Farleigh Hospice calls for support during Hospice Care Week

Farleigh Hospice is marking Hospice Care Week from October 5 to 11 to raise awareness of the essential services it provides throughout mid-Essex.

Michelle Kabia, chief executive of Farleigh Hospice (Image: Farleigh Hospice)

Michelle Kabia, chief executive at Farleigh Hospice, said: "Farleigh Hospice is very grateful to everyone in our local mid Essex community who supports this charity by giving donations, taking part in our fundraising events and challenges, volunteering their time, and shopping in our Farleigh stores.

"Without this kind generosity, we could not provide our vital care when and where it is needed every day.

"But access to local hospice care should not depend on how much a community is able to give.

Farleigh Hospice in Broomfield, Chelmsford (Image: Farleigh Hospice)

"Everyone deserves access to high-quality, compassionate care at the end of their life, based on their needs, not chance.

"Hospices are underfunded and under more pressure than ever."

This year’s national theme, “Don’t leave hospice care to chance”, highlights rising demand for hospice services and mounting financial pressure.

Farleigh Hospice cares for adults with life-limiting illnesses and their families across Braintree, Burnham, Chelmsford, Halstead, Maldon and Witham.

Care is provided in patients’ homes or at the hospice’s inpatient unit in Broomfield.

The charity helps people live as well as possible with a life-limiting illness, while providing comfort and dignity at the end of life.

It also supports families and carers emotionally and practically during illness and bereavement.

All services are offered free of charge.

Marie Curie research says nearly one in three people in the UK do not get the care they need at the end of life.

Hospice UK says government funding covers only 40 per cent, on average, of adult hospices’ care costs.

The funding gap leaves hospices heavily reliant on community fundraising.

During Hospice Care Week, Farleigh Hospice is urging the public to support its work.

Michelle said: "We are also backing Hospice UK’s four-point plan for fair hospice funding from the government and talking with our local MPs, to help secure the long-term future of hospice care in the UK for everyone who needs it."

Find out more about the hospice and how to support its work at www.farleighhospice.org.