about Hospice Aid UK – our story
when care matters most
Jo Gratze founded Hospice Aid UK after experiencing firsthand what exceptional hospice care truly means. Seeing the compassionate, expert support that hospice teams provide opened Jo’s eyes to something remarkable – the dedication of these teams and the difference that proper resources make to families facing the most difficult moments of their lives.
What struck most wasn’t just the clinical expertise, though that was extraordinary. It was the way hospice staff understood that every small comfort matters. The right equipment, the proper training, the resources that help staff provide dignity alongside medical care – these weren’t luxuries, they were essentials that transformed an unbearable situation into something filled with love and respect.
But there was also a troubling problem. Hospices are not fully funded by government, in fact, they only receive around a third of the money they need. The majority of the money that they need must be raised from charitable donations, fundraising, and charity shops.
So, when hospices need vital equipment or additional training for their teams, they often struggle to find the resources quickly enough. That’s when the decision was made to create something that would change hundreds of lives.
we give without exception
where it is needed, when it is needed
a promise kept
Hospice Aid UK was founded with a simple promise: when hospices need help, we’ll be there. No lengthy application processes, no bureaucratic delays – just rapid, practical support for the people caring for our most vulnerable community members.
What began as one person’s determination to help has grown into something extraordinary. Hospice Aid UK has supported hospices across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We’ve provided grants for everything from specialist pain management equipment to staff training programmes that improve care for thousands of patients.
But perhaps the most meaningful measure of our impact isn’t in numbers – it’s in the thank you letters that arrive regularly from hospice teams and families whose lives have been touched by the generosity of our supporters.
how we work
Hospice Aid UK was built around a principle that still guides us today: hospices know what they need, and our job is to help them get it quickly. When a hospice contacts us about urgent equipment needs, training requirements, or emergency funding, we respond fast.
This might mean funding a new specialist bed that helps someone spend comfortable final days with their family. It could be training for nurses learning the latest pain management techniques. Sometimes it’s emergency funding when unexpected needs arise – perhaps a hospice vehicle breaking down or essential equipment requiring urgent replacement.
Every grant we make comes from the kindness of people who understand that supporting hospices means supporting their entire community. Our donors include families who’ve experienced hospice care themselves, healthcare workers who know the challenges hospices face, and simply compassionate people who want to help when it matters most.
why dolphins?
You might wonder about our logo – two dolphins supporting each other. We chose this symbol because dolphins embody qualities that mirror the very best of hospice care and community support.
Dolphins are known for their intelligence and their remarkable ability to care for one another. When a dolphin is injured or struggling, others in the pod surround it, supporting it to the surface so it can breathe. They stay close, offering protection and comfort until their companion recovers or finds peace.
This is exactly what happens in hospice care – skilled, compassionate teams surround people and families, offering support, comfort, and expert care. And it’s what happens when communities come together to support their local hospices. Like dolphins, we’re stronger when we care for each other.
real impact, real stories
Every piece of equipment we fund, every training programme we support, every urgent grant we provide creates ripple effects of care throughout communities. A new syringe pump means better pain control for patients. Staff training in bereavement support helps families cope with loss. Emergency funding for a hospice vehicle means home visits can continue without interruption.
These aren’t abstract concepts – they’re real improvements in real people’s lives. The hospice nurse who can provide better pain relief because she has the right equipment. The family who can focus on being together because they know their loved one is comfortable and pain-free. The bereaved parent who receives expert counselling support when grief feels overwhelming.
We remain focused on what matters most: ensuring that when people need hospice care, the resources are there to provide it with dignity, expertise, and compassion.
our commitment continues
Today, hospices face greater challenges than ever. Demand for their services continues to grow while funding becomes increasingly stretched. The need for rapid, flexible support has never been greater.
That’s why Hospice Aid UK remains committed to our founding principle: when hospices need help, we’re here. Whether it’s a £500 grant for essential equipment or £5,000 for staff training, every donation we receive goes directly to supporting hospice care across the UK.
We work with hospices of all sizes, from large regional centres to small community hospices. What unites them all is their dedication to providing exceptional care for people with life-limiting illnesses and support for their families.
join our community
The story of Hospice Aid UK isn’t really about one person’s decision to help – it’s about what happens when communities come together to support something vital. Every donor, every fundraiser, every person who shares our work becomes part of a network of care that extends across the UK.
Perhaps you’ve experienced hospice care yourself or know someone who has. Maybe you work in healthcare and understand the challenges hospices face. Or perhaps you simply believe that everyone deserves compassionate, expert care when they need it most.
Whatever brings you to our story, there’s a place for you in it. Because hospice care works best when entire communities support it.
“Thank you to Hospice Aid UK for funding an otoscope. The Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) are able to take them with them wherever the baby, child or young person is and have prevented hospital admissions thanks to this.
In this photo you will see we are also using otoscopes as part of our Trainee ACP training programme.”
Jo Woolley, Head of Palliative Care- Lead Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Rainbows Hospice
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