Forest Holme Hospice Charity

What Forest Holme Hospice Charity does

Forest Holme Hospice Charity is a UK registered charity (No. 1038021), established on 26 April 1994 (originally as Friends of Forest Holme) and rebranded under its current name in 2023. It funds and supports Forest Holme Hospice, a specialist palliative and end-of-life care facility operating as part of University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, headquartered at 5 Seldown Road, Poole, Dorset (BH15 1TS). The charity's core mission is to raise voluntary income to supplement NHS funding for the hospice's clinical and family support services.

The organization's service portfolio is delivered across multiple care settings: an 11-bed inpatient ward for adults with advanced disease and complex needs; a community specialist palliative care team linking with GP surgeries across Poole, Wimborne, Cranborne, and Isle of Purbeck; a hospital palliative care team based at Poole Hospital (Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:30pm); outpatient consultant-led clinics; a Hospice at Home end-of-life service (recently expanded into Poole); and a 24-hour telephone advice line (0300 019 8115). Adjacent support services include the Dorset Cancer Centre Counselling and Psychology Service, complementary therapies (aromatherapy, reflexology, EFT, massage, reiki, acupuncture), a lymphoedema clinic, and a specialist Motor Neurone Disease Co-ordinator role. Bereavement support extends through the Bereavement Befriender volunteer programme, three Bereavement Café locations (Lighthouse, Colin's Nest, Marjorie House), Living With Loss educational events, and Coffee Mornings for cancer patients. Education and training is also delivered to healthcare professionals via Advance Care Planning and Allow a Natural Death workshops.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid of NHS funding (covering core specialist palliative care teams) and charitable fundraising. The charity publicly targets £1 million per year in voluntary income and cites £2,700 as the daily operating cost across all hospice services, supported by 1,500+ adults and families annually. Fundraising channels include regular and one-off donations, in-memory giving, corporate partnerships (e.g., Colten Care, MSP Capital, Farewill, Care South), legacy gifts (via Farewill free Will-writing partnership), challenge events, flagship gala Strictly Extravaganza, charity merchandise, and online tribute funds via MuchLoved. Digital content channels include the Life & Loss podcast, YouTube video series, social media, and a monthly e-newsletter. The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Interim Chair Richard Macmillan, with Lavina Clarke as Interim Vice Chair and Carla Hobby as Treasurer; the executive team is led by Chief Executive Hannah O'Hare and Head of Fundraising Sara Fripp.

Name

Forest Holme Hospice Charity

Legal name

Forest Holme Hospice Charity

Website

https://forestholmehospice.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Forest Holme Hospice Charity is a UK registered charity that funds specialist palliative and end-of-life care services for adults with life-limiting illness across Poole, Wimborne, and Isle of Purbeck, operating an 11-bed inpatient unit, community and hospital palliative care teams, and bereavement support programmes through University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospice and Palliative Care Services

NAICS

Home Health Care Services (62161), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Hospice / Hospice House (Facility-Based) (HLADAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

In-Home Hospice Nursing Visits (RN/LPN) (HSABAFAL), Bereavement & Grief Support Services (Hospice-Affiliated/Independent) (HLADAHAL), Bereavement & Grief Support Services (Family Aftercare) (HSABAFAI), Hospice Care in Assisted Living / Residential Care Facilities (HLADAHAE)

Keywords

• Palliative care services
• Hospice care
• Bereavement support
• End of life care
• Community nursing

Headquarters

HQ city

Poole

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. NHS Funding: Core NHS funding supports the specialist palliative and end of life care teams within Forest Holme Hospice, part of University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
2. Charitable Donations: The charity needs to raise £1 million each year through voluntary donations, fundraising events, corporate partnerships, and community fundraising
3. Donations and Fundraising: Regular donations, one-time gifts, in-memory giving, corporate fundraising, community fundraising events, challenge events, and legacies
4. Legacy Gifts: Free Will writing service partnership encourages supporters to leave gifts in their Wills to support the hospice after their lifetime

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Forest Holme Hospice Charity operates a specialist palliative care hospice providing an 11-bed inpatient unit, community specialist nursing, hospital palliative care team, outpatient clinics, complementary therapies, lymphoedema treatment, and Motor Neurone Disease coordination. The charity also delivers bereavement support through Befrienders, Bereavement Cafés, Living With Loss events, and counselling services, plus education and training for healthcare professionals. All services are provided free of charge to patients and families across Poole, Wimborne, and Isle of Purbeck.

