A message from our Chief Executive, Chris Wheway

As we continue to navigate the ongoing challenges, we are acutely aware of the growing pressures brought on by the cost-of-living crisis and a reduction in core funding.

Despite these difficulties, the resilience of our staff, volunteers, and supporters across Lincolnshire has been inspiring. Every department within St Barnabas Hospice has worked diligently to build robust strategies to overcome these obstacles and ensure that we can continue delivering high-quality care for years to come.

These plans will guide our efforts over the next five years, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and expanding the reach of our services to meet the needs of our community.

We know the road ahead will be challenging, but with the continued support of our community and the dedication of our remarkable team, we are confident that we can meet these challenges head-on.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to share a brighter future for all those who rely on us.

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Our care and support

Throughout 23/24, our clinical teams have continued to deliver outstanding palliative and end of life care to patients within the Inpatient Unit, their own homes, and wellbeing hubs across the county.

Many of the team have been presented with long service certificates recognising their hard work and commitment to the organisation and they have taken an active role in the development of themselves and our Hospice.

The county wide clinical teams have worked hard to deliver seamless approaches to care, enabling people to receive individual and personalised specialist care in a place of their choice at their end of life.

The Palliative Care coordination centre have continued to support the coordination of care packages for those patients needing additional support to remain at home, while facing an ever-increasing demand.

Our team of physiotherapists and occupational therapists continue to work as part of our specialist multidisciplinary team, supporting people to live well.

Our Specialist Dementia nurses keep delivering support and advice to patients and their loved ones across the county and have plans in place next year to support the roll out of Dementia specific activities within our wellbeing hubs.

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Our Achievements

Whilst the previous few years have been challenging, St Barnabas Hospice has remained strong and resilient in developing and delivering palliative and end of life care services throughout the County.

We supported approximately 8,500 patients between 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024, with the majority receiving care and support from two or more services.

The Welfare & Benefits team have taken 4,971 referrals into the service. These referrals are from patients and their families needing help to apply for benefits and grants to ease the financial burden of palliative illness. Their hard work and dedication realised benefits of £8,614,648.

In 2023/24, over 1,100 dedicated volunteers donated an impressive 103,913 hours of their time, a substantial increase from the 80,305 hours recorded in the previous year. This contribution equates to a significant donation of £1,318,881.53 (2022: £891,064). These figures reflect hours contributed by volunteers in Retail and Patient-Facing roles.

Our sector-leading Free Will Cafes initiative, held at our Boston and Lincoln bases and online, supported 22 individuals in writing their wills. Collaborating with Catsnake, we refined our Legacy strategy to ensure a lasting impact on St Barnabas. This strategic effort resulted in £1,524,422 in legacy income, exceeding our target of £1,501,000 by £23,422.

The Retail Department achieved record profits of over £1 million for the first time, with a total of 1,033,112 items sold across our 24 shops. The relocation of our Boston shop to a new location in January 2024 proved highly successful – we sold 12,000 items from the reopening until the end of the financial year, generating £32,000 in sales and £1,500 in Gift Aid.

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Medical Students at St Barnabas
Finn's Story

Finn's Story

Finn Dillon dedicated a light in memory of mum, Philly, who sadly passed away in 2023, and shared his story with us as part of our Light Up a Life Appeal.

At an otherwise happy period in their lives, Philly’s first diagnosis of Stage 3 Breast Cancer came in 2009, when Finn was only 10 years old. Philly’s cancer returned for a third time in 2020 and had spread into her spine and bones. In March 2024, she was admitted to St Barnabas Hospice in Grantham.

Finn says: “Although it was incredibly scary and upsetting for us all, the change we felt as we walked through the doors to St Barnabas was incredible. We knew that she was finally safe. Philly was moved to the St Barnabas Inpatient Unit in Lincoln, only a few streets away from our family home.

“The incredible care of St Barnabas allowed us one last miracle period and we will be forever grateful. The warmth and sincerity the team showed us is something I know we all take comfort from every day.

Her final month with us at St Barnabas provided endless moments of laughter, deep reflection, and the incredible gift of goodbye.”

Read more of Finn's story

More touching stories

“My sister, Natalie, was a funny, kind, and beautiful mother, sister, and auntie. She loved everybody she met and was so generous. In April 2021, at age just 33, she was diagnosed with one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. ”
Rebekah Watson's story
“Sophie Butcher from Lincoln, sadly lost her father Alan Thompson before getting married, who she describes as a proud Belfast man, positive in the face of adversity and unwaveringly devoted to fatherhood.”
Sophie Butcher's story
“Lauren Wood from Lincoln laced up her trainers to run the Manchester Marathon in support of St Barnabas after the hospice charity looked after her mother.”
Lauren Wood's story
“20-year-old Carly took on an exhilarating skydive in memory of her former teacher Sam Pickersgill, who received care from St Barnabas during the last months of her life.”
Carly Young's story
“Earlier on this year, heaven gained a beautiful angel – my mum and Oscars grandma – Samantha Gibbins. Throughout her fight, she was surrounded by the most amazing people who supported and fought with her. ”
Sam Gibbins's story
““St Barnabas made the most awful eleven days of my life, that bit less awful.” Michelle McKinnon recently experienced first-hand the high quality, compassionate care St Barnabas provides at its Inpatient Unit in Lincoln.”
Michelle McKinnon 's story
“Eight-year-old Ruby recently braved a haircut of her beautiful long hair to raise money for St Barnabas Hospice to thank the nurses for looking after her grandfather Ray during the last weeks of his life.”
Ruby Reynolds's story

At our core

1

Vision

Our Vision is a world where dying with dignity, compassion and having choices is a fundamental part of a life.

Support our Vision
2

Mission

Our Mission is to ensure all individuals facing the end of their life in Lincolnshire receive dignified, compassionate care when they require it and where they ask for it.

Our care services
3

Values

Aiming High, Being Courageous, Doing it Right, Having Heart, Working Better Together

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