Hospice Care Week 2025 – Each October, this week gives us a chance to recognise the essential work that hospices do. The theme for this year, “Hospice care is more than you think,” is especially fitting.
Hospices are often linked exclusively to end-of-life care in designated wards, but their impact reaches far beyond that – extending into homes, communities, and the lives of families across the UK.
What Does a Hospice Actually Do?
Hospices offer much more than just pain and symptom management.
They focus on helping individuals with life-limiting illnesses enjoy the activities that matter most to them. Whether it’s gardening, enjoying a cup of tea at their favourite café, or taking a cherished day trip, hospice staff and volunteers go the extra mile every day.
In the past year alone, community nursing teams and volunteers made 1.4 million visits, supporting people at the end of their lives to remain comfortable at home and out of hospital.
From nurses, carers and social workers to specialist palliative care doctors, every member of the hospice team plays a vital role. Volunteers are also the heart of this care, offering companionship and support through initiatives like Compassionate Neighbours, which helps patients enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
The Challenge They Face
Sadly, these vital services are under threat.
Rising costs and insufficient government funding have led many hospices to cut back, just as the demand grows.
With the right support, though, hospices could expand their reach and enhance the quality of care for even more individuals.
So, we must act now to ensure these lifelines are preserved for the future.
How You Can Make a Difference
This Hospice Care Week, let’s celebrate all the ways hospices help people live well at home and rally for the essential funding they need!
Here’s how you can help:
Shop Hospice:
Pop into your local Hospice shop and a pick up a few items to show your support
Follow this link and write to your local MP:
https://action.hospiceuk.org/hospice-care-much-more-than-you-think
On October 15th, Hospice UK is hosting a special drop-in event in Westminster – you can help encourage your local MP to attend by writing to them using a template Hospice UK have created.
By showing MPs the depth of public support, we can help ensure hospices get the backing they need to keep doing their incredible work.
Read, watch & share:
Visit the Hospice UK website, read the stories and watch the films, and help spread the word by sharing them
Make a donation to Hospice UK:
Support Hospice UK with a small donation (if you can)
Together, we can ensure that hospice care continues to be “more than you think” – not just for today, but for generations to come