In March 2025, we announced an important development for Pilgrims Hospices – our plans to modernise the Canterbury site at London Road.
This initiative marks a significant milestone in our journey to secure the future of hospice care in east Kent.
As our Chief Executive, Helen Bennett, shared:
“Whilst the care provided is second to none, we want and need to provide more modern facilities for all our patients and their loved ones. Our current Canterbury site buildings are ageing and disconnected, making day-to-day work more difficult and limiting the spaces where teams can collaborate and support one another.
“Modernising London Road will not only transform our current facilities, it will also ensure that Pilgrims Hospices’ extraordinary legacy continues to thrive on the very site where our founder, Ann Robertson, began her vision over 40 years ago.”
Since our announcement, we’ve already made encouraging progress. We’ve appointed a talented team of architects and construction professionals, who have experience of designing and building hospices; we’ve engaged our dedicated staff in a series of workshops to help shape the vision for the future. These sessions have been invaluable in ensuring that the voices of those who deliver care every day are central to the development of our plans.
We’ve also taken the first formal steps by submitting initial ideas to Canterbury City Council. These early proposals reflect our commitment to creating a space that is welcoming, sustainable, and fit for the future needs of our community.
A lasting impact for our community
The modernisation of our Canterbury site is not just about bricks and mortar – it’s about people, in particular about ensuring that our patients and their families continue to receive compassionate, expert care in surroundings that are comfortable and feel like home.
By creating a more accessible and inclusive environment, our aim is to strengthen our connections with our local community, volunteers, healthcare professionals, and supporters.
Our mission is to make a difference to the lives of individuals in east Kent who are approaching the end of their life. We believe that modernising our Canterbury hospice will do just that, ensuring that everyone who needs us has access to specialist end-of-life care. The modernisation of our Canterbury site is a vital step toward making that vision a reality.
As our plans continue to evolve, we will share them with you. We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of everyone in our local community, and we look forward to working together to ensure that Pilgrims Hospices is here for every patient, every family, every time they need us.
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of people across east Kent, with services provided from its three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. It costs over £17.2 million annually to run these services, much of which comes from the generous support of the local community.
20th September 2025
Putting patients first: How data is shaping better care at Pilgrims
At Pilgrims Hospices, every patient matters. But how do we make sure that care is always tailored to the individual? The answer might surprise you – it starts with listening, and it’s powered by data.
We spoke to Dr Pia Amsler, Pilgrims’ Medical Director, and Aaron Salter, our Business Intelligence Lead, to find out how their partnership is helping us understand and improve the experience of people in our care.
What matters most to our patients and their families?
This is one of the first questions we now ask patients – and it’s at the heart of an innovative approach that’s helping Pilgrims ensure that the patient is at the centre of everything we do.
“This isn’t just about symptoms or checklists,” Pia explains. “It’s about understanding what is most important to each individual person at that moment in their life. That’s what helps us create meaningful care plans and support people in the ways that matter most.”
With Pia’s clinical leadership and Aaron’s technical expertise, Pilgrims has introduced and further developed a series of outcomes measurement tools that gather insights from patients, and also their families or care givers, throughout their time with us – whether they’re staying on one of our hospice wards or receiving support at home.
The power of patient voices
“We ask every patient three simple questions,” says Pia. “What is important to you? What matters most right now? And what have been your most pressing concerns over the last few days?”
Their answers are recorded and become part of their care plan. Over time, the changes in these responses help us understand the impact of our care – not just physically, but also addressing emotional, social, practical and spiritual domains.
For Aaron, it’s about turning those insights into action:
“We collect and analyse all of this information and create easy-to-understand reports,” he says. “These help our teams reflect, adapt, and improve. We’re now able to track how a patient is feeling when they come to us – and how they feel after receiving our support. It’s incredibly rewarding to see those changes and know our care is making a real difference.”
One example is the use of “radar charts” – visual charts that map how a patient’s concerns are changing across different areas of wellbeing. “We can see real-world improvements,” says Aaron. “It’s amazing when data drives change.”
