Saint Francis Hospice

06/10/2026

A garden full of memories 🧡

Each Forget-Me-Not engraved flower in our Light Up a Life garden represents a beautiful dedication to someone loved, remembered and never forgotten

Dedicate a flower in memory of someone special and help support hospice care this winter.

Dedicate yours on our website now:
www.sfh.org.uk/lual

06/10/2026

IT'S HERE, THE HOSPICE HEART PODCAST HAS LAUNCHED! 🎙️🧡

To mark Hospice Care Week (5-11 October), we're so excited to share the very first episode of The Hospice Heart, a new podcast from Saint Francis Hospice opening up honest conversations about grief, death, dying and hospice care.

For episode 1, host Ryan Curtis is joined by Poppy Jehan, Senior Staff Nurse, who cared for Ryan's mum, Ann, during her time at the hospice.

Together, they talk about Ann's journey, what hospice care really means, common misconceptions and the people and the stories behind the care we provide. Poppy also shares what inspired her to work in palliative care and reflects on almost nine years of supporting individuals and their loved ones.

And this is just the beginning. The first series features six episodes, bringing together hospice colleagues, volunteers and people with lived experience of hospice care.

🎧 Listen to Episode 1 today on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. You can also visit 👉 https://www.sfh.org.uk/news/episode-1-poppy-jehan-the-hospice-heart-podcast to listen and find out more.

And stay tuned...Episode 2 is coming this Thursday! 👀

05/10/2026

Nearly 1 in 3 people don’t get the care they need at the end of their lives.

With government funding varying wildly from hospice to hospice, the financial support they receive – and the care available – can be left to the luck of the draw.

We believe that everyone deserves high-quality hospice care, whoever they are, and wherever they live.

So, while we’re celebrating hospices and their brilliant staff this , we’re also pushing for change and joining Hospice UK in saying: don’t leave hospice care to chance. Help it to be there, for all, for now, forever.

https://www.hospiceuk.org/our-campaigns/hospice-care-week

02/10/2026

Could you spare a few hours to make a real difference?

We’re looking for more amazing volunteers to join our Golden Heartbeats family at Saint Francis Hospice.

Whether you’d like to gain new skills, build confidence, meet new people or simply give something back to your local community, we’d love to meet you.

📅 Volunteer Recruitment Event
🗓 Saturday 10 October 2026
🕙 10am to 2pm
📍 Education Centre, Saint Francis Hospice

Come along for a coffee and a chat with our friendly team and discover the rewarding volunteer opportunities available across our hospice services and charity shops.

Every volunteer helps us continue caring for local people and their loved ones when they need us most.

Can’t volunteer yourself? Please share this post with someone who might be interested.

01/10/2026

It's not just our Retail stores that benefit from Gift Aid!

Every time you tick the Gift Aid box, you're helping Saint Francis Hospice make your generosity go even further. From supporting individuals in our care and their loved ones, to bereavement services and community outreach, Gift Aid helps us do more at no extra cost to you.

If you're a UK taxpayer, every £1 donated could be worth an extra 25p to the hospice.

A simple tick. A lasting impact.

www.sfh.org.uk/gift-aid

🎉 Gift Aid Day is here! 🎉

Today, on Gift Aid Day, we're celebrating the amazing impact that Gift Aid has on the care and support provided by Saint Francis Hospice.

If you're a UK taxpayer, signing up for Gift Aid allows us to claim an extra 25p for every £1 raised from the sale of your donated items, at no extra cost to you. 🧡

Whether you're donating clothing, furniture, books, or homeware, your generosity can go even further with Gift Aid.

Not signed up yet? Pop into one of our shops and speak to a member of the team. It only takes a few minutes and makes a real difference.

A small tick today can make a big difference tomorrow. Thank you for supporting Saint Francis Hospice and helping us make every donation count. 🧡

www.sfh.org.uk/shop-in-store
www.sfh.org.uk/gift-aid

01/10/2026

"Dance has been my life."

BBC Make a Difference Award winner Rita Sinclair has spent more than 50 years teaching dance, but her connection to Strictly Saint Francis is about so much more than dancing.

After her husband Ken received care and support from Saint Francis Hospice following his pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Rita saw first-hand the difference hospice care makes to individuals and their loved ones during the most difficult times.

Now, she's back on the judging panel for Strictly Saint Francis 2026, helping contestants prepare for an unforgettable evening of glitz, glamour and fundraising.

Join Rita and our incredible dancers at The Brentwood Centre on Friday 23 October. Cheer them on, enjoy an amazing night out and help raise vital funds for local hospice care.

✨ Tickets £25 💃 Friday 23 October 📍 The Brentwood Centre

Book tickets now: https://www.sfh.org.uk/strictly-saint-francis

Read Rita's full story: https://www.sfh.org.uk/news/dance-has-been-my-life-bbc-award-winner-rita-sinclair-returns-to-strictly-saint-francis

30/09/2026

Something new is coming...

At Saint Francis Hospice, we hear incredible stories every day.
Soon we'll be sharing those conversations through a brand-new podcast.

The Hospice Heart Podcast: launching next week 🧡

29/09/2026

Our volunteers make an incredible difference 🧡

Every single day they give their time, skills, and compassion to help us provide care for those who need it most.

That’s why we’re proud to be part of Room to Reward, a programme that recognises volunteers who go above and beyond. Through the generosity of hotel partners across the UK, nominated volunteers can enjoy a well-deserved complimentary short break as a thank you for the difference they make.

It’s just one of the ways we celebrate and recognise the amazing people who help make hospice care possible.

Check out the short video of our recent winners!

Start volunteering today, get registered on our website. www.sfh.org.uk/volunteer

27/09/2026

This World Reflexolgy Week, we’re celebrating the calming benefits of reflexology at Saint Francis Hospice.

For many people in our care, reflexology offers a moment of relaxation, comfort and wellbeing when they need it most.

Watch our video to find out more about this amazing therapy and the difference it makes at SFH 🧡

Read more: www.sfh.org.uk/news/celebrating-world-reflexology-week-at-saint-francis-hospice

24/09/2026

"It was there that our family experienced first-hand the incredible care and compassion the hospice provides."

When Gareth Vaughan's dad, John, was cared for by Saint Francis Hospice in his final weeks, the support his loved ones received left a lasting impression.

After the death of his dad in 2015, Gareth and his best friend Danny wanted to find a way to keep his memory alive. Inspired by John's love of fishing, they created the J V Carp Cup - an annual fishing competition held in his honour.

Ten years later, the event is still bringing friends and family together, raising vital funds for the hospice and celebrating John's life and legacy.

Read the full story here:
https://www.sfh.org.uk/news/casting-a-line-in-memory-of-my-dad
and watch the 2026 Carp Cup Video here: https://youtu.be/C-BwnC2AmY4?si=aqyaUckX-990wKPA