When people hear hospice, many think only of end-of-life care. But at Dove House Hospice in Hull, support begins much earlier – helping people manage progressive life limiting illness through their specialist care while offering friendship, confidence and space to live well.
Gifts in Wills fund the entire care cost of one in ten people Dove House cares for, ensuring compassionate support remains available for everyone who needs it – now and for future generations.
A nurse is there when families are overwhelmed. A volunteer sits with a parent so carers can sleep. A physiotherapist helps patients walk again. Somewhere in everyone's life, family or community, hospice care is already making a difference.
Pat, who lives with COPD and diabetes, says Dove House's Living Well Group has transformed her everyday life and wants to support this year's campaign: "It's become such an important part of my life. I attend the Living Well Group and Friday Friends each week. The hospice is warm and welcoming; I've made truly great friends.
"Through Dove House I've accessed pulmonary rehabilitation and enjoyed a family caravan break in Patrington. Those few days meant the world to us.
“At the Living Well Group, we do all sorts of things. We’ve tried meditation, taken part in different crafts, and there is always time for a cuppa and a good chat. It’s a safe space where you can share anything that’s on your mind or just sit and enjoy being with others. It’s such a relief to be able to get worries out of your head, knowing you’re being listened to.”
Dr Linda Hird, Dove House Hospice doctor, says Pat's story shows modern hospice care reaches far beyond final days: "People come to us for many reasons, for example they may be struggling with pain, breathlessness or anxiety. Dove House can stabilise symptoms for a return home, some people are admitted multiple times during their illness. We also offer respite for exhausted families and of course end-of-life care. We try to create a home-from-home environment with a patient’s loved ones being involved and supported throughout. The team here try to make Inpatient stays special, we’ve organised birthday celebrations, early Christmases and family film nights to name just a few ways, the patient and the family are at the centre of our care.
"Many families, moved by Dove House care, leave Gifts in their Wills to support the hospice’s work. Every gift ensures this support continues for future generations, and we are so very grateful for that support"
Chris Sadler, Chief Executive, said:
"Dove House provides specialist care to adults in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire living with progressive life limiting illnesses with the hospice supporting their families, and the wider, community too. This vital work relies on Gifts in Wills, which cover the entire care costs of one in ten Dove House patients. A legacy gift ensures compassionate hospice care lives on for all, for now, forever.”
Dove House Statistics, 2024/25:
2151 referrals made for Dove House care
201 homes visits made by the MND Nurse
268 referrals to the Children’s Bereavement Group
UK Statistics:
- 90% of people who die in the UK could benefit from palliative care
- 310,000 received palliative/end-of-life care in the UK (2025-26)
- 89,000 family members received counselling, therapies, bereavement support from hospices across the UK (2023-24)
- 1 in 4 in the UK die without the care they need
Dove House invites everyone to discover their services during the This is Hospice Care National Hospice Legacy Campaign (16-20 February 2026) and consider a lasting legacy gift. Visit www.dovehouse.org.uk/
Photos are Dr Linda Hird and Pat.