Wider impact beyond Pilgrims
“We’re also now able to share this insight with our sister hospices,” adds Aaron. “That means the data we’re collecting isn’t just improving care here – it’s contributing to a much bigger picture, helping shape and enhance services across the whole sector.”
Changing culture, shaping services
This new approach has sparked a wider cultural shift across Pilgrims. From nurses and healthcare assistants to social workers, therapists, and spiritual care staff, everyone has a voice.
A group of staff known as the Champion Group has been instrumental in shaping how outcome data is used and shared. They’ve helped trial and enhance new tools, voted on how to improve reporting, and made sure every role is represented.
“It’s truly democratic,” says Pia. “It’s not just about the voices of a few – it’s about every part of our team working together to improve the journey for every patient.”
“In the end,” says Pia, “this is about making our strategy a reality – delivering care that’s genuinely person-centred. When we understand people’s goals, their fears, and their hopes, we can offer care that feels personal, compassionate, and right.”
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of people across east Kent, with services provided from its three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. It costs over £17.2 million annually to run these services, much of which comes from the generous support of the local community.
19th September 2025
Pilgrims Hospices’ eco-friendly Tree Recycling campaign returns
Each January, many Christmas trees head to landfills once the festive season comes to an end. But thanks to Pilgrims Hospices’ annual Tree Recycling campaign, this doesn’t have to be the case.
Each year, thousands of Pilgrims supporters recycle their Christmas trees, helping to reduce their environmental impact and raise vital funds for local hospice care.
The Tree Recycling campaign began over 13 years ago in the Ashford Borough Council area, thanks to a group of dedicated hospice volunteers, who are still pivotal in supporting the Ashford campaign today.
Then in 2022, the charity ‘branched’ out to cover Canterbury City Council and Thanet District Council areas; as well as hosting a drop-off station in Faversham with ‘tree-rific’ success.
Since its inception, the charity has collected over 20,000 trees, raised more than £368,000, and prevented over 320 tonnes of CO₂e from entering the atmosphere.
In 2025, the campaign raised a staggering £78,000, directly supporting patients and their families across east Kent. These funds are raised simply by registering your tree and making a donation online. So, you can ‘leaf’ the hard work to our wonderful team of Pilgrims elves, who collect and recycle your real Christmas trees.
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A greener way to give
This incredible impact wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of our local communities and volunteers, whose bright idea grew into a campaign that has more than 75 volunteers involved each year, helping to raise vital funds, ensuring we can be there for those who need us.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of local businesses and volunteers who donate their time, vehicles and facilities, in 2025 we were able to collect over 4,200 Christmas trees, preventing more than 67 tonnes of CO₂e from entering the atmosphere. Instead of going to a landfill and releasing harmful methane, the trees are chipped and repurposed into mulch or compost-eco-friendly by-products that break down slowly and sustainably. A ‘tree-rific’ example of community collaboration for a shared environmental and social goal.
The second life of Christmas trees
Our collections are carefully planned using digital mapping software, allowing us to design the most efficient routes. This reduces travel distances, maximises household collections, and lowers our overall carbon footprint. Once collected, trees are taken to our Canterbury or Thanet hospice sites, where they’re chipped and repurposed for environmental landscaping across east Kent. Some of the chippings are even used within our own hospice grounds, while others are donated to local composting projects or animal rescue centres, giving your tree a second life in the most sustainable way.
Every tree continues to do good long after the decorations come down. It’s a simple act with a powerful impact.
Tree Recycling 2026
Mark your calendars!
Pilgrims Hospices’ much-loved campaign returns in January 2026:
Canterbury and Thanet: Friday 9 – Monday 12 January 2026
Ashford: Saturday 10 – Sunday 11 January 2026
Online bookings will open via the Pilgrims Hospices website from October 2025.
All bookings will close on 5 January 2026, the twelfth and final day of the Christmas season (unless maximum capacity is reached earlier).
Supporters can register their tree for collection in exchange for a donation of their choice. Our dedicated teams of volunteer elves, full of festive spirit, will be out in vans collecting trees across all three hospice areas.
By recycling your Christmas tree with Pilgrims, you’ll be doing more than just clearing out the old for the New Year.
