What St Cuthbert’s Hospice does

St Cuthbert's Hospice is a registered UK charity (Charity No: 519767) founded in 1988 and headquartered in Durham, England. It provides free specialist palliative and end-of-life care to people with life-limiting illnesses across County Durham, delivered through an In-Patient Unit, the Living Well Centre (day services), Community Outreach, the Jigsaw Project (children's bereavement support), and a Family Support Team including chaplaincy services. The hospice also operates complementary therapy services (reiki, creative writing, art) and dementia care groups, and reports caring for over 1,000 patients and families per year. Clinical services are delivered free of charge to patients and families, with no technology platform of note beyond standard non-profit tooling.

The business model is community-led fundraising, not commercial revenue. The hospice needs to raise approximately £3.8-4 million annually, of which only 25-35% comes from statutory (NHS/government) commissioning; the remaining 65% must be generated from the local community. Income streams include one-off and regular donations, the Win Win Lottery (subscription at £1/week or £5/month), 8 charity shops plus a Furniture and Homeware Store and eBay shop across County Durham, gifts in wills/legacies, named-giving programmes (In Memory Tree, Sunflower Memories, Pay For a Day), trusts and foundation grants, corporate partnerships through the 88 Club, and a calendar of challenge events (Durham City Run, Great North Run places, Hadrian's Wall Hike, Clarty Bairns, Swaledale Waterfall Challenge, Rotary River Cruise). Distribution is multi-channel: physical retail, on-site coffee shop and five-acre gardens, WooCommerce online shop, eBay, and event participation.

Operationally, the hospice is under financial pressure. In January 2025 it reported a £1.3 million deficit and made 18 staff redundant, closing the adult bereavement service and halving the Living Well Centre. In May 2026 it closed the Houghton-le-Spring charity shop after 14 years due to low footfall. It maintains CQC and ICO registrations, Cyber Essentials certification, and partnerships including Great North Care Record, Hospice UK, Project Giving Back, Pets as Therapy UK, and County Durham Community Foundation.

Name

St Cuthbert’s Hospice

Legal name

St Cuthbert's Hospice

Website

https://stcuthbertshospice.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

St Cuthbert's Hospice is a Durham, UK-based registered charity founded in 1988 providing free specialist palliative and end-of-life care to people with life-limiting illnesses across County Durham, funded primarily (65%) through community donations, lottery, charity shops, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospice and Palliative Care Services

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Palliative Care, Hospice & Serious Illness Support (BPAGACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bereavement & Grief Support Services (Family Aftercare) (HSABAFAI), Non-Hospice Serious-Illness / Community-Based Palliative Care (In-Home) (HSABAFAF), In-Home Hospice Physician / Nurse Practitioner Visits (HSABAFAM), Bereavement, Grief & Family Support Services (Hospice-Linked) (HLAFAEAO)

Keywords

• Palliative care services
• Hospice care
• Bereavement support
• Community fundraising
• End-of-life care

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Public donations including one-off and regular contributions, community fundraising activities, and direct appeals. Donations fund specialist nursing care and hospice services.
2. Win Win Lottery: Weekly lottery with prizes, subscription-based with regular weekly or monthly stakes, generates sustainable recurring income for hospice care.
3. Charity Shops: 8 charity shops across County Durham plus Furniture and Homeware Store and eBay shop selling pre-loved items including clothing, homeware, books, crafts, and toys.
4. In Memory and Bereavement Support: In Memory Tree leaf dedications, Sunflower Memories, funeral collections, and bereavement support donations provide emotional giving opportunities.
5. Gifts in Wills (Legacies): Bequests and legacy gifts left in supporters' wills to help secure future delivery of hospice services.
6. Statutory Funding: Government/NHS funding currently covering approximately 35% of running costs, significantly below the 65% needed from community sources.
7. Trusts and Foundations Grants: Funding from charitable trusts and foundations including County Durham Community Foundation for specific projects like the In Memory Tree.
8. Events and Challenge Participation: Registration fees and sponsorship from events like Great North Run, Durham City Run, Hadrian's Wall hike, and Clarty Bairns.
9. Lottery: Win Win Lottery with weekly draws, prizes, and syndicate options. Managed through Lottery Manager database with direct debit payments via Donor Debit.
10. Corporate Partnerships: 88 Club for corporate supporters, sponsorship of events (Radisson Blu sponsors running vests), and business fundraising partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

St Cuthbert's Hospice provides free specialist palliative and end-of-life care through an In-Patient Unit, Living Well Centre day services, Children's Bereavement Support (Jigsaw Project), and a Family Support Team for adults and children in County Durham. Services are delivered on-site at its five-acre Durham estate and in the community, supported by a multidisciplinary nursing and medical team with chaplaincy, complementary therapies, and dementia support.

