Category: Hospice News
St Barnabas Hospice announces closure of café at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court
St Barnabas Hospice has made the difficult decision to close its café located within Lincoln Magistrates’ Court. The café will continue to operate until the end of May before closing its doors for the final time.
The café has always been run entirely by a team of dedicated volunteers, and the Hospice is extremely grateful for their time and commitment in raising vital funds for palliative and end of life care.
The decision follows careful consideration and a thorough evaluation of the café’s long-term sustainability and financial stability. While it has been a vital source of income for St Barnabas Hospice for many years, recent increases in operating costs, alongside difficulties in recruiting volunteers, have made it unsustainable for the Hospice to continue operating the café.
The hospice currently receives just 44% statutory funding and must raise £7 million each year to continue delivering its vital services throughout the county.
Caroline Peach, Head of Retail, says: “We understand this news will be disappointing for many to hear. It is essential that we are spending our funds in the most efficient way possible, so that we can continue to support over 12,000 patients and their families in Lincolnshire each year. Sadly, it is no longer viable for us to keep the café open.
“We are especially grateful to the volunteers who have supported the café over the years, and to everyone who has visited us.”
St Barnabas continues to operate a range of charity shops across Lincolnshire, varying from small high street shops to vast spaces. In each shop you can find thousands of pre-loved, quality items, including clothing, homeware, books, crafts, and toys. The flagship store, The Warehouse, also offers furniture and other large items.
This network of shops remains a vital source of income that helps fund the Hospice’s care and support for people living with life-limiting or terminal illnesses.
By shopping with or donating to St Barnabas, you can help provide essential care and comfort to people and families across Lincolnshire.
Find your nearest St Barnabas charity shop here: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/shop/
Statement regarding Boston car park
We are grateful for the support generated through a car park in Boston, that has historically displayed “St Barnabas Charity Car Park” signage.
Since late 2022, contributions of approximately £60 per month have been received from a car park on Red Lion Street in Boston, and we sincerely appreciate both the funds and the intention to support our work.
We would like to clarify that there is no current formal agreement in place between St Barnabas Hospice and the organisation (Bank Park Management) operating the site.
While there were earlier discussions, these were not formally concluded and are no longer in effect. We also recognise that greater clarity on our part could have helped avoid any misunderstanding.
We have worked collaboratively to resolve this matter, and the signage has now been removed to accurately reflect site ownership and protect the integrity of our brand.
If you would like to support St Barnabas Hospice directly, donations can be made via our website: https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/donate/. We also welcome conversations around corporate support and partnerships.
Remembering a loved one this Mother’s Day
At St Barnabas, we understand that Mother’s Day can be difficult, with a mix of emotions and memories.
Today we’re thinking of all mums, those with us and those we remember with love 💛
Please remember that we are here if you need us. Our free bereavement support is open to anyone in Lincolnshire – not just those families supported by hospice care. Our Bereavement Helpline is available Monday to Friday, 11am – 3pm. You can call 0300 303 1897 to talk to a trained volunteer.
Ways to remember a loved one
Ways to remember a loved oneRemembering a loved one is very personal, which is why we offer a number of ways to celebrate a life.
There are a variety of ways you can remember a loved one with St Barnabas, including creating an online tribute page, fundraising in memory, or leaving a gift in your Will.
MuchLoved Tribute Page
This is your own special memorial website in tribute to your loved one, where you can share memories, thoughts, and stories with family and friends, as well as light candles, add music, photos and videos.
Donate
Donations made in a loved one’s name will go on to care for someone else. Every pound given supports our mission – that no-one should face dying or grieving alone.
Gifts in Wills
Remember someone special by leaving a gift in your Will, helping to bring care, comfort and dignity to others for years to come.. Each gift, no matter the size, is one of the most powerful ways to protect local hospice care.
Fundraise for St Barnabas
Honour the memory of someone special by fundraising for St Barnabas. Your support helps us deliver expert care and comfort when it matters most. Get involved with one of our fundraising initiatives or take on a challenge in memory of a loved one.
Regular Giving
You may wish to remember someone special with a monthly gift. By giving each month, even a small amount can add up to make a big difference. Become part of a community of supporters making care, comfort, and dignity possible for families across the county.
However you spend the day, we hope it offers a gentle moment to reflect and remember.
St Barnabas Hospice shares new Environmental Strategy
To ensure the hospice operates in an environmentally responsible way and supports a more sustainable future, St Barnabas has reviewed the organisation’s environmental impact and identified opportunities to reduce it through the new Environmental Strategy (2025-29).
