Rotherham Hospice Celebrates Double Win at National Charity Awards

Rotherham Hospice is proud to announce it has won two prestigious national awards at the 2025 Charity Times Awards: Change Project of the Year and Charity of the Year (Income £1m–£10m).

Shortlisted in six categories alongside national heavyweights such as Cash for Kids, Pancreatic Cancer UK, and Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, Rotherham Hospice was celebrated on the national stage for reimagining hospice care and delivering outstanding services to local families.

In the past year alone, the hospice has supported more than 2,100 patients and their families, carried out over 11,000 home visits, and expanded its children’s bereavement services. It has also opened six new retail outlets, raised more than £10 million in income, grown its workforce, and invested heavily in staff training, wellbeing and systems — all while improving access to care across every community in Rotherham.

The Change Project of the Year award recognised the hospice’s Living Life’s Wishes strategy, developed with input from over 650 patients, families, staff, volunteers, and partners. The strategy commits the hospice to delivering more personalised support, expanding services further into homes and communities, starting care earlier at the point of diagnosis, making services inclusive and equitable, and securing sustainability for future generations.

Chief Executive Mat Cottle-Shaw said:

“To be recognised nationally is an incredible achievement for our hospice and our town. These awards celebrate not only the care we provide but also the courage and ambition of our whole community. Rotherham stood with us to shape our future, and this recognition belongs to everyone who supports, works with, or benefits from the hospice.”

Director of Income Generation Debbie Coulson added:

“This is about more than awards — it’s about what they represent. Every penny raised, every volunteer hour, every act of kindness helps us add more life to every day. We’re so grateful to our supporters for making this possible.”

Director of Clinical Services Jayne Lowe said:

“I’m incredibly proud of this award – it reflects exactly what Rotherham asked for from our hospice. That’s what makes it so special: we listened during our research, and we delivered. Knowing this achievement is something our community wanted makes it truly fantastic.”

About Rotherham Hospice

Rotherham Hospice provides specialist end-of-life care to patients and families across the borough, both at the hospice and in people’s homes. As an independent charity, only around 37% of its funding comes from the NHS — the rest is raised through fundraising, donations, retail, and community support.

Together, with your help, we can continue to add more life to every day.

Vote for our Rotherham Hospice Herringthorpe Shop as the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop

Rotherham Hospice’s Herringthorpe shop has reached the finals of the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards! Vote before midnight on Thursday 2 October 2025 and help us shine a light on community spirit.

We’re delighted to share some exciting news — our Herringthorpe shop has made it to the finals of The UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards! 🎉

This national award celebrates the very best of charity retail across the country — shops that go above and beyond to serve their communities, welcome customers, and make a real difference.

What people say about our charity shop

t’s no surprise to us that Herringthorpe has been recognised. Here’s what our customers have to say:

  • “Very community centred. Lovely staff, always helpful and friendly, happy to chat. Very inclusive of its customers. Stock always well presented.”
  • “A lovely, well-presented shop. Very friendly and inviting. Staff always welcoming and extremely helpful. Always something new due to constant addition of new donations.”

These kind words reflect the heart of what makes the shop so special: a warm welcome, a sense of community, and a place where every purchase helps support Rotherham Hospice.

Why it matters

Our shops aren’t just about finding a bargain or recycling pre-loved treasures. Every item sold helps us add more life to every day for people in Rotherham living with a terminal illness, and supports their families too.

That’s why this nomination means so much — it shines a light on the incredible effort of our staff, volunteers and donors, and the community spirit that keeps our shops thriving.

How you can help

Voting is now live and closes at midnight on Thursday 2 October 2025. You’re welcome to vote in as many categories as you like — and we’d love it if you chose Herringthorpe as your favourite.

Thank you for supporting our shops, and for helping us to continue making a difference in Rotherham.

Rotherham Hospice voices the need for fairer funding in national inquiry

White flowers in focus with hospice office staff working in the background, representing Rotherham Hospice’s commitment to compassionate care and advocacy for sustainable funding.