Product overview

Forest Holme Hospice Charity supports a specialist palliative care hospice serving adults across Poole, Wimborne, and the Isle of Purbeck. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of clinical services including an 11-bed in-patient ward, community specialist palliative care, hospital palliative care teams, and outpatient clinics. Support services encompass counselling and psychology, complementary therapies (aromatherapy, reflexology, massage, reiki, acupuncture, EFT), lymphoedema treatment, and Motor Neurone Disease co-ordination. Bereavement support includes Bereavement Befrienders, Bereavement Café locations, Living With Loss events, and Coffee Mornings for cancer patients. The charity funds Hospice at Home expansion and provides education and training for healthcare professionals. Fundraising initiatives include the flagship Strictly Extravaganza event, challenge events (ultra challenges, skydives, marathons), and an online shop offering merchandise, glass flowers, and cards. Digital offerings include the Life & Loss podcast series, educational videos, and memorial tribute platforms through MuchLoved. The hospice also partners with Farewill for free will writing services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Forest Holme In-Patient Unit An eleven-bed specialist palliative care ward providing expert care for people with advanced disease causing complex problems, featuring single and shared rooms with en-suite facilities. For adults with life-limiting illness across Dorset.
• Community Specialist Palliative Care Home-based and community palliative care services delivered by specialist nurses linking with GP surgeries across Poole, Wimborne, Cranborne, and Isle of Purbeck areas, visiting patients at home, in clinic, and in community hospitals.
• Hospital Palliative Care Team Specialist palliative care nurses based at Forest Holme who visit in-patients at Poole Hospital, providing symptom control advice and emotional support.
• Outpatient Clinics Consultant-led clinics providing medical appointments in a relaxed setting for patients under palliative care services.
• Counselling and Psychology Service Counselling, psychological interventions and bereavement support offered to people with cancer or under palliative care and their families, via telephone, video, and in person.
• Complementary Therapies Therapies including aromatherapy, reflexology, EFT, massage, reiki, and acupuncture offered free of charge to cancer patients receiving treatment at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundations Trust.
• Lymphoedema Clinic Treatment services for cancer-related lymphoedema, a condition affecting the lymphatic system, providing advice and management to ease discomfort and improve quality of life.
• Motor Neurone Disease Support Specialist MND Co-ordinator service supporting people with MND and their families from diagnosis onwards, funded by Forest Holme Hospice Charity.
• Bereavement Befrienders Trained volunteer befrienders who provide compassionate listening and confidential support for up to ten sessions to those who have lost a loved one under Forest Holme's care.
• Bereavement Café A welcoming space for those navigating loss, open to everyone regardless of whether their loved one was under Forest Holme's care, with locations at Lighthouse, Colin's Nest, and Marjorie House.
• Living With Loss Free bereavement information events held approximately every 6 weeks, offering 45-minute presentations by qualified bereavement therapists on the grieving process and support options.
• Coffee Morning for Cancer Patients Social gatherings for cancer patients offering opportunities to meet others who understand their experience over coffee and cake.
• Hospice at Home End-of-life care services provided in patients' own homes, expanding into Poole to support patients with compassionate, personalised care.
• Education and Training Palliative care education and training courses offered to healthcare professionals, including Advance Care Planning and Allow a Natural Death workshops.
• Charity Shop Online shop offering charity merchandise, glass flowers, and personalised charity cards and eCards.
• Tribute Funds Memorial websites created in partnership with MuchLoved for sharing memories, dedications, and fundraising in memory of loved ones.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,500 adults and families supported annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Colten CareflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 August 2026Headline sponsor for Strictly Extravaganza 2027. Colten Care hosted the launch event and provides ongoing sponsorship for this flagship annual fundraising gala.
• Leonardo Carer SupportcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 July 2026Leonardo Carer Support is supporting Forest Holme's Bereavement Café network through the Leonardo Friends scheme, helping ensure free, compassionate grief support remains available for local people. Leonardo Carer Support works to ensure unpaid carers across Dorset can access meaningful advice and support.
• Care South (Marjorie House)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 July 2026Forest Holme partnered with Marjorie House, part of Care South, to open a third Bereavement Café at its beautiful Sandbanks location, extending access to the much-valued service across the community.
• MSP CapitalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for the annual Tie A Yellow Ribbon event, a free community event inviting individuals and families to write dedications on yellow ribbons in memory of loved ones.
• FarewillcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UK's number 1 online Will-writing service to offer free Will writing service to supporters. Supports legacy giving programme and encourages gifts in Wills.
• Knighton Heath Golf ClubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue for annual Paul Payne Forest Holme Charity Golf Day which has raised over £57,776.65 over six years.
• Purbeck Ice CreamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-standing supporter of the hospice with eight years of continuous support, visited headquarters to thank the team.
• Haskins Garden Centre FerndownminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity partnership in 2023 with outstanding support throughout the year.
• The Lord Nelson (Poole pub)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerReached £50,000 fundraising milestone for Forest Holme Hospice Charity.
• Dorset FreemasonryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDelivered TLC teddy bears for the ward to support patients and families.
• 4ComminorGTM or Marketing PartnerColleagues of late employee Ben Standish raised £7,768.88 through a 24-Hour Moveathon in memory.
• Going for BustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated £7,500 to fund complementary therapies for Breast Cancer patients at Forest Holme Hospice.
• Danny's MND Mission / Danny's MND FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual charity Golf Day organized by Danny Fudge-Harman, living with MND, raising funds for MND causes including donations to Forest Holme (£3,000 in 2025, £4,100 in 2024).
• Lighthouse (Poole's Centre for the Arts)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue for Strictly Extravaganza gala events, hosting the annual flagship fundraising dinner and dance.
• AFC BournemouthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJeff Mostyn, former AFC Bournemouth Chairman, visited for a tour. Venue for Allow a Natural Death Workshop at Vitality Stadium.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves1 record

