Summer 2 0 2 5
In this edition:
Our 10-year strategy
June & Jules’ story
Coming up this summer
A message from CEO, Lisa Hunt.
Welcome to the summer edition of Open House. In this issue, you’ll read about how we’ve expanded our services, reached more people than ever before, and taken bold steps to ensure our care remains accessible and built to last.
Last year was a year of real impact and we continue to build on that momentum to face the challenges ahead.
...we cannot do this alone.
When we began our Frailty Service last January, we set ourselves clear goals: to make our care more accessible, more personalised, and more inclusive to those who had long been underserved. Not only did we meet those goals, but we also exceeded them. Whether someone comes to us via A&E, a Wellbeing Hub, or following a fall at home, we are working hard to ensure they receive joined up, holistic support, breaking the cycle of decline to get people back on their feet.
In the last 12 months alone, 406 people have benefitted from our Frailty Service. With early intervention from our specialist team, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and psychological support many patients have regained independence and avoided unnecessary hospital stays. But the need continues to grow.
On pages 6 & 7 you will see referrals across all of our services have increased by 46.5% this year, and we estimate that up to 5,000 people across our community could benefit from our care.
Just two years ago, the majority of our patients had a cancer diagnosis. Today, over 55% of those we support are living with non-cancer conditions. From respiratory conditions to frailty, we’ve seen a significant step toward fairer, more inclusive services.
And we’re not stopping there.
I’m proud to share with you our bold new 10-year strategy ‘Every Person Matters’. A vision shaped by the needs of our community, our clinical insights, and our commitment to doing more, for more people.
As our care expands, so too do our challenges.
Like many hospices across the UK, we are feeling the weight of financial strain, from rising national insurance costs to restricted NHS funding. Our costs are increasing, and our services are growing, yet the financial support we receive is not keeping pace. This means we must innovate not only in how we care, but in how we fundraise, trade, and sustain our future. The support of our community is more important now than ever.
In April we made the decision to formally separate the Trading Company from Garden House Hospice Care, allowing it to operate as an
independent business. This gives the freedom and flexibility to innovate beyond traditional charity retail, exploring new ventures that align with our values while delivering stronger financial returns to support patient care. We’ve already begun the trading transformation with four of our flagship stores recently refurbished. These changes are more than cosmetic, they are about restoring pride, improving safety and accessibility, and generating the funds needed to protect the future of our care.
But even with innovation, we cannot do this alone.
To everyone reading this – thank you. Your support, whether through regular giving, volunteering, shopping with us, or spreading the word, is making all of this possible. Every pound you give, every hour or item you donate really makes a difference and helps us protect our services and plan ahead with confidence.
Together, we can ensure that no one in our community faces a life-limiting illness alone without the care they deserve.
Thank you, as always, for standing with us.
Warmest wishes,
Lisa Hunt Chief Executive Officer Garden House Hospice Care
Lisa.hunt@ghhospicecare.org.uk
Introducing our 10-year strategy
At Garden House Hospice Care, we’ve always stood for compassion, dignity, and support. But the world is changing. People are living longer, often with complex, long-term conditions. That’s why we’re launching a bold new 10-year strategy to transform how we care, who we reach, and how we sustain our work for the future.
We believe care shouldn’t begin at the end. It should start earlier – when someone is diagnosed, when everyday life becomes difficult, or when a family needs help to cope. Our new approach is about walking alongside people throughout their journey, offering comfort, guidance, and practical support every step of the way.
This means moving beyond traditional hospice care to a more inclusive model. We want to support not just those nearing the end of life, but also those living with serious, long-term conditions like heart failure, dementia, or COPD as well as the families and carers supporting them.
The need is growing. By 2045, the number of people aged 85 and over in the UK will nearly double. To meet this challenge, we’re expanding how and where we provide care – delivering more support at home, using digital tools for remote access, and developing flexible community spaces that make it easier for people to connect with us.
To continue this work, we must also secure our future. That means diversifying our income through new partnerships, social enterprises, and smarter systems so we can keep caring now and for years to come.
At the heart of this strategy is a clear promise: every person matters. Whether you’re a patient, carer, loved one, or part of our wider community – your journey matters to us.
