You make this possible...
Messenger: Same powerful stories, now in a handy new size. Dive into the latest inspiring stories and exciting updates!
Hello,
I’m Jade! You’ll usually find me out and about as part of the St Michael’s community team, but today, I’m here to introduce your new-look Messenger! It may be smaller in size, but it’s packed with even more inspiring stories about the incredible difference you make to our hospice.
At just 16, we became the first-ever Lottery canvassers. Now, we’re both proud to be part of the St Michael’s team, caring for patients and families when they need us most.
This summer, we’re celebrating 25 years of the St Michael’s Hospice Lottery! Since the very first draw, nearly £2 million has been won—and even more has gone directly to patient care. To mark this milestone, our Superdraw will have an extra-special £2,500 jackpot (more than double the usual!). If you already play, you’re in! If not, it’s easy to claim your Superdraw number.
For my twin sister Jodie and me, the Hospice Lottery has always been special.
I joined St Michael’s Hospice to make a difference to people’s lives. By entering the Superdraw, you can too!
Thank you for your support — it truly means the world to us and the families we care for.
Happy reading, and good luck if you’re playing the Superdraw!
Director of Nursing Jade Dyke-Whitfield
£1 each
£2,500 JACKPOT?
Jade & Jodie
A decade of our IPU care
This Spring marks a decade of care provided in our Inpatient Unit in Bartestree.
Throughout March 2015, we undertook our largest expansion of care since first welcoming patients in 1984.
It was made possible thanks to the unwavering commitment of our community, and the incredible generosity of the late Clive Richards, who together with his wife, Sylvia, donated £1 million to the build.
This gift went a long way to ensuring all our inpatients were,
for the first time, cared for in their own private ensuite rooms, each with the benefit of a garden or orchard view.
Clive and Sylvia’s donation, together with the vital fundraising carried out through the county and beyond, has helped ensure St Michael’s is at the forefront of palliative and end-of-life care, both now and into the future.
Since then, thousands of families have experienced the warm, bright welcome for which St Michael’s is known.
Clive & Sylvia
A community that cares
As you were picking up our last Messenger, we were embarking on one of our most ambitious fundraisers to date.
Caring for the Future saw the community come together to try and raise £400,000 in just 40 hours.
And boy, did you deliver.
Thanks to you, our incredible supporters - including very generous match-funders, alongside our ‘Champions’ - you helped us reach our target!
When set against the backdrop of the national hospice funding struggle, cash boosts like this really do make a huge difference.
Heather Morgan
In fact, these vital funds are already helping those most in need, thanks in no small part to the addition of new Inpatient Unit (IPU) staff members, such as Registered Nurse Heather Morgan, and Alex Tyler, who is a Registered Nurse working as a Palliative Care Support Worker whilst awaiting her NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) pin.
“I quickly learnt that St Michael’s is not about dying; it’s about living,” said Alex. “Many of our patients go home, and it’s a real privilege to be part of the care they receive.
Everyone here has been so welcoming and supportive. People are so passionate about St Michael’s, from the staff to the wonderful volunteer Homemakers.”
Heather said she values the time she spends with patients.
“It’s so important,” she said. “We listen, get to know them, and learn about their wishes. Everyone at St Michael’s is in awe of the community for its dedication to fundraising for their Hospice. We really do appreciate it.”
This investment in staff will help ensure the ongoing delivery of what we’re renowned for; providing quality palliative care to patients, and support to loved ones.
You’re incredible!
We’re so fortunate to have such an amazing community!
Thank you, your support means the world.
As we look to the next 40 years, we do so at a time when demand on our services has grown to the point where we’re now caring for more people than ever beforealmost 2,500 people in the last year alone. More care stats can be found on pages 13-14.
Alex Tyler
This care is provided on our Inpatient Unit and through Day Services - both in Bartestree - and in people’s homes through the Herefordshire Hospice at Home service*.
*St Michael’s Hospice and Marie Curie partner with the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board to provide the Herefordshire Hospice at Home service.
Pushing limits for Hospice care
Courageous fundraiser Mark Radon is embarking on a series of endurance challenges for St Michael’s in memory of his sister - whilst undergoing his own cancer treatment.
Mark has raised thousands of pounds and rightly received widespread praise and support from the community for his heroic endeavours.
His fundraising has inspired others within the community, including his own daughter, Ruby, who has raised hundreds of pounds by running or walking 150 miles over three months.
Support Mark & Ruby’s mission!
Scan the QR codes below or visit bit.ly/JG_MarkRadon or bit.ly/JG_RubyRadon
Mark’s inspiration is the memory of his sister, Jo who died in 2023 aged just 39. She was cared for at home by St Michael’s.