Direct peers

• Cruse Bereavement Support: UK's leading bereavement charity offering counselling, support groups and befriending. Direct peer for the bereavement, Befrienders and Bereavement Café segments of Forest Holme's service mix.
• Dorothy House Hospice Care: Independent hospice charity serving Bath, Somerset and west Wiltshire with inpatient, community and hospice-at-home palliative care. Direct peer because of similar NHS-aligned service portfolio, comparable ~£1m+ annual fundraising base and overlapping South-West catchment.
• ellenor hospice: Kent-based hospice providing inpatient, community and hospice-at-home palliative care plus bereavement support for adults and children. Direct peer for its comparable scale, NHS-aligned model and comprehensive bereavement offering.
• Pilgrims Hospices: East Kent hospice charity running inpatient units, community care and bereavement services. Direct peer because of comparable multi-channel palliative model, NHS partnership structure and donation-led funding mix.
• Weldmar Hospicecare: Dorset-based independent hospice charity providing inpatient, community and hospice-at-home palliative care across the county. Direct peer because it serves an overlapping Dorset catchment with a comparable NHS-aligned hospice model and fundraising-driven £1m+ income profile.

Others

• Hospice UK: National umbrella body representing UK hospices and advocating for palliative care funding. Relevant as an industry/ecosystem enabler rather than a direct service competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Marie Curie: Major UK charity running hospices and a nationwide hospice-at-home nursing service for terminal illness. Broad incumbent because it competes for the same donor mindshare and provides overlapping end-of-life and bereavement services at national scale.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: UK's largest cancer and palliative care charity providing nursing, financial and emotional support. Broad incumbent because it overlaps with Forest Holme's patient and bereavement segments but operates at national scale rather than as a local hospice.
• Sue Ryder: National charity operating hospices and palliative care services across the UK, including bereavement support. Broad incumbent because it serves the same hospice and bereavement patient categories with a similar volunteer-led fundraising model but at multi-site scale.

Regional players

• St Michael's Hospice (Hampshire): Hampshire-based hospice offering inpatient, community and bereavement services in a neighbouring South Coast county. Regional peer because it operates a comparable model in a non-overlapping but adjacent geography to Forest Holme's Dorset catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@forestholmehospicecharity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forest-holme-hospice-charity

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 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 Forest Holme Hospice Charity