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of people across east Kent, with services provided from its three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. It costs over £17.2 million annually to run these services, much of which comes from the generous support of the local community.
18th September 2025
Kiren Vyas: From pharmacy to Pilgrims’ Walk and Talk Volunteer
For Kiren Vyas, caring for people is more than a profession – it’s a life philosophy rooted in lived experience, cultural values, and deep empathy.
With a career in pharmacy spanning over 30 years, Kiren has always focused on improving quality of life through medicine and people-centred care.
Today, he shares that same compassion as a volunteer for Pilgrims Hospices’ Stepping Stones Bereavement Supportprogramme, co-facilitating Walk and Talk groups across east Kent.
Kiren ran Brighton Marathon 2024 for Pilgrims
Born in Uganda to Indian parents, Kiren and his family were forced to flee the country during the 1972 expulsion of Asians under Idi Amin’s regime:
“My mum was visiting the UK at the time, and my dad called to say we weren’t going back. We had nothing – no home, no money – and had to start again.”
After a few years in London, the family settled in South Wales, running a corner shop in the Rhondda Valley:
“We experienced racism and hardship, but those early struggles shaped me. They taught me the importance of resilience, kindness, and community.”
These values were nurtured further by Kiren’s Hindu upbringing and close-knit family:
“My father and Mum always stressed the importance of treating others with dignity and supporting one another – something I still carry and instil in my own family today.”
After studying pharmacy at Bradford and earning a PhD in Cardiff, Kiren developed a broad and accomplished career in the pharmaceutical industry, in drug product development and commercial manufacture in various therapeutic areas, including HIV, cardiology, respiratory and oncology. In 2019, he was selected for GSK’s prestigious PULSE programme, spending six months with Save the Children, which included supporting activities in Kenya:
“It was a turning point – returning to East Africa reminded me of where I came from and why people-focused work is so important.”
Kiren at Brighton Marathon 2024
In 2020, Kiren’s father died in hospice care, an experience that stayed with him:
“The staff at St Christopher’s supported Dad and our whole family with such dignity and care. It was unforgettable and inspired me to give something back to the community and volunteer.”
Kiren has been living in Canterbury since 1998 and is currently working as a pharmaceutical consultant. He gives his time to Pilgrims’ Stepping Stones Walk and Talk group:
“We walk, we talk, we listen. Whether we’re discussing running, fishing, computing or knitting, or understanding the grief, the friendships formed between individuals are real and lasting. We support each other.”
Also a passionate fundraiser, Kiren completed the Brighton Marathon for Pilgrims in 2024 and is training for the Manchester Marathon in 2026:
“Volunteering gives me purpose. I’ve always believed that when we take care of others, we find connection – and meaning – for ourselves, too.”
For more information about bereavement support available or to access any of our services, please call us on 01233 504 127 or email [email protected].
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
12th September 2025
“I can’t praise the hospice highly enough”: Why David is leaving a gift to Pilgrims in his Will
Pilgrims Hospices cared for David’s wife, Dawn, at the end of her life.
Here, David shares why he has chosen to leave a gift in his Will to Pilgrims.
“My wife, Dawn, battled cancer for 14 years and sadly passed away on 23 July 2024. The service and support that the Pilgrims team provided from the Margate hospice as part of Dawn’s Hospice at Home care package was exemplary. At a time when I was very stressed and highly emotional, the help and understanding that these very kind people gave me was very comforting. My wife was very well cared for and had a perfectly dignified passing and for that I shall be eternally grateful to you.
I would strongly recommend that people should consider leaving something in their Will to Pilgrims Hospices, however small. Pilgrims is a charity, and whilst they do provide a free service to those people who need their help and support at such an emotional time, it shouldn’t be forgotten that it does cost money to actually provide that help and support. They need to continually raise money to continue financing that service.
A personal big thank you for all the help and support that I received from the Pilgrims team. I couldn’t have got through my Dawn’s end-of-life without it. I can’t praise the hospice highly enough.”
–David, Dawn’s husband
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to more than 3,000 people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
2nd September 2025
Step back in time at Pilgrims Vintage and Retro Shop – Now open Sundays!
