St Richard’s Hospice cares for patients and families in Worcestershire who are living with cancer and other life-threatening illness. Each year we give free care and support to around 2,100 patients and families – helping them towards the best quality of life possible.
Our History
St Richard’s Hospice was established in 1984 and is a local independent, Worcestershire charity. It is one of almost 200 hospices in the country caring for people with cancer and other life threatening illnesses. St Richard’s Hospice was founded in May 1984 in Droitwich, taking its name from Richard de la Wyche who was born there in 1197 and who was declared a Saint in January 1262.
Initially operating from the home of Dr Jenny Bulman, Honorary Medical Officer, the Hospice moved a year later to Castle Street in Worcester. Originally founded as St Richard’s Hospice at Home, in 1985 it merged with the Good Shepherd Hospice Group from Malvern when the name changed to the St Richard’s Hospice Foundation.
Home Care services started in 1984, followed by Day Hospice in 1987 and the beginnings of an educational programme in 1988. As the organisation grew, so did the need for larger premises and the hospice moved to Rose Hill house which was officially opened by Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales in May 1992. As hospice services continued to grow to meet demand, a £5.25m New Hospice Appeal was launched in 2004 to build and equip a new centre with the first urgently needed specialist palliative care In-patient Unit for South Worcestershire. Thanks to wonderful generosity and support in a huge variety of ways, the funds were raised and in 2006 the new St Richard’s Hospice opened in Wildwood Drive, Worcester.
St Richard’s serves the South Worcestershire population of 288,000, including Worcester, Malvern, Droitwich, Pershore, Upton upon Severn, Broadway, Evesham and the surrounding areas.
Why do we have the Snowdrop in our logo?
“I am come to calm your fears: I am come to console you in the absence of bright days, and to reassure you of their return"
The Snowdrop – Consolation by Bishop Keble 1792-1886
