Hospice Care Week is the annual celebration of hospices nationwide and recognition of the incredible work that is being done by volunteers and staff.  

This year, the week, which runs from 9-15 October, has the theme ‘We are Hospice Care’ and is focusing specifically on the people who work within the hospice network. 

For St Giles Hospice, it is a chance to share the wide range of support they offer, not just for patients, but also for their loved ones too. 

Andrew Harkness, Chief Executive at St Giles, said: “Every day I see and hear of the outstanding compassionate care St Giles volunteers and staff provide to local people, and their loved ones, living with a terminal illness.  

“Hospice Care Week gives us the the opportunity to promote the importance of hospice care and chance to celebrate the difference out team makes for local people in our communities.” 

 St Giles Hospice cares for local people, and their loved ones, living with a terminal illness. Last year, St Giles supported over 2,000 patients both on their Inpatient Unit and through their community services Now, as the charity marks Hospice Care Week, volunteers and staff from across the organisation are sharing their thoughts on what makes St Giles so special for them.  

Dr Sundar Balasubramanian is a Consultant at St Giles, who has worked at the hospice for four years said: “Every day is different, and that is what I like about it. As birth is important, death is equally important. It is a time to celebrate a lived life.” 

St Giles also relies heavily on the support of volunteers across the hospice and in its retail stores. 

Still volunteering at 91 years old, volunteer, Joan, has raised over £12,000 for St Giles since her husband, Norman, who lived with Parkinson’s Disease for eight years, came to St Giles back in 2007 for end-of-life care.  

Joan said: “I was volunteering on reception at St Giles Hospice until my hearing went, and after that I said I would volunteer in fundraising. My family roared with laughter and said, ‘Mom, you’ve never stopped fundraising for them!  

“It costs St Giles Hospice over £10 million every year to provide their vital care –  so anything I can do to help, I will.” 

Throughout the week, St Giles will be sharing videos on their social media pages focussing on different volunteers and staff across the organisation. Be sure to head over to their Facebook, Instagram or Linkedin profiles to watch these. 

To find out more about St Giles Hospice and how you can support, visit: www.stgileshospice.co.uk