Hospices of Hope’s mission is to support the development of palliative care services in South and East Europe. When the war in Ukraine began in 2022, our initial response was to provide emergency support for our colleagues in the Ivano-Frankivsk group of hospices.

Now, 3 years on, and sadly the war continues. Thanks to your generosity during this period we have been able to help by funding:

• An ambulance to transport patients from war-torn areas in the east to safer regions in the west
• Generators to ensure power remains available during blackouts
• Essential medicines that were in critically short supply
• Supported the running costs of a 30 bed hospice and their home-care team

Your support has also helped Ukrainian refugees in Romania and Moldova through our partners. Together, we have provided shelter and essential care for displaced families at Copaceni children’s centre near Bucharest, ensured palliative care for refugee cancer patients at Hospice Casa Speranței in Bucharest, delivered medical aid to refugees arriving at the Moldovan border through our partner’s day care centres in Orhei and Chișinău.

Our long-term vision is to help establish a sustainable hospice movement throughout Ukraine. An estimated 600,000 people—including soldiers—are in urgent need of palliative care. However, with funding cuts, medical staff shortages, and the ongoing war, providing this essential care remains a significant challenge.

Our efforts continue, and since our last update, we’ve made important progress:

• Expanding Palliative Care in Kyiv: In January, we rented a clinic building in Kyiv for Svoyi, allowing them to expand their home-care services and launch outpatient and day-care services. We have also funded key staff, including a full-time doctor, Dr. Zoia Maksymova (an experienced palliative care specialist), a second full-time nurse, and a medical secretary.
• New Palliative Care Service in Ivano-Frankivsk: We have secured office space within the Chamber of Commerce and are applying for a license to establish a new charitable home-care service in the city and surrounding areas. This initiative will be led by Dr. Iryna Slugotska, our first contact in Ivano-Frankivsk.
• Training the Next Generation of Palliative Care Nurses: We are running an online training program for 40 nurses in Ivano-Frankivsk, featuring expert instructors from the UK and Romania. The course is being recorded and uploaded to an online platform, ensuring it can be used to train nurses across Ukraine.

These are just the first steps in what we hope will be a far-reaching transformation of palliative care in Ukraine—where the need is greater than ever.

How You Can Help

Your support has already made an incredible impact, but there is still so much more to do. As we take these next steps, we need your help to:

– Fund essential medical staff and equipment
– Expand the home-care services to reach more patients
– Train more healthcare professionals to provide compassionate, specialised care

Every donation will help us to make progress, and to bring comfort and dignity to those facing life-limiting illness. Please consider making a gift today to help us continue this vital work.

Our 2024 Impact Review highlights some of the wonderful progress you contributed to last year, and sets out our network’s priorities for the year ahead.

British Ambassador Hosts Event for Ukraine’s Palliative Care Expansion 

An inspiring fundraising event was recently held at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Ukraine in support for Hospices of Hope and our mission to enhance palliative care services in Ukraine. The evening brought together leaders across various industries to spotlight the vital work being done by the charity. The event was attended by our founder, Graham Perolls CMG, OBE.

Showcasing a Legacy of Care
The event offered an opportunity to share our journey, from our origins in the UK to our now expanding global impact, and particularly our ongoing efforts in Ukraine. We shared how the success of palliative care models in the UK and core hospice values are being integrated with our Ukraine partners, helping to provide comfort and dignity to patients during their most difficult times.

Challenges and Hope
The war in Ukraine has understandably shifted the focus of corporate donations towards defense efforts. Despite these challenges, Hospices of Hope remains steadfast in our mission. Through continued advocacy, collaboration with businesses, and outreach to government structures, our organisation aims to foster a greater understanding of the importance of palliative care and expand its support network.

Moving Forward Together
This event marks a significant step in raising awareness and forging partnerships to address the urgent need for palliative care in Ukraine. Although the path is not without obstacles, the resilience and generosity of our supporters offer a beacon of hope for a brighter future. 

A Collaborative Atmosphere
Hosted with the invaluable support of His Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador, Martin Harris CMG OBE, the event brought together representatives from sectors such as investment, consulting, law, construction, and metallurgy, alongside members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine and UK-based firms operating in Kyiv. In a spirit of collaboration and constructive dialogue, attendees discussed challenges and opportunities for business development amid the ongoing war and explored ways to support social initiatives. Many were pleasantly surprised by the progress made in developing palliative care in Western Ukraine, due to our long-term efforts. 

Hospices of Hope Paris Event 2024 

On Tuesday 22nd October Hospices of Hope hosted a networking event at the Romanian Embassy in Paris, welcoming 80 distinguished guests.

The evening began with a gracious welcome from Her Excellency, Ioana Bivolaru, Ambassador of Romania to France. We are deeply grateful for her support and for the opportunity to gather at the Embassy.

