Longfield Community Hospice has launched a new appeal to help keep its Hospice at Home service available to families caring for a loved one who is dying across Gloucestershire.
The charity says donations are urgently needed because its end-of-life care is only partly funded by the Government. Its Hospice at Home service relies on a combination of statutory funding, grants and community donations, with donations providing the largest share of its support.
Longfield’s nurses and healthcare assistants travel to the homes of families across the county. The charity says community giving allows it to respond when support is needed, including at times when statutory funding has not yet been agreed or approved.
Why Longfield says donations matter
The appeal, titled “We care because you care”, is asking supporters to “fund the next knock”. Longfield says the money gives its care team flexibility to help families quickly, rather than waiting for funding decisions to be completed.
Sarah Mimmack, Longfield’s director of care, said the timing of a family’s need did not always match the process for agreeing financial support.
“When someone is approaching the end of their life, their need for care doesn’t always fit neatly around the time that funding is agreed. Sometimes our nurses make an SOS visit because a family needs us now, long before we know whether funding will be available.”
She said donations could make it possible for staff to visit a family at a critical moment.
“In those moments, your donations allow us to make the decision to knock on that door and provide care at a critical moment for a patient and their family. Please support our new campaign and help Longfield be there for every family who needs us.”
How to support the appeal
People who want to contribute can donate through Longfield’s autumn appeal at longfield.org.uk/autumn-appeal-p.
The charity’s team can also be contacted by phone on 01453 886868.
The appeal was reported by Stroud Times in an article dated October 3, 2026, with the page marked as updated October 2. Longfield’s message is focused on maintaining rapid, practical support for families in their own homes when a loved one is nearing the end of life.