Phone human-readable description of the message we trying to accomplish. Search human-readable description of the message we trying to accomplish. Map pin human-readable description of the message we trying to accomplish.

You are here:

Hospice Care Week 2026

Taking place from October 5 - 11 this year's theme is Don’t leave hospice care to chance

two hospice nurses posing in a flower wreath with hands in the shape of hearts
Led by the national charity Hospice UK, Hospice Care Week is about celebrating the work of hospices all across the UK.

Across the UK, hospices like St Nicholas Hospice Care are there for people who need palliative and end of life care, day in, day out. Whether on our wards, in the community, or in people’s homes, our teams work tirelessly to ensure that those we support are comfortable and able to live well in the time they have left.

But hospice care is about so much more than managing pain and symptoms. It’s about the things that make life meaningful for each person and their family, helping people do what they love, even when illness makes it difficult. Whether it’s a trip to a favourite café, watching a sports match, visiting the beach, or simply enjoying time in their own garden, we strive to help people live well, wherever they choose to be.

Three Hospice clinical staff in uniform standing in the Hospice garden holding the logo speech bubble with the words 'Because you matter'

Our events and activities

As part of Hospice Care Week 2026, we’ll be hosting events and activities at our Hardwick Lane site.

These sessions will offer opportunities to learn more about hospice care, connect with others and discover the support available through St Nicholas Hospice Care. We look forward to welcoming our community and helping more people understand what hospice care is and the difference it makes to local families.

Faith Communities Drop-in Session

We are inviting members of local faith communities to join us for a welcoming drop-in session at St Nicholas Hospice Care.

This informal session, on Thursday, 8 October, is an opportunity to meet members of our team, learn more about the support we provide, and explore how we work alongside communities across West Suffolk and Thetford. Whether you are already connected with the Hospice or simply curious to find out more, you will be warmly welcomed.

Our aim is to create a space for conversation, connection and understanding, reflecting our belief that no one should face dying, death or grief alone.

Refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon. The drop-in will be held in our Garden Room, at the Hospice’s Hardwick Lane site.

Find out more

ReSPECT Play and Managing Emotional and/or Angry Telephone Call Training

We are pleased to offer a free educational event on Thursday, 8 October, at St Nicholas Hospice Care, bringing together two practical sessions designed to build confidence in having important conversations and managing challenging situations.

ReSPECT Play

Explore the importance of advance care planning through an engaging role-play scenario that encourages conversations about future care wishes.

Managing Emotional and/or Angry Telephone Conversations

An interactive workshop designed to help participants feel more confident when handling difficult or emotional conversations over the phone.

Find out more
Three images of Hospice nurses, one with a patient, one in the community at a front door, and two staff with a dog visiting the ward

Funding hospice care: why your support matters

Many people have heard of hospice care, but not everyone understands what it really means. At St Nicholas Hospice Care, we provide free specialist palliative care and emotional support for people and families across West Suffolk and Thetford when it matters most.

While our care is free for patients and families, it is not free to provide. It costs around £9.7 million each year to run the Hospice, and around 68p in every £1 needed to provide that care comes from the generosity of local people through donations, fundraising, our shops, lottery supporters, events and gifts in Wills. Local people make local hospice care possible.

Every bake sale, charity shop donation, marathon runner, lottery player and gift in a Will helps ensure that people in our community can continue to access expert care, comfort and support when they need it most.

Hospice care supports more than many people realise. It is not just about the last days of life and it is not only provided within our Hospice building. We support people in their own homes, on our inpatient ward, and through emotional, practical and bereavement support for families.

As demand for hospice care continues to grow and costs continue to rise across the sector, community support remains essential. Together, we can ensure that no one in West Suffolk and Thetford has to face dying, death or grief alone.

The impact we make

Hospice care supports more people than many realise. At St Nicholas Hospice Care, we support around 1,800 patients and their families each year through care on Sylvan Ward, in people’s homes, and through emotional, practical and bereavement support.

Building for the future

Our priority remains building a reliable financial foundation. We must continue to match income and expenditure, plan carefully, and work together to ensure long-term stability for St Nicholas Hospice Care and those who rely on us.

Follow us