Our hospice story
Pilgrims Hospices has been at the heart of the east Kent community since the Canterbury hospice opened in 1982.
The hospices were the vision of one local nurse, the late Ann Robertson, founder and Pilgrims’ Lifetime President. Ann wanted to make a difference for the people in her community facing terminal illness, following her own experience caring for her husband. Thanks to her devotion, and the help of countless others, today we have almost 200 clinical staff. Together, they support thousands of people each year.
The first hospice opened in Canterbury in 1982, followed by Thanet in 1992, and Ashford in 2001.
It is a great privilege to have worked with so many forward thinking and talented individuals over the years; in the early years we faced the day to day headache of meeting our financial needs. As the years have passed, we’ve established relationships not only with our generous public but with the business community, who help us to raise the profile of our charity and engage with the wider community.
We remain the welcoming face that will guide people through some of the most difficult times, the support of the community fills our hearts with great joy as we continue our journey to help even more people each year.
Ann, speaking at our 40th birthday party in 2022
Helen Bennett, Chief Executive Officer, with Ann Robertson at Pilgrims Hospices’ 40th birthday party in 2022
The staff at the hospices are truly community heroes, with more than 3,000 people within their care each year. Over the years, Pilgrims has pioneered ground-breaking research in palliative care, embraced innovative, cutting-edge technology to improve the quality of life for patients, and delivers education and training across east Kent for many other health and social care providers.
Pilgrims continues to grow from strength to strength, and in order to provide the much-needed care, our clinical staff are supported by an award-winning charity fundraising team, an established network of profitable retail shops, a successful local lottery, and a wealth of talents through its invaluable volunteer workforce.
From the very beginning, patients have been at the heart of everything Pilgrims do, and we will only continue to grow and develop with the help of the community.
Help us continue our story and be here for anyone who needs us, for generations to come with a gift in your Will.
See the impact your legacy will have on the thousands of people and their families we care for, now and in the future.