Rotherham Hospice has submitted written evidence to the Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry into the financial sustainability of adult hospices in England.

The inquiry follows a 2025 National Audit Office report which highlighted growing financial pressures across the sector. In 2023, total UK hospice income of £1.8bn comprised around £0.5bn of state funding, with the remainder coming from charitable sources. Many adult hospices reported the threat of needing to cut services by up to 20% without additional support, and an estimated 300 out of 2,200 inpatient beds were lost due to lack of funding. While the government has since committed £100m in capital funding for hospices in England, demand for palliative care is continuing to rise due to the UK’s ageing population.

Find out more about the inquiry here.

Our contribution draws on our experience as an Outstanding-rated hospice serving over 1,700 patients and their families every year, both at our Broom Road site and through our 24/7 Hospice at Home service.

We are proud to deliver care that is personalised, compassionate and cost-effective — but like hospices across the country, we face the ongoing challenge of meeting growing demand within an unsustainable funding model. Currently, just 37% of our annual running costs are met through our NHS contract with the local Integrated Care Board. The remaining 63% — over £6 million every year — must be raised through fundraising, retail and donations.

In our submission, we have called for a fair and consistent approach to hospice funding, so that no matter where someone lives, they can rely on high-quality end of life care when they need it most. We believe a national funding formula and more equitable commissioning would protect services, support our NHS partners, and give patients and families the dignity, choice and support they deserve.

As ever, we will continue to work alongside our community, our healthcare partners and policymakers to make the case for a stronger, fairer future for hospice care.

Together, we can ensure that everyone’s life ends with comfort, dignity and choice.

Rotherham Hospice Celebrates Sector-Leading Survey Results and Outstanding Team Spirit

Rotherham Hospice is delighted to share the results of its 2025 Staff and Volunteer Survey, revealing a culture built on compassion, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to quality care. The findings highlight exceptional levels of pride and satisfaction among staff and volunteers, placing Rotherham Hospice not only among the very best in the hospice sector, but also far ahead of many national averages across health and charity sectors.

One of the most remarkable results from this year’s survey is that 98% of our staff would be happy for a friend or loved one to receive care at the hospice. This is not only our highest ever score, but it also stands well above the national average for both the wider charity sector and the NHS. In the most recent NHS Staff Survey, only 67.5% of NHS staff said they would be happy with the standard of care at their organisation, and the wider charity sector typically reports pride scores around 85% to 88%.

Across our whole team, more than 93% say they believe in the aims of the charity, and the overwhelming majority describe themselves as proud to work or volunteer for Rotherham Hospice. To put this in context, recent surveys found that 61% to 77% of NHS and charity sector staff would recommend their organisation as a great place to work, a figure that Rotherham Hospice surpasses by a significant margin.

Survey results also reveal that 91% of staff and over 95% of volunteers enjoy their work and the people they work with. Our volunteers are the heartbeat of Rotherham Hospice, with more than 95% saying they love their experience, feel valued, and enjoy the camaraderie of our team. Every single volunteer described our approach as flexible and welcoming, making volunteering here truly rewarding and accessible for people from all walks of life.

New colleagues consistently share that they feel part of the family from day one, highlighting the warm welcome, encouragement, and support they receive to grow and thrive at Rotherham Hospice. This especially positive feedback from new starters reflects the strong sense of belonging that greets everyone who joins our team.

 

Quotes from the survey reflect this positive team culture:

As with any organisation, especially one spread across several sites, we recognise that communication can sometimes be a challenge and we are always striving to improve it. The survey highlighted some areas for further improvement, especially around internal communications and supporting staff wellbeing. However, we are proud to have seen significant improvements since our last survey in 2024 and even greater progress since 2021, which shows our determination to keep moving forward. “We want to be completely transparent about our culture, and that means facing up to where we can do better,” said Mat Cottle-Shaw, Chief Executive. “We are already working with our teams to strengthen two-way communication and ensure everyone feels valued and heard. We will never be complacent. Our ambition is to always be the best we can be for our teams, our patients, and our community.”