Product overview

St Cuthbert's Hospice operates as a charitable hospice care provider offering a portfolio of interconnected services centred on palliative and end-of-life care. The core clinical services include In-Patient Care for overnight stays, the Living Well Centre providing day therapy services, Children's Bereavement Support through the Jigsaw Project, and Family Support including chaplaincy. These clinical services are complemented by an extensive fundraising ecosystem comprising the Win Win Lottery, charity shops across County Durham (including eBay and a Furniture Store), the Coffee Shop & Gardens with its Veg Shop and memorial gardens, and named giving programmes such as Pay For a Day, Sunflower Memories, and In Memory Tree leaves. The organisation also runs a diverse events programme including the Durham City Run, Great North Run places, Hadrian's Wall Hike, Clarty Bairns obstacle race, Swaledale Waterfall Challenge, Rotary River Cruise, and National Garden Scheme Open Gardens. An e-commerce Online Shop sells Christmas cards, pin badges, and event tickets. Legacy giving through Wills provides long-term sustainability, with Legacy Leaves recognising supporters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Win Win Lottery: A weekly lottery operated by St Cuthbert's Hospice for fundraising purposes
• The Veg Shop
• Living Well Centre

Products and services

• In-Patient Care Specialist palliative care delivered at the hospice's In-Patient Unit for people with life-limiting illnesses, providing overnight accommodation and round-the-clock specialist nursing and medical care.
• Living Well Centre Day services centre offering therapeutic activities and support for people with life-limiting illnesses, including strength and balance, creative writing, pamper sessions, blood transfusions, reiki, and dementia-friendly groups.
• Children's Bereavement Support (Jigsaw Project) Specialist bereavement support for children who have experienced loss, delivered through Jigsaw Project Days with activities and games, plus bereavement resources for adults and children.
• Family Support Team Emotional and practical support for families and carers of hospice patients, including chaplaincy services and dedicated family liaison.
• Win Win Lottery Weekly subscription lottery operated by St Cuthbert's Hospice, allowing supporters to win prizes via individual play or syndicates, with stakes paid by direct debit or recurring payment.
• Charity Shops Network of eight charity shops plus a Furniture and Homeware Store across County Durham, plus an eBay online shop, selling pre-loved clothing, homeware, books, crafts, and toys to raise funds for hospice care.
• Coffee Shop and Gardens On-site coffee shop open Monday to Friday plus five-acre gardens open to visitors, including the Veg Shop fresh produce outlet, dementia-friendly sensory garden, In Memory Garden, Victorian greenhouse plant sales, and the Chelsea Flower Show 2025 'Garden of Compassion'.
• In Memory Tree Memorial tree in the In Memory Garden where engraved leaves bearing names or messages can be purchased as tributes to loved ones, with leaves available for 1 line (£60), 2 lines (£120), or 3 lines (£240).
• Sunflower Memories Donation programme allowing supporters to remember loved ones through dedicated sunflower-themed giving.
• Funeral Collections Service allowing families to collect donations in memory of loved ones at funerals or celebrations of life, with the hospice supplying collection envelopes and boxes.
• Pay For a Day of Hospice Care Named day sponsorship programme allowing donors to fund a full day of hospice services in memory or honour of someone.
• Gift In Your Will (Legacies) Planned giving programme allowing supporters to leave gifts in their Wills, including Legacy Leaves on the In Memory Tree, to secure future hospice care delivery.
• Durham City Run Annual running event offering 5K and 10K routes around Durham's World Heritage Site, with free places available to runners who commit to raise a minimum £100 in sponsorship.
• Great North Run Place Guaranteed place in the Great North Run half marathon with a £40 non-refundable registration and a £350 minimum fundraising commitment in support of the hospice.
• Hadrian's Wall Hike 20-kilometre hiking challenge along Hadrian's Wall organised in partnership with Challenge Northumberland, with a £30 registration fee and £150 minimum sponsorship commitment.
• Clarty Bairns Family-friendly muddy obstacle course held at Hedley West Farm in County Durham with a £20 per person registration and recommended £50 sponsorship target.
• Swaledale Waterfall Challenge Waterfall hiking challenge organised in partnership with Sky Blue Adventures, with a £40 registration fee per participant.
• Rotary Durham River Cruise Annual fundraising event featuring an afternoon cruise down the River Wear with music and a buffet, priced at £35 per person.
