Hospice hopes £5m centre will boost fundraising

Keith says coming to the hospice helps him cope after losing his wife

A hospice which serves more than 40,000 adults in north Kent says a new £5m building extension will help long-term fundraising.

The Wellbeing Centre at Ellenor Hospice in Gravesend opened in November, offering clubs and activities, such as fitness sessions, knitting and music therapy to the public under one roof.

Asked why the money wasn't spent on staff or extra beds for patients, the hospice said it needed to deliver services to the wider community first.

Andy Lowden, Ellenor's operational wellbeing lead, said "We had to build because people were wanting to come in and we were having to say 'sorry, we don't have the space'".

Hospice leaders across England have warned increasing financial pressures have forced them to close beds.

Only about a third of hospice funding comes from the NHS. The rest has to be raised from donations, fundraising and charity shops.

In December Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced £100m of government funding for hospices in England over two years to improve end-of-life care.

Gardening classes are among the clubs and activities on offer at Ellenor

Ellenor hospice provides services to adults and children in Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley and Bexley.

There is space for 15 beds but the NHS only funds eight.

Mr Lowden said he hoped Ellenor's expansion and growth would continue.

"We want more beds and we want more patients to be able to come in and have the care that they need", he said.

Keith Butcher found support at Ellenor after his wife died at the hospice three years ago.

He said: "I can't praise them enough really. They do a lot of things for everyone".

Cat Aird, Ellenor's operational lead in therapeutic services, said:

"You think about death and dying but actually Ellenor offers so much more and it's all about life and living and living well, and also the love and the laughter that comes with that", she said.

Following the announcement of the £100m support package on 19 December, health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said:

"Hospices provide the care and support for patients and families at the most difficult time so it is only right they are given the financial support to provide these services."

"This package will ensure they will be able to continue to deliver the compassionate care everyone deserves as they come to the end of their life in the best possible environment."