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/