Last year, Mark’s aim of raising £10,000 for St Michael’s was cruelly cut short.
“The irony that I was diagnosed with cancer whilst raising money for my sister’s memory after her own brave battle against cancer was not lost on me,” said Mark.
“But I still have the hunger to get to the magical £10,000 target for the wonderful St Michael's Hospice.”
Support Ruby
A garden of tranquillity
A corner of our beautiful Bartestree grounds is being transformed into a Tranquillity Garden.
Trees and hedging will be added to the raised garden area next to the Stream of Memories and adjacent to our Education Centre, at the bottom of the Terrace Garden.
Many of the trees being planted have been kindly donated by patients’ loved ones. The trees include a weeping willow, and will have the added benefit of softening the area from the buildings behind it. There will also be beech and white rose hedging, planted at the foot of the Terraced Garden and at head-height to wheelchair users to allow them to more easily savour the roses’ beautiful fragrances.
New pathways will be added, and a gravel circle created close to the sculpture placed by long-time St Michael’s colleague, Stephen Rabbitts.
There will also be additional pathways and seating areas, allowing patients and their loved ones a peaceful retreat whilst strolling around the gardens.
“Our gardens are beautiful, but during the summer months, there’s not a huge amount of shade, so the trees will provide this,” said Debbie, one of our Volunteer Gardeners.
Dementia care at St Michael’s
Almost half of the patients cared for by St Michael’s have a non-cancer diagnosis.
One of our fastest-growing groups is the Orchard Dementia Café. Meeting twice-monthly at St Michael’s, on the first and second Tuesday of the month, those diagnosed with dementia attend with their caregivers. Activities for patients include quizzes, music and art, whilst carers can receive guidance, information and support.
One of those who enjoys attending is Lou. He loved dancing with Shelly, one of our Palliative Care Support Workers, during a performance from members of the English Symphony Orchestra.
“Lou loves live music, he’s been in his element today. Music helps so much, particularly during those darker days. We both really enjoy coming to the Orchard Café. It’s helped us both, and has taught me not to be afraid of the word Hospice.” said Lou’s wife, Peggy.
Curious about our dementia support?
Scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/SMH_DementiaSupport
Lou
Summit for St Michael’s
Two of our staff members will have ‘summit’ to talk about this Autumn when they travel to east Africa to climb one of the world’s most iconic mountains.
Lorna Davies-Llewellyn and Lisa Makin - part of our team at St Michael's - will tackle all 19,340 feet (5,895 metres) of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, to raise funds for St Michael’s.
The pair will embark on the trip of a lifetime knowing they have already raised over £10,000.
This incredible amount has been raised through a variety of means, from a moonlit climb up Snowdon, to a 24-hour karaoke at St Michael’s.
tempting to turn down,” said Lisa.
“We can’t wait to get out there and begin the adventure. We wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for the generosity of so many people and we can’t thank each and every one of you enough.
St Michael’s Hospice is a very special place and we feel very honoured to be raising money for this charity which continues to provide care and support to so many.”
Both Lisa and Lorna can still be sponsored by scaning the QR Codes below!
Sponsor Lorna
Sponsor Lisa
Lorna & Lisa
Joining forces for Hospice care
We’re proud to be joining hospices across the UK to protect the future of Hospice care.
Did you know that around one in four of our patients is cared for thanks to gifts left in Wills? Legacy donations are a huge part of what keeps St Michael’s Hospice going, helping us provide vital care for those who need us most.
To raise awareness of just how important legacy giving is, we recently joined forces with over 140 hospices across the UK as part of the national 'This is Hospice Care' campaign. Together, we’re spreading the word about how a gift of any size left in a Will can make a lasting difference and is hugely appreciated.
By leaving a gift, big or small, you’ll help ensure future generations get the same compassionate care we provide today. If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with Rachel Jones at legacy@smhospicehereford.org – she’d love to hear from you!
This is Hospice care:
Discover how you can create a free Will or leave a lasting legacy.
Scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/legacygift6
the future of St Michael’s
Making sure the right decisions are made is key to every single element of life at St Michael’s Hospice.
Rebecca Kirk is our go-to expert on HR and employment matters. She is an Associate Trustee; a voluntary, non-executive role supporting and advising our Board of Trustees on specific areas of governance.
“It’s very much an advisory role, where I bring my personal experience, expertise, knowledge and skills to the Board. It’s a role I love,” said Rebecca, who is a partner at HCR (Harrison Clark
I feel really proud to hold this role.
