Our respite service is for people with a diagnosis of frailty or life limiting illnesses. We provide a safe space for patients, where care is available round-the-clock so their carers can take a well-earned rest. Respite is not intended to be used where there is a deterioration in symptoms. In this case a referral to our inpatient unit would be appropriate.
Respite is a temporary stay at the hospice designed to enable carers to take a rest from caring. For example, if a significant amount of a person’s care is provided by family and friends, booking a respite stay could enable them to take a break from caring, perhaps to take a holiday.
Anyone age 16 or over with frailty or life-limiting illness. You do not need to be receiving care from St Helena to book a respite stay.
Admissions will be for blocks of seven days at a time, with a maximum length of stay agreed before admission. To book a stay please contact the Hospice Matron by email to respite@sthelena.org.uk or contact our Hospice reception by calling 01206 845 566.
Respite stays are a paid-for service. We can accept payment via private funding, personal health budget and continuing healthcare.
Nursing care and meals are included in the cost of a respite stay and visitors are welcome. Please see our information on visiting St Helena Hospice for more details
Prior to starting our respite service, the bed was funded and used for other types of admission, but now that funding has ended so have the admissions. We are pleased we can now offer respite stays in place of these admissions.
By booking a respite stay at St Helena, not only will you experience our expert care, you’ll be helping us to continue supporting local people facing incurable illness and bereavement.
Your donation, large or small, can make a big difference, giving more local people dignity and choice at the end of life.
Read stories DonateWhen you make a donation to St Helena Hospice, we are charged transactional fees by other companies, including fees for processing payments made to us, looking up addresses and validating bank account details.
We are very grateful to our donors who offer to offset some of these fees with a minor addition to their total amount. This is however completely optional and we are very grateful for your support whether or not you choose to contribute to processing fees.
CloseWe are able to claim an extra 25p on every £1 on your donation amount for no extra cost to you, as long as you are a UK tax payer; have paid enough income tax or capital gains tax in that tax year; and are donating your own money. If you pay less income tax and/or capital gains tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all of your donations in that tax year it is your responsibility to pay any difference. For more information about Gift Aid, please visit https://www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity/gift-aid