At Isabel Hospice, we passionately believe everyone has a right to hospice care. But we also know that too many barriers still exist that prevent people from receiving the specialist care that every person facing the end of life deserves.
Our Acting Head of Clinical Services, Andy Kilduff, recently took on the role of our LGBTQ+ Champion to help us start bridging the gaps when it comes to accessing the vital support we provide for people with life-limiting conditions, and those who care for them.
One in four people in the UK miss out on the care they need according to research by Hospice UK, with studies showing that people from LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) and ethnic minority communities, as well as those in economically deprived areas, in particular can experience barriers to accessing end-of-life care services.
Andy said: “Our skilled, compassionate care is available to all. My role as Isabel’s LGBTQ+ Champion not only recognises the diversity within our workforce, volunteer base and the community we serve, but will also ensure no one encounters discrimination or lack of understanding at a time when they most need acceptance and support.”
Last year, Lee Spithray’s husband, Mark, spent eight days in our In-Patient Unit before his death from stomach cancer. You can read the couple’s story here.
To support Andy, and the Hospice’s work for the LGBTQ+ community, our shops have been displaying Pride windows throughout June, which is Pride Month.
Charlotte Greenwood, our Head of Retail, said: “Pride is a celebration of people coming together in love, friendship and allyship, to show how far LGBTQ+ rights have come, and how in some places there is still work to be done.
“Pride month is about acceptance, equality, celebrating the work of LGBTQ+ people, education in LGBTQ+ history and raising awareness of issues affecting the community. It also calls for people to remember how damaging homophobia was, and still can be.
“Pride is all about being proud of who you are no matter who you love. Thank you to our shops for supporting this event.”
