Hospice warns of 'growing demand' as more young parents face terminal illness

A North Devon charity has launched a major fundraising drive to help local children and families navigate the loss of a parent or loved one, as it reveals it is caring for more young parents than ever before.

North Devon Hospice’s ‘Living Through Loss’ spring appeal aims to raise £50,000 by 31 March. 

The funds are earmarked for vital bereavement counselling, support groups, and specialised therapies for young people facing the upheaval of a life-limiting illness within their family unit.

The charity, which provides care across an 800-square-mile area, said the appeal is a direct response to a shift in the demographics of those requiring palliative care. 

Jo Palmer, a hospice counsellor who specialises in supporting children and young people, said the demand for this specific type of emotional intervention is growing rapidly.

“We are caring for more patients in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s than ever before,” Ms Palmer said. 

“This means that, sadly, more local children and teenagers are being left to navigate life without a parent. Your support for the Living Through Loss Appeal will ensure that no young person has to face that grief alone, thanks to the support we provide to them and the whole family.”

The appeal seeks to provide a "safety net" for families from the moment a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, such as cancer, Motor Neurone Disease, COPD, or heart disease, is delivered. 

This support includes art therapies and emotional guidance, designed to help families make the most of the time they have left together.

Among those currently supported by the charity is the Willmer family from Barnstaple. Rosemary Willmer was diagnosed with an incurable cancer several years ago. 

She described how the hospice helped her transition from a period of ‘initial diagnosis’ and low mood to a more positive outlook.

“This is not a place where you come to die, it’s somewhere that you learn how to live,” Mrs Willmer said. 

“I was very low after my initial diagnosis, but it’s been a couple of years now and North Devon Hospice have helped me get to such a positive place, where I look forward to every day and make the most of every moment.”

Her daughter, Claire Willmer, said the hospice had become a “home-from-home” for the family, offering a welcoming environment that reduces the sense of isolation often felt by children in these circumstances. 

She highlighted the importance of family sessions where her sons can interact with other children facing similar challenges.

“It can feel very isolating and confusing for young ones, but the team at the hospice just make everything feel normal and we can make the most of our time together,” she said.

Her nine-year-old son, Max, spoke of the personal impact the hospice’s care has had on his relationship with his grandmother. 

“If it wasn’t for the hospice, I don’t know if my Nana would be here. So I’m just really thankful that I get to spend time with her,” he said.

The hospice operates as an independent local charity and must raise almost £7m each year to maintain its level of service. 

While many associate hospice care with its physical bedded unit, the majority of the charity’s work takes place in the community. Its teams travel throughout North Devon to provide expert clinical care and symptoms management in patients' own homes.

However, the ‘Living Through Loss’ appeal focuses specifically on the "wraparound" care provided by the Supportive Care team. 

This team provides counselling and group activities that continue even after a loved one has died, helping families process their grief in a structured and supported environment.

With the 31 March deadline approaching, the hospice is urging the local community to contribute to the £50,000 goal. 

The charity supports more than 2,000 people annually, and officials say the funds raised will be critical in matching the growing demand for their specialist family services.

Donations to the Living Through Loss Appeal can be made via the charity’s website. 

The hospice stated that every contribution helps ensure that local families do not have to face the journey of life-limiting illness or bereavement alone.