Charity

Pictured: Willen Hospice Physiotherapist Emma Robinson with Andy Tanner Willen Hospice is encouraging local people to discover the full scope of its work as Hospice Care Week shines a light on the wide range of services beyond end-of-life care. While many in Milton Keynes know the charity for its palliative and end-of-life support, fewer realise this also includes extensive therapeutic and wellbeing services for patients and their families. Working closely with NHS teams, GPs, hospitals and community health partners, Willen Hospice helps people live well — offering coordinated, personalised care to meet individual needs. Andy Tanner, a retired fireman, is one of many residents to benefit. Diagnosed with prostate cancer ten years ago, Andy experiences ongoing symptoms but doesn’t yet need round-the-clock care. The Hospice team supports him through exercise classes, reflexology and practical advice to manage his condition — helping him stay active and enjoy daily life. “I try..

Willen Hospice has joined forces with 142 other hospices across the UK in a nationwide campaign highlighting the importance of leaving gifts in Wills. The initiative, called ‘This is Hospice Care’ and led by Hospice UK, launched with a moving TV advert inspired by real stories. Its aim is to encourage more people to consider leaving a legacy gift to their local hospice, helping to secure compassionate, specialist care for future generations. Fiz Johnson, Legacy Manager at Willen Hospice, said legacy giving is one of the most meaningful ways to support. “The fact that hospices nationwide have come together to highlight this need shows just how vital gifts in Wills are in ensuring our services remain available for years to come.” In the past year alone, Willen Hospice received £2.6 million in legacy donations – covering almost a quarter of its running costs. These generous gifts help the charity to..

Backed by a much-loved local charity and inspired by one man’s final days, Willen Hospice’s new immersive room offers patients the chance to step into another world – all without leaving the city. With sights, sounds and even scents designed to soothe, this remarkable space shows how technology and community spirit can come together in the most meaningful way. It starts with a breeze. Soft, cool air stirring across the skin. Then the gentle hum of bees, the rustle of trees, and the warm scent of lavender in full bloom. This is not a countryside spa or an exclusive retreat. It is the newly unveiled immersive room at Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes, created to offer comfort and connection to patients living with life-limiting illness. For 72-year-old Margaret, who has advanced lung disease, it was the sound of waves and the cry of gulls that transported her back to childhood..

It’s not every day you come face to face with a tiger’s gaze — captured in layers of paint, passion and purpose. But this summer, at Woburn Safari Park, that’s exactly what you’ll find. In honour of National Tiger Day (29th July), British artist and environmental advocate Leah Wood has unveiled her latest creation: a powerful mixed-media portrait of Minerva — one of Woburn’s very own Amur tigers. And while it’s stunning, it’s also something else entirely. It’s a call to action. A roar on canvas. Meet Vera — Muse, Tiger, and Symbol of Hope Minerva (affectionately known as Vera by the keepers who know her best) is no ordinary tiger. She’s one half of a remarkable duo — sharing her 300-acre home at Woburn with fellow Amur tiger Dmitri — and she plays a critical role in the global conservation breeding programme for one of the world’s most endangered..

This August MK-based business consultant Lal Tawney will take on a personal and meaningful challenge: cycling 152 miles in honour of his late friend and local community leader, Ranjit Singh, who passed away in May 2025. The distance is deeply symbolic: 100 miles of the Willen Hospice Cycle Sportive route, and an additional 52 miles to mark every year of Ranjit’s life. Ranjit had joined Willen Hospice as their Commercial Director not long before he died, and had previously worked at MK Community Foundation and co-founded the Milton Keynes Ethnic Business Community. Lal explains: “Last year, on the day before Ranjit officially started his new role at Willen Hospice, he showed up at the start line of the Cycle Sportive to wish me luck and see me off. And others too, I’m sure! He was there, not yet officially, but already proudly stepping into his new role. His excitement, his..

Every day, Willen Hospice provides compassionate, specialist care to people facing some of life’s most difficult moments. This summer, you can help make that care possible—while being in with a chance to win £2,000 in their Summer Super Draw. The draw is a much-loved annual tradition, and a vital fundraiser for the Hospice, which needs to raise £28,000 every day to continue its work. Tickets are just £1, and every one sold helps support local families when they need it most. Here’s what’s on offer: First prize: £2,000 Second prize: £500 Plus 100 chances to win £5 It’s a lovely way to give back—and who knows, you might even win a little something for yourself. “The Summer Draw is a fun and easy way to support your local hospice,” says Louise Dela-Haye, Lottery Fundraising Manager at Willen Hospice. “Just by entering, you’ll not only have the opportunity to win big..

Willen Hospice has today launched Ready for Tomorrow Today – a forward-thinking three-year strategy that sets out how the charity will respond to growing challenges and emerging opportunities across Milton Keynes. Having provided expert, compassionate care for more than 40 years, Willen Hospice is now preparing for the future in one of the UK’s fastest-growing cities. The new strategy outlines how the Hospice will continue to meet increasing demand for its services, while tackling some of the toughest financial pressures faced by any hospice in the country. “Ready for Tomorrow Today is not just a strategy – it’s a promise to our community,” said Kate Broadhurst, Chief Executive of Willen Hospice. “We’re taking decisive steps now to secure the future of hospice care in Milton Keynes. That means being financially sustainable, expanding access to care, and ensuring Willen remains an exceptional place to work and volunteer. It’s a bold step..