• National Garden Scheme Open Gardens Annual event opening the hospice's five-acre grounds to the public, featuring landscaped gardens, the Victorian greenhouse, plant sales, and the 'Garden of Compassion'.
• Online Shop WooCommerce-powered e-commerce shop selling Christmas cards, calendars, diaries, pin badges, and event tickets to raise funds for hospice care.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 people cared for annually in hospice and community settings
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• National Garden SchememinorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Annual participation in National Garden Scheme Open Gardens event, opening the hospice's five-acre grounds to visitors for fundraising purposes.
• Hospice UKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Gifted the 'Garden of Compassion' to the hospice after display at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. Fully funded by Project Giving Back.
• Rotary DurhamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRotary Durham supporting hospice with a series of fundraising events including river cruises from July 2025-26.
• Challenge NorthumberlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizer of Hadrian's Wall 20km hike challenge for hospice. Led hikes with expert guides through UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Sky Blue AdventuresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizer of Swaledale Waterfall Challenge 2027, a challenge event benefiting the hospice.
• Radisson Blu Hotel DurhamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors running vests for TeamStCuthberts participants in Durham City Run and other running events.
• Pets as Therapy UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTherapy dog visiting program bringing comfort to patients. Loki and owner Angela are among four therapy dogs visiting the hospice.
• Great North Care RecordcoreTechnology or IntegrationRegional health information sharing partnership enabling coordinated palliative care across NHS and partner organizations in the North of England.
• C&D Metal WorkersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal company that designed and made the In Memory Tree sculpture in the hospice gardens.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Marie Curie: UK-wide charity providing hospice and end-of-life care across multiple sites and home services. Comparable operating model, though significantly larger scale with national brand and major charity retail network.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: UK-wide charity supporting people with cancer including palliative care services. Comparable in fundraising model and patient base overlap, though operates at national scale across broader cancer care pathways.
• Sue Ryder: National UK hospice and palliative care charity operating multiple inpatient facilities, home services, and a large charity shop network. Comparable model at materially larger scale.

Others

• Hospice UK: National umbrella body for UK hospices providing advocacy, training, and grant support. Not a direct peer but a key strategic partner and sectoral representative body for St Cuthbert's.

Direct peers

• Alice House Hospice: Hospice in Hartlepool, North East England, providing palliative and end-of-life care with similar community fundraising model and charity shop network. Closest geographic peer within County Durham region.
• St Catherine's Hospice: Lancashire-based hospice offering inpatient care, day therapy, and bereavement support with community-funded operating model. Comparable UK regional hospice with similar service mix and fundraising approach.
• Willow Burn Hospice: County Durham hospice providing palliative care services directly in the same catchment area. Competitor for community fundraising, NHS commissioning, and donor/supporter loyalty in the region.
• Royal Trinity Hospice: London-based hospice providing inpatient and community palliative care with substantial charity retail and lottery fundraising operations. Comparable UK hospice operating model at similar annual fundraising scale.
• St Teresa's Hospice: Darlington-based hospice serving South Durham with palliative care, day services, and bereavement support. Direct regional competitor with similar funding model and service offering.
• St Oswald's Hospice: North East England hospice providing specialist palliative care, inpatient services, day services, and bereavement support. Directly comparable as a regional UK hospice with similar community-funded model and service mix.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/stcuthshospice
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCiXq2r4MywfiEjb2tcWueQg
• Facebookfacebook.com/stcuthbertshospice
• LinkedInuk.linkedin.com/company/st-cuthbert's-hospice
• Instagraminstagram.com/stcuthbertshospice

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St Cuthbert’s Hospice