Our impact

"Just seeing everything that you do for your patients at Hospiscare means so much. No one knows when, if or how we will need services like Hospiscare. I don’t think I’ve got the words to express how wonderful it is here."

We can’t change a diagnosis, but we can change someone’s life after diagnosis

Every year, we care for close to 2,000 local people living with a terminal illness. This care is provided at no cost to the patient and their family as we believe that everyone, no matter their circumstances or economic standing, deserves the right to a good death.

Read Hospiscare’s 2023-2024 Impact Report

To read Hospiscare’s previous Impact Reports, choose from the following: 2022-2023, 2021-2022, 2020-2021, 2019-2020.

Hospiscare is needed now more than ever

Changes in lifestyle, health and welfare mean that we can all expect to live for longer, but not necessarily in good health. Life expectancy in Devon is particularly high and an older, rural population means greater pressure on health services.

The population of our county is also changing, with a projected increase in population of 100,000 over the next 20 years. There is a greater need for end-of-life care than is currently available and with Devon’s ageing population, demand is only going to increase.

People are now living longer with multiple diagnoses and, although treatments are improving, it means that patients towards the end of life have complex needs which often require a holistic, specialist approach to enable them to achieve the best death.

“I'm surrounded by Hospiscare, so I feel like I'm in a safe place. They're all angels as far as I'm concerned."

After receiving the 'all clear' from breast cancer in 2018, Charlotte's cancer returned and she was given the devastating news that it was terminal. Charlotte is determined to spend the time she has left with her loved ones, sharing how much they mean to her.

Watch Charlotte's story

Patients are at the heart of all we do

We know that every day matters to our patients; that is why a lot of the work we do revolves around life, rather than death.

2,089

patients cared for by our doctors, nurses and therapists
5,406

meals served to patients on our specialist ward by our ward support volunteers
1,963

people donated to Hospiscare in memory of a loved one

It’s the people who shape our organisation

From staff to volunteers, every person within our Hospiscare family is dedicated to making every day matter to our patients and their loved ones.

We are so proud that so many of our staff and volunteers have a sense of belonging to our charity and are recognised for their long service. It is the strength of our family that has seen us through the COVID-19 pandemic as without the dedication of our staff and volunteers, we simply would not be here.

“I've been there through all the ups and downs and major changes, but the core of what Hospiscare does has remained the same. We focus on patients at the end of life and give the best possible care we can and that's never changed."

In January 2024, Natalie Mear celebrated 30 years of working as a Hospiscare nurse.

Read Natalie's story

We receive just 15% of our funding from the NHS

Hospiscare relies on the support of our community to generate over 80% of the income needed to fund our care. This ensures that end-of-life care and family support is delivered at no cost to our patients and their loved ones.

Gifts in Wills form a vital part of our charity’s income. Without the generosity of those in our community who choose to remember our charity in their Wills, we simply could not operate our services. Find out more.

We raise approximately £10 million every year to provide our services. This is how our income and expenditure was split in 2023-2024:

Hospiscare's income and expenditure 2023-2024

A research-active organisation

“My role will ensure that Hospiscare continues to improve and grow, not just on a local level, but on a national level too. We will be at the forefront of informing best practice for end-of-life care across the country and bringing this level of care to our ward and community services”.

Read Emily's story

Support our work

Join a family of thousands, who all believe that people with a life-limiting illness deserve the best care possible.

Find out more

Sustainability impact

Hospiscare is committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint as part of our sustainability action plan. Please read our Impact Reports at the top of this page for information on the steps we’re taking toward this goal.