Farleigh Hospice is celebrating national Hospice Care Week on 6 to 12 October. This annual campaign raises awareness of hospices and the essential care that they deliver within their local community.

Farleigh provides compassionate hospice care and support across mid Essex.

The charity cares for adults living with life-limiting conditions – such as cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease – and supports their families. It also offers bereavement support to children and adults and makes no charge for any of these services.

Hospice Care Week is organised by Hospice UK and this year’s theme is ‘hospice care is more than you think’.

While many people are aware of the specialist end of life care that Farleigh provides at its inpatient unit in Broomfield, Chelmsford, they may not realise that most of the hospice’s care is provided in people’s own homes.

Farleigh’s care also includes nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, counselling and family support to helps its patients enjoy a better quality of life and give much-needed assistance to their families.

During Hospice Care Week, Farleigh will be sharing examples that highlight aspects of its care and support that people may not realise that it provides, to improve its patients’ wellbeing.

One patient with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) was moving into a custom-built kit house in his son’s garden. He received support and advice from Farleigh’s occupational therapy specialist and MND co-ordinator on how to make the house future-proof, including having wide sliding doors, a wet room, ramp and hoist.

Other examples show the different ways that Farleigh goes the extra mile to support patients and their families to make treasured memories and fulfil dreams.

One patient longed to do something special for their mum’s birthday. When she explained to her nurse that her mum loved sushi, the hospice’s sanctuary room was transformed for a surprise birthday lunch. She later said how much it meant to both of them.

Another patient loved everything about owls so her nurse arranged a visit from Mystic, the barn owl from Barleylands. This was a very special experience for both her and her family and Mystic left her a beautiful feather as a memento.

Farleigh has also hosted weddings and blessings and organised visits from much-loved pets including several horses.

Michelle Kabia, Farleigh Hospice’s Chief Executive, said, “We’re so pleased to be part of Hospice Care Week and to celebrate the many ways Farleigh Hospice supports local people, making a difference every single day.

“This week is a wonderful chance to shine a light on the incredible dedication of our staff and volunteers, who always place the wellbeing of our patients at the heart of everything we do — whether that’s here in our hospice or in their homes across mid Essex.

“Farleigh’s care is so much more than many realise, and I couldn’t be prouder of the way we go above and beyond to support patients and their families when they need us most.”

For more information on Farleigh Hospice, the care it provides and ways to support this charity, go to www.farleighhospice.org

Farleigh’s care in figures

In the 2024/25 financial year, Farleigh Hospice:

• · received 23,360 calls to its Clinical Advice Line
• · cared for 1,944 patients in the community
• · cared for 256 patients in its inpatient unit at its hospice in Broomfield, Chelmsford
• · received 850 referrals to its bereavement services.