17 Feb 2026
New data from Hospice UK reveals that gifts in Wills are the lifeline keeping the nation’s hospices open, funding the equivalent of 400,000 nights of hospice care every year.
This comes as 127 hospices across the country unite for a second year behind the This is Hospice Care campaign – urging members of the public to leave a gift in their Will to their chosen hospice. Without this support, 30,000 nights of hospice care every month could disappear - that's 7,500 every week.
The importance of hospice care is undeniable, with UK hospices having supported 310,000 people facing terminal illness last year alone – and demand for palliative care is set to jump by 25% by 2048.
However, these figures tell only part of the story. Data from Hospice UK also reveals that 82% of palliative care now takes place outside the inpatient unit, including in people’s homes and in the community, again showing that hospice care is much more than offering a place for someone where they can spend their final days.
Whilst over half of people (54%) would opt to receive palliative care in the comfort of their own home, over a quarter (26%) still assumed that hospice care on an inpatient ward would be their only option.
Despite nearly half (45%) of those polled knowing someone who has received hospice care (whether that’s at home, in the community or within a hospice setting), 26% still did not know what support is available from hospices to make at home and community care possible.
What’s more, a majority of the public (59%) aren’t aware that hospices provide their services for free – with only around 40% of the cost of the incredible care hospices provide funded by government.
Last year, 450 beds were out of use in UK hospices and many had to reduce or close some of their community services, primarily due to insufficient funding and financial pressures forcing hospices to scale back services. Many hospices have waiting lists and demand for end of life care is rising, so it’s not a case of lack of demand. Hospices desperately want to reach everyone who needs them, but financial pressure is holding many back. The reality is that hospices must raise more than £3.8 million every single day to keep their services going.
Through powerful real-life stories, This is Hospice Care campaign shows how hospices help support whole communities through their hardest days, and how people in their community can make giving back part of their legacy. From helping people get their pain under control, to planning birthday parties or delivering grief counselling; hospices create moments and bring comfort when it matters most. These stories highlight how critical gifts in Wills are in keeping this vital support available for everyone, now and for generations to come.
Catherine Bosworth, Director of Income Generation and Grants at Hospice UK, said: “Gifts in Wills are the lifeline keeping our hospices open. Every single hour, someone receives care that wouldn't exist without the generosity of people who choose to support hospice care in their Will. That's the reality we're working with and it's becoming increasingly fragile, as funding pressures threaten hospice services, right when demand is rising. Our ageing population means demand for hospice care will only continue to grow, so it’s vital that we do what we can to secure hospice care now. A gift in your will to a hospice doesn’t require parting with your money today, anyone can leave a legacy. Gifts of any size can make a significant difference - just £30 can fund a home care visit, £200 a specialist palliative care visit, it all helps hospices be there for people who need them.”
Sister Rita Dawson MBE, Chief Executive, said: “At St Margaret of Scotland Hospice, care is never just about the patient, it’s about everyone who loves them too. We’re here for partners learning how to care for someone at home, for families navigating loss, and for friends and neighbours who want to help but aren’t quite sure how. Everything we do is made possible by the kindness and compassion of our community.
Gifts in Wills play a quiet but powerful role in this care. They help provide comfort through the night, reassurance in difficult moments, and the time and space families need to be together. Without these gifts, hundreds of nights of care each year simply wouldn’t be possible. Their impact reaches far beyond the bedside, offering support to everyone surrounding the person receiving care.”
Maureen knows just how much this support means. When her husband, John, was cared for at St Margaret of Scotland Hospice in 2024, she experienced first-hand the compassion and kindness of the hospice team. Looking ahead, her message to future patients and families is one of hope and trust:
“My message to patients and families who will be cared for in the future at St Margaret of Scotland Hospice is to have faith. Faith in a system that shows the care and compassion every loved one deserves during illness or at the end of life. By leaving a legacy, you can help make sure that this care and compassion are there for other patients and families in the future.”
To find out how you can support St Margaret of Scotland Hospice, visit their website.
