St John’s Hospice Joins National Campaign to Change Perceptions of Hospice Care

St John’s and St Elizabeth’s Hospital on-site, community hospice, St John’s Hospice, is proud to be one of over 143 hospices participating in the “This is Hospice Care” campaign, a national initiative facilitated by Hospice UK. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the vital role hospices play in their communities and to change public perceptions of hospice care.

The campaign, which launched on Monday 17 February 2025, has already captured hearts and minds through a powerful TV advert based on real-life hospice stories. It aims to encourage people to consider leaving a gift in their will to support local hospices like St John’s, ensuring that these essential services can continue for generations to come.

“St John’s Hospice has been at the heart of the community for more than 40 years. Over the last four decades, gifts in wills have played a crucial role in our hospice’s survival and growth. We’re thrilled to be part of this important campaign that not only highlights the critical work we do but also provides a platform to encourage our incredible supporters and community to consider leaving a gift to our hospice. These gifts will help us continue our story and be there for everyone who needs us, now and in the future.” – Simon James, Chief Executive.

Based in St John’s Wood, the hospice provides quality, holistic care to more than 4,000 people living with life-limiting illnesses, along with their families and caregivers, each year. Their support extends across Westminster, Brent, Camden, Hammersmith & Fulham, Islington, and Kensington & Chelsea. Notably, they are the only hospice in London with their own ambulance service and offer 24/7 Hospice@Home support. In early 2024, they opened a new Wellbeing Centre and gardens, services made possible by the generous support of gifts in wills.

With rising costs and increasing demand for hospice services, St John’s is encouraging supporters and local residents to consider the profound impact that a gift in their will can make.

Carol’s story is a testament to the compassionate care provided by St John’s. She chose to leave a legacy to the hospice, following the care her sister Rosalind received and to ensure that others in the community get to experience this same level of support for years to come.

“I’m leaving a gift in my will to St John’s because I will always be grateful to the hospice for helping make my sister’s last days content. The care given to Rosalind was sensitive and imaginative, the pain control was very well judged, and the welcome given to her family and friends was genuinely warm. I could go on about how much I love and appreciate St John’s, and I’m glad I’m able to show this by remembering them in my will.” – Carol, Legator.

For more information about the “This is Hospice Care” campaign and to find out how you can support St John’s Hospice, please visit www.stjohnshospice.org.uk/gifts-in-wills or contact their team at fundraising@hje.org.uk or 020 7806 4011.

St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is a charity, meaning that every time you visit us for treatment, you are helping to fund our on-site Hospice, St. John’s. Profits from our hospital go towards providing free specialist care in the on-site Hospice, meaning unlike other private hospitals, when you choose St John & St Elizabeth Hospital for your treatment you are also helping your local community.