This strategy aligns with St Barnabas’ key objectives, including objective three of the organisational strategy: “to remain sustainable and resilient for the people we care for”.
It has been developed by the Environmental Sustainability Group, which brings together staff from across St Barnabas, including Executives, St.John and Georgina.
St.John, Director of Finance and Performance, says: “Sustainability is crucial to St Barnabas as it aligns with our core values of care, compassion, and community responsibility.
“This environmental strategy is guided by clear objectives aimed at minimising our carbon footprint, reducing waste generation, and adopting sustainable practices throughout our operation.”
Georgina, Medical Director, says: “As part of our vision to provide compassionate and dignified care at the end of life, we also recognise that we have a responsibility to care for the Earth as our shared home.
Over the next four years, this strategy will ensure we adopt sustainable practices to support the lives we care for today and the future we hope to preserve.”
Four objectives have been identified within the Environmental Strategy:
- Understand and measure our carbon footprint
Reducing our carbon footprint reflects our commitment to compassionate, responsible care by preserving a healthy world for future generations, while ensuring a peaceful and safe environment for those in our care today.
- Stakeholder engagement
Involving patients, families, staff, and supporters in sustainability efforts strengthens our culture of compassion, connection, and shared legacy which remains core to our vision of holistic palliative care.
- Education, quality improvement, and research
Providing environmental sustainability education and supporting a quality improvement agenda will support our values in action by “being courageous” and “working better together”.
- Ensure compliance with legislative reporting and contract expectations
By meeting environmental regulations, we uphold the ethical and professional standards that define our hospice’s integrity and commitment to best practice. “Doing it right” is one of our core values.
As part of this strategy, the Environmental Sustainability Group has also appointed Sustainability Champions across the organisation. Their role is to champion sustainable practices, promote initiatives within their teams, and help keep colleagues informed about the progress of the Environmental Sustainability Group.
This environmental strategy, with its key priorities and measurable targets, marks a significant step towards St Barnabas’ commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible stewardship. Read the strategy in full here
Celebrating our Hidden Teams at St Barnabas: Marketing
St Barnabas has over 300 members of clinical and non-clinical staff working to support our vision – a world where dying with dignity, compassion and having choices is a fundamental part of a life.
The hard work and dedication of all our staff ensures we can continue providing vital end-of-life care, across Lincolnshire. This year we’re shining spotlights on hidden teams and highlighting the incredible work they do to support St Barnabas.
The Marketing Department plays an important role in ensuring St Barnabas Hospice can continue to provide compassionate, high-quality care long into the future.
Hannah, Marketing Team Leader at St Barnabas, explains: “We are responsible for connecting people with the hospice’s mission, making sure supporters, volunteers, donors, and the wider community are informed and able to give in ways that are meaningful and sustainable.
“Behind the scenes, this means creating a range of materials and communications to engage existing and new supporters – from writing marketing emails and mailings, to scheduling content for social media, keeping the website up to date, designing digital and print materials, liaising with press, capturing photography and supporting our 23 shops.”
As a charity, St Barnabas relies on donations to sustain its services. The Marketing Department plays a pivotal role in working closely with the Fundraising Department to promote key initiatives, activities, and events throughout the year. They support with initial planning of campaigns and urgent appeals, all the way through to post round-up reports, exploring successes, learnings, and next steps.
Hannah says: “Our work helps secure the funds that enable our clinical teams to do what they do best.”
One of the large-scale campaigns supported by the Marketing Department is the annual Christmas Light Up A Life appeal. A team effort, this appeal brings in vital funds for hospice care and utilises everyone’s skillset.
Hannah continues: “Case studies are central to all our major campaigns, and we couldn’t create impactful marketing without the people at the heart of it. One of our most poignant responsibilities is storytelling, and the team visits and interviews patients and families, helping them feel comfortable and empowered to share their stories.”
During 2024’s Light Up A Life appeal, the team worked with Suzanne to share her story.
Reflecting on the experience, Suzanne said: “I must thank you all for how you have handled the sensitive subject of losing my sister. When I was initially asked to be the case study, I’ll be honest, there were some anxieties. However, by being involved, you and your team have helped me become stronger in being able to talk about a big part of my life that is no longer here. So, it has been a privilege and an honour.”
Thinking creatively, the team also explores what other charities are doing, learning from best practice across the sector and using initiative to adapt and improve ideas to suit St Barnabas and the community.
Hannah says: “Having the freedom to think outside the box allows us to respond in fresh and engaging ways. It’s rewarding to test new approaches, reflect on what works well, and continually look for better ways to raise awareness and funds – all while staying true to our values and purpose.”
