Could you help support families facing life’s toughest moments this Christmas and beyond?

This Christmas, with your help, we hope to raise £50,000 towards funding our bereavement support and social work services, which currently receive no statutory funding – for a year.

Donate to our appeal

Christmas is a time of togetherness – but for those facing the uncertainty of illness, or grieving the death of a loved one, it can be a very challenging time. Family gatherings and festive traditions often remind them that this may be a ‘last Christmas’ together – or that someone special is sadly no longer with them.

Vikki knows this only too well. Last December, her husband, Bob, sadly died at the hospice. Vikki faced her first Christmas without him by her side – and their three young daughters faced their first Christmas without daddy. Thankfully, our Family Support Services were there for Vikki, providing care, support and comfort during Bob’s time at the hospice and in the difficult months that followed.

With your support, we can be there for more families like Vikki’s.

Donate to our appeal

This Christmas, could you help us raise money to fund our Family Support Services?

Every gift, no matter the size, helps support local people in their toughest moments. Our Family Support Services, which include Social Work and Bereavement Support, are there all year round, offering a lifeline to people navigating illness or grief.

These services are offered free of charge, but they currently receive no statutory funding. It costs £300,000 a year to run them – and every penny must be raised through charitable giving.

Loss and grief are some of life’s hardest journeys. Sometimes we need expert guidance. Sometimes we just need a hand to hold and an ear to listen. That’s what our Family Support team provides – and your gift will help make it possible.

Target: £50,000

Raised: £0

Thank you for your support.

Donate to our appeal
Vikki with Claire Tuner, Social Worker looking at memory plate
Play

Meet Vikki

Vikki’s husband, Bob, died at St Oswald’s Hospice in December 2024, just before Christmas, aged 35. With an 8-week-old baby and two children under five, Vikki faced unimaginable challenges.

Our social workers supported Vikki and Bob during his time at the hospice, arranging a Christmas tree to decorate his room for the children, and a festive-themed ‘date night’ for the couple with their favourite film and takeaway. Vikki and her baby were also able to stay with Bob in his room, meaning she could be there for him when he needed her.

After Bob’s death, our Bereavement Support team were there as a hand to hold, helping Vikki to navigate the toughest moments and begin to rebuild life for herself and her children.

Vikki shares what the Family Support team were a lifeline to her family – and how your donation could help other families like hers. Watch her video here.

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Bereavement Support at St Oswald’s Hospice

Our specially trained bereavement support practitioners and volunteers offer a listening ear and much-needed support to bereaved adults and children, whether or not their loved one was cared for by the Hospice. Through 1-2-1 and group sessions, their compassion and understanding allows people the space to navigate their grief with dignity and hope.

 

Sarah Beaumont, Bereavement Support Practitioner chatting to Jennie

Sarah, Bereavement Support Practitioner

“There is no set way we support someone through bereavement. We do a bit of everything – one-to-one support, group sessions for adults and children, and specially designed groups for certain types of bereavement.

The changes we see in people after accessing support for a while are incredible. There’s no magic wand, but to see someone do things they thought they’d never do again is a real privilege.”

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Social Work Support at St Oswald’s Hospice

Our social workers play a vital role in supporting adult patients, as well as their families and loved ones through their hospice journey. By taking the time to find out what really matters to them – their dedication ensures that, no matter the circumstances, patients and their loved ones are empowered to get the support they need, make meaningful memories, and feel genuinely cared for at every step.

 

Vikki hugging Social Worker Claire at St Oswald's Hospice who supported her through her husband's time in the Adult Inpatient Unit WEB

Claire Turner, Social Worker:

“As a hospice social worker, I wear many hats. My role is to provide practical, social, and emotional support. Every situation is different, so we keep the person at the centre of everything. We find out what matters to them, what they need, and what their goals are.

We organise care packages, practical support, financial support, and the little things that make a big difference – planning birthday parties, anniversaries, family movie nights. Often, like it was with Vikki, it’s the family’s last chance to celebrate together, so we make sure they can mark it how they want, with those they love.”

Donate to our appeal

Your gift will make moments like these continue to be possible.

The gift you give this Christmas will go directly to funding our Family Support Services at St Oswald’s Hospice. Demand for our Bereavement and Social Work Services is increasing, while costs to deliver them continue to rise.

More and more local people need our support, both before, during, and after the death of a loved one.

Every donation to our Family Support Appeal helps provide practical and emotional support for local families facing life’s toughest challenges.

Please give today to ensure families like Vikki’s have the support they need — this Christmas and beyond.

Thank you for making a difference.

Donate to our appeal