Understanding the diverse needs of our communities helps us provide the very best care for people across Worcestershire.
Engaging with the communities we serve also helps us to dispel myths about hospice care and raise awareness of the services available to them.
By building links with groups and individuals in our area, we can listen to their needs and understand how we can make our services more inclusive and accessible.
Examples of recent community engagement work
Community survey
In 2024, we conducted a community survey to find out what is important to their needs and how we can make our services more equitable.
We will use the survey findings to inform the development of our future care.
LGBTQIA+ focus group
In August 2024, we held a focus group with members of Out2gether, a peer-support group for people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans/Non-binary, Queer, Intersex, Ace+ (LGBTQIA+).
This meeting helped us understand how we can make our services more inclusive to the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Research tells us that, unfortunately, many people who are LGBTQIA+ face discrimination and barriers to accessing healthcare – including hospice care.
The group explained what would be important for them when accessing our care. They also talked about some of their worries and fears.
- One of the most important things they raised was recognition of their loved ones and to ensure that it is clear our support is there for anyone who is important to them including their chosen family
- Feeling safe and comfortable to be themselves and for us to display progress pride flags or wear our pin badges and lanyards to signify we are ‘safe’
- For people who identify as trans or gender diverse they had worries of not being referred to by the correct gender or pronoun, and for staff to understand that trans anatomy may be different.
We continue to work with Out2gether to respond to their recommendations.
Click to read research by Hospice UK into understanding the barriers faced by LGBTQIA+ people when accessing end-of-live, palliative and hospice care.
Resources in different formats
We have developed a series of documents in EasyRead, a format which is used by neurodivergent people and people with learning disabilities.
These documents explain aspects of our care and services in a clear format, using pictures to support the text. The documents were created with input from neurodivergent students at The Vale of Evesham School.
Click to find our EasyRead documents, and documents in other formats and languages, on our website.
Learning for staff
A series of informative sessions from a range of organisations have been held for staff and volunteers. These include LGBTQIA+ awareness session by Out2gether, deaf awareness workshop by Action Deafness, and a drug and alcohol awareness session by Cranstoun.
Support for people experiencing homelessness
We have developed links with charities which support people experiencing homelessness, including Maggs Day Centre and St Paul’s Hostel in Worcester, and the Lighthouse Project in Evesham.
Schools and young people
Our Family Support Team supports pupils and teachers at schools across the county to increase understanding of hospice care and bereavement.
Talks about St Richard’s Hospice
Our teams are available to speak to your group, organisation, business or school about St Richard’s care and services, and to answer any questions they may have.
To arrange this, please contact or call the hospice on 01905 763963.