St Barnabas’ values are at the heart of the Marketing Department’s work.
Having heart is reflected in their thoughtful approach to storytelling, ensuring every supporter, patient, family, and story is treated with care, respect, and dignity.
Working better together is essential to their success. The team collaborates closely with clinical colleagues and other departments to ensure messaging is accurate, aligned with patient care, and represents the Trust. They also work with external partners, from web developers and digital agencies to videographers and signage suppliers, supporting the organisation as one unified team.
Doing it right underpins their commitment to best practice. From ensuring people are contacted appropriately, to serving as a guardian for the brand and handling data responsibly, they focus on doing things well and with integrity. A strong example of this was the fully digital crisis campaign earlier this year. Including a press release, email marketing, social posts and online ads, the appeal was delivered quickly and thoughtfully, raising £50,000 to support hospice services when they were most needed.
Hannah adds: “We all love working at St Barnabas. Each team member has their own unique skillset, but there is a shared purpose and a genuine culture of kindness that makes St Barnabas a special place to work.
“What we enjoy most is knowing that our work makes a difference – directly resulting in income generation for the Hospice. Even though we may not always be visible to patients and families, everything we do contributes to the care they receive.”
Thank you to the Marketing Team – for your creativity, collaboration, and the impact your work has across the organisation.
A Christmas Message from Chris Wheway
As we come to the end of the year, I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported St Barnabas throughout 2025. This year has brought its share of challenges, but it has also been filled with kindness and community spirit.
We’ve celebrated 25 years of our meaningful Torchlight Procession, honoured the incredible legators whose gifts will help sustain our future, and continued to offer care, comfort, and compassion when it matters most.
Reaching my 10-year milestone has given me a moment to pause and reflect on the privilege of leading such a dedicated organisation. While much has changed over the past decade, what has remained constant is the unwavering commitment of our staff, volunteers, supporters, and community.
As we reflect, we must also be honest about the challenges we continue to face. More families than ever need our support, and rising costs are making it harder to provide care. To ensure we can continue to deliver compassionate hospice care across Lincolnshire, we have had to make some difficult decisions. We are sad to have said goodbye to valued members of the Trust, as we make every effort to secure our services.
After sharing the realities of our financial situation earlier in May and asking for your support, we have been humbled by the kindness and generosity you’ve shown. Without you, our community, we simply couldn’t continue to provide vital care to over 12,000 people and their families across Lincolnshire every year.
We are incredibly grateful to every person and business who has been able to make a financial donation or fundraise for us, everyone who has participated in our events, every purchase made or item donated, every volunteer who gives their time so generously, every gift in kind, and everyone who shares their experience with St Barnabas to help us raise awareness. Your support makes a world of difference.
Christmas is often a time where loss is felt more deeply, so I encourage you to please reach out if you need that extra bit of support in coping with grief over Christmas. Our free bereavement support is available to everyone in Lincolnshire, not just those affected by hospice care.
Thank you once again for your continued support – for every donation, every kind word and every act of compassion that helps us be there for those who need us most.
On behalf of the entire St Barnabas Hospice team, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Chris Wheway
Chief Executive, St Barnabas Hospice
St Barnabas Hospice welcomes six new Trustees
We are delighted to introduce six new St Barnabas Hospice Trustees.
All our trustees are local people who volunteer their time, bringing a wealth of experience to ensure our charity is well run. As a Trustee, they guide the Hospice’s direction, support our strategic goals, and ensure the legal compliance of the Hospice. They are also ambassadors for St Barnabas and support fundraising and awareness-building events.
In addition to their statutory duties, each Trustee uses any specific skills, knowledge, or experience they have to help the Board reach sound decisions.
Please join us in welcoming Neill, Kev, Sophie, Dan, Steve, and Beth to St Barnabas and their new positions within the Hospice. Please find a brief introduction to each of our new Trustees below.
Neill is a Consultant Dermatologist at United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.
Neill came to Lincoln in 1997 after spending the first part of his career in the Army which included service in the First Gulf War and a United Nations Tour in Angola. He trained in Dermatology in Edinburgh.
He feels fortunate to have seen the dermatology service develop to provide complex care for patients with skin disease and skin cancers across Lincolnshire. In addition, he undertook a number of medical managerial roles, including that of Medical Director, in which he was able to work with colleagues in many specialities, and organisations, to improve the health services in Lincolnshire.
Outside work Neill is Lay Reader in the Church of England, he enjoys driving his Morgan sports car and holidays in Scotland. He also chairs the Patient Care Committee.