St Michael’s just feels part of the people of Herefordshire.
Rebecca Kirk, Associate Trustee
Rickerbys) Law and is based at the firm’s Hereford office, on Broad Street.
“Ten years ago, when the new Inpatient Unit opened at St Michael’s, HCR raised the funds to furnish one of the IPU’s four-bed pods,” she said.
“This wasn’t long after I moved to Herefordshire and joined HCR, yet I remember being struck by how embedded in the community St Michael’s is.”
Rebecca sits on the People and Facilities Committee. She is joined as an Associate Trustee by Catherine Davies, Diana Holloway, Gavin James, and Laura Goodridge.
Designing St Michael’s
When architectural technologist, Stephen Wolstencroft, spent the last three days of his life at St Michael’s, there was a sense of him “returning home”.
Back in the early Eighties, while working for McLennan, Johnson and Blight, it was Stephen’s architectural skills which helped create the Hospice building in Bartestree that we know and love today.
“Stephen drew all the working plans for St Michael’s,” said his wife, Rosemary.
“I know the project was very consuming, and took up a lot of his time, but Stephen knew how important this building was going to be.”
Sadly, a few years after retiring, Stephen contracted cancer. He received care from the Hospice at Home team and Marie Curie.
“Stephen had said that he wanted to go to the Hospice at the end of his life, so that’s what we did,” said Rosemary. “I think there was a real sense of him coming home.
I think we both felt very fortunate he’d come to St Michael’s at the end of his life. It was a place he was incredibly proud of - and I’m so proud of him.”
Stephen Wolstencroft inspects St Michael’s Hospice construction in the early 1980s
Brushstroke of love
Fields of Gold – honouring a friend, supporting care.
Limited-edition prints of a beautiful painting are being sold by a Hospice supporter to raise funds for St Michael’s in memory of a dear friend. Artist and musician Graham Bloy says selling ‘Fields of Gold’ is his way of saying ‘thank you’ to St Michael’s for the “best endof-life care imaginable” given to Gill - a friend and neighbour of Graham and his partner, Jo.
“We saw for ourselves the compassionate home-fromhome support they offer free-of-charge to people in Herefordshire and beyond, and we wanted to lend our support to them by fundraising,” said Graham.
Fields of Gold was painted a couple of years ago whilst Graham was coming to terms with his own health problems - a brain haemorrhage caused by a rare and
inoperable brain condition. Now recovered, Graham is determined to give back, donating 50% of profits to St Michael's.
It was his partner, Jo, who coaxed him back into painting “as a kind of self-therapy” after his illness caused Graham to experience a loss of motivation and interest in things which he had previously felt passionate about, such as painting and making music.
For further information, including pricing, please contact Graham
With
the power of your support...
Our Day Services team supported over 380 patients visiting St Michael's Hospice.
Over 900 generous volunteers gave their time to support our Hospice.
Your incredible community fundraising events raised over £550k
Your Gift Aid raised an additional £440k
Our supportive care services have helped over 1700 patients.
Your individual donations exceeded £1 million for St Michael’s Hospice.
Statistics shown are for the period April 2024 - March 2025
Your support at our events raised £450k
Your purchases in our shops raised over £5.4m
Our Hospice at Home team supported 807 patients in their own homes.
We’ve provided inpatient care to over
Our 24/7 Support Line answered over 14,300 calls.
Volunteers make it happen
It’s often said that our volunteers are the lifeblood of St Michael’s. Each has their own story, so we caught up with Jim and Chris to see what they get out of supporting their Hospice.
“What's really different about St Michael’s is that anything you do is so genuinely appreciated… no matter how big or small,” said Jim Buckley, who along with wife Lesley has volunteered with us for many years.
“It’s just so rewarding. You meet great people and have the opportunity to do special things which can make a great deal of difference.”
For Jim, having the freedom to pick and choose the hours he volunteers is a real draw.
“I've thrown paint at the Paint Runner, cooked burgers at the Plant Fair, carried flaming torches at the Wassail, and wheelbarrow-raced during a fundraiser with racehorse trainer Venetia Williams,” he added.
“I get to meet so many different people, and do things I otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to do. It's really good fun, especially knowing your time is really helping with the vital work of St Michael’s.”
For Chris Brook, his role sees him take to the road to help others.
“I drive to the Hereford County Hospital pharmacy, picking up prescription medicine for patients currently staying at St Michael’s,” said Chris.
“I’m retired, and I feel I’ve taken quite a bit ‘out’ during my working life, so I’m just glad to be able to give something back.
