What does The Kirkwood do and what is their mission?
The Kirkwood exists to support adults and families in Kirklees who are living with a life-limiting illness. Our mission is to support local people with the care they need at every stage of their journey and challenge people’s preconceptions of what a hospice is, as our work is about living well for as long as possible.
Unlike many people assume, The Kirkwood isn’t just for end-of-life care, nor is it a service only for older people. Most patients are of working age, and all care is provided completely free of charge to the patient and their families.
The Kirkwood’s specialist nurses work across the community visiting people in their own homes, in care homes, and in the In-Patient Unit to support both patients and their families at every stage of their journey. Their approach focuses on quality of life, dignity, and ensuring that the end of life is valued just as deeply as the beginning.
How does The Kirkwood support local businesses here in Huddersfield?
We take a collaborative approach because we believe that when local businesses thrive, we’re able to thrive too. We only get 25% government funding and the remaining amount to operate the hospice is generated from the goodwill of the community, from donations and volunteering to visiting our shops or leaving gifts in wills.
We have always relied on the support of local businesses who believe in the difference The Kirkwood make for local people affected by life limiting illnesses. Over 100 local businesses, including many based in Huddersfield, are now part of our Kirkwood Business Movement which brings people together to connect, collaborate, and support each other.
A great example of collaboration in our business movement was working with Huddersfield University students to provide basic health checks as part of their training at the last networking event.
We also invest locally by commissioning services from local businesses, including work on our buildings and our In-Patient Unit, as well as toolkits to help local businesses support employees affected by life-limiting illness. Through initiatives like our Support Life Champion Programme, we help people feel confident in signposting colleagues and families to the right support.
Your role involves collaborating with other local businesses. How does The Kirkwood maintain strong connections in Huddersfield?
Community relationships are at the heart of what we do and have really thrived since the pandemic. Our weekly lottery is one of the ways supporters can contribute regularly, with the majority of proceeds going directly to patient care. We also get involved in local community events such as quiz nights and annual balls by ensuring a representative from the charity is present to support, whether it’s a talk or presentation, to support and guide them in their fundraising.
Earlier this year, when we faced the prospect of a £1.7 million loss that meant bed closures and redundancies, the community really rallied for us. Their response was incredible and demonstrated just how much our services mean to local people. Since the pandemic, we’ve continued to grow because of that strong local support.
Are you running any campaigns currently that people can get involved with?
Yes, there’s always ways people can support The Kirkwood. Christmas is an emotional time for many of the families we support and often it’s their last Christmas together. We work hard to make it memorable, from gifts for every patient to Santa visits. People can donate directly to the appeal or make a donation in lieu of buying a gift.
Our Christmas tree recycling service is also back. People can book their tree in for collection and recycling in exchange for a donation of any amount. Last year we collected around 2,000 trees and raised £30,000. This year our long standing supporters at Fleet Management Group are leading the actual collections of the trees, encouraging their teams to get involved in making a difference. Registration is now open.
To generate income all year round and ensure our hospice in Dalton is accessible to all, we have some fabulous food offerings including Afternoon Tea on a Thursday, Fish and Chip Fridays and even Sunday Lunch each week. All food is lovingly cooked by our talented kitchen staff and volunteers and priced very reasonably. To book simply contact Kirkwood main reception on 01484 557900.
What has been your proudest moment working at The Kirkwood?
I’ve worked at The Kirkwood for 10 years, and one moment that will always stay with me is from one of our annual Starlight Walks. I was working as the Fundraising Manager at the time and I’d been involved from start to finish, but it was one family’s story that really touched me.
A six-year-old boy was walking with his mum and grandma in memory of his grandad and was determined to complete the walk. By 4:30am, the little boy had walked the entire 10-mile route without once getting into the pushchair his mum had brought in case he couldn’t walk the full distance. When I saw him at the end of the walk and asked if he’d walked the whole way, he was holding a photo of his grandad who had been cared for by us and said he had promised him he would finish the walk.
It was such a powerful moment seeing the strength, love, and determination people have even during loss. It summed up everything we stand for.
What are your goals for next year and future vision for The Kirkwood?
We’re already looking ahead to our 40th anniversary in 2027 and thinking about how we can make it a meaningful milestone for the whole community. We want to continue introducing new events and campaigns while staying true to what we’ve always done best.
One upcoming event is planned is a Mother’s Day flower display featuring 1,000 flowers, each with a personal dedication at Oakwell Hall.
We’re also focused on growing our Business Movement and creating even more opportunities for members. Our aim is to become the go-to business network in the area, building partnerships that make a real difference.