These outstanding results show that Rotherham Hospice is not only a place of exceptional care, but also a workplace and community where everyone, no matter their role or background, can flourish, contribute, and belong. The hospice is always looking for people who share its values of compassion, teamwork, and community, whether you are interested in a clinical role, support services, or volunteering.

If you are passionate about making a difference and want to join a team where you will be welcomed, supported, and inspired, Rotherham Hospice would love to hear from you.

For more information about careers or volunteering, visit www.rotherhamhospice.org.uk/join-us.

Together, we are making every moment matter, for patients, for families, and for each other.

Hospice CEO Assesses the New NHS Plan: Will It Deliver for End-of-Life Care in Rotherham?

As Chief Executive of Rotherham Hospice, I’ve reviewed the NHS’s Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England with deep interest and a firm sense of responsibility, both to our patients and our wider community. This is my honest assessment of what the Plan means for the people of Rotherham, and for the future of end-of-life care across our town. I write not just on behalf of the Hospice, but on behalf of every family we support, every life we help ease, and every individual who deserves to die with dignity, comfort, and choice. This new Plan sets out transformative ambitions for the health service, but the question remains: does it deliver for the dying?

At Rotherham Hospice, our mission is clear. We want everyone in our community to easily and confidently access palliative and end-of-life care tailored to their individual needs and wishes, wherever and however they choose. Our strategy, Living Life’s Wishes, is a bold commitment to expanding services, offering support from the point of diagnosis, and ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can die with dignity and on their own terms.

So, does the 10-Year NHS Plan align with this? And will it realistically lead to improvements for people in Rotherham nearing the end of life?

Let’s start with the numbers...

 In Rotherham, over 50,000 people are aged 65 or older, making up nearly 20% of our total population, a figure that is expected to grow significantly in the coming decade. Nationally, the Office for National Statistics forecasts that by 2040, the annual number of deaths in England and Wales will increase by nearly 25%, driven by an ageing population and the growing prevalence of long-term conditions such as dementia, heart failure, and chronic respiratory disease.

Yet an estimated 118,000 people in England each year do not receive the palliative care they need. That’s 1 in 4 people dying without the right support, an appalling and unnecessary failure of the system.

And it’s not just a moral issue; it’s an economic one too. Research shows that hospices save the NHS around £1.4 billion a year by delivering more cost-effective, personalised care outside of hospital settings. This is particularly significant when you consider that the average cost of an inpatient hospital bed is over £400 per day, compared to less than half that in a hospice setting or through home-based care.

The Funding Disparity

Despite this vital role, palliative care services remain chronically underfunded.

At Rotherham Hospice, only 37% of our running costs are covered by the NHS. The rest must be raised through fundraising, retail income, donations, and legacies, despite our services being a statutory requirement under National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance. This year, we are operating with a planned deficit of £1.1 million, simply to maintain the level of care our community needs.

Compare this with maternity care. Both maternity and palliative care are subject to NICE standards and expected to be universally accessible. But while the NHS fully funds maternity nurses, midwives, and delivery services, hospices are expected to fundraise for essential nurses who care for the dying.

We’re not suggesting maternity care is overfunded, far from it. But it is telling that we do not ask parents to hold raffles to fund their midwives, yet we rely on cake sales and charity runs to fund our end-of-life nurses. In a country where death is one of the only certainties, this mismatch is indefensible.

A Missed Opportunity?

The NHS Plan outlines a welcome move to neighbourhood-based health services: local, personalised, community-led care delivered through new neighbourhood health centres. This model strongly aligns with how many hospices, including ours, already operate: delivering care in people’s homes, supporting carers, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and providing around-the-clock support through services like our Hospice at Home team.

