Hospice UK Wins Communications Team of the Year at Third Sector Awards

Hospice UK’s External Affairs Team has been instrumental in raising awareness of hospice care, as well as the sector’s challenges, across the UK.

Working across media, communications, marketing and member engagement, the team secured unprecedented media coverage for hospice care, landing stories on tabloid front pages, Sunday Times exclusives, multiple appearances on national TV, bringing hospice care into the spotlight.

Key highlights of the team's work include:

• Doubling Google search impressions, increasing digital visibility, and producing Hospice UK’s most viewed piece of online content ever. 
• Working with public affairs colleagues to get hospice care onto the desks of government ministers, ensuring it is regularly cited in the House of Commons.
• A bold rebranding that positions Hospice UK as a braver voice for end-of-life care.

Hospice UK’s success comes at a time when the hospice sector faces significant challenges. Despite being a vital £1.6 billion sector, hospices often struggle to receive the same level of recognition or funding as other causes.

Sarah West, Director of External Affairs at Hospice UK commented, “This award is a reflection of the vital work our communications team does in supporting the hospice sector. Their creativity, determination, and focus on highlighting the importance of end-of-life care is making a real difference in how hospices are seen and supported across the UK. I am incredibly proud of their achievements.”

In addition to Hospice UK’s win, there were many winners and nominees across the hospice sector:

• East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices won Fundraising Team of the Year
• Debs Smith, Housekeeping Manager at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice won the Unsung Hero Award
• North Devon Hospice were nominated for Best Use of Social Media and were highly commended for Communications Team of the Year
• Shooting Star Children's Hospices’ Bereavement Service Expansion was highly commended for Breakthrough of the Year and their Family Support Team was nominated for Frontline Team of the Year
• Rowcroft Hospice’s Palliative and End-of-life Care Team was nominated for Frontline Team of the Year
• Keech Hospice Care and University of Bedfordshire were nominated for Charity Partnership of the Year 

Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, added: "I want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the hospices recognised at the Third Sector Awards. These wins and nominations are a testament to the extraordinary dedication and tireless work being done across the hospice sector. It's inspiring to see the innovation that continues to drive the sector forward, even during a time of significant challenges."

Debs Smith, from Noah's Ark Children's Hospice, said of her win: ‘I feel very blessed to have been nominated for this prestigious award in the first place but to go on a win is amazing! Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice is such a great place to work and it’s such an honour to be part of this amazing charity and to help support our children and families.’