St Michael’s Hospice

It’s a basic fact that we all die. How we die is another matter. Richard Cyster, a volunteer at St Michael’s Hospice in Harrogate talked to us about St Michael’s, established in 1987, and about the hospice movement generally.

We have a special involvement with St Michael’s because we gave them a legacy grant of £6,000 to enable them to fund a new specialist bed. Richard talked about “a good death” and challenged us to say what we thought it meant. Acceptance, retention of dignity, family involvement, control over decision-making were some of our answers. Richard agreed with them all and went on to describe what St Michael’s does.

It has its beds for residents but its care goes far beyond that. For example it supports those who have received a terminal diagnosis but who have chosen to die at home. It helps people to manage symptoms and offers them emotional, practical and spiritual comfort.                                        

Richard told us that St Michael’s aim is not to enable people to live longer but to die peacefully. The hospice needs £6m a year to provide its services and only 17% of that comes from the NHS. For the remainder they rely on community contributions. It was a privilege for Brigantes to be able to donate £6,000 from our Legacy Fund. Richard’s talk made clear its absolute importance.