Treetops is one of more than 200 charitable hospices across the UK taking part in national Hospice Care Week (7-13 October), led by national hospice and palliative care charity, Hospice UK.
This year’s theme, ‘This is What It Takes’, highlights that while hospice care is provided free of charge, it is not cheap and takes a lot of skills, people and resources.
We rely heavily on the generous support of our local communities
Julie Heath, Treetops chief executive explained that many charitable hospices are facing considerable financial challenges, so the support they receive from the public is more important than ever before.
“We receive some funding from the NHS but we have to raise two thirds of our income ourselves every year.
“We rely heavily on the generous support of our local communities – from companies and donors as well as income from gifts in wills, through our charity shops, Treetops Lottery and fundraising events.”
Julie Heath and the Treetops senior leadership team are being sponsored to come to work on Wednesday 9 October dressed as yellow bananas for the hospice’s ‘Go Yellow’ fundraising initiative.
In addition, during Hospice Care Week, Treetops will be highlighting the variety of ways in which people can give their time and skills to support their local hospice. With volunteers across all areas of the charity including patient services, retail, fundraising and administration, they contribute well over £1million worth of time to the hospice every single year.
Volunteers support every area of the charity – we can’t thank them enough
Angela Walters, volunteer services coordinator, explained:
“Volunteers are an integral part of Treetops and we aim to give each one a role which best matches their skills.
“Without volunteers we simply wouldn’t be able to deliver our services. Volunteers support every area of the charity from transporting and escorting patients to and from the hospice, to serving customers in our charity shops. They are truly incredible people and we can’t thank them enough.
“We always need more support, especially in our charity shops, so we’d love to hear from those interested in helping out with a few hours of time each week.”
Those interested in volunteering for Treetops should contact the Volunteer Services team on 0115 949 1264 – volunteering@treetopshospice.org.uk.
Treetops, based in Risley, has been providing emotional support and nursing care for over thirty years to adults with a life-limiting condition, or who’ve been bereaved, their families and carers. Last year, the charity cared for more than 1,800 people living across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
Treetops services include Support and Information, Wellbeing Space, Hospice at Home nurses and Therapeutic Services including counselling, art therapy and complementary therapy.