Coronavirus: Shakespeare Hospice needs your support - The Stratford Observer

Coronavirus: Shakespeare Hospice needs your support

Stratford Editorial 24th Mar, 2020   0

THE SHAKESPEARE Hospice is urging people to support the charity through the coronavirus crisis.

The Shottery-based hospice will temporarily close its Day Hospice and Transitional Care Service from tomorrow. The “very difficult decision” followed government and NHS guidance regarding coronavirus planning.

A hospice spokesperson said: “The safety of our patients, staff and volunteers is our priority and we hope these measures will limit the spread of Covid-19.

“Staff will maintain contact and support our patients via regular telephone calls. Our community Hospice at Home service, Adult Counselling and Children’s Bereavement Services will continue to operate.




“We currently have 104 patients who require our support in various ways from Hospice at Home through to our counselling and bereavement services. We have a team of 13 Registered General Nurses working for us with combined registered experience of 374 years.

“These nurses provide a vital frontline service and raising funds in such a difficult time as a Hospice will allow them to continue to work on the frontline, providing vital services, long into the future.


“We will continue to work closely with our local healthcare providers to ensure our patients will continue to receive high quality supportive and palliative care.

“We wish all of our supporters well during this difficult time for everyone. Thank you for your support and understanding.”

The hospice is working with local health care providers to ensure the Hospice at Home team can continue to operate the service.

And like many other charities the hospice is concerned at the impact of Covid-19 on income generation. The hospice is 89 per cent voluntary funded and planned fund-raising events through to the end of June have already been cancelled or postponed.

The retail shops have also seen a decline in customers and donations and are expecting to lose at least 80 per cent of the income they need to operate for the next three months and probably beyond.

Hospice CEO Angie Arnold said: “We at the Shakespeare Hospice recognise that we are living with uncertainty and operating in unprecedented times. The economic impact of Covid-19 will have a significant impact on the financial sustainability of the hospice, and more than ever we need our community to continue to support us and help raise the essential funds to ensure the Hospice at Home team can continue to operate at this difficult time.

“Our Hospice at Home service costs £1,250 a day to run. Through regular giving, for example with a small monthly gift, you can make a real difference. It is very easy to set up regular giving for the Shakespeare Hospice by visiting the website www.theshakespearehospice.org.uk and the link is on the front page.

“If you, our amazing community, can help us by making a donation large or small during this challenging time, we will be most appreciative.”

Click https://shakespearehospice.charitycheckout.co.uk/cf/urgentcommunityappeal to donate.

Business Directory

From plumbers, to restaurants, we can provide you with all the info you need.

Buy Photos

Buy photos online from the Stratford Observer newspaper.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Stratford Observer.

Public Notices

View and download all of the public notices in the Stratford Observer.