Our Therapies team were determined to reach out to patients and families who need our care and support. And they even managed to find a virtual way to deliver Reiki. 

My involvement with the Hospice almost came about quite effortlessly and through opportune awareness raised of a local support organisation at a time when I had been thinking about how I could get involved further with a local initiative and give back something to the community.

Looking back over 2020, we will all have our own memories and thoughts about the year. No one could tell us how serious this Corona virus was going to be, but we all had to prepare for it in one way or another.

I have been a Trustee at Saint Francis Hospice for 7 years and I have always been impressed by how professional, caring, and adaptable everyone at the hospice is.

As 2020 comes to an end and I think back to when Covid started, it seems such a long time ago. A ‘new normal’ of masks, gloves and aprons provided a barrier to protect us but for me, it put a barrier between us and our patients.

I am a ‘junior doctor’ and more recently, I decided to pursue a career in General Practice (GP). Part of the training process for this has allowed me the pleasure of spending 6-months at St Francis Hospice.

It’s been quite a year for the retail industry and the pandemic hit our charity shops hard.

I witnessed how the pandemic was affecting individuals in different ways.

I'm pleased to say that our local community has really got behind us and shown incredible generosity.

Hospice survival and foundations for the future is paramount

Volunteering has taken on a different meaning for me.

We had to find a way to continue to care for people remotely.

The hospice is beautiful, which makes for great film-making.

From a secretary to a social work teacher, I've enjoyed a varied career.

"I am a lifelong West Ham supporter living in West Knighton, Leicester.

Children in Need enabling child bereavement support at Saint Francis Hospice

I was recently enjoying backpacking around the world — until the coronavirus pandemic cut my adventures short. Since returning from Asia to Romford, I've been voluntarily offering my digital marketing skills to Saint Francis Hospice.

COVID-19 has completely changed the way we shop.

As our clinicians and staff continue to selflessly work around the clock to provide care to our patients, we have been overwhelmed by the support from family and friends, neighbours and strangers, local businesses and organisations, schools, churches and supporters from all walks of life who see Saint Francis Hospice as an essential part of the local community.

I will never forget my last day in the office before we all went into lockdown.

When the coronavirus reached the UK in January, our Hospice faced an enormous challenge.

As Occupational Therapists at Saint Francis Hospice, our aim has always been to promote people’s independence, wellbeing and quality of life.

This is not the year I expected!

Although the inspiration for our name came from the Prayer of Saint Francis, that was many years ago. We've always cared for people of all faiths — including those with no faith.

I'm the Systems Programme Director at our Hospice.

In March, the world changed so much within such a short space of time. I was on paternity leave when the lockdown hit, and after only a few days back at work, I was furloughed. 

I was given the opportunity of working in our reception area at the time of COVID 19.

After I qualified in medicine, I decided to train to become a consultant who specialises in palliative and end of life care.

Every member of staff at Saint Francis Hospice has had to adjust amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including myself and my team.

Before COVID19 my job mainly involved working with our fundraising team to provide our supporters with anything they need to help their fundraising.