We’re proud to share this next chapter with you. You’ve supported us to this point, and we hope you’ll walk beside us as we look to the future.
Our vision is simple Every person matters. Our mission is clear Embracing, empowering and enriching lives every day. Rebalancing and refocusing our services to enhance quality of life based on the needs of our communities.
To read the full 10-year strategy, visit www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/our-strategy
Our services in numbers
2024/2025 was an outstanding year of care and growth across all our services, enhancing the quality and reach of our provision to support more people in their time of need. These powerful figures show that we not only exceeded on our targets for delivery but have seen a noticeable shift in the proportion of non-cancer patients we support – addressing longstanding inequalities in access to our care.
people referred to our services. This has grown by 46.5% in the past 12 months.
of patients had cancer, a significant change from 55% the year before, and 69% the year before that.
patients benefitted from our Frailty Service, and feedback from consultants and senior staff at our local hospital was extremely positive.
of patients were discharged from our Inpatient Unit back to the place they call home.
visits to patients’ homes, offering personalised care and support, were made by our Community team. An increase of 25% from the year before.
activities were held by our Rehab and Wellbeing team, supporting patients to maintain skills, confidence and optimise their quality of life.
residents in Care Homes were supported by our team of Frailty Nurse Specialists across East and North Hertfordshire.
people attended our weekly Wellbeing Hubs.
* Figures reflect activity from 31st March 2024 – 1st April 2025.
people who are caring for a loved one living with dementia were trained by our Admiral Nurse, supporting their physical needs, anticipatory grief and helping them plan for the future.
There is more work to do.
This continued level of growth in services reflects the rising need for our specialist skills and support in the health system. We can, and will do everything we can to reach more people from the moment they are told there is no curative treatment because every person matters.
Bringing mum home
June had lived with Lewy Body dementia for five years before her health started to worsen. Her daughter, Jules, knew her mum wanted to die at home, but the thought of transferring from her Care Home in Stevenage, overwhelmed her. Fortunately, Jules contacted our Admiral Nurse, Lucy Cosgrove.
“She was wonderful,” said Jules. “She explained what we needed to do, what support was available and she kept in touch daily while co-ordinating the process of getting mum home.”
As well as the practical support, Lucy arranged for the Hospice at Home team to care for June. Jules said they treated her mum with dignity and patience, but also, described how relaxed she felt when they were there:
“They reassured me and supported me too. They sat with mum so I could sleep. The set up was perfect and they brought so much to her final days.”
June died on Valentine’s Day with her daughter by her side, in the home she had loved and lived in for 58 years.
Following June’s death, Lucy has continued to support Jules and her dad, who also has dementia. She guided Jules in how to talk to her dad about his loss.
“He didn’t understand what was happening because of his dementia,” said Jules. “So Lucy’s knowledge has been invaluable.”
Lucy’s role as a specialist nurse, and her close working with Care Homes across North Hertfordshire, means she introduces people to the Hospice’s services who may typically miss out. With one of the key goals of the charity’s new 10-year strategy being to open our doors to more people locally, her role is pivotal.
You can support Lucy, and her colleagues, to continue this work by supporting our Summer Appeal. A £34 donation could pay for an hour of Lucy’s work. Visit: ghhospicecare.org.uk/summer-appeal to find out more and donate.
In 2024/25
There was a 16% increase in referrals for our Admiral Nurse.
Lucy completed 1,089 interventions. This includes giving specialist support to carers, planning care with patients and their loved ones, supporting people with education, anxiety management or coping mechanisms, and hosting the Healthy Memory Café.
315 people completed dementia training sessions.
“Dementia is not always recognised as a terminal illness and is misunderstood by many. It is important that people with dementia and their carers can access hospice services –the Admiral Nurse can support and alleviate distress at what can be a challenging time and enable people with dementia and their carers to feel supported at the end of life. The aim is to ensure that people living with dementia and their families in the North Hertfordshire have the best possible care at the end of their life.”