Yet hospices are almost entirely absent from the NHS Plan’s vision of neighbourhood-based care. This omission risks overlooking some of the most experienced and effective providers of local care. Hospices don’t just talk about joined-up, place-based working; we’ve been doing it for decades. If the NHS is serious about shifting care into the community, as outlined explicitly in the Plan, it must bring hospices to the table as core partners, not peripheral players. The NHS Plan rightly identifies the need to support people with complex, chronic, and terminal conditions closer to home, and this is precisely the point at which hospices naturally align. We already have the infrastructure, workforce, and local knowledge to do that. What we don’t have is secure funding or inclusion in national commissioning frameworks.

So what does this mean for Rotherham?

At Rotherham Hospice, we’ve laid out a clear and locally grounded strategy:

  • Expand our community services so more people can die at home if they wish.
  • Start care from the point of diagnosis, not just in the final days or weeks.
  • Deliver holistic support, emotional, physical, and spiritual, for both patients and families.
  • Invest in inclusive, culturally sensitive care, reflecting our town’s rich diversity.
  • Champion innovation, from digital health to personalised therapies.

These aims align strongly with the NHS Plan’s broader aspirations, such as personalised care plans, community integration, and better management of chronic and complex conditions. But alignment on paper is meaningless without action on funding, policy, and partnership.

So, Will the Plan Deliver?

Based on what has been communicated so far, frankly, we cannot see how it will. Without explicit recognition of hospices as critical partners, clear funding pledges, or a strategy to address existing inequities, the reality is that this ambitious Plan risks overlooking those nearing the end of life entirely.

Hospices have once again been sidelined, despite providing precisely the type of integrated, personalised community care that the NHS says it wants to deliver. Right now, there are no national targets for palliative care, no guarantees of equity, and no central strategy outlining how hospices will be integrated into this future community model. The Plan is bold in ambition, yet sadly silent on the needs of the dying.

However, it is not too late. If the government and NHS urgently rethink their approach, providing secure funding, clear policy direction, and genuine partnership, this Plan could still deliver the compassionate, community-based end-of-life care that everyone deserves.

If we are truly building a health system “fit for the future”, we must remember that a compassionate society is judged not just by how it treats the living, but by how it cares for the dying.

Hospices like Rotherham are ready to be part of the solution. But the NHS, and government, must act now to provide the investment and inclusion needed to make that possible. We need a future where end-of-life care is not optional or charitable but guaranteed.

Dying well should never depend on a donation bucket.

Rotherham Hospice Soars to New Heights with ‘Outstanding’ CQC Rating

Rotherham Hospice is thrilled to announce that, following a rigorous inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), we have been awarded an overall ‘Outstanding’ rating, the highest possible standard of care in England.

This is the first time in our history that we have achieved an ‘Outstanding’ overall rating. It marks a significant milestone for our hospice and our community.

This exceptional result speaks to the heart of our 2024–2030 strategy, ‘Living Life’s Wishes’, which commits us to delivering personalised, compassionate care, fostering inclusivity, and investing in our people. The CQC rated us as ‘Outstanding’ in both ‘Well-led’ and ‘Caring’ domains, directly reflecting our first strategic aim: to ensure care is delivered based on what matters most to the patient. This means that our leadership team was recognised for creating a culture of continuous improvement, openness, and accountability – a culture where staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to provide exceptional care. In the ‘Caring’ domain, the CQC highlighted how our staff and volunteers go above and beyond to treat every person with dignity, kindness, and genuine compassion. Together, these ‘Outstanding’ ratings demonstrate that at Rotherham Hospice, every decision, every moment, and every conversation is guided by the voices and wishes of our patients and their families – because that’s what matters most.

Mat Cottle-Shaw, Chief Executive of Rotherham Hospice, said:

“To be rated as ‘Outstanding’ for the first time in our history is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our entire hospice family; staff, volunteers, and supporters. Achieving this during my first inspection as CEO fills me with immense pride and gratitude.

