The cost of living crisis is putting charities like ours under unprecedented pressure.
With ever-increasing demand for our services, combined with the cost pressures associated with the rise in inflation, rocketing energy bills and fuel costs and a fall in donations, the very real and serious financial implications of the cost of living crisis are becoming a reality for our organisation.
Having come through the funding challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Nick Gilbert, our Director of Income Generation, explains why your support is more crucial than ever.
“In recent months, the rising cost of living has been affecting our community greatly.
“Our patients are seeing higher fuel costs, meaning that many may not be able to attend our rehabilitation and wellbeing care service at our Living Well hubs in Welwyn, Waltham Cross and Bishop’s Stortford.
“We are also expecting to see an increase in patients requiring the use of our In-Patient Unit as they are unable to afford to heat their own homes.
“Within the Hospice, we are seeing rising food costs associated with catering for our patients staying in our IPU as well as increased fuel costs for our staff visiting patients and their families across the communities of eastern Hertfordshire which we serve.
“Another key issue we are facing is the staffing shortages across the healthcare system and the need to pay competitive salaries in order to retain as many key workers as possible in these difficult times.
“Recent figures from Hospice UK show that hospices across the UK collectively now need to raise an additional £100 million to cover their costs. This equates to approximately £500,000 per hospice, putting a huge strain on our Hospice and others across the country.
“To recover this shortfall, we are proactively exploring new and different ways to raise funds. However, this is proving to be a challenge as our supporters are feeling the impact of rising costs too. Indeed, whilst the demand for our 15 shops and eBay site is growing in these economically challenging times, many people are choosing to hang onto potential donations of goods for longer.
“Despite the economic crisis currently unfolding, we remain committed to providing outstanding palliative care for every person within our community who needs it. However, the need for your support is greater than ever before if we are to expand our services to reach more families. That support can come in the form of goods, money or time through volunteering, and all are very much appreciated and help us enormously.
“We are immensely grateful to all our supporters who continue to help us in any way that you are able, big or small. Our motto ‘Together we care’ is now more pertinent than ever before.”