Tucked away on historic Burgate, just off Canterbury High Street and only steps from the Cathedral gates, Pilgrims Hospices’ Vintage and Retro Shop is a treasure trove of nostalgia, style, and sustainable shopping.
Whether you’re a local, a student, or visiting from across the globe, this charming store is the perfect place to discover something truly special – and now, with extended opening hours including Sundays, there’s even more time to explore.
From 1940s tea dresses to 1980s statement jackets, quirky bric-a-brac to elegant vintage petticoats, the shop is packed with hand-picked gems. Customers range from locals seeking a nostalgic piece from their past, to college and university students creating unique, modern looks.
Manager Nigel has spotted a new favourite trend:
“Petticoats with Converse is quite the look at the moment,” he says.
“The young ladies love pairing them with a denim jacket and boots – it’s vintage meets street style!”
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The shop also attracts visitors from all over the world – cruise day-trippers looking for a British memento, cathedral tourists, and families hunting for something unique for graduation day. Many fall in love with the bric-a-brac section, filled with retro homeware and keepsakes that capture the charm of yesteryear.
It’s no surprise the store has a growing collection of glowing visitor reviews.
Tamila wrote: “Always lovely staff and great shop.”
Sasha declared it “Best shop everrr!!!” and another happy customer summed it up simply: “10/10 would come again!”
Shopping that makes a difference
Every purchase at Pilgrims Vintage and Retro Shop helps raise vital funds for Pilgrims Hospices, the local end-of-life care charity providing free, compassionate care across east Kent.
By choosing pre-loved, you’re not only supporting sustainable fashion – you’re also helping local people living with incurable illness.
Meet Nigel and the team
Nigel, almost 72, has worked with Pilgrims Hospices’ Retail team for more than 12 years, managing shops in Ramsgate, Chartham, and now Canterbury Vintage and Retro. His flair for the unusual and passion for sustainable fashion make him the perfect guide for anyone seeking something unique.
His motivation for joining Pilgrims was deeply personal:
“A dear friend received the most wonderful care at the Margate hospice after being diagnosed with throat cancer,” Nigel shares.
“I was unprepared for what to expect, but the care couldn’t be faulted. I decided to join Pilgrims to help make a difference – and I absolutely caught the bug. I’ve loved every minute.”
With a team of dedicated volunteers, the shop offers a warm welcome and expert knowledge.
“We provide something for everyone,” Nigel explains.
“From those searching for 40s, 50s or 60s outfits for a vintage occasion or themed wedding, to motorsport fans dressing for Goodwood Revival, we love helping our customers find their unique style. Mixing vintage with modern creates incredible looks – and our men’s vintage section is one of the best around!”
A hub for creativity and opportunity
For crafters and creators, the haberdashery section is an Aladdin’s cave of fabrics, buttons, patterns, and yarn – perfect for sewing, knitting, or upcycling projects.
The shop also offers volunteering opportunities that can build skills and confidence. Faith, a young team member, has gained valuable retail experience that could lead to a career.
Barbara, Nigel’s senior volunteer, has found and developed a real flair for designing and displaying wonderful window ideas, and managing to put them into practice.
Joining the team is Jane, the shop’s new supervisor, whose enthusiasm and support have already made a wonderful impact. Alongside her, the volunteers bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the shop, offering invaluable support to Nigel and helping ensure the shop’s success.
“All of our volunteers are priceless,” Nigel says, “and the shop simply couldn’t thrive without them.”
Student perks and sustainable style
Students enjoy a 10% discount all year round, making it a budget-friendly way to express personal style. From themed parties and weddings to everyday outfits, Pilgrims Vintage and Retro proves that sustainable fashion can be exciting, affordable, and one-of-a-kind.
Why visit?
Because you simply can’t visit Canterbury without popping into this hidden gem on Burgate – a street full of charm, history, and independent spirit.
Whether you’re hunting for a graduation outfit, a quirky home accessory, or your next sustainable fashion fix, you’ll find it here – and every purchase supports Pilgrims Hospices’ free care for people across our community.
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to more than 3,000 people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