A highlight of the event was an inspiring speech from long-standing supporter Gregoire Vigroux, who spoke passionately about the important role charities play in the business world. Drawing from his personal experiences, Gregoire shared how he and his team have supported Hospices of Hope’s initiatives in Romania and reaffirmed his commitment to our cause.

Mirela Nementau, CEO of our partner organisation, Hospices Casa Speranței in Romania, provided an insightful update on the challenges and opportunities they face. She highlighted their most ambitious project to date: building a new Children’s Hospice Hospital. Fundraising efforts are currently underway to ensure this transformative project becomes a reality.

The evening also provided an update on the charity’s presence in France, highlighting its operation under the Fondation de France platform, which allows donations from both individuals and businesses, which now qualify for tax reductions in the country.

Guests were treated to a captivating performance by a pianist and a baritone, whose moving concert added an elegant touch to the night.

The event concluded with a cocktail reception, offering guests the opportunity to network, share ideas, and foster connections. We look forward to our next event in Paris in 2025! 

In October 2024, Hospices of Hope proudly hosted its first in-person network conference —a milestone moment for our organisation. This long-anticipated gathering brought together our hospice partners, loyal supporters, and our dedicated team, creating a space to exchange expertise, share stories, and connect. 

The conference provided each partner with a platform to present their organisation’s achievements and challenges, creating a deeper understanding of shared issues. Many partners face similar obstacles, including limited funds and government recognition of palliative care and the urgent needs of patients not only with cancer but also with rare and life-limiting illnesses. It was a powerful reminder that advancing progress requires prioritisng the recognition and support of palliative care across these regions. 

One of the most moving moments came from our Ukraine Country Manager, Asya, who highlighted the unique and challenges Ukraine faces due to the ongoing war. These include significant funding cuts, a shrinking younger population, as well as both soldiers and an aging generation requiring greater care—it really showcased the immense resilience and dedication of our partners in such difficult circumstances. 

We’re incredibly grateful for the time and commitment everyone gave, and we all left the week feeling inspired and more motivated than ever to reach our shared goals. We can’t wait to keep you updated on the progress we’re making together, thanks to your incredible support.

Julie, Graham, and our supporters with the hospice team

Our Founder (Graham Perolls) and Fundraising Manager (Julie Easy), recently visited our hospice partner in Moldova. Joined by a group of our wonderful supporters, they were able to gain a firsthand perspective on the critical work being done to support patients and their families.

The trip offered an opportunity to connect with patients and staff, and by witnessing the challenges faced by those receiving palliative care, the group developed a deeper appreciation for Hospices of Hope Moldova’s role in providing comfort, dignity, and support, to the patients in their care.

Our team were able to visit and speak to a number of patients and their families. One of these visits was to a women whose brother-in-law had a a stroke that left him with no feeling down his left side, he was immobilised and had lost all hope. Since the Hospices of Hope Moldova team have been visiting, the patient has become excited to see them and asks when they will next visit – he now has hope that he will walk again.

Our fundraising manager, Julie, shares a few words about her experience – “For many people, spiritual and psychological support is just as crucial as medical care. Having someone to talk to, the warmth of human contact, and a compassionate listener are invaluable. I also realised how powerless family members can feel in trying to help their loved ones and how much more empowered they become when Hospices of Hope Moldova’s staff teach them how to provide care—whether it’s personal hygiene, dressing wounds, managing pain, or repositioning them in bed to prevent bedsores and ensure comfort. My home visit highlighted the stark contrast between our healthcare system and Moldova’s. Regardless of what you might say about the NHS, patients wouldn’t be sent home with open wounds at risk of infection and would receive some level of state-supported home care”.

Hospices of Hope is committed to sharing stories of patients and staff in Moldova to spread awareness and support for the hospice’s vital work.

Dying Matters Awareness Week is an opportunity each year to spark important conversations that will ultimately help people who are dying or grieving. This year’s theme – the way we talk about Dying Matters – highlights the importance of speaking openly about death.

Without these conversations, patients and their families might not get the information, support, and care that they need, or have the knowledge and understanding they need to process their emotions. The avoidance of talking about death and dying can play a big part in delaying access to palliative care services in South and East Europe.

Across our network, nurses, doctors, patients and families understand the power of being open and honest when it comes to end-of-life care.

Support and empowerment through honesty and transparency

“Visiting patients in their homes every day, I learned that each person is unique,” says Nurse Bojana, who has worked at BELhospice in Serbia for over 17 years. “Building trust between the patient, their family, and our team is paramount, and clearly explaining their options and treatment plan helps them to feel involved and empowered.”

Dr Petrescu from Hospice Casa Sperantei in Romania believes you need honesty, patience and kindness to be able to fight for patients to have a good quality of life: “It is important to listen to them, do not judge anyone or anything. Essentially, you have to be human.”

