The modern hospice movement was born from the vision of Dame Cicely Saunders, whose compassion and insight transformed end-of-life care. It all began when Cicely, working as a nurse, befriended a terminally ill patient. She realized that people at the end of their lives needed so much more than a hospital bed—they needed a space that honoured their dignity and addressed their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Inspired by that belief, Dame Cicely founded St Christopher’s Hospice in 1967, forever changing the way we care for those nearing the end of life. Her pioneering approach focused on treating “total pain”—not just the physical, but also the emotional and spiritual struggles that come with a life-limiting illness.
At Rotherham Hospice, we are deeply inspired by this legacy. Just as Dame Cicely did, we believe in providing holistic, compassionate care that places the wishes and needs of each person at the heart of everything we do. We strive to bring comfort, dignity, and peace to every individual, ensuring that their final days are lived with as much meaning and joy as possible.