This week Hospice at Home West Cumbria – along with charitable hospices across the UK – is encouraging the public to support their local hospice in whatever way they can – whether by donating, volunteering or showing they care on social media.

Led by national hospice and palliative care charity Hospice UK , the theme for this year’s Hospice Care Week, which takes place from 8-14 October, is  “Heart my Hospice.”

People can take a photograph (or record a video) and post it on social media using our  handle @HospiceatHomeWC along with @hospiceuk and the hashtags #HeartMyHospice #hhwc

Our hospice shop windows in Whitehaven, Workington and Cockermouth will be dressed with bunting in keeping with the heartfelt theme and the “Turn It Yellow” theme for the week. Our shops are staffed mainly by volunteers and help raise vital funds for hospice care in West Cumbria.

Hospice Care Week is now in it’s eighth year. Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive Hospice UK, said: “Hospices have a special place in people’s hearts, especially for those who have seen first hand the incredible care they provide to loved ones.

“Like other charities, hospices are operating in a difficult economic environment and many are also facing additional challenges, such as those related to staff recruitment. So, it has never been more important for people to support their local hospice.

“We hope that during Hospice Care Week the public will take up the opportunity to show their affection for hospices whole heartedly and demonstrate their support in practical ways whether donating, volunteering or spreading the word about hospice care on social media.”