Kev was born and raised in Derbyshire, before moving to Newark in 2021, and has spent the last 30 years as a transformation consultant advising in both private and public sector organisations to improve efficiency and system introductions.
Most recently Kev led on the Covid Vaccination Programme rollout and currently advises on the NHS New Hospital Programme. He previously worked extensively in the automotive and aerospace sectors providing consultancy on efficiencies and business improvement.
In his spare time, Kev founded and runs a Community Ladies Choir and enjoys spending time touring in his caravan with his family and faithful dog, Lena.
Kev hopes that his experience in transformation will assist and guide St Barnabas through the challenges that lie ahead.
Sophie grew up in North Lincolnshire and, after studying and building her career elsewhere, returned to Lincolnshire to raise her family near her parents.
As a registered dietitian and senior leader, Sophie has worked in the NHS for more than 25 years across hospital and community services. She is passionate about improving services, so people receive the very best care. Sophie has a particular interest in helping people stay well and live independently for as long as possible through proactive and compassionate care.
Sophie became a Trustee to help ensure that hospice care continues to offer dignity, compassion, and comfort for everyone. She brings extensive leadership experience to support the hospice’s vision and strategic direction.
Outside of work, Sophie volunteers as a Brownie Guide Leader and enjoys spending time outdoors and travelling with her large family and pets, especially her dog.
Dan is a true yellow belly, born and bred in Lincoln and has spent his whole life and career in the Construction Industry. Initially working for a family business, working his way up to becoming Contracts Manager.
Having decided to go it alone in 2005, Dan became a founding member of Daniel Charles Construction, now celebrating 20 years in business. The company has successfully delivered a wide range of Building and Civil Engineering projects throughout Lincolnshire and the East Midlands for both local and national clients.
Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending quality time with his wife and family, and is passionate about a variety of sports, including mountain biking, snowboarding, and running. He has been a dedicated supporter of the C2C2C cycling event for many years, as well as a regular participant in the Lincoln 10K.
Steve was born abroad while his father was serving in the Royal Air Force but was educated mostly in Scotland.
In 1975 he joined the Royal Air Force and served as an Airborne Radar technician, technical instructor and Flight Trials engineer until his retirement in 2001 having served mostly in Lincolnshire albeit with frequent periods of time spent further afield. He subsequently joined an Aerospace company working as a Project Engineer helping to bring new aircraft and equipment into service before eventually retiring in 2021.
Steve has a particular interest in organising and participating in fundraising activities. Previously, he formed a charity to raise much needed funds for his local school and more recently has organised events to raise money for St Barnabas Hospice.
In his spare time, he enjoys creative writing (flash fiction) watching rugby and playing golf.
Beth was originally from Worcestershire but has now lived in Lincolnshire for 20 years. She has had a career with a golden thread of education, mostly in externally facing roles.
She has worked within Higher Education, Further Education, Social Enterprise and within the commercial sector. Beth is currently Vice-Principal of Riseholme College and Bishop Burton College, a specialist land-based college based in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Beth is married with two children and enjoys travelling the world: recent trips have included Costa Rica and Vietnam with plans for Panama ongoing. Beth is particularly passionate about the hospice movement as her dad was cared for at home by a hospice team.
To find out more about our new Trustees and other members of the board, please visit: Meet the team behind your local hospice St Barnabas
St Barnabas Welfare and Benefits Team supports 350 patients every month
St Barnabas’ Welfare and Benefits team support approximately 350 patients and their families each month with practical and financial help. Their work goes far beyond paperwork; it is about providing stability, dignity and reassurance at a time when so much feels uncertain.
A key part of this support is how closely the Welfare and Benefits Team works with frontline services across the organisation. The team are deeply integrated with the St Barnabas community teams, often joining discussions about patient care to ensure financial needs are recognised alongside clinical ones.
This includes acknowledging the emotional and psychological impact that money worries can have on patients and their families – stress that can worsen symptoms, affect wellbeing, and undermine a person’s sense of control.
Chloe, Welfare and Benefits Manager at St Barnabas, explains: “In our large, rural county, many patients must travel long distances for treatment. Some even refuse treatment because of costs. That’s why our team are here, to advise on everything from benefits and energy bills, to blue badges, funeral planning and Will writing.
We see so many people facing money worries and isolation during what should be a time of care and comfort, and many can’t access help elsewhere. We try to take as much financial burden off as we can, to ensure no one is left navigating things alone.”
As Christmas approaches, financial pressures on families grow. Rising energy and food costs can make the festive season particularly difficult. Chloe’s team works tirelessly to help families access the benefits, grants, and vouchers they are entitled to, allowing them to celebrate and create normal festive memories.
