Tim Farron gets behind our new South Lakes support services

We were delighted to welcome Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron to our new South Lakes Hub at Kelsick Grammar School in Ambleside.

Tim visited the hub on Friday 12th June, joining members of St Mary’s Hospice’s Compassionate Communities team to tour the facilities and learn more about the vital role community support plays in hospice care. During the visit, he met with Chief Executive Officer Catherine Burn, Head of Community Services Lynsey Lawson, and Kathyann Waple, Head of Digital Enablement at Impact International, which is based at Kelsick Grammar.

Officially launched in May, the South Lakes Hub marks an exciting partnership between St Mary’s and Kelsick Grammar. Together, we aim to create a dedicated and accessible community space offering wellbeing, bereavement, dementia and outreach services for people across the South Lakes.

Lynsey Lawson, Head of Community Services at St Mary’s Hospice, said: “The visit provided a valuable opportunity to showcase our growing partnership with Kelsick Grammar and demonstrate how, by working together, we can make hospice care and support more accessible to communities across the South Lakes.

“It was also an opportunity to challenge common misconceptions about hospice care. Hospice support is about so much more than end-of-life care. St Mary’s is here for people and their families from the point of diagnosis and for as long as they need us afterwards. You do not have to be under the direct care of St Mary’s to access our services – we are here to support the whole community.

“Hope is at the heart of what we do. Through wellbeing programmes, education and peer support opportunities, we can help people build connections, find strength and navigate some of life’s most difficult challenges.”

Tim Farron MP said: “People often don’t realise that hospices are not fully funded by the NHS. St Mary’s receives only around 20% of its funding from the government, meaning the remaining 80% comes from the generosity of local people and businesses.

“The support provided by St Mary’s Hospice makes an enormous difference to individuals and families facing some of the toughest times in their lives. I would encourage people to make use of the services available here when they need support, and to give back where they can to help ensure this vital work continues.”