Home from home is raising a smile

Just two years on and the partnership has raised an incredible £5 million.

With the money raised through the partnership, Sue Ryder’s has been developing end of life care provision by establishing community healthcare services and family support teams, as well as providing accessible advice and support 24 hours a day through their Morrisons-funded Online Community and Support.

In October 2015, Morrisons funding enabled Sue Ryder St John’s in Moggerhanger to launch a Hospice at Home service in Bedfordshire.

The service allows people to receive specialist palliative care at home 24 hours a day, and in turn, reduces the strain and anxiety experienced by patients, carers and their families.

Maria King, Lead Nurse from the Hospice at Home team, said: “Research shows that the majority of people would prefer to die at home if given the choice. Thanks to Morrisons funding, in the last three months we have supported 16 patients, providing incredible care, in their place of choice.

“Our personalised care plans support patients at home, and ensure they have someone to turn to 24 hours a day, seven-days a week.

“And we don’t just support the patient, often it’s the family who are acting as carers and it’s so important that we provide them with a listening ear, support, advice and the confidence they need to help their loved one.”

“We are so grateful for our partnership and want to say a huge thank you to Morrisons. The families we care for are aware of how the money has been raised, and I think it’s really comforting for people to know that Morrisons is helping to make sure this service is possible.”

Maria continued: “To hear Morrisons have now raised £5 million is truly awesome. Now we’ve established this incredible service, we can already see the huge difference it’s making to local patients and their families.

“If it wasn’t for Morrisons our help in the community would not be possible.”

Thanks to the vital funds raised by Morrisons customers, colleagues and suppliers, Sue Ryder has been able to expand their team of expert healthcare professionals by over 100, who in turn provide over 123,550 extra hours of care a year.

The Morrisons-funded Online Community and Support has also welcomed over 17,000 visitors since launching in June 2015, offering online support and advice right across the UK, 24 hours a day – seven days a week.