CHARITY
Service – Teesside Hospice ’ s dedicated team support more than 3,000 local people and families every year .
HANDLE WITH CARE
Navigating funding challenges in palliative care and how Teesside Hospice is adapting to the latest budget changes …
Teesside Hospice , a much-loved charity based in Middlesbrough , is a vital provider of palliative care , dedicated to supporting individuals with terminal illnesses across the Tees Valley .
Its services include a 10-bed inpatient unit , a wellbeing service , an outreach service , bereavement counselling for children and adults and a specialist lymphoedema clinic .
Supporting more than 3,000 local people and families each year , Teesside Hospice ’ s services are offered free of charge , with operational costs of almost £ 17,000 daily .
That adds up to more than £ 6m a year to support individuals with terminal cancer and other life-limiting illnesses , and their families too .
Government funding only covers 25 % of these costs , so Teesside Hospice relies heavily on support from the local community to raise the rest .
In October , the government announced its annual budget , outlining financial changes that will affect the healthcare sector and charities alike . Among the organisations impacted is Teesside Hospice .
Although the 2024 budget included positive adjustments , such as charitable incentives , it also outlined economic challenges that will affect the hospice ’ s finances , particularly an increase in employer national insurance and the national minimum wage . With 150 staff members , the hospice faces significantly higher employment costs .
In addition to these challenges , the hospice operates within an environment of rising supply costs . Like many such organisations , it must manage its resources carefully to maintain essential services while controlling expenses .
Unfortunately , the increased operational costs come at a time when demand for palliative care is rising . Nationally , one in three people are dying without the care and support they need at the end of life and there isn ’ t a corresponding increase in funding being offered to support their care .
To continue providing high-quality care , Teesside Hospice will need to navigate these economic pressures effectively . Support from local businesses is therefore essential for providing financial relief , helping the hospice to balance its budget , sustain existing services and to meet growing need .
By building partnerships with businesses , individuals and community organisations and working together , the hospice can strengthen the sustainability of its services .
Cultivating these relationships provides vital support , allowing the hospice to maintain care for patients and their families .
Businesses can support Teesside Hospice in various ways , including financial donations , joint ventures to support business objectives , sponsoring and joining in with fundraising events , giving a gift in kind , offering services free of charge , corporate volunteering and sharing skills and expertise .
Julie Burniston , the hospice ’ s head of corporate development , emphasises the significance and benefits of such support .
“ Corporate support is vital to Teesside Hospice , offering not only crucial funding but also resources and expertise that help us sustain and expand our services ,” she says .
“ By joining us as a corporate partner or supporter , companies become part of our hospice family and gain the benefits of boosted employee morale .
“ Rallying teams around our meaningful cause fosters a strong sense of purpose , pride and community as they contribute to our life-changing work .
“ With the backing of individuals and businesses across the region , we can continue providing outstanding , compassionate end-of-life care to those in our community who need it most .
“ As Teesside Hospice adapts to the new economic landscape , the support of local businesses will be critical . With your backing , the hospice can continue to fulfil its mission , ensuring that no one in Teesside faces terminal illness alone or in pain .”
Working together with Teesside Hospice can make a big difference locally . Thank you !
Challenge – the charity needs the support of the Teesside business community to remain sustainable .
To find out more about supporting Teesside Hospice , contact julieburniston @ teessidehospice . co . uk or call 01642 811145 .
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