave it everything they’ve got for St Luke’s in the Run Plymouth Half marathon, 10k and 5k on Sunday morning, raising more than £40,000 for our specialist care.

“I decided to run for all the patients and their families that I have cared for over the years as they often show me the great strength they have.” St Luke's Nurse Consultant Jen Nicholls is the head of service for our Community team, providing specialist care for patients in the comfort of their own homes. She will be swapping her St Luke’s nursing uniform for a running vest on Sunday 28 April as she will be taking on Plymouth Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival in aid of the patients she cares for.

Walking, talking and paying tribute to lost loved ones, big-hearted blokes of all ages strode through the streets of Plymouth on Saturday 6 April, raising funds for the specialist end of life care needed by so many local families.

Scarecrows, penguins and traffic cones…our Men’s Day Out has seen it all. That is until now. A group of men from Plymouth will be bringing a touch of adrenaline to the day as they will be doing the walk dressed as a rollercoaster.

A stunning selection of gardens in West Devon, the South Hams and East Cornwall will be opening their gates once again in aid of local hospice care. St Luke’s annual Open Gardens scheme is launching in March, providing avid horticulture…

Do you work in health and social care? If so, we need your views to help shape how our services will look over the next three years. At St Luke’s, we design our specialist care and support around the ever-changing needs of our patients…

St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth’s end of life Urgent Care Team ventured across the Tamar last week to visit their first patient at home in East Cornwall as part of a pilot service running until the end of March 2024. We followed senior…

  Big-hearted march backs care that goes the extra mile A mass of big-hearted men will be marching through Plymouth on Saturday 6 April next year to support the compassionate end of life care St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth provides for…

Creating happy memories has always been a special part of Matt and Kelley Avery’s life together. A formidable, fun-loving team, they’ve certainly collected a bumper package of magic moments over the past 17 years, despite weathering some…

Community nurse Jen Nicholls has scored a ground-breaking double win for excellence at St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, becoming the organisation’s first Queen’s Nurse and first Advanced Clinical Practitioner. Jen, who works across the…

St Luke’s patient Michael Scott thought his eyes were playing tricks on him when he spotted top Plymouth Argyle player Finn Azaz walking onto the ward in our specialist unit at Turnchapel.

Endless miles of water and only yourself for company can be a daunting prospect for many. But for some St Luke’s supporters, a cross channel swim is at the top of their fundraising bucket list. Mike Goodman, from Saltash, took on the…

Lifelong Plymouth Argyle fan Ray Rogers became a VIP for the day when he was treated to prime seats for the match against Blackburn Rovers last weekend thanks to a heart-warming new regular guest ticket arrangement between St Luke’s Hospice…

Nurses’ hands aren’t only for delivering compassionate care. A band of community-minded military nurses put their green fingers to good use recently on voluntary weeding and seeding duty in the grounds of our specialist unit at Turnchapel. It’s…

George Lillie will be stepping into the role of Chief Executive of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth with immediate effect. Chair of the Board of Trustees, Charles Hackett, and his fellow trustees have invited George, our Deputy Chief Executive…

Look behind the scenes at our Open Gardens fundraising events and you will often find individuals whose lives have been personally touched by St Luke’s. When the magnificent Flete House, near Modbury, throws open its spectacular gardens…

St Luke's Jackie Butler discovers intriguing differences and reassuring similarities visiting a hub for palliative care and compassionate communities, 5,000 miles from Plymouth. Shuddering to a halt outside Kerala’s Institute of Palliative…

A little girl has set her sights on fundraising in memory of her Great Grandma, so that other families can have the same support she did during such a difficult time. Ella Honey Casey, 6, from Leigham, will be walking the three-mile route…

This year’s Midnight Walk will be a poignant one for so many. Especially for a group of women walking in memory of a special friend described as ‘a beautiful light in everyone’s life’. Holly Hacker from Ivybridge, was diagnosed…

Jackie Butler meets a special person whose calm and comforting presence is hugely valued by St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth hospital team and those they care for. The first thing that stands out about Pat Brenton as she walks through Derriford…

  Making a will is often a task we put off for another day. But recording your wishes is actually a very straightforward process, as well as an act of kindness for those you leave behind. With that in mind, St Luke’s is inviting…

While our nurses, healthcare assistants and doctors are the daily frontline ambassadors for St Luke’s compassionate and holistic end of life care, behind the scenes another small and highly skilled team are helping patients and their loved…