Lucy
Expanding our reach: Bringing personalised care to more people in Hertfordshire
We’re proud to share exciting news – Garden House Hospice Care has been awarded a new contract that allows us to significantly expand our Frailty Specialist Care Home Support Service across Hertfordshire. This expansion means our reach will grow from covering 900 to 3,900 nursing and residential beds, stretching across 400 square miles. It’s a powerful step forward in our commitment to ensuring that every person matters, no matter where they live or what their circumstances may be.
Steve Collins, Director of Operations at the Hospice has led on the expansion:
“This opportunity is a direct result of the exceptional work carried out by our team over the past four years, their dedication and compassion have laid a strong foundation for this next phase.
“To support our growing service, we’re excited to welcome seven new team members whose valuable expertise will strengthen our service, enabling us to bring high-quality, personalised care to more people.”
At the heart of this service is our Frailty Specialist Care Home team, made up of nurses and occupational therapists who work closely with Care Homes to provide holistic assessments, create Personalised Care and Support Plans, and guide important conversations around advance care planning.
Our approach empowers residents, families, and carers to understand conditions, recognise early symptoms, and make informed choices. By involving families and respecting personal wishes, we help ensure that every person can live as well as possible – and when the time comes, experience a good death in the place they call home.
Together, we’re expanding not just our service area, but our impact –ensuring no one is left behind in accessing the care they deserve.
“I had no idea they could
help someone like me”
Kent was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease five years ago. Despite previous misconceptions about hospice care, he has found it the ‘perfect setting’ to receive support.
“My diagnosis was totally unexpected because I didn’t know what was wrong. The way it was communicated was pretty abrupt and very rough, and I didn’t know anything about it or know anyone that had it.”
Kent was advised to reach out to a clinic for support and joined a group for people living with MND. Someone there mentioned the Hospice and, although sceptical, Kent referred himself to our Rehab and Wellbeing team. He hasn’t looked back.
“I’ve been coming to keep my muscle tone and respiration as positive as I can. I worked a long time on my upper body and hands to keep them as viable as possible. My overall love in my whole life has been photography, and I’ve only just recently had to give it up because I can’t physically push the camera button. So now, I’m focusing on my ability to stand and walk.”
Keeping a positive frame of mind has also been crucial for Kent. The Hospice has helped him meet new people and maintain his sense of community.
“The worst thing that can happen is you isolate yourself and you allow the
condition to take over. To anyone in a similar position, I would say don’t be alone and don’t fight this on your own. Don’t even accept it on your own.
“I had no idea they could help someone like me. But the Hospice is a perfect setting because everybody is friendly, accommodating, supportive. You can ask anything, look for answers or support, and meet people who understand you. It’s very beneficial.”
Watch Kent’s video at ghhospicecare.org.uk/kents-story
What is MND?
Motor Neurone Disease affects over 5,000 people in the UK. The condition stops nerves in your brain and spinal cord from sending signals to the muscles over time, causing muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste. There is no cure, but by shifting the focus of our care to be there for people like Kent, we can wrap our support around them from the moment they are diagnosed.
Understanding our funding
Our running costs this year total £7.87m, which is a 2% increase on 2024/25. That means to fund our services, all of which are provided free of charge, we need to raise £10,564 every single day.
For every £1 donated, 89p is spent funding our patient services. This covers salaries, travel costs, medical supplies, our energy bills, catering costs and raising awareness of our services. 11p is used to raise the next £1.
Our costs include:
£22 – an hour of care for someone on our Inpatient Unit
£35 – a return trip for 7 people in the minibus to a wellbeing hub or rehab and wellbeing activity
£43 – a counselling session from our Family Support team
£69 – will keep our patients warm and provide warm water for baths and cleaning, for a day
£110 – travel costs for the Community team for one day
£111 – an activity from our Rehab and Wellbeing team, such as a physiotherapy appointment or tai chi class
£205 – the medication we provide our patients on the Inpatient Unit, per day
£809 – a day of home visits from our Community team
Ways to support
Donate.
Set up a regular gift. The benefit of giving on a monthly basis is we can plan with confidence. Every penny adds up – just £5 a month will mean that over the course of a year you could pay for the cost of someone’s home visit from our Community Team. Or, make a one-off donation.
Leave a gift in your will.