I want to say a heartfelt thank you to every single person who contributes to the hospice, from those who deliver care at the bedside to the supporters and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes. This ‘Outstanding’ rating belongs to you all. It’s proof that our commitment to truly listening, empowering choice, and ensuring dignity in every moment is not just words on a page; it’s lived every single day because of your kindness, compassion, and unwavering support.”

Large group of Rotherham Hospice staff, volunteers, and supporters celebrating CQC Outstanding rating with confetti outside the hospice building.

Bruce Warner, Chair of Trustees at Rotherham Hospice, said:

“As Chair of Trustees, I am immensely proud of this achievement and of the outstanding care delivered every day by our remarkable team. This rating reflects the strength of leadership, the depth of compassion, and the unwavering commitment that runs through every part of Rotherham Hospice. Since becoming Chair in October 2023, I have seen first-hand the integrity and dedication with which our staff and volunteers approach their work, and this recognition from the CQC affirms what we already knew, that our hospice is a place of excellence, driven by purpose, and grounded in love for our community.”

Rotherham Hospice staff celebrating CQC Outstanding rating outside the hospice building, holding a banner reading 'We’re Rother Outstanding'

The CQC’s findings highlight the compassion and professionalism that underpin our work, from the bedside to the boardroom, values deeply rooted in our strategic pillars of Comprehensive Care, Community Focus, and Knowledge and Expertise.

This ‘Outstanding’ rating is more than an accolade; it’s a powerful validation of our mission to make sure everyone in Rotherham can easily and confidently access the very best palliative and end-of-life care. Looking ahead, we remain determined to build on this success, to expand our services and strengthen our capacity to meet the growing needs of the people of Rotherham, ensuring that everyone has access to care that honours their wishes and enriches their final days.

Today, we celebrate this milestone as a reflection of our past and a promise for our future. Rotherham Hospice is, and always will be, here to add more life to every day.

Chris Edwards, Deputy Chief Executive of NHS South Yorkshire ICB and Place Director for Rotherham, said:

“This ‘Outstanding’ rating is a remarkable achievement for Rotherham Hospice and a moment of real pride for our local health and care system. The hospice plays a vital role in supporting people and families across Rotherham with expert, compassionate end-of-life care. The CQC’s recognition reflects not only the skill and dedication of the hospice team, but also the strength of local partnerships that place people and their wishes at the centre. We are proud to work alongside Rotherham Hospice and celebrate this success with them.”

Rotherham Hospice to Feature on Rotherham United’s Centenary Shirt Thanks to Diamond Partners

We’re incredibly proud to announce that Rotherham Hospice will appear on the front of Rotherham United’s official 2025/26 shirts, as part of a landmark charity partnership during the club’s Centenary season.

This special edition Rotherham United Centenary shirt will carry our refreshed Hospice logo across all three kits, bringing national visibility to the work we do right here in the local community.

Celebrating 100 Years of the Millers – and 30 Years of the Hospice

As Rotherham United celebrates its 100th anniversary, we’ll be marking our own major milestone – 30 years of providing specialist end of life care in Rotherham.

To be selected as the charity to front the Millers’ Centenary kit is a powerful show of unity – a coming together of two local institutions that have been part of this community for generations.

We’re deeply thankful to AESSEAL, Hughie Construction, IPM Group, Mears Group, SteelPhalt and TMG Mortgage Network, whose generosity has made this possible through the club’s Diamond Partnership programme.

Charity Shirt Sponsorship with Real Impact

Being featured on the Rotherham United home, away and third shirts isn’t just about visibility – it’s about community impact. Every time these kits are worn, they raise awareness of the growing need for support at Rotherham Hospice.

We now require over £10 million a year to keep our care going – and around £6 million of that must come from charitable donations. This platform will help amplify our voice at a time when it’s never been more vital.

Two Local Legends. One Mission.

