About Willow Burn

What does Willow Burn do?

Willow Burn as a Hospice is committed to improving the quality of life for adults who have a life limiting illness and their families. Our aim is to support you in managing every challenge that you may encounter.

Willow Burn also provides opportunities for people to get involved with their local services through its:

• Shops
• Educational and work placements - through Willow Burn Volunteering
• Fundraising activities - through Willow Burn events and community organised events

What is Willow Burn's past?

Willow Burn opened in 1989 as a result of two remarkable women, Irene Mortimer and Valerie Davison, who identified a local gap in the service of Hospice care and with the support of the Secretary of State set up Day Hospice Care with the help of funding from Macmillan. The Willow Burn Day Hospice service was expanded in 1991 to include In-patient services and up until 2006 these were the only beds available in Durham.

What is Willow Burn's present?

With its history, Willow Burn continues to provide vital community resources, delivering a positive contribution to the community. Willow Burn is well known locally for its commitment to service quality, compassion for the people that it serves and integrity to the community and to the staff and volunteers.

What is Willow Burn's future?

Willow Burn once set the precedent for Hospice palliative care in County Durham. Visionary plans are now progressing to build on these foundations. Our aim is to ensure services are sustained in suitable and accessible facilities for the Derwentside community for generations to come.

What sort of service can I expect from Willow Burn?

People can expect to be valued by the staff employed at Willow Burn and to be given the time that they need when they need it most. They are accorded the respect, privacy and dignity that they would expect of an organisation delivering services to the highest of standards. Responding to people with empathy is second nature to the staff regardless of their field of expertise and this is particularly so when patients and family members are in distress. Service equitability is guaranteed and people are shown understanding of their individual beliefs, lifestyle and culture regardless of their background as a minimum standard

Who funds Willow Burn?

Over the years, the Hospice has received comparatively small sums of government funding to deliver its services but has survived on the goodwill of voluntary support, local community fundraising activities and the leadership of a small Board of Trustees who are as passionate today about the Hospice as they were when they were first recruited.

Most members of the local population have been touched in one way or another by the Hospice, either by direct or indirect contact with the facility. This gives the community a real sense of local ownership which is evident in all aspects of the service from patients and their families, fundraising contributions received by the Hospice and in the numbers of volunteers gifting their time, skills and knowledge to the facility.

Can I look around Willow Burn on behalf of my relative?

We are always happy to show carers and those for whom we may be caring around. If you have been referred to our services, please contact Janet Ridley, Clinical Services Manager jridley@willow-burn.co.uk

How is the Organisation Governed?

The Board of Trustees are responsible for the governance of the Hospice and they form the Council of Management. Their role is to ensure that the Charity functions within the law in accordance with the Charity Commission rules and also that the resources are managed efficiently. They meet bi-monthly and hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September. The Council determines the strategic direction and ensures policies and procedures are in place to manage risk. Various sub-committees, each with a Trustee representation, work to monitor the different aspects of the Hospice. The Council elects Trustees for a 3-year term of office renewable at the AGM. 

click here for more information of Who's Who -  Willow Burn Board of Trustees

How can I get involved with the Council of Management?

Opportunities may exist for individuals whose skills will enhance the existing Council and Senior Management Team. We are always happy to talk informally to those interested and if you would like further information on this rewarding and interesting role, please contact the Chief Executive, Helen Mills - hmills@willow-burn.co.uk