North Devon Hospice has been nominated for UK Charity of the Year

North Devon Hospice has been shortlisted as Charity of the Year at the prestigious national Third Sector Awards, the ‘Oscars’ of the charity world.

The hospice, which supported more than 2,000 people across North Devon in the past year alone, was praised as a ‘centre of excellence in end of life care’ by judges.

The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the London Hilton in Park Lane this Friday (September 12).

Above: North Devon Hospice is a finalist in the Third Sector Awards. Credit: North Devon Hospice 

The judging panel remarked on the compassionate support provide at home and at the hospice itself, praising the dedicated staff and volunteers, who ensure that patients and families are always at the heart of everything North Devon Hospice does.

In their citation, judges praised the charity for ‘leading with courage, compassion, and creativity, setting the standard for hospice care nationally - and changing lives every single day’.

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The nomination puts North Devon’s local hospice in the company of charity heavyweights such as Great Ormond Street Hospital and Royal British Legion Industries. It highlights a year where the charity used innovative approaches to take on the challenges it faces.

Above: North Devon Hospice cares for people in their own homes, such as Betty, benefitting from Hospice to Home care. Credit: North Devon Hospice

This included building the first ever hospice-specific staffing tool, to ensure safe levels of care for patients at all times. The team co-designed a new patient pathway with the local ambulance service, to help patients access hospice care more quickly in a crisis.

A new programme was delivered in schools, helping children better understand death and dying. In addition, nearly 500 local healthcare professionals were trained by the hospice, meaning people in North Devon can expect quality end of life care no matter where it is delivered.

The hospice also came up with novel ways to raise money, in an incredibly tough fundraising environment. This was best demonstrated by the charity turning an unused adjacent field into the wildly successful ‘Waggy Tails Meadow’, a secure dog-walking field which is set to raise more than £50,000 in its first year.

Stephen Roberts, chief executive for the hospice, said: “We are honoured to be recognised among the very best charities in the UK. This nomination is testament to the incredible work of our staff and volunteers and is thanks to the phenomenal supporters we have across North Devon.

“It’s no secret that it’s incredibly tough to be a charity right now, especially a local hospice. More and more people need our care, but it’s getting ever more difficult to raise the funds needed to provide this care.

“I’m very proud that North Devon Hospice has shown how innovative we can be in finding ways to improve patient care, as well as raise more funds. This means we can stay true to our mission of supporting people through the most difficult of times.”

Above: The hospice does whatever it can to bring joy and comfort for people face life-limiting illnesses, including the occasional special visitor! Credit: North Devon Hospice 

Director of care, Jo Dedes, added: “Every day, our teams go above and beyond to care for patients and their loved ones, whether that’s in people’s own homes, or here at the hospice.

“Being nominated for Charity of the Year is recognition of their commitment, to make sure no one faces the end of life alone. I’m humbled to see their dedication honoured in this way.”

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