Words from Steve, our Chief Executive
Tuesday 4th April 2023
Steve Curry, Joint Chief Executive at Harlington Hospice and the Michael Sobell Hospice Charity, shares his thoughts on the charities’ new merger and rebrand. And why he sees the merger as a launch pad into the future of hospice care for our local community.
“Since Harlington Hospice started to deliver the Inpatient Unit service at the Michael Sobell Hospice in 2020, it was clear how collaborative working between our clinical and fundraising teams could benefit people who need the dedicated care and support we offer. Sharing knowledge and expertise has enabled us to respond to what our community was telling us and develop new ways to be there for people living alongside serious and terminal illness. There are now many ways people can access support from us free of charge to gain expert palliative and end-of-life care, improve their wellbeing, receive trusted information and gain psychological and emotional support across the Borough of Hillingdon.
“After seeing how those who come to us were benefitting from our new range of services, a merger between Harlington Hospice and the Michael Sobell Hospice Charity to fully bring together our clinical and fundraising expertise just made sense. I see this merger, this moment, as a launch pad into the future of hospice care for the more than 300,000 people living in Hillingdon and surrounding areas. A future where each human being told they are living with a terminal illness has their unique life – their unique goals – at the forefront of the care they receive, from early in their illness until the end of their life. And where the impact of illness on their family and friends is considered from the start right through to support being offered after someone dies.
“We are marking this moment with a brave new brand that reflects the vibrancy of the community we serve and that supports our work, the values that are central to everything that we do, and our shared vision and purpose as one hospice. Whilst we look to the future, we are celebrating our history in our community by returning to our roots and reverting the Michael Sobell Hospice to its original name – Michael Sobell House. After careful consideration, we have decided that our primary brand name will be Harlington Hospice, to best ensure that those coming to us for the first time to understand that the care and support we offer expands beyond our Inpatient Unit. And it is our aim that this bold new brand will be as unique as each person who comes to us, standing out and inspiring more people in our community to consider giving a gift or donating some time to support our work.
“Death is an inevitability for all of us, and none of us know when we, or those close to us, might be in need of hospice services like ours. Every day when I come to work, I see the courage and compassion in the work of our teams right across the Borough. It is only with the thoughtful and generous gifts given by local people that this work is possible. To those who have supported Michael Sobell House and Harlington Hospice for years, and to those who have recently given a gift, my most sincere thanks. And to anyone reading this facing illness or bereavement, please reach out. We are here for you.”
– Steve Curry, Joint Chief Executive of Harlington Hospice and the Michael Sobell Hospice Charity
