30/05/2022
Good morning to all our valued supporters.
I have been the Office Administrator for this charity for the last 8 years, I set up this Facebook group, designed the artwork, took photographs, organised fundraising events, and in recent years became the face of the charity - attending events, meeting our supporters and receiving donations from so many generous local people - hence my posting here today.
It is with sadness that I must confirm our Trustees have decided to close the charity down, and with this our lovely book shop must close.
Louth & District Hospice Limited was set up in 2002, with the sole aim of creating a hospice facility for local people. This dream became a reality when Louth Hospice opened on Grimsby Road in 2013 - along with our then partners St. Barnabas Hospice - as a day care centre, delivering services and care to many local people with palliative care needs.
St. Barnabas Hospice Lincolnshire ran all these services, so later we gifted the building and land to them, so they could continue their wonderful work.
Louth & District Hospice Limited went on to fund other services for local people with life limiting conditions, but within their own homes or communities. We became incredibly proud of the Home Support Service, delivered by Age UK, and the innovative and award winning “Still Me” programme that we developed in partnership with Magna Vitae.
Sadly the Covid pandemic closed down or seriously affected these services, and we were left unable to fund anything comparable going forward. The decision was therefore made to close Louth & District Hospice Limited, as any remaining funds would better serve the other local palliative care charities still serving Louth.
Over the years we established multiple charity shops, in various nearby towns, but our nearest Aswell Street book shop has been the best and longest trading of them all. We have benefitted from a great number of amazing volunteers, not least the current team who have brought a new lease of life to the premises.
The work that has been put in has been incredible, and the shop began to thrive once lockdown ended! I can only congratulate every single person who gave just a few hours of their time to make this possible!
And to voluntary manager David Ford - your knowledge, experience, effort and enthusiasm have been second to none - the shop would not be what it is had you not given your time and dedication to the task 👏🏼
I am aware that an effort was made to hand the Aswell Street premises over to another charity, to keep it the lovely book shop you all came to know and love, but sadly it seems that did not happen and the landlord of the property found another tenant. It just happened far quicker than anyone could foresee - nothing untoward, the landlord has been one of our charity’s biggest supporters!
Of course, it would have been so nice to keep everything the same, and to keep all the volunteers working, but this was beyond anyone’s control, and for that I can only apologise on behalf of the Trustees.
It is evident people will be upset, but I must ask that we all remember Louth Hospice still exists, in the very capable hands of St. Barnabas, and will hopefully go on to do more great things for local people in need.
None of us knew our book shop, nor indeed the office I have worked from, would have to close by the end of tomorrow, but if anyone would like to pop in to Aswell Street and show support to today’s volunteers, and perhaps grab a bargain book or two, I can assure you all remaining funds will go to Louth Hospice.
Hopefully everyone will understand that I will be closing this Facebook group down once the shop ceases trading, but I would just like to thank, on behalf of our Trustees, every one of you for your support, your kindness and generosity.
Without our fabulous volunteers and such wonderful local supporters, Louth & District Hospice Limited would never have achieved so much!
Thank you, stay safe, and please continue to support St. Barnabas.
NB - Whilst our admin office is closing, our charity registered office address still remains at 9 Cornmarket, Louth, and anyone with any queries may still email [email protected]
Please be aware however that replies may not come back as quickly as when I was answering them!
Thank you again, you have all been so amazing, and it has been a pleasure bringing this page to life for the volunteers to share news with you all 🥰