It feels good knowing I’m doing something good for people at a time when they need help, and I’ve been made to feel so welcome since joining as a volunteer.”
shops wouldn’t run, our events wouldn’t take place, and the care received by our patients wouldn’t be anywhere near as person-centred.
Thank you to you all!
Only 300 of our 900 plus team of volunteers are male! We'd love to increase that number. If you know of a chap who you think would like to volunteer, get in touch today.
Start your volunteering journey with St Michael's!
Scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/SMH_Volunteer
Be a WINNER! Just like Bob
Bob Young never saw himself as lucky—until he won the £1,000 jackpot in the St Michael’s Hospice Lottery!
“I was delighted but a bit disbelieving,” Bob admitted after getting the call. “I’ve only won a prize twice before —a bottle of British white wine in 1983 and a WI hamper.”
This unexpected win came at the perfect time, helping Bob and his wife with their Tuscany holiday, and even funding a new laptop.
“I’ve always regarded myself as a bit of a loser when it comes to lotteries, so this was such a lovely surprise.”
Say “I Do” to a Winning Favour!
Looking for a unique way to thank your wedding guests? Give them the chance to win big with a St Michael’s Lottery Favour!
“So many people have a connection to St Michael’s, and it’s a pleasure to support them by playing,” he said.
Read Bob's full story here: bit.ly/SMH_LottoWinner_Bob
Be a winner like Bob—play the St Michael’s Hospice Lottery today! bit.ly/SMH_Lottery
LOTTO LOVE LOTTO LOVE
Thankyouforcelebratingourspecialday. LotteryDraw1281 YourNumber 67584985 Drawdate:21/02/2025
Julia’s sparkling Christmas win!
Our Christmas Draw winner has her hands - or finger - on a beautiful ring.
The Tanzanite and Diamond Platinum ring, worth around £4,300, was won by Julia and was presented by Hereford-based silversmith and jeweller Andrew Lamputt, who kindly donated the prize.
Julia said she couldn’t believe she had won, but was delighted to receive such a beautiful ring.
Andrew Lamputt, a long-time supporter of St Michael’s, said: “I’d like to congratulate Julia on winning this prize, and thank everyone for supporting such a worthwhile cause as St Michael’s by buying a ticket.”
We echo Andrew’s words. Your support by playing the Christmas Draw is helping patients and their loved ones at a time they need it most.
Thanks to your support, our 2024 Christmas Draw raised a whopping: £53,000
Your generosity is already helping us provide vital care in the community.
Thank you!
With special thanks to Andrew
Andrew Lamputt
Healing through horticulture
the chance to get outside and continue doing what they love, such as gardening, is hugely important.
As Hellens Garden Festival prepares for another summer spectacular this June, the warmth of its generosity continues to be felt at St Michael’s throughout the year.
The two-day Festival, held at the beautiful Much Marcle venue, has now donated almost £120,000 to St Michael’s over the course of the Festival’s near 20-year history.
This money is allowing us to expand our horticultural therapy offering to patients, making the most of our raised planters and our green-house which many patients enjoy using to plant fruit, vegetables and flowers.
Many think that attending St Michael’s, means hobbies like this must stop. But thanks to our supporters, including Hellens Garden Festival, they can continue.
This year’s Hellens Garden Festival, which has the theme ‘Migration’ takes place 7 - 8 June.
Visit Hellens Garden Festival
Scan the QR code or visit hellensgardenfestival.co.uk
Inspired by compassion
St Michael’s social worker
Sharon Yorke has always possessed a creative flair, but didn’t think her stunning work would provide solace for countless visitors to St Michael’s.
“A colleague saw some of my paintings and suggested one could be displayed in the Hospice’s Iona Room, which is a quiet space where patients and relatives can come to gather their thoughts or remember loved ones,” said Sharon, who joined our Social Work team last year.
“The artwork that’s displayed is very special to me. It’s inspired by my mum, Janice, who died in 2022.”
Janice was cared for at home by Sharon’s dad, and received support from our Hospice at Home team.
“It was my first insight into what a kind, caring and loving team St Michael’s is,” said Sharon.
output took a different turn after leaving when she joined pop band Pushka.
The emerging group performed at Glastonbury two years running in 1999 and 2000, headlining the Greenfield Stage.
Now, I feel incredibly proud to be part of the wider St Michael’s team. I feel like this is the job I’d like for the rest of my life.
Sharon Yorke, Social Worker
Harmony and healing
It must be a wonderful gift, to have a pastime which brings joy to so many.
One of our treasured volunteers, Diana, feels that love each Friday after visiting us to play soothing harp music in Day Services and on our Inpatient Unit.
