St Luke's Hospice Plymouth

17/11/2025

From their grandchildren being able to visit to personalised care, Sir Michael Palin has reflected on the time his wife Helen spent at her local hospice.

“Those last four weeks… were some of the happiest of her life.”

At such a distressing time in so many people’s lives, hospices provide calm, comfort and support to so many.

We stand by our hospice colleagues and join them in calling for urgent funding reform to protect the specialist end of life care hospices provide.

It costs over £13.6 million to run our services. While we currently receive government support for 30% of that, we rely on the kindness of our local community and the fundraising, donations and volunteering to keep our services running.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

16/11/2025

When you are missing someone who has played a starring role in your life, autumn’s darker evenings and the approach of the festive season can be especially difficult.

We are here to support terminally ill patients and their families who will be spending their final Christmas together, as well as those facing their first Christmas without a dear loved one.

We believe in celebrating the special people who are no longer with us, especially at times like Christmas, which can be particularly difficult.

We invite you to join us at our Light Up a Life Remembrance Services this December to remember and celebrate those we have loved.

Date: Tuesday 16 December
Times: 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm.
Location: Minster Church of St. Andrew, Royal Parade, Plymouth PL1 2AD

All are welcome, no tickets are required. ✨

If you cannot make our services this year but would still like to show your support, please make a donation by clicking the donate button. Your donation will enable us to help make this Christmas a special one for so many local families. Thank you.

Learn more about our Light Up a Life appeal here: https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/light/

Our Light Up a Life appeal is kindly supported by Friends Helping at Home - Plymouth

15/11/2025

More families are choosing to limit funeral flowers to close relatives and instead invite friends and family to make a donation to a chosen charity in memory of their loved one instead.

At St Luke’s, we would be honoured to receive donations made in lieu of flowers. Your gift is not only a beautiful tribute, but it helps us provide compassionate care to more people in our community living with a life-limiting illness.

We know planning a funeral can feel overwhelming, so we’re here to make things simple and discreet. We can provide:

- A secure collection box (personalised if you wish)
- Special envelopes with Gift Aid declarations, so we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 donated at no extra cost.

If you’d like to find out more about arranging donations in memory of your loved one, visit: https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/funeralgiving/

Thank you for helping us to make a difference when it matters most.

14/11/2025

As we approach the end of the year, it is time to start planning ahead for the future.

Maybe you bought a house this year, became a parent or grandparent or are going through a divorce. Whatever life moment you have encountered, don't forget to make your will and make you future intentions clear.

Farewill are offering you the chance to write your will either online or over the phone. Please support us by writing your will with them and either leave a donation to St Luke’s or a lasting gift in your will. Your support will help us to continue to provide vital end of life care to people in your community in the years to come.

Make your will today and plan for tomorrow. https://bit.ly/2EoH6Oh

13/11/2025

Spread some festive cheer by choosing to send St Luke’s Christmas cards this year.

When you buy our Christmas cards you will be showing your support to your local community, helping us to provide our compassionate care to families who need us, at home and in our specialist unit at Turnchapel.

This year’s exclusive design has been painted by celebrated local artist and long-time supporter of St Luke’s, Brian Pollard, whose joyful winter scene captures the magic of Plymouth in the snow.

The design that Brian has picked is one of his favourite views of Plymouth - a snowy scene looking out across the Hoe, with Smeaton’s Tower, Brittany Ferries, balloons in the sky, and people enjoying a joyful winter’s day.

Christmas cards are sold in packs of 10 for £4.25 and are available in all our shops now.

Find your nearest shop here: https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/shops/

Not sending Christmas cards this year? Why not make a donation to St Luke's instead? Your support will enable us to make this festive season a special one for so many local families. https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/donations/

12/11/2025

A big thank you to Encon Insulation and Nevill Long who held a charity golf day at Boringdon Park Golf Club recently in aid of St Luke’s.

Stacey Ellul, Business Unit Manager and Justin Moylan-Jones, Branch Director at Encon Insulation and Nevill Long, nominated St Luke’s as their chosen charity for the golf day.

The day started with a bacon roll and a cuppa before teeing off, with players all receiving a goodie bag and a chance to enter the raffle.

Thank you to Encon Insulation and Nevill Long and all the businesses and players who joined for the day, helping to raise an incredible £3714.

If you have been inspired to hot a golf day in aid of St Luke's, we would love to hear from you. https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/golf/

11/11/2025

Today we remember those no longer with us, who gave their lives in service of their country.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

For the Fallen - Laurence Binyon

Lest we forget.

10/11/2025

A huge thank you to Jem Scaffolding and Sherford Building and Developments Ltd!