Meaningful midnight miles will benefit local hospice care St Luke’s iconic Midnight Walk is back for 2023, shining a light on precious memories of lost loved ones while supporting our compassionate care. Hundreds of generous and caring…

Men on the move make miles matter for hospice care A mass gathering of kind-hearted men strode through the streets of Plymouth at the weekend, paying tribute to lost loved ones, enjoying a unique camaraderie and showing their support for…

Nursing a joined-up vision, powered by experience Introducing St Luke’s Deputy Director Clinical Services Tricia Davis Tricia Davis is enormously proud to call herself a nurse. Her long career has seen her gather a wealth of diverse experience…

  This week (6-12 February) is National Apprenticeship Week. It is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of apprentices and the positive impact they make to communities, businesses, and the wider economy. As an employer…

Agency’s six steps to end of life care excellence The very first nursing and care agency in Plymouth to boast St Luke’s end of life training verification is delighted that its high standards and good practice have been recognised and verified…

Sometimes all you need is a hug and a whole box full of pocket cuddles has arrived on St Luke’s doorstep recently, courtesy of a kind-hearted and talented Plymouth woman who wants to bring a little bit of comfort to people when they need…

Charles Hackett steps up to chair St Luke’s Board of Trustees Charles Hackett has been announced as the incoming chair of St Luke’s Board of Trustees. A dedicated member of the board for nearly five years, he promises to hold the ship steady…

Introducing the new Carer Passport A new Family and Friend Carer Passport is being launched in Plymouth on 28 November 2022 to recognise and value the support carers provide. The Family and Friend Carer Passport is designed to help …

St Luke's Christmas Raffle 2022 Taking part in St Luke’s Christmas raffle is a great way to show your kindness to people living in your area who need our care. You could scoop our top prize of £2,000 and have extra cash in your pocket…

Embrace Make a Will Week and look after your loved ones. Many of us put off making a will. Even though we want to protect our family and friends after we die and know that our property and possessions will be dealt with in the way we choose,…

Cyclists’ support that helps keep the wheels of local hospice care turning It was big, it was bold and it turned Dartmoor blue, raising vital funds for our compassionate care. On Sunday 9 October, over 1,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities…

St Luke’s covering of kindness for Lisa and Fran Whenever you need us, we’ve got you covered. And not just you but the loved ones around you, too. For Fran, the multicoloured blanket crocheted especially for her beautiful wife Lisa…

Plymouth tickled pink for hospice care Hundreds of ladies tickled Plymouth pink on Friday night, as they walked across the city to raise vital funds for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth. Setting off from Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park stadium,…

St Luke’s goes back to where our retail success began In our 40th anniversary year, we have cut the ribbon at premises on the same city centre street where we opened our first-ever charity shop nearly four decades ago. When St Luke’s…

A royal celebration to mark 34 years When you have two tickets to the Platinum Party at the Palace who do you choose to give them to? Our longest serving member of staff of course! Today marks an amazing 34 years of our Support Officer…

Royal recognition for volunteer Adrian You couldn’t meet a more modest man, but our long-serving volunteer Adrian Frost so deserves the royal recognition he’s received for his outstanding contribution to our community! From many…

Two brave ladies take fundraising to new heights! The community-spirited people who are often fundraising for St Luke's; run, walk or take to the water to do sponsored challenges – with our exciting skydive and wing walk challenges, they…

St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth’s sell-out event Men’s Day Out, which returned on Saturday 23 April, saw 2,000 men walk a 12km route, starting and finishing at Plymouth Albion RFC.

Run for St Luke’s and go the distance in our 40th anniversary year If ever there was a year to run in aid St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, this is it! Whether you’re an experienced runner or fairly new to the sport, we’re asking you…

High-quality integrated care that benefits patients at the end of their lives On our 40th anniversary, we’ve been talking about the history of our charity from its beginnings at Syrena House in Plymstock, in 1982. Much has changed since…

Big hearted b.kinda coffee shop will support St Luke’s care The first b.kinda coffee shop is on course to open in Plympton early in 2023, marking the start of an exciting new venture from the commercial arm of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth. Aiming…

The power of hundreds of local men on the move We've launched Men's Day Out, one of our flagship fundraising events, inviting men to gather together outdoors and go the extra mile to do good for local families going through the toughest of…

For people finding the run-up to Christmas anything but festive because they’re missing someone special who has died, the Light up a Life remembrance services organised by a much-loved local charity could help bring comfort and light.…

