St Luke's – Sheffield's Hospice

St Luke's, Sheffield's hospice for specialist palliative care

St Luke's describes itself as an independent Sheffield charity caring for anyone affected by a terminal illness across the city, at any stage of their journey, and for their loved ones as well. Its stated purpose is to provide high-quality care and support while treating each person as a unique individual, listening to wishes and choices and tailoring care accordingly. Despite the name, the organisation states that it has no religious affiliation and cares for everyone who needs it regardless of age, background, postcode or religion.

The charity reports more than 50 years of activity and is marking its 55th anniversary, a milestone it is using to speak more openly about protecting the future of hospice care.

Who the service is for

St Luke's cares for people aged 18 and over across Sheffield with serious, progressive illnesses that cannot be cured. The conditions named in its material include cancer, COPD, Parkinson's, dementia, MND, end-stage neurological, heart, kidney and lung conditions, and HIV. The service is presented as open not only to patients but also to family members, friends, carers and people grieving the death of a loved one. Access is through referral by a healthcare professional.

The stated aim is to control symptoms, alleviate pain and support quality of life, while also supporting those close to the patient. Care is described as free of charge for patients and their loved ones.

In-patient, community and end of life care

Some patients stay on the In Patient Centre for short or long-term symptom management or end of life care, while others are supported at home or in a care home. The Specialist Community Team offers help with pain relief, mobility, falls prevention, counselling and other aspects of managing a condition. When patients reach the end of life, the charity supports them to spend their final days where they feel most comfortable, whether on the In Patient Centre, at home or in a care home.

Reported activity for the previous year includes more than 1,800 patients and their families and carers helped, reaching over 6,000 people in total; 290 people receiving 24-hour specialist palliative care on the In Patient Centre; and over 6,600 visits by the Community Team to patients in their own homes or care homes across Sheffield.

Social prescribing, wellbeing and bereavement support

Alongside clinical care, patients can access non-medical support through Social Prescribing services covering practical, exercise, wellbeing, nature, social and creative activities, in addition to emotional and spiritual care. Families and carers can receive tailored social, spiritual and bereavement services, including a Counselling & Bereavement Service and a Children's & Young People's Bereavement Service.

The charity reports that its social prescribing services were attended over 8,800 times by 380 people, and that more than 400 bereaved relatives, friends and carers were supported with 1,879 counselling sessions.

Its published patient and family information also covers topics such as infection control, a palliative care telephone helpline, accessible information standards, support for care at home in the last days of life, a patient transport service, falls prevention, occupational therapy, therapy through nature, managing fatigue, anxiety and breathlessness, spiritual care, delirium, strong opioids, oxygen therapy at home, a bathing service, pressure area protection and syringe pumps.

The Wilkes Institute, training and research

The Wilkes Institute at St Luke's is presented as an expansion of the charity's research and training ambitions, building on what it describes as a culture of excellence with the aim of improving palliative care more widely. The organisation also states that it trains other healthcare providers and professionals, sharing expertise locally, nationally and internationally to advance palliative and end of life care.

Funding, staff and volunteering

St Luke's states that only around a quarter of its running costs are covered by NHS funding. It reports that this year it needs to raise more than £11 million of the £15.5 million it costs to keep its services going, with most of the money coming from community fundraising and its charity shops across the city. The work is described as relying on over 300 members of staff and more than 1,000 volunteers.

Support channels described include fundraising events and personal challenges, collections in the charity's name, charity shops in Sheffield, and online sales through eBay and Vinted marketplaces, as well as volunteering roles matched to interests and availability. The charity also runs a Festival of Light, described as a community occasion to reflect on and remember loved ones by dedicating a light.

Strategy, feedback and accountability

A Strategy 2025-2029 sets out the charity's direction and ambitions, building on what it describes as the foundations laid down by generations of Sheffielders, with a stated philosophy of always thinking about the patient first. The organisation invites patients and families to give feedback, saying that compliments, comments and suggestions guide its commitment to better care for the Sheffield community. It is registered as a charity and company, and publishes statements on privacy, accessibility, assisted dying and equality.