About Heart of Kent Hospice
For over 30 years, Heart of Kent Hospice (HoKH) has been dedicated to providing compassionate end-of-life care to patients with terminal illnesses and their families in the Maidstone area. Offering a range of services, including in-home care and support at their Aylesford facility, the Hospice ensures that patients live comfortably, with dignity, and as independently as possible during the final stages of life.
The Hospice is largely sustained through community support, fundraising, and donations, with an annual goal of raising £6 million. As the needs of the local population grow, the Hospice is planning to relocate to a new, modern facility to better serve the community’s increasing demand for care.
Dee Wright, Charity & Events Manager, and Paul Jackson, Group Chief Executive, The Hospital Saturday Fund, presenting a grant of £10,000 to Rachel Street, Chief Executive, and Kathryn Dackombe, Finance Director at The Heart of Kent Hospice.
The Story Behind HoKH
Heart of Kent Hospice began as the Wishing Well Trust, founded by the local community with a shared desire to provide compassionate care for terminally ill patients. The community raised the necessary funds to build the hospice through creative fundraising initiatives, such as purchasing virtual bricks. In 1991, the Hospice was ready to open and was officially inaugurated by the late HRH Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1992 with support from Lady Monckton.
Dementia Care
Dementia, the UK’s leading cause of death, affects nearly one million people. In 2015, Heart of Kent Hospice became the first UK hospice to offer a specialist dementia service, providing personalised care for patients, from early support to palliative and end-of-life care. The Hospice’s multi-disciplinary team delivers community-based services to patients and their families, with all staff, both clinical and non-clinical, having completed comprehensive dementia training. This ongoing commitment to enhancing dementia care has earned Heart of Kent Hospice accreditation through the “Working to Become Dementia Friendly” initiative, solidifying its reputation in the field.
The Grant
The Hospital Saturday Fund awarded a grant of £10,000 to Heart of Kent Hospice. This grant will support the hospice’s dementia care services, helping to provide specialised care for individuals living with dementia, it will ensure they receive personalised support to maintain comfort, dignity, and independence.
To find out more visit
www.hokh.org
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