Wigan and Leigh Hospice has been providing specialist palliative care for adult patients with a life-limiting illness for over 30 years.

It is a registered charity and currently cares for over 1,200 patients in Wigan Borough every year.

Most of patients are cared for in their own homes although the Hospice also cares for people living in nursing or care homes and at the Hospice building in Hindley which can accept up to 14 patients at any time.

Wigan and Leigh Hospice cares for people with any life-limiting illness including heart failure, cancer, motor neurone disease and respiratory illnesses.

It costs over £4million annually to run the Hospice. Approximately 30% of the income comes from Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group. The rest – around £8,700 per day – has to be raised through Hospice shops; donations from the community; the weekly Hospice lottery; legacies and fundraising events.

Approximately £3,175,000 has to be raised by the Hospice every year – that is the equivalent of £10 each for every man, woman and child in Wigan Borough.

The Hospice is fortunate to be supported by over 800 volunteers who are invaluable in helping to provide the range of services. Around half of the volunteers run the network of 13 shops across the Borough while the rest support the Hospice with fundraising activities or by volunteering their time and skills in the Hospice building.

Care also extends to help and support for patients’ loved ones, with bereavement and counselling services offered. The Hospice is further extended throughout the community via our Hospice In Your Care Home team and our education department who provide training to a range of health and social care professionals so that people not reached by the Hospice can indirectly benefit from our expertise.