Dartford’s Labour MP, Jim Dickson, visited ellenor in Northfleet to hear first-hand how the charity supports people with life-limiting conditions and their families across North Kent and Bexley.
During the visit, Mr Dickson toured ellenor’s new Wellbeing Centre in Gravesend and met staff, volunteers and relatives to learn more about how care is delivered. He heard how the majority of ellenor’s support takes place in people’s own homes through its adult community services and children’s team. For adults, this includes night-sitting, which helps prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and allows people to remain with their families. Alongside this, ellenor also provides specialist therapies such as play therapy, counselling as well as inpatient care for those who need it.
Mr Dickson, who has previously raised the importance of hospice provision in Parliament, said the visit was a valuable opportunity to understand the breadth of ellenor’s work and the challenges faced by families in the community.
“It was a huge privilege to come to ellenor and see the exceptional Wellbeing Centre. I was able to spend time with staff and clinical teams, learning about what they do. I saw firsthand the incredible care ellenor provides, delivered with warmth, compassion and sensitivity.
“I was also given a preview of the exciting ‘Bear Hunt’ campaign which will see 30 artist-designed bear sculptures scattered around Dartford next summer. It will be an accessible trail, open to all, with the aim of raising awareness of the fantastic care ellenor provide to our community. I am looking forward to supporting this and seeing all the events ellenor have planned.”
Mary Kirk, ellenor’s Director of Care, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Dartford MP Jim Dickson to our Wellbeing Centre and to share how our teams support families across North Kent and Bexley. Hospice care is about supporting families from the point of diagnosis, through every stage of illness, and beyond – including after the death of a loved one. Our role is not only about end of life, but about helping people live well, find comfort, and feel supported whenever they need us most.
Like many hospices, we rely on the generosity of our community to provide our services free of charge, alongside some funding from the NHS. As demand grows and needs become more complex, sustainable funding will be vital to ensure every family can continue to access this care when they need it.”
The visit coincided with Hospice Care Week, a national campaign organised by Hospice UK, the national charity for hospice and end-of-life care, to raise awareness of the role hospices play in supporting families.
