In his latest blog, our CEO shares an update on how we’re navigating the financial storm affecting hospices across the country.

Gareth’s blog: Navigating the storm in 2025
Gareth’s blog: Navigating the storm in 2025

Before Christmas, we announced that we were facing a financial ‘perfect storm’ thanks to rising costs, the continued uncertainty of statutory funding and a challenging economy. This isn’t unique to us, with the hospice sector as a whole facing the worst funding crisis in 20 years. Many hospices, just like us, are having to make difficult choices and reduce services.
It’s likely that we will continue to be affected this year and beyond. That’s why we have taken action to reduce our cost base as a charity and launch an urgent appeal to help bridge the £1m funding gap that we face.
The power of communities
We’re a community charity. We exist to help and support our community when they need us, when families are facing their darkest hours.
And because we only receive 10% of funding from the government, we rely heavily on our community to generate the remaining 90% of the £6m that is required each year to fund the work of our charity.
This is no mean feat – and since we announced the launch of our urgent appeal in December we’ve been absolutely blown away by the support that our community has shown. You’ve stood firmly by our side, and continue to do so. So many of you are pulling out all the stops to fundraise for us, to shout from the rooftops about the work that we do and the difference that we make, to write to your local MP and to volunteer for us. We couldn’t be more grateful for that support – thank you.
We’re proud to support our local community, and we’re proud that when times are tough, you stand by us – it means so much. But the challenge isn’t over – we still need ongoing support to make sure no family is left without help.
We’re proud to support our local community, and we’re proud that when times are tough, you stand by us – it means so much. But the challenge isn’t over – we still need ongoing support to make sure no family is left without help.
How we’re fighting for a better deal for families
The only way that hospice services will be guaranteed to thrive (not just survive) in the future, is if there is a fundamental shift in the way that they are funded moving forward. Just before Christmas, the government announced further funding for hospices and, while this is capital funding (it can’t be used to fund the day to day running of a hospice, like staffing costs for instance), it’s a huge step forward and shows commitment that hospices are seen as a key part of the wider health and social care system.
We continue to work with our local MPs, with other local hospices here in West Yorkshire, with the local health system and with national charities like Hospice UK and Together for Short Lives to lobby for a long term, sustainable funding model.
We’re confident that change will come, but until then, we will continue to do all that we can to protect our future, so that ultimately, we can still offer the help and support that families will need not just today, but tomorrow and in the future too.
How you can help
If you believe in what we do, please consider supporting us. Whether through fundraising, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, it all makes a big difference.
We will continue to do all that we can to protect our future, so that ultimately, we can still offer the help and support that families will need not just today, but tomorrow and in the future too.