Once you have looked after your loved ones, consider leaving a donation to Garden House, to help secure the future of our care.
Join an event.
There’s something for everyone in our events calendar, from our atmospheric Sunset Starlight Walk, to a fitness challenge of a lifetime, to a good night out with friends.
Explore ways you can support us online at www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/supporting-us
Show your supportthis summer
As spring draws to a close, our events calendar is heating up. From walks and Ultra Challenges® to epic hikes and a local triathlon, there’s a way for everyone to support Garden House Hospice Care this sunny season.
Hitchin Triathlon
Sunday 6th July • Starting from Hitchin
Swimming Pool
We’ve teamed up with BurntHare events for the annual Hitchin Triathlon. With a choice of two distances and a shorter route for children, the whole family can get involved. All routes start with an outdoor swim, followed by a countryside cycle and run around the park and town centre. Registration: Adults £33, Kids (aged 8-16) £12.
www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/event/ hitchin-triathlon
Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge
Saturday 12th July • Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough
This iconic challenge, organised in conjunction with Challenge Central, will see you conquer Yorkshire’s three highest peaks in just 12 hours! You’ll trek approximately 24 miles and ascend 1585m in what can only be described as a true test of grit and determination. Registration: £49. Participants must be 14+.
www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/event/ yorkshire-three-peaks
Sunset Starlight Walk
Saturday 13th September
Letchworth Hall Hotel
Enjoy a late summer evening’s walk with friends, family or colleagues around Letchworth and surrounding villages. Enriched in community spirit from the moment you check-in all the way through to the finish line, our Sunset Starlight Walk takes in acres of countryside as the sun sets and the stars come out. Sign up today for our ‘walk to remember’. Tickets: Adults £23, Under-18s £10.
www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/event/ sunset-starlight-walk
Ultra Challenges®
Various
Push yourself further and take on a 10km, 25km, 50km, 75km or even a 100km event in the Ultra Challenge® 2025 series. Whether trekking along the coast or crossing the Thames bridges, there’s a distance and pace for everyone. Walk, jog or run your chosen route and dig deep to achieve something really special for Garden House Hospice Care.
www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/ event/2025-ultra-challenge-series
London Marathon 2026
“Running the 2025 London Marathon is more than just a personal challenge for me – it’s a way to give back to an incredible place that supported my mum. I’m running to help ensure they can continue providing that same care for others. Every step I take is for my mum, and for all those who need it.” Sophie
We have 12 charity places up for grabs in 2026! Tell us why you, like Sophie, should get one of them.
www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/ london-marathon
The Wildflowers
We recently held a special afternoon in the Hospice Garden for people to remember their loved ones, featuring poems and readings, and craft activities for children. Our carefully planted wildflowers brought a sea of colour to the gardens, offering a peaceful place of reflection. Our thanks to Memoria and Nevilles Funerals for sponsoring The Wildflowers campaign.
Remembrance events
Other upcoming remembrance events include our Sunset Starlight Walk on page 14, where many take part in memory of someone special, and our annual Lights of Life service on Sunday 23rd November, which sees our gardens decorated in a beautiful display of lights.
1. Your one-off payment
I would like to make a one-off donation of:
£
I enclose a cheque payable to Garden House Hospice Care
Please debit my Visa/Mastercard/Maestro with the amount specified
Name (as it appears on the card)
Address
Signature
Date
Phone number*:
* We will use this if we have any questions regarding your donation.
2. Boost my donation by 25p for every £1 I’ve given at no extra cost
I want to Gift Aid this donation and any donations I make in future or have made in the past 4 years to Garden House Hospice Care
I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gain Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year, it is my responsibility to pay any difference. I understand the Charity will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I have donated.
Please
notify
the
charity if you:
Want to cancel this declaration, change your name or home address or no longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains.
3. Staying in touch
We take your privacy seriously and will never sell your data. If you would like us to change how we stay in touch with you, including to opt out of post, please call 01462 679540 or email us at fundraising@ghhospicecare.org.uk
If you would prefer not to receive a thank you letter, please tick.
4. Please tear off this form and send it by post to:
Garden House Hospice Care, Gillison Close, Letchworth
Garden City, SG6 1QU.