Did you know that 1 in 4 terminally ill people in the UK are missing out on the end of life care they need, according to research by national hospice and palliative care charity Hospice UK?

We believe everyone who needs it should have access to high-quality care in their last days, regardless of circumstances or location, and that – as far as possible – they should be looked after in the place of their choosing. That’s why we’re one of the 70 end of life care providers nationwide backing Hospice UK’s Open Up Hospice Care campaign to ensure that when time is running short, no-one gets left behind.

In the years ahead, demand for our services is set to increase with more people desperately needing our compassionate care. From being a Compassionate Friend to fundraising, there are many ways you can get involved.

Help us continue making a difference so that nobody in our community has to die alone, in pain or in distress. Find out more below…

Compassionate Communities
In the communities we serve, St Luke’s is encouraging open and honest conversations about death, dying and bereavement and helping to dispel myths around these ‘taboo’ subjects.

When people are experiencing crisis or loss, it can be the ‘little’ things that help make a difference – a listening ear or someone to help with a bit of shopping, for example. We want to create a community of compassionate friends and neighbours who look out for each other and lend support, particularly in challenging times, so that no-one is left behind.

We’re encouraging people to become ‘compassionate friends’ by training and connecting them into networks of support in areas where end of life care may be difficult to provide.

Projects and partnerships

We’re working with other local organisations to help ensure everyone can access the high-quality end of life care they deserve, regardless of circumstances. While many people receive our care in the ‘traditional’ setting of their own home, there are others – elderly people in care homes, the homeless and those in prison, for example – who also need us.

Among the estimated 335 people missing out on hospice provision each day in the UK are the homeless. Generally having shorter life expectancy and with no fixed abode, they can be particularly vulnerable yet may not be known to healthcare professionals.

That’s why we’re working with charity Shekinah and George House Hostel to identify terminally ill people who might otherwise die alone on the streets or in hospital, to ensure they receive our expert care when time is short.

Do you have a project, idea or comment? We’d love to hear from you.

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