Established in 1976, thanks to people in the Oxfordshire community raising vital funds, alongside the NHS, Sir Michael Sobell and the National Society for Cancer Relief (NSCR), enabled a much-needed palliative care service to be founded in the county. Located at the Churchill Hospital, Sobell House Hospice provides compassionate care to approximately 500 patients across Oxfordshire at any one time.
Throughout the hospice, the services they provide aim to improve not just the physical well-being, but also the emotional and spiritual well-being of their patients and their loved ones. By providing an environment which feels like a home, not a hospitable, with serene outdoor gardens, home-cooked, tasty food, and the warmth and kindness of the staff, the patients’ lives are enriched as far as humanly possible during their final weeks. Care is provided in the charity’s inpatient ward, in local hospitals and in the community, with all services offered free of charge.
In order for the charity to fund the wonderful work they do in the community, the care they provide at Sobell House, fund their transport service, bereavement support, social work and chaplaincy service, Sobell House Hospice Charity relies on fund-raising, donations, volunteering, and support from local communities around Oxfordshire.
There are simple ways you can support Sobell House Hospice Charity. They have a number of shops throughout the county with a superstore in Bicester and a warehouse in Witney, both selling and accepting furniture items. Shops selling a wide range of items can also be found in Carterton, Didcot, Kidlington, Little Clarendon Street in Oxford, Marston, Thame and Wantage. You will find a range of Christmas Cards and 2023 diaries in the shops and also online at sobellhouse.org/shop/online-shop.
There is a Free Wills Service enabling people to make a Will online or over the phone. Whilst there is no obligation or pressure to include Sobell House Hospice in the Will, with half a million pounds of running costs every year coming from legacies, Gifts in Wills are an essential way for the charity to fund its services both now and in the future. For further information visit sobellhouse.org/get-involved/leave-a-gift-in-your-will.
If you love cooking why not treat yourself to a copy of the new Sobell House ‘Food & Wellness Vegetarian Cookbook’ published in early November? The second cookbook published by the charity, brings together a collection of over 30 vegetarian and vegan recipes with contributions from local restaurants, pubs, and food producers. They have also included recipes from well-known chefs and celebrities along with members of staff from Sobell House. The book can be ordered online or bought at one of Sobell House’s charity shops. It costs £17.50 plus postage and packing if bought online at sobellhouse.org/shop/online-shop/food-and-wellness-cookbook.
The charity runs a number of fund-raising events throughout the year so to support one of these events during 2023, simply visit sobellhouse.org/get-involved/find-an-event.
Some of the fund-raising initiatives that have taken place during 2022 included a 1000-mile LEJOG cycle challenge completed by Chris Archer in memory of his father Barry, who spent his final days being cared for by the staff and team at Sobell House. “Dad and I planned to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats to celebrate his 50th birthday, but he was diagnosed with bowel cancer and lost his battle a month before his birthday. So, 9 years on, I set out to finish what we started.” Together with a £500 donation from the Oxford Cycle Club, Chris raised over £2,700 and his employer has promised to match his final tally too.
Community carer Sarah Pearce knows the good work the hospice does as some of her patients have used the service at Sobell House. She bravely had her hair shaved and raised an impressive £2,200.
Five runners took part in the London marathon, raising over £10,000 which will fund 500 hours of compassionate nursing care. Each October a team supporting Sobell House enters the Oxford Half Marathon so why not take part in the 2023 event?
Alternatively, if you would like to organise your own fundraising event for Sobell House Hospice Charity, the charity team are happy to offer advice and support. They can be contacted at sobellhouse.org/contact-the-charity-team.
