‘No worthier winner’: St Joseph’s Hospice wins Mayor’s Civic Award

Celebration: staff and trustees accept award from Hackney Mayor Jules Pipe

The “invaluable” work of St Joseph’s Hospice was recognised last month as it become one of the first ever winners of the Mayor’s Civic Award.

The ‘I Love Hackney Mayor’s Civic Award’ was launched this year by Hackney Council to recognise the ‘unsung heroes’ of the borough.

What made the 101 year-old palliative care centre stand out was its ability to change with the times, while remaining rooted in the local community.

It is one of the oldest and largest hospices in London, founded in 1905 by the Religious Sisters of Charity. The staff cares for people with serious and terminal illnesses and their families or carers.

Ruth Bradley, acting Chief Executive at St Joseph’s Hospice, said: “It’s such an honour to receive this award, and to be the first makes it extra special.

“Of course we couldn’t do what we do without the hard work of our amazing staff and volunteers, who all go the extra mile to ensure that everyone who comes to the hospice gets the help and support they need.

“We are all very proud.”

The team supports patients in a number of ways, including end of life and respite care, rehabilitation and complementary therapies.

They also help with the emotional, psychological and financial impact of living with a life-limiting condition.

St Joseph’s Hospice cares for 2,000 people a year from Hackney, City and London, Tower Hamlets and Newham. It has a 34 bed inpatient unit and an 8 bed respite ward, a day hospice and outpatient clinic.

Hackney Mayor Jules Pipe said: “It is my pleasure to present the very first Mayor’s Civic Award to St Joseph’s Hospice, in recognition of the valuable work that the hospice has delivered within the community for over 100 years.

“The hospice provides invaluable support to many of the borough’s most vulnerable residents in their time of greatest need, and I can think of no worthier winner.”

Mayor Jules Pipe presented the Mayor’s Civic Awards to six winners: five individual community champions and one organisation, St Joseph’s Hospice.

The community champions were drug and alcohol worker Thomas Bailie, volunteer befriender Marilyn Douglas-Hamilton, community champion Caroline Gregory, birth companion for the Jewish community Rachel Klien and recently retired teacher of 40 years Brenda Sullivan.