Diana says she loves her visits.
“To spend time in this beautiful building, playing harp music, is such a privilege,” she said.
Diana is one of our Complementary Therapy volunteers.
These therapies are an integral part of the care and support provided to both patients and families.
The range of Complementary Therapies available at St Michael’s includes acupuncture, Reiki and more.
Discover the joy of Complementary Therapy
Scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/SMH_ComplementaryTherapy
Tanzania: A shared mission
Five St Michael’s colleagues enjoyed a self-funded trip to our sister hospice in Tanzania - with another group of colleagues set to travel to the east African country this autumn.
The group spent time shadowing the clinical teams at Muheza Hospice and St Augustine’s, developing a knowledge of palliative care provision in the third world.
Muheza Hospice Care is totally reliant on donations to maintain the growing care it provides.
Uncover the full story!
Scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/SMH_News_TanzaniaTrip
Supporting you with every step
With care tailored to the individual, it’s perhaps not surprising that the role of our social workers is equally diverse.
But do you know the breadth of roles this crucial team provides?
Here’s just a few:
Emotional and social support
Supporting patients and their families at the most uncertain of times is hugely important to us. This can involve discussions about the illness, and help in making future plans, especially concerning children.
Providing practical assistance
Our team can give valuable advice and make referrals to services, both within and beyond St Michael’s. This can involve help in accessing appropriate care and funding, if required, either through social services or continuing health care.
Advocacy services
We’re here to ensure patients and their families make decisions aligned with their wishes. We also help navigate challenging situations, plan for times when decision-making may become difficult, and ensure patient safety within the home or care environment.
Legal protection
With the help of relevant legislation, we work to safeguard the rights and dignity of patients and their families, ensuring they are treated with respect and fairness.
Bereavement support
We work alongside our colleagues in providing individual and group support. We also assist in accessing support outside this area if needed.
You or your loved one will be given the opportunity to receive support from our Social Work team whilst under the care of St Michael’s.
Adventures for a cause
Our intrepid supporters haven’t just limited their fundraising to Herefordshire.
We’ve had a group walk the Sahara for a week, and another follow the famous Camino pilgrimage in Northern Spain.
Later this year, a group will travel to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro; then next year, we have a trek to the Great Wall of China.
Georgina, one of 18 supporters who took part in the Camino, says the trip had an immense impact on her.
“It was a great feeling of achievement to have finished.
The whole thing has inspired me to keep fit and healthy, and just enjoy being outside.
I thought that this is perhaps the last time I might be able to do something like this, but no! I’m definitely going to try something else very soon.”
Uncover the full story!
Scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/SMH_ChallengeYourself
Hospice Tours with Jackie
Before stepping foot inside
St Michael’s Hospice for the first time - as a patient, loved one or just a curious visitor - you might have many questions.
You could be nervous, or unsure exactly what goes on here. That’s completely normal, and now we might be able to allay some of those anxieties, or answer your questions.
St Michael’s, from Day Services and the Education suite, to the Inpatient Unit.
One of our long-standing supporters, Jackie Nicholson, is leading tours of the Hospice in Bartestree, which are open to everyone.
You won’t visit patients’ rooms, and if there’s anything you’re uncomfortable with, just let Jackie know in advance.
If you would like to arrange a tour, just contact Jackie on jnicholson@smhospicehereford.org
Get Involved!
Join us for unforgettable events that bring people together and make a real difference! From exciting challenges to community gatherings, every moment you share helps support St Michael’s to care.
RUN Hereford
Sunday 11th May Plant Fair
Friday 16th - 18th May
Open Gardens
May - August Sue Parry
Venus Midnight Walk
Friday 11th July
Wye Valley Trek
Sunday 21st September
Don’t miss out!
Scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/SMH_EventsandChallenges to discover even more events and challenges beyond this list!
We’re by your
side...
Whether you’re facing a terminal illness, caring for someone, or grieving, we’re here to support you.
Call our Support Line anytime on 01432 852080 —24 hours a day, seven days a week.
...because you’re by ours!
From April 2024 to March 2025, it cost £11.9 million to keep St Michael's Hospice running, with those costs projected to rise to £13.1 million this coming year. With less than 25% of our funding coming from the government, we rely on the generosity of local people like you.
As costs rise and the hospice sector faces a funding crisis, we can only continue providing our care with your support.
Please consider making a donation today—your support ensures we can be there for our patients and their families for years to come.
Make a difference in just a few steps!
Phone: 01432 851000
Online: Scan the QR Code or visit: st-michaels-hospice.org.uk/donate
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