Join the Movement

The 2025/26 Rotherham United shirt sponsorship isn’t just about football – it’s a bold reminder of what happens when Rotherham pulls together.

As our logo takes to the pitch at the AESSEAL New York Stadium and beyond, we hope it brings attention to the work we do every day: easing the physical and emotional pain of death and dying in our town.

Support Rotherham Hospice today. Help us add more life to every day.

Discover Stories of Hope, Care and Community – Read Our Spring/Summer Newsletter Today

There’s something truly special about the people of Rotherham and you’ll find their strength, compassion, and generosity shining through every page of our latest Spring/Summer 2025 newsletter.

From heartfelt stories of families supported through the most difficult of times, to exciting upcoming events and inspiring fundraising updates, this edition is a celebration of everything your support makes possible.

🌿 Meet Heather, who is facing a terminal illness with courage and humour, and is determined to live on her own terms — with the support of our team every step of the way.

🌟 Read about Imogen, a young person finding comfort and connection after loss through our Sunbeams bereavement support programme.

💛 Explore the Feather Appeal, a powerful tribute in memory of loved ones, coming to the gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse this August.

💬 Hear from our CEO, Mat Cottle-Shaw, on why your support is more important than ever as we work to ensure no one is left without the end of life care they need.

Whether you’re a long-time supporter, a recent donor, or simply curious about our work, this newsletter is a reminder of the difference we can make when we come together.

📖 Read the full newsletter now and see the impact of your kindness:
👉 rotherhamhospice.org.uk/newsletter (Replace with actual link)

Together, we’re living life’s wishes — and that’s something worth sharing.

Making Every Pint Count: Chantry Brewery donates £1 a pint of Brecks new beer to Rotherham Hospice

Making Every Pint Count: Chantry Brewery Brews A Beer that Supports Compassionate Care at Rotherham Hospice

At Rotherham Hospice, we believe in the power of community and the difference it can make. Thanks to an incredible initiative from Chantry Brewery, every pint of their specially brewed beer is a toast to compassionate care, making a direct impact on the lives of those we serve.

Crafted to honour John Breckin, a devoted Rotherham Hospice ambassador, this unique beer celebrates his unwavering contributions to the Rotherham community. For every pint of Breck 80/81 sold in Chantry’s pubs, £1 will be donated to the hospice, helping us provide exceptional care to those facing terminal illness. Pints sold in other pubs will also support this cause, contributing 10p each.

Mick Warburton, Director of Chantry Brewery, shared the inspiration behind this generous initiative:

“We wanted to brew this beer in recognition of the award John received, the Jeff Astle Award, for his work around dementia and brain health. John was also a hero of ours as a player, with the best season probably being the 80/81 season. We know he has done an incredible amount of fundraising for Rotherham Hospice, so we are giving £1 a pint to the hospice for every pint of this beer sold in our pubs and 10p a pint in any other pubs selling it.”

More Than Just a Pint

Chantry Brewery has brewed an impressive 65 barrels, with each barrel holding 72 pints. Available from 27th January, this beer can be enjoyed at Chantry’s pubs – the Cutlers Arms and New York Tavern in Rotherham, the Chantry Inn in Sheffield, and the Brewery Bar at Parkgate – as well as other participating venues.

This initiative reflects the heart of Rotherham Hospice: a community working together to provide care and support. John Breckin, reflecting on the collaboration, shared:

“I’m truly honoured by this gesture from Chantry Brewery. Knowing this beer will support Rotherham Hospice makes it even more meaningful. It’s a place that’s close to my heart, and I’m so proud of the work they do for our community. To everyone who raises a glass – thank you!”

Raise a Glass and Make a Difference

By enjoying a pint of this special beer, you’re not just having a drink – you’re joining a movement to support local families facing terminal illness. Whether you’re sharing a laugh with friends at the pub or savouring a moment of reflection, every sip makes a difference.

Visit a participating Chantry Brewery pub and be part of this incredible journey. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community faces the end of life alone.

Other ways to get involved