Tag Archive for: hospice care

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BLOG: By Royal invitation…How we flew the flag for St Luke’s at the King’s reception for carers

As His Majesty reached out to grasp my hand, the significance of the momentous occasion suddenly hit me. There, in the historic hallows of St George’s Hall, as the sun set behind Windsor Castle, not only was I meeting King Charles face-to-face, but I was bestowed with a right royal opportunity to sing St Luke’s praises to the gothic-beamed rafters in the most illustrious company possible.
It was an incredible privilege to be one of just four people selected to represent the hospice at such a prestigious celebration of carers, alongside Nikki Mackenzie, Clinical Admin team lead, Tina Lake, Domestics team lead, and Claire Behennah, one of our most loyal supporters and fundraisers.
The grand, but relaxed, champagne reception acknowledged the King and Queen’s heartfelt gratitude to carers from all walks of life, both professional and personal. We were joined by more than 200 other guests from charities and community groups across the UK, as well as individuals, including young children, being recognised for their selfless dedication to the care of people close to them.

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BLOG: Josie’s journey: a legacy of love and awareness

Sometimes, life is not as long as we expect, or hope it will be. Receiving a terminal diagnosis can feel shattering on every level. Yet with tenderness, the utmost sensitivity – and kindness that never wavers – the right care and support can bring peace to an anxious mind and soothe a frightened heart.
At Turnchapel, where talented artist Josie is a patient, she is surrounded by those who matter most to her: husband Laith – her ‘rock’ – and their two bright, beautiful girls, Becca, aged 10, and Sophie, 6. Living with terminal cancer, Josie knows time is running short, yet within the peace of the specialist unit, her story is not dominated by sadness. It is one of extraordinary love, abundant courage, and creating a lasting legacy.
Together, Josie, Laith and their young family have built a life of muddy boots, fresh air and adventures. An outdoorsy tribe, at their happiest together. The moment that changed life as she knew it is sharply etched in Josie’s memory.

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BLOG: Supporting our people to learn, grow and thrive: National Apprenticeship Week 2026

This Apprenticeship Week, we’re celebrating the people at St Luke’s who are growing their skills, building their confidence and taking the next step in their careers – all while continuing to make a difference every day.
We now have nine members of staff undertaking apprenticeships across the organisation – from our clinical and care teams to retail, admin, finance, IT and HR.
This week we wanted to shine a light on the nurses who have been leading the way for career development. Three of our nursing team are currently in the middle of apprenticeships, either advancing their clinical practice with an MSc or taking the next step from Nurse Associate to Registered Nurse.

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Cultivating care: The volunteers who keep our hospice gardens blooming

If you ever visit our specialist unit at Turnchapel one of the first things you will notice are the carefully cultivated gardens surrounding the hospice building.

Every Wednesday a group of 6 volunteers have been giving up their time to dedicate some care and love to our gardens, keeping them pruned, de-weeded and full of life. Their hard work creates a peaceful, welcoming space for patients, families and staff to enjoy – a place where nature offers comfort and calm during difficult times.

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BLOG: Decking the Halls at Turnchapel

A sprinkling of Christmas cheer has brightened up our specialist unit this week.
A group of kind-hearted volunteers from Land Registry, Plymouth volunteered their time to decorate the Christmas trees that have generously been donated to St Luke’s by Blue Diamond Endsleigh Garden Centre Ivybridge.
The team spent the day adding touches of tinsel and baubles to the entrance, reception and on the wards, bringing some festive joy to not only the people staying with us, but their families, visitors and all our staff and volunteers.

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BLOG: Coping at Christmas

Bereavement is hard at any time of year, but the festive season – and Christmas itself -can feel particularly challenging for anyone experiencing grief. No-one understands this more than us. As well as providing specialist end-of-life care for people with terminal illness, we offer their family members bereavement support too.
This week (2-8 December) is National Grief Awareness Week, in association with The Good Grief Trust. The aim of the week is to raise awareness of grief, highlight the support on offer and to normalise conversations around it.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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BLOG: Pam’s pony visit brings back special memories

When our care teams look after patients, they get to know them on a personal level, understanding their interests and learning about their backgrounds, to make sure the care they receive is personalised and unique to them.

When Health Care Assistant Lynn Collins got to know Pam Appleby when visiting as part of our community team, she learnt of her lifelong love of horses and started thinking of how she could give Pam some special lasting memories to help brighten her days.

What resulted was a visit from two ponies from Dartmoor Carriages called Peanut and Wizzle to Pam’s front garden this week.

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