Strathcarron Hospice faces raising at least £150,000 extra this year - just to cover extra pressures caused by the cost of living crisis.
Like other hospices across the UK, the Denny-based hospice is facing additional costs this year - on top of the more than £100,000 per week it already has to raise - due to rising inflation and the impact the cost of living is having on fundraising.
On top of that, matching NHS rates of pay to recruit and retain staff could push up its wage bill.
The charity budgeted for a two per cent salary increase - but this could rise to five per cent or more, with the effects potentially “devastating” for the hospice.
Strathcarron needs to raise around £102,000 a week to provide all their services, which are free to those who use them across the communities of Forth Valley, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.
As well as inpatient and Hospice@Home care, their highly-skilled multidisciplinary teams include nursing teams, patient and family support (social work), physiotherapists, pharmacist, chaplains, occupational therapists, complementary therapists, consultants in palliative medicine and specialty doctors.
Like many other hospices more than 66 per cent of its income comes from our community.
As a charity, Strathcarron is funded by the local communities it serves. They walk, run, cycle, jump, bake and go to many other amazing efforts to fundraise for their local hospice.
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Irene McKie, CEO of Strathcarron Hospice, said: “At the moment our hospice outgoing costs are manageable, as we are not quite at the end of term on our fixed contracts for utilities.
“However we will do well to contain our losses this year.
“We are awaiting to see what the NHS pay settlement in Scotland will be, as that will significantly impact our funding as the NHS will only fund a small percentage of this shortfall.
“There is a real risk that we will finish the year on a deficit.
“With the cost of living crisis, understandably money is tight for everyone. Our donations are down as people are not able to give regularly and give less, which is negatively impacting our fundraising.
“On the upside, our charity shops are doing well, as people are more careful on what they’re spending. Shoppers can purchase pre-loved quality clothing at our shops for less than they would new.
“We are incredibly grateful to our generous supporters. Without their donations, we just could not carry on.”
Maureen Bonner-McCaskill, who lives with an incurable lung disease and is on oxygen 24 hours a day, is one of those supported by the hospice.
She explained just why the charity is so important to her.
“I went into Strathcarron Hospice for ten days for symptom management earlier this year.
“After just one night, I woke up pain-free. They also offered therapies and their Live Your Life team ask what was important to me in life. It’s a lovely approach and I really built up confidence about dealing with my condition at home.
“I do zoom watercolour classes with arts and crafts therapist Laura and we’re going to make it a group class soon. I feel so included now. I feel like I now have my life back.”
For further information on how to donate, take part in a fundraiser or offer other help and support to the hospice visit www.strathcarronhospice.net or call 01324 826222.