Furniture collection with compassion For our friendly team of drivers who carry out furniture collection from people’s homes so it can be sold in our charity shops, it’s a job that involves more than the muscle they use to do the heavy…

What is hospice care? If you have been advised that you need hospice care, it can be an anxious and confusing time. It’s only natural that you’re likely to have lots of questions. That’s why we’ve written this blog to help provide…

A (ten) grand day for Elaine! Friday 13 August turned out to be a very lucky date indeed for the winner of our weekly lottery rollover prize, Elaine from South East Cornwall. It wasn’t just a grand day – it was a ten-grand day, thanks…

  St Luke's at Pride in Plymouth Even the rain couldn’t dampen our enthusiasm – we were proudly part of last week's Pride in Plymouth 2021 and it was great meeting so many who came along! Our friendly team – including…

  Our volunteers are gradually mobilising after the lockdown. Recently, the Friends in Modbury held a most successful stand at the Modbury Fair, selling clothes, accessories and raffle tickets to raise almost £500. This is a really…

Treasured memories of a big-hearted mum and grandmother are inspiring four females from the same Plymouth family to step out together in support of St Luke's after we gave her such compassionate care at the end of her life. Louise Pudner…

For three little girls whose father died from cancer last year, their teddy bears will always be incredibly special because – at the press of a paw – they can hear Daddy’s voice reminding them of his enduring love and affection. When…

While for many of us, it’s a piece of equipment that goes unused - simply gathering dust despite our best intentions - a Plymouth grandmother living with Parkinson’s disease has used the power of pedalling her exercise bike to raise…

If the past turbulent year has taught us anything, it’s just how quickly life can change and the dramatic impact this can have on us and the people we hold dear. That’s why as well as reminding people about the importance of having a…

We need you to run in your old St Luke's t-shirt! You runners do a fantastic job of keeping St Luke’s close to your hearts, and it makes us beam with pride when we see you clocking up the miles sporting our charity’s name across your…

Losing a loved one is always really difficult. We understand how important it is for you to be able to remember your lost loved one, whether they were cared for by St Luke’s or not, and we realise more than ever that when someone special…

Much-loved local charity St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth is sending out a rallying call to the community to take on the challenge of quite literally going the extra mile to support its vital service while staying safe, close to home. The…

Working across the wards of University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) NHS Trust 365 days a year, there’s a team small in number yet dynamic and consistently compassionate in the face of pressure, who swiftly stepped up to help strengthen the hospital’s…

This being Hospice Care Week (5 – 11 October) – the annual Hospice UK campaign highlighting what it takes for hospices to provide high-quality end of life care at no cost to the patients they serve – St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth is…

For most people, changing jobs and joining the staff of a new organisation can be a time of trepidation as well as excitement – but what is it like when your arrival and induction happen to coincide with a global pandemic?  Claire Fisher,…

In May, at the height of the pandemic, Dr Doug Hooper, Consultant in Palliative Medicine in the St Luke’s team at Derriford, shared how it felt to be ‘in the eye of the storm’ at the hospital, with this specialist team extending their…

His gentle humour, a shared visit to Stonehenge and The Beatles’ music are just three of the things that Suzy Bennett thinks about, remembering her much-loved dad Jim Tozer, who sadly died last October, aged 68. With today being the…

In the past few months, death has become a greater part of public life, with so many families sadly losing loved ones and with the media focus firmly on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. But are we getting better at talking more openly…

Talented local Plymouth band SuperXLs have been supporting St Luke's for the past 3 years, by showcasing their musical tribute to the late, great, David Bowie every January. To date the band has raised almost £2000 from those shows alone.…

What have Lawrence of Arabia and a mammoth got in common with the Queen in a hot-air balloon? Find out this weekend, when internationally renowned Plymouth-based artist Brian Pollard provides a rare, behind the scenes tour of his studio,…

These are very challenging times for everyone, but for people whose loved one is dying or those who have already lost someone close to them, they are especially tough. With this in mind, Jutta Maria Widlake, Head of Social Care at St…

A local man with a big voice and an even bigger heart has proved that when you think outside the box, life on lockdown is no barrier to doing good for your community in these turbulent times. Currently confined to the home he shares with…

It’s International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, celebrating the work of those working in these professions and providing a golden opportunity to attract more applicants to such essential and rewarding roles. What better time, then, to…

Ahead of the South West’s biggest men-only annual charity event on Saturday 28 March, a local man has shared the moving reasons behind his motivation for taking part for the sixth consecutive year. As is his annual tradition, 50-year-old…