Generous North- East businesses are helping keep an award-winning charity afloat – but more help is needed
CHARITY
Caregiving – Alice House staff in the hospice’ s garden.
Generous North- East businesses are helping keep an award-winning charity afloat – but more help is needed
IN GOOD COMPANY
As hospices throughout the UK fight to protect vital care services amid an ongoing funding crisis, Hartlepool’ s Alice House has established itself as one of the most prominent and engaging organisations in its area.
The hospice has responded to every challenge to sustain its position and make the most of funding opportunities within the region’ s vibrant business sector.
Alice House Hospice provides specialist care and support to patients and families affected by life-limiting illnesses or bereavement throughout Hartlepool, the Tees Valley and East Durham.
Services include a 10-bedroom inpatient unit, weekly day hospice, bereavement counselling services and a 24-hour helpline.
Operational costs currently sit at £ 3.7m per year, with only 34 % received in government funding. This leaves a shortfall of more than £ 6,500 to be generated through fundraising and voluntary income streams every single day.
Among the hospice’ s considerable fundraising efforts are nine charity shops, a weekly lottery, events, community support, merchandise sales, legacy giving and trusts and grants.
Since its foundation by local lady Alice Bendle and a small team of volunteers in 1980, the hospice has relied on business and community support.
In the 45 years since, running costs have grown alongside inflation, expanded services, the cost-of-living crisis and the increasingly complex medical needs of patients.
Recent years have seen a strong upward trend in building relationships with business leaders and increasing the hospice’ s presence among local organisations.
Alice House runs a corporate membership scheme called the Guild of Patrons, comprising 10 businesses, each pledging £ 5,000 per year towards the delivery of care services. Current patrons are: > Deepdale Building Services > EDF > Frances Connolly, founder of the PFC Trust > Hart Biologicals > Hartlepool College of Further Education > J & B Recycling > Mayfield Insurance Brokers > NE Security > TMD Friction > Wynyard Park
Networking and introductions play a key role in the hospice’ s business journey, says business and communications senior manager Greg Hildreth.
“ Over the years we have established our presence through attending a variety of business and networking events,” he says.
Leadership – co- CEOs Sandra Britten, left, and Nicky Haggan.
“ This has been a gradual but rewarding process, which has enabled us to make valuable connections and has also yielded further introductions and endorsements we would otherwise not have seen.
“ This has given us the opportunity to share our story and earn the trust and respect of some of the leading organisations in the area. Networking is not always something that comes naturally, but it has been an essential part of shaping people’ s understanding of our work, debunking misconceptions and highlighting the need for support.
“ Years ago, it often felt that as a charity, we were seen as turning up to an event‘ cap in hand’, or finding ourselves on the sidelines. Over time, these dynamics have shifted, and we have been embraced and recognised as part of the business community for the work we do.”
Further to the support it holds dear through the Guild of Patrons, Alice House has many other valuable partnerships, both formal and informal. One particularly notable supporter is Hartlepool entrepreneur Simon Corbett, CEO of Orangebox Training Solutions and chair of Hartlepool Business Forum.
104 | Tees Business