Hospice Casa Sperantei Nurse Pîrvan notes the value of connection that comes with having open conversations: “I sit on the edge of the bed, I listen to their pain, I relieve their wounds and dispel the loneliness – sometimes loneliness is a much bigger burden than the disease itself. And I’m glad to give them hope and the promise that I will return.”

Giving and sharing strength

After surviving cancer 7 times, and losing her sister, mother-in-law and husband to cancer within the space of a year, Geta became a hospice volunteer. She says she was inspired by the support and openness her family received from their hospice team, including through counselling sessions to help them understand and process their diagnosis and the emotions that come with it.

“Discovering hospice changed my perception of everything,” she says. “Here I learned to fight, to hope, I learned to smile again.”

Geta’s personal experience helps her to provide valuable support to hospice patients – she always has positive words of encouragement but is also always honest about the treatment process.

“We are like a family here,” Geta continues. “I know what each patient likes or dislikes, if they drink tea or coffee, prefer music or silence, eat lemon cake or not. My life would not be worth living if someone told me I could not come here anymore. This is the place that gives me strength.”

The way we talk about dying matters

“I see death every day, sometimes it is unavoidable,” says Dr Sandu from Romania. “That knowledge helps to manage emotions. We share with our patients that death does not define them.”

Dr Sandu says it is important not to focus on how unfair a diagnosis might feel, and to instead focus on ensuring the correct care, support, help and hope that a person needs to be able to live a life they can enjoy with their loved ones, until their final days.

“Get to know the patient,” says Nurse Boka. “Understand what they enjoy, their difficulties, what they worry about. Talk with them honestly and openly and, most of all, listen.”

Ultimately, every person is different, and being open, honest and transparent also means giving people the space and opportunity to acknowledge death and the emotions around it in their own way.

“Life is a beautiful miracle,” says Angela, a hospice patient. “Death, I realise now, is a certainty. Some of us become more aware of it, but it is important to focus on the time you have left.”

Anna Perolls was honoured to follow in her father’s footsteps when she stepped into the role of Hospices of Hope’s CEO in 2021. Here, Anna shares a little about her journey with the charity and her vision for the future of hospice care in South and East Europe

What was it like growing up with Hospices of Hope and how did that impact you?

I always joke that as a child, you’re never really interested in what your parents do, so I didn’t really understand what my dad had started until my first visit to Romania when I was 16. I was able to witness the charity’s work first hand and was deeply touched by the difference being made. I fell in love with Romania and was inspired to volunteer for the charity.When I was 18, I moved to Romania for two years to really understand how the hospice works and helps those in need. It is very humbling realising the impact your parents are making, and it was eye opening to see the healthcare situations in other countries. It really gave me the drive and determination to help others, and to continue my parents’ vision.

What was your journey to becoming CEO?

After working for Hospices of Hope for 10 years as Fundraising and Resources Director, I had an opportunity to become a part of the leadership team. When it opened up, I interviewed for the CEO role, hopeful that I would get it against other candidates, and was lucky enough do so! It was the charity’s 30th anniversary year, and we had been planning for some time, so it gave me a huge sense of pride, especially as it was just after the difficult years of the pandemic. I was really excited to step into a role I’ve always wanted, and to think about what the next 30 years might look like. For me, it was a case of same goals, but a new and fresh chapter.

What do you want to see in your time as CEO of Hospices of Hope?

I think unfortunately the fundraising climate is massively changing, so it is a huge worry to raise the funds to enable us to continue to support our hospice partners. I would therefore like to see a sustainable future for Hospices of Hope, to allow us to help each partner to achieve what they need to. Something I’d love to see is the building of a day centre in Greece. The lack of services in the country is shocking, and this is something the hospice teams really want to improve and need our help supporting.

How do you stay positive and hopeful in challenging times?

For me, what keeps me going in the role is the patients and what we do. I’ve been very privileged over the years to meet many patients benefitting from the work we’re doing. Hospices of Hope is very much about serving patients and developing palliative care, we are not here to serve ourselves. I know just how grateful patients are for the help and care, and that without some of our hospice partners they would have nowhere to turn–they are my inspiration and motivation to keep going!Outside of Hospices of Hope, I find happiness with friends, travelling and seeing as many places as possible, and being creative and crafting when I have spare time. I have recently become a mother to my wonderful son, Fredric Woods, so it’s been really exciting navigating this new chapter.

What is your vision for the future of hospice care in South and East Europe?

My vision and Hospices of Hope’s vision is for anyone, child or adult, that needs palliative care to receive it–free of charge. There is still a very long way to go, we need to continue lobbying governments, but with our efforts we will see an improvement and one day our vision will be fulfilled.

We were delighted that our founder, Graham Perolls, was featured in the Church Times last month. In the interview, Graham shares how Hospices of Hope came to be, and how his faith has been a part of his and the charity’s journey.

You can read the full article on the Church Times website here.

Our 2023 Impact Review highlights some of the wonderful progress you contributed to last year, and sets out our network’s priorities for the year ahead.