Talbot Village Trust, a local grant-giving charity in south-east Dorset, has awarded donations of more than £400,000 to Lewis-Manning Hospice Care since its partnership began 30 years ago.

The Trust’s vital grants have aided a series of key projects which have seen Lewis-Manning Hospice Care increase its visibility in the Purbecks by opening a charity shop in Swanage, launch a pilot mobile clinic scheme in 2021 to bring hospice services closer to patients’ homes, and also relocate to a more centralised area in Poole to extend and develop the hospice’s crucial services.

The funding has had a significant impact on the hospice and the services it provides to help those with life-limiting illnesses, and their loved ones. The Swanage charity shop has proved popular with customers, and since opening in July 2022 has achieved £73,000 in sales – which is an incredible amount that could fund the running of the Hospice at Home service for four months in the local area. Additionally, a Lymphoedema service in Boscombe and four community hubs, to bring hospice day care closer to homes, are now in operation in Wareham, Swanage, Corfe Mullen and Wimborne following the success of the Trust-funded mobile clinic scheme piloted in 2021.

Furthermore, because of the charity’s incredible supporters, Lewis-Manning has been able to grow its clinical team from 11 to 27 and subsequently expand its free of charge services to include bereavement and family support, complementary therapy, a virtual day hospice and a Hospice at Home provision.

Clare Gallie, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care Chief Executive, said: “Thanks to the Talbot Village Trust and all of our incredible supporters, more people and their loved ones across east Dorset and Purbeck at end of life, are able to receive important care and support from Lewis-Manning Hospice Care.

“In 20/21 our patient contacts exceeded 8,000, more than double those of previous years, and the Trust’s support has helped us towards meeting the ever-increasing demand.”

Nick Shaftesbury, chairman of Talbot Village Trust, added: “We are so proud to have had the opportunity to support Lewis-Manning Hospice Care over many years with various projects. Our purpose is to support organisations in the community that are making changes for the better, and Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is without doubt certainly achieving this. The team at the charity do such an incredible job to provide local people with both the important physical and emotional support they need.”

As one of the area’s leading benefactors, Talbot Village Trust supports up to 60 causes each year, with an average grant size of £16,000, awarding grants twice a year to projects promoted by a charity, church, school, college, or university.

Applicants wishing to apply for funding can visit www.talbotvillagetrust.org to find out more information about the charity and how it awards funds.