North Devon Hospice reflects on a year of national recognition

As we approach the end of 2025, I find myself reflecting with deep pride and immense gratitude on a year that has been truly transformational for North Devon Hospice. 

Among the most extraordinary moments was being named UK National Charity of the Year. For a local hospice from a rural corner of the country to receive such national recognition felt like a real David vs Goliath moment. 

It speaks not only to the dedication of our staff and volunteers, but also to the astonishing strength of our community. 

This award should give local people enormous confidence that the charity they support is achieving impact on the highest stage.

We were also honoured to win the National Hospice Award for Innovation in Income Generation for our much-loved Waggy Tails Meadow in Barnstaple, a secure dog-walking field that has captured the hearts of local families and their four-legged companions. 

This project reflects our ongoing commitment to creativity in the face of rising costs and growing demand for our services. 

And demand has indeed grown.

In 2025, we cared for more patients than ever before, many with increasingly complex medical needs. 

Our specialist teams worked tirelessly to ensure that people could receive dignified, compassionate care tailored to their circumstances. 

We also supported a record number of children through pre- and post-bereavement services, ensuring that no young person in North Devon has to navigate loss alone.

Yet these achievements sit against a backdrop of significant challenges. 

Like every household and organisation, we have felt the impact of rising costs, something we empathise with deeply. 

One example is the increase in National Insurance contributions, which added £150,000 to our annual expenditure overnight. 

We were already budgeting a substantial loss for the year.  

At the same time, Devon’s wonderfully community-spirited culture means we are blessed with many incredible charities but it also means charitable support is more thinly spread than ever.

Looking ahead to 2026, we will launch our new five-year strategy built around two central pillars. 

The first is financial sustainability, as we continue to campaign for fairer national funding for hospices. 

The second is ensuring we can meet the evolving needs of those we are privileged to care for, with a strong focus on helping patients spend their final days at home wherever possible.

As we enter a new year, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to the people of North Devon. 

We are here for you and only because of you. 

Your support has a profound impact on every patient and family we care for. 

At North Devon Hospice, we passionately believe that your life is a story and the ending matters. 

Thank you for helping us make those endings as peaceful, meaningful, and dignified as possible.