For the second year running, the incredible teams at Jem Scaffolding and Sherford Building and Developments have gone above and beyond, hosting their Memory Ball and Golf Day to raise vital funds for St Luke’s.

This year, they’ve achieved something truly remarkable - an incredible £25,000 raised!
St Luke’s has always held a special place in the hearts of the teams in both companies, including Jem Scaffolding’s Darren Toms, whose father Jimmy was cared for at our specialist unit for three months in 2018. Darren has since shown us incredible support, including sponsoring our annual Men’s Day Out.

From all of us at St Luke’s, thank you for your incredible generosity and commitment. You’re making a real difference for families when they need it most.

09/11/2025

Creating a culture of care in our classrooms.

At St Luke’s, we know how important it is for children and young people to feel supported when someone close to them dies. That’s why our Compassionate Schools programme helps schools and colleges open up conversations around death, dying and bereavement.

Through peer support groups, memory trees, and safe spaces like the Starfish Club, schools like Leigham Primary School in Plymouth are leading the way in nurturing empathy and resilience. It is a shining of example of how becoming a Compassionate School not only benefits children and families who are coping with the death of a family member but also promotes a more supportive environment for everyone.

Headteacher Sam Barker explains: “At Leigham Primary School, we are incredibly passionate about providing support to bereaved children and families and those going through anticipatory grief. Being recognised as a Compassionate School and hearing about the positive impact of our work on our pupils and families has made this journey so worthwhile.

“Our children are supported by peers (Compassionate Buddies) and adults (Compassionate Friends) in school. Our lunchtime drop-in Starfish Club is incredibly popular and provides a safe space for support, reflection or even a distraction. Our memory tree in the library is a lovely way for families to remember loved ones at special times.

“Our school project has been so well led by staff members Shana Marsh, Gemma Tucker and Tamsin Bentley. It really has become part of what we stand for and weaves through our values at Leigham.”

Read more on our blog:

St Luke’s Compassionate Schools programme encourages and empowers conversations in schools and colleges about death and dying so that staff and pupils can help support and comfort children and young people, and their families, when they are facing the loss of someone close.

08/11/2025

A trio of friends have been baking and making in aid of St Luke’s! Evie, Molly and Mali decided to hold their own craft and bake sale in Mutley Park back in September, after being inspired by a friend.

Molly’s mum Sarah Platten-Higgins helped the girls with their stand. As well as a selection of delicious cakes the girls made jewellery to sell to passers-by. Sarah explained how the girls chose to fundraise for St Luke’s as they wanted to support a local charity. St Luke’s was also able to help Sarah’s grandad and friend at the end of their lives, so it was extra meaningful to the family.

The girls managed to raise over £255 for St Luke’s and were delighted to pop into our specialist unit recently to drop off the cheque.

Thank you girls!

07/11/2025

The prospect of coming to a hospice can be a daunting and scary one. We have tried to ease any uncertainty with our brand-new virtual tour.

Thanks to local company Made Snappy 360, you can now step inside the doors of our specialist unit at Turnchapel from the comfort of your home.

Whether you are coming to the hospice building yourself, from home or hospital, or visiting a loved one, we hope that by exploring the rooms and gardens any anxiety can be lessened. Many of you, including young children, may have never even stepped foot inside a hospice, so will be unsure of what to expect, but thanks to the virtual tour you can now explore the rooms ahead of time, including the family play room!

The virtual tour was kindly created for us by Made Snappy 360, an all-in-one property marketing solution for estate agents based in Plymouth, Devon.

Verity Collyer, Marketing Manager at Made Snappy 360, said: “We chose to support St Luke’s not only because they are a valued part of our local community, but because we recognise the vital role they play for families across the region. Having previously worked in the care sector, I’ve seen first-hand the dedication, compassion and level of support required by hospices and the teams behind them. St Luke’s work touches so many lives, and we are proud to help showcase the incredible care they provide.”

Read more on our blog: https://www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/blog-step-inside-explore-our-specialist-unit-with-our-new-hospice-virtual-tour/

07/11/2025

A big thank you to Saltash model club who held a fundraising exhibition at the Ashtorre Community Centre last month in aid of St Luke’s.

The exhibition was in memory of Dave Lloyd, a former member of the club who sadly died in March.

Included in the exhibition was a model boat built by Dave, named after his first wife who was also looked after by St Luke’s. His family, including wife, sons and grandson all attended the exhibition in his memory.

Thank you to the exhibition organiser Steve Down and Dave’s family for supporting St Luke’s and keeping David’s legacy shining bright.