A HOSPICE in North Devon has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

North Devon Hospice, which runs The Long House in Holsworthy and has supported more than two thousand people across North Devon in the past year, has been shortlisted for the ‘Charity of the Year’ award at the Third Sector Awards. This award recognises its ‘outstanding impact on local patients and families who are affected by a life limiting illness’.

Judges remarked on how the compassionate support provided at home and at the hospice itself to those under its care was exceptional, while praising the charity’s dedicated staff and volunteers who ‘ensure that patients and families are always at the heart of everything North Devon Hospice does’.

The nomination puts the local hospice in the company of charity heavyweights like Great Ormond Street Hospital and Royal British Legion Industries. It highlights a year of transformational impact, where the charity used innovative approaches to take on the challenges it faces.

This included building the first ever hospice-specific staffing tool, to always ensure safe levels of care for patients. The team co-designed a new patient pathway with the local ambulance service, to help patients access hospice care more quickly in a crisis.

A new programme was delivered in schools, helping children better understand death and dying. In addition, nearly 500 local healthcare professionals were trained by the hospice, meaning people in North Devon can expect quality end of life care no matter where it is delivered.

Outside of patient care, North Devon Hospice also came up with novel ways to raise money, in an incredibly tough fundraising environment. This was best demonstrated by the charity turning an unused adjacent field into the successful ‘Waggy Tails Meadow’ , a secure dog-walking field which is set to raise £50,000-plus in its first year.

Stephen Roberts, chief executive said: “We are honoured to be recognised among the very best charities in the UK. This nomination is testament to the incredible work of our staff and volunteers and is thanks to the phenomenal supporters we have across North Devon.

“It’s no secret that it’s incredibly tough to be a charity right now, especially a local hospice. More and more people need our care, but it’s getting ever more difficult to raise the funds needed to provide this care.

“I’m very proud that North Devon Hospice has shown how innovative we can be in finding ways to improve patient care, as well as raise more funds. This means we can stay true to our mission of supporting people through the most difficult of times.”

Jo Dedes, director of care added: “Every day, our teams go above and beyond to care for patients and their loved ones, whether that’s in people’s own homes, or here at the hospice. Being nominated for Charity of the Year is recognition of their commitment, to make sure no one faces the end of life alone. I’m humbled to see their dedication honoured in this way.”

The winners of the Third Sector Awards will be announced later this year.