The Henry Allen Trust has launched its 11th annual Easter Egg Appeal, calling on the local community to help bring joy to children battling cancer this Easter. The Milton Keynes-based charity, founded in memory of Henry Allen, is once again seeking donations of Cadbury Creme Eggs, Easter eggs, Easter confectionery, brand new Easter bunny cuddly toys, Easter games and arts and crafts to create special hospital toy packs for young patients. Businesses, schools, supermarkets, clubs and individuals are encouraged to get involved by collecting donations or signing up as collection points. Those wishing to support the initiative can also purchase items via The Henry Allen Trust’s Amazon Wish List. Full details can be found at www.thehenryallentrust.org.uk. Dawn and Mark Allen, who founded the charity in honour of their son Henry, are urging the community to help spread ‘Henry’s Happiness’ by ensuring children and their families receive a much-needed boost this..

Willen Hospice is a local charity in Milton Keynes, supporting local people with life-limiting illnesses. Hospice care is about providing wrap-around care, looking at the patient holistically and not just seeing to their physical needs. For Ann, this has been invaluable for her, improving her quality of life, independence and her outlook on life. Ann was referred to the Hospice’s Lymphoedema service by her GP when she moved to Milton Keynes from the south-west in 2021. While Ann was having her treatment, the expert staff at Willen Hospice were able to spot what other therapeutic and wellbeing support she might need. “Cancer is the big C and at first you think, ‘this is it’. But it isn’t. You can live with cancer. Actually, I don’t like that. Cancer lives with me! I’ve got to put up with it, but it lives with me; I don’t live with it. “In the..

Could you live on basic provisions for four days? This December, MK Food Bank is challenging families, business leaders and bloggers to step out of their comfort zones and take part in the MK Food Parcel Challenge, a unique initiative designed to raise funds and awareness for the charity’s vital work. By swapping festive indulgences for basic provisions for four consecutive days, participants will not only experience the reality faced by those relying on food parcels but will also make a meaningful contribution to supporting vulnerable individuals in our community. MK Food Bank has been a lifeline for countless individuals and families across Milton Keynes for over 15 years. Its mission is simple but essential: to ensure that no one in the area goes hungry. By providing emergency food parcels and working closely with local partners, the Food Bank helps those facing financial hardship, unemployment or other challenges that make..

Willen Hospice are inviting local people to remember, and celebrate, the lives of their loved ones at their annual Lights of Love service on Saturday 30 November at The Ridgeway Centre in Wolverton, Milton Keynes. The event is open to the whole community, where families and friends can come together for this heartwarming occasion. Guests can look forward to performances from the Musica Charity Choir, Broughton Fields School Choir, poetry readings, a soloist, and talks from Willen Hospice nurses. New for this year is an in-memory lantern, included with every booking, for guests to decorate and bring with them to display in the auditorium. There is also an opportunity to add the name of their loved ones to a tribute video to be played during the service. Nikki Poole, Willen Hospice Events and Community Fundraising Manager, said “As a charity that provides specialist care to people with a life-limiting illness,..

On 1st October 2024, the community will gather at Middleton Hall to mark International Older People's Day with a special celebration, focusing on the theme "The Joy of Older Life". The event, organised in partnership with Age UK Milton Keynes and local schools, will spotlight the invaluable contributions of older generations while fostering connections between young and old. The afternoon will commence at 1:00 PM with a keynote address from Ben Heyworth, Director of Arts for Health MK, who will reflect on the positive aspects of ageing. The event will also feature an art exhibition, running from 27th September to 1st October, showcasing the work of local children on the theme "Joy in Older Life". This initiative encourages young people to reflect on the lives and experiences of older members of the community, fostering a deeper understanding between generations. The celebration will culminate in an award ceremony recognising the winners..

A free family fun day organised by Milton Keynes based Cranswick Convenience Foods, will take place on Sunday 8 September and aims to raise much needed funds for MK homeless charity UnityMK, as it prepares to launch its autumn recruitment drive for more volunteers to help run its night shelters over the winter months. The family fun day will take place at the Middleton Pavilion on Worrelle Avenue, Milton Keynes and will be free to enter.  As well as food, drinks, fairground rides, cakes, games and stalls, arts and crafts and a range of other family entertainments, the UnityMK team will be there sharing information on how to get involved with the charity. Sam Pearl, Site Director at Cranswick Convenience Foods said; “This is the fourth year that we have held the Family Fun Day for UnityMK and we’re hoping it will be bigger and better than ever. Last year’s..

In an exciting development for the Milton Keynes community, Willen Hospice has announced Rachel Medill as their newly appointed Chair of Trustees. Rachel spent the majority of her early career as a director in marketing and communications in London. However, driven by a desire for more meaningful work, she transitioned into the charity sector. Over the past 20 years, Rachel has held various leadership positions across local, regional, and national levels. Yet, her unwavering commitment has always been to her local community in Milton Keynes. This dedication led Rachel to establish Ride High, a charity that harnesses the power of horses to transform the lives of some of the most disadvantaged and troubled children in the area. As Chief Executive, Rachel was instrumental in securing the charity's 37-acre site at Loughton Manor, which now serves as a safe haven for around 120 vulnerable young people each week. An avid horsewoman..