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Our story

Saint Michael’s Hospice grew from the dedication and passion of the Harrogate district community.

Over three decades of care

Saint Michael’s Hospice grew from the dedication and passion of the community of the Harrogate district, who were concerned that local people with terminal illness were living and dying in pain and without the respect and dignity they deserved. With no radical change to the health service on the horizon, they decided care and support needed to be available locally for people in this situation and set about raising the money needed to fund such a service.

In 1987, Saint Michael’s was officially constituted and the charity welcomed its first inpatient in 1989. Since these pioneering beginnings the organisation has grown from strength to strength.

Today it is delivering a network of services and also raising the millions of pounds needed annually to fund them. As a result of these efforts, Saint Michael’s is improving the lives of more and more families with terminal illness and bereavement every day.

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Milestones in our very special journey

1986

Our first drop-in and telephone helpline is established.

1989

The first patient is admitted to our five bed inpatient unit at the Convent of Society of the Holy Child Jesus, Harrogate.

1992

An appeal is launched to raise the £1.4m needed to purchase Crimple House, to enable us to offer more services to local people.

1994

The £1.4million fundraising target is achieved and a 10-bed inpatient unit opens for patients.

1997

Saint Michael’s Hospice begins offering lymphoedema support for the people of the Harrogate district.

2009

Saint Michael’s opens a second base in the community at Burton House, to offer extended lymphoedema care and bereavement support.

2009

We launch our Just 'B' bereavement support service, helping children, young people & adults, whether they are connected to the Hospice or not.

2010

Saint Michael’s employs the first nurse to work out in the community, marking the charity’s expansion into specialist home support.

2013

Our Volunteer Visitor Service sees specially trained volunteers offer support to people living at home with terminal illness.

2017

Saint Michael's marks 30 years of providing quality hospice care to local people.