Longfield Community Hospice has today outlined a series of decisive steps being taken to address significant financial challenges and to safeguard its future as a vital provider of care across Gloucestershire.
Like many charities across the UK, Longfield is facing a challenging situation as a direct result of a number of factors, including progressively increasing staff costs, reduced income generation capacity, more competition for funding within the sector, a changing retail landscape as well as other unforeseen financial pressures.
In a joint message to stakeholders, the Chair of the Trustees, Sally Pearson and recently appointed Interim CEO William Robinson, reaffirmed the charity’s focus on maintaining the quality and consistency of care for individuals, families, and communities, despite growing financial pressures.
They also expressed deep appreciation for the extraordinary and profoundly important contributions of staff, volunteers and partners to ensure continued care and support for families throughout a period of change.
The charity is taking a number of decisive actions to secure its long-term future and the statement said: “We are having to explore how we can address the challenge of a £1m shortfall this year and ensure the organisation is sustainable for future years. We will need to achieve this through a balance of increased and diverse fundraising activity, in parallel with reviewing our staffing and operating costs across all areas of the organisation.
“The challenging review of our running costs and the shape of our charity will take place over May and June, with regular opportunities for communication with stakeholders, and with the organisation aiming to provide greater clarity on next steps by late June.
“Despite current financial challenges, Longfield remains steadfast in its mission to provide free, high-quality palliative and end-of-life care, bereavement support, and wellbeing services for the patients and carers across Gloucestershire.”
Information on how the Gloucestershire community can support Longfield is available on the Longfield website.
