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= Hospice in the Weald = Is a charity organisation based in Kent and East Sussex, England, that provides hospice palliative care to individuals who are suffering from life-limiting illnesses. It was founded in 1981 by a group of concerned individuals who wanted to provide compassionate and dignified end-of-life care to those in need.

History
Hospice in the Weald was established in 1981 by a group of volunteers who saw the need for palliative care services in the local community.

The charity was initially set up to provide a day-care service for terminally ill patients, but as demand grew, it expanded its services to include inpatient care, community care, and a hospice at home service. Today, the charity provides care to over 3,200 patients and families each year.

Services
Hospice in the Weald provides a range of care and support to individuals who are suffering from life-limiting illnesses. These include:

Inpatient Care :
The hospice has 25 beds, split across two sites in Pembury and Five Ashes, where patients can receive round-the-clock care and support from a team of highly skilled nurses and healthcare professionals.

Living Well:
Provides patients with a range of therapies and activities at the Living Well Centre at the Pembury site. These can help them manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Living Well Services are available at the Pembury and Five Ashes sites, as well as online and at home for those who are not inpatients. Twelve-week programmes are developed with individuals and might include group activities, physical and occupational therapy, art, music, and spiritual support.

Outreach:
This service provides specialist palliative care to patients who wish to remain in their own homes. The support team advise on medication to help relieve physical symptoms and offer guidance and support on Advance Care Planning, including resuscitation decisions and preferences for patients’ future care. The service aims to minimise unnecessary hospital admissions by ensuring that plans, medications & equipment are in place before they might be needed and based on individual needs.

Emotional Support:
The charity also provides support to families and loved ones of patients who are receiving care, including counselling and bereavement support.

The implications of managing treatments, side effects and coming to terms with changes for a patient or their loved one can be physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially exhausting. The Counselling and Support Service are committed to offering compassionate, personalised, holistic care to all patients and those important to them free of charge.

Support is offered face to face, over the phone or online, via video call. Support is also offered to clients who may have difficulties with communication, by offering non-verbal support, for example through a chat function whilst online.

Hospice care for Children:
Newly opened in January 2023, Hospice in the Weald for Children exists to help children living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions to be children, and make the most of every day with their families. The aim of the unit is to enable children to enjoy childhood as children rather than as patients.

Fundraising:
As a charity organization, Hospice in the Weald relies on the support of the local community to continue providing its services. The charity raises funds through a variety of events, including sponsored walks, charity auctions, and community events. In addition, the organization also operates a network of charity shops that sell donated goods to raise funds.

Conclusion:
Hospice in the Weald has been providing compassionate end-of-life care to individuals and families in the local community for over 40 years.

Its dedicated team of staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that patients receive the care and support they need during what can be a very difficult time. Through its range of services and fundraising efforts, Hospice in the Weald has become a valued and important part of the community it serves.