Chloe continues: “For our patients and their families, maintaining a sense of normality at Christmas – even in small ways – means everything. We want them to still feel they can enjoy these moments, despite the challenges brought by illness or financial hardship.”
St Barnabas can only provide this service with your support.
By considering giving a gift to St Barnabas, you can help fight inequalities in hospice care, making sure families in rural areas or facing financial problems get the support they need.
By way of example, a donation of £33 pays for a Welfare Advisor to support a patient or family to access the benefits they are entitled to.
Donate today: Make a Donation to St Barnabas Hospice
Find out more: Welfare & Benefits – St Barnabas Hospice
Admiral Nurse Service to close from March 2026
As part of our commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Trust, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of our clinical and support services. This has led to the difficult but necessary decision regarding our dementia specialist Admiral Nurse Service, delivered in collaboration with Dementia UK.
We are sorry to announce that the Admiral Nurse service within St Barnabas Hospice is coming to an end, and the service will be closing from March 2026. As part of the transition toward closure, we will also be closing to external referrals from this week to ensure a safe and supported wind-down of the service.
Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses who provide expert, practical, and emotional support to families and individuals living with dementia, helping them manage the complexities of the condition. Our nurses will be discussing this with the families they currently support to minimise the impact on them.
The service was originally established with support from Dementia UK in 2019 and has been funded solely by St Barnabas since 2022, but unfortunately, this is no longer financially viable.
We want to be clear that this decision was not taken lightly, and this change does not mean we will stop caring for patients living with dementia. People living with dementia who have palliative needs will continue to receive high-quality care from our clinical teams.
Staff members affected by this change have been supported through a consultation process, and we are committed to ensuring they receive appropriate support and guidance during this difficult time.
We understand this news may be unsettling, and we want to thank you for your support and understanding during this time as we take steps to preserve our core services and ensure our long-term sustainability.
If you would like to speak to a member of the St Barnabas team about any feedback or concerns, you can contact us on enquiries@stbarnabashospice.co.uk.
If anyone is affected by the service closure and needs support with any aspect of dementia, you can speak to an Admiral Nurse on Dementia UK’s national helpline. Please call 0800 888 6678 (Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am – 5pm) or email helpline@dementiauk.org.
You can also book a free telephone or video appointment with an Admiral Nurse at a time that works for you in Dementia UK’s virtual clinics. For more information or to book an appointment, please visit https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/how-we-can-support-you/book-a-virtual-appointment/
St Barnabas Hospice announces closure of Lincoln charity shop on Monks Road
St Barnabas Hospice has made the difficult decision to close its charity shop on Monks Road, Lincoln. After 31 years serving the local community, the shop will cease trading on Friday 14th November.
To mark its final week, the Monks Road shop will hold a closing-down sale, giving supporters the chance to pick up a bargain while continuing to support the hospice.
First opening its doors in 1994, the shop has raised vital funds to support high-quality hospice care and support across Lincolnshire, thanks to a dedicated Shop Manager and an exceptional team of volunteers.
This decision comes within a challenging financial year for St Barnabas. The hospice currently receives just 44% statutory funding and needs to raise £7 million each year to continue delivering its vital services throughout the county. Many hospices and other charities are also struggling in the current climate with services being cut sector-wide and many charity shops closing.
The decision to close the Monks Road shop follows careful consideration and evaluation of the shop’s long-term sustainability and profitability.
Caroline Peach, Head of Retail at St Barnabas, says: “We know this news will be difficult for many to hear. We are working closely with the staff member affected to offer support and guidance throughout the consultation process.
“We are doing everything we can to safeguard our services now and for the future. At a time when we are facing significant financial challenges, it’s essential that we ensure our funds are spent in the most efficient way possible.
“Our heartfelt thanks go to the amazing shop team, dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and wonderful customers who have supported the Monks Road shop over the years.”
St Barnabas continues to operate a range of charity shops across Lincolnshire, varying from small high street shops to vast spaces. In each shop you can find thousands of pre-loved, quality items, including clothing, homeware, books, crafts, and toys. The flagship store, The Warehouse, also offers furniture and other large items.
This network of shops remains a vital source of income that helps fund the Hospice’s care and support for people living with life-limiting or terminal illnesses.
To continue supporting St Barnabas, supporters can visit one of the nearest alternative shops to the Monks Road store:
• Lincoln High Street North (265 High Street)
• Lincoln High Street South (175 High Street)
• Lincoln ‘The Warehouse’ (Cardinal Close)
By shopping with or donating to St Barnabas, you can help provide essential care and comfort to people and families across Lincolnshire.