Did you know that Oxford has the tenth highest number of rough sleepers per 100,000 people in all of England according to recent government data? Accessing palliative and end of life care can be particularly difficult for people experiencing homelessness. At Sobell...
Our Autumn/Winter 2023 newsletter is now available for you to read online. We hope you enjoy reading our latest updates and finding out about the different ways you could help us to be there for more families across Oxfordshire in need of our care and support. We send...
The oxen are coming to oxon! Join us next summer for an art trail unlike anything Oxfordshire has seen before… Introducing OxTrail, where a herd of life-sized and mini oxen will be grazing across the county waiting for your visit. Each ox sculpture will be...
As a consultant pharmacist, Mel helps people with life-limiting conditions to get the most from their medicines and improve their quality of life. We hope you enjoy finding out more about her role in this day in the life diary. 6:45 My day begins by driving to Sobell...
As you may know, our My Lovely Postcards exhibition and auction took place in May as part of Oxfordshire Art Weeks. We are delighted to announce that, thanks to over 400 submissions of original postcard-sized artwork, we have raised nearly £17,000 for Beth’s...
Our Spring/Summer 2023 newsletter is now available for you to read online. We hope you enjoy reading our latest updates and finding out about the different ways you could help us to be there for more families across Oxfordshire in need of our care and support. We send...
This day in the life diary is written by Eve, a patient support worker in our Home Hospice Care team. In her role, Eve visits patients at home up to four times a day and provides them with all of the care and support they may need when facing an end of life prognosis....
When facing an end of life prognosis, time is precious and every moment matters. We want local people to have as much choice as possible about where they die. That’s why Sobell House is bringing hospice care home. Our Home Hospice Care team are helping local people...
Our chapel roof is leaking and urgently needs replacing, however the likely cost to replace it is at least £25,000. The chapel was built in 2003 and plays an important role in the pastoral care of many of our patients and families. It provides a serene, comforting...
This day in the life diary is written by Rachel, a senior specialist nurse in our hospital palliative care team, who help to bring hospice care to people in hospital and provide specialist care and support. In this diary, Rachel helps one of her patients, Anne,...
Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to beat a personal best, there are lots of fun, active challenges you can take part in this year with Team Sobell. From swimming to cycling, there are plenty of events to choose from, but here are three key challenges we...
Our latest day in the life diary is written by Karen, our lovely social worker. In Karen’s role, she helps people with a life-limiting illness during what can be an incredibly stressful and difficult time to receive all of the care and support they may need, both at...
What is My Lovely Postcards? My Lovely Postcards is a community art project set up by Sobell House, alongside the Foreman family, to raise funds for Beth’s Bursary Fund. Budding and professional artists are invited to submit a postcard-sized artwork (148mm x 105mm)...
Tickets are now on sale for our much-loved Winter Walk at Blenheim Palace. To celebrate, we are offering you 20% off tickets in our January sale! Date: Sunday 5 March 2023 Location: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock Time: 10am start, gates open at 9am Distance: 5km Along the...
We wanted to share a heartwarming short reflection with you all, written by Heather Jackson, who works in our Home Hospice care team. In her role, Heather cares for and supports people with a life-limiting illness who choose to be cared for at home, so they can be...
You are warmly invited to watch our Lights of Love remembrance service, which took place on Sunday 4 December 2022. We hope the service is of comfort to you, and is a chance to remember, celebrate, and pay tribute to your loved one. Here are a few useful links should...
This Christmas, we’re inviting you to join in with our most festive fundraiser… Mince Pie Monday! On 12 December, we’ll be hosting our annual Mince Pie Monday fundraiser, encouraging friends, family and colleagues to host their very own fundraiser and raise some money...
We’re delighted to announce the publication of our second cookbook; Food and Wellness. Discover over 30 delicious vegan and vegetarian recipes from some of Oxfordshire’s most popular pubs, restaurants and food producers, including; The Plough at Hanney, Taste Tibet,...
November is a month for remembering, from the childhood rhyme about the fifth of November to Remembrance Day itself, when we reflect on the horror and futility of war, while remembering those who lost their lives in the service of their country. This month, we are...
Lights of Love is our annual remembrance service. For many of our community, this is an important moment in the year, a chance to come together with others in a similar situation, to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones no longer here. This year’s event will...
Our Autumn/Winter 2022 newsletter is now available for you to read online. We hope you enjoy reading our latest updates and finding out about the different ways you could help us to be there for more families across Oxfordshire in need of our care and support. We send...
We have been asking our supporters to dedicate a ribbon in memory of their loved one to help us continue to care for local families, and bring colour and joy to people in their darkest days. On Sunday 21 August, an ancient red oak tree in Oxford’s University Parks was...
This day in the life diary is written by Sean Woodward, our Marston Shop Manager, who brings a great sense of humour and enthusiasm to his role. We hope you enjoy reading about one of Sean’s Saturday shifts, which he spends alongside two of his lovely volunteers,...
If you have any large items of furniture that you would like to donate to us, please contact our Bicester Warehouse team to arrange a home collection. Call: 01869 245235 Email: [email protected] It’s the perfect way to declutter your home while supporting...
This day in the life diary is written by Kerry Watkinson, who works in our newly established Home Hospice care team as a Patient Care Coordinator. Your donations have helped to fund this service and by supporting us, you have helped more people to die at home, if they...
Our Day Centre has become our Living Well service! Through the Living Well service, we can offer our patients a personalised eight-week programme, which empowers them to live life with purpose and adapt to the challenges of living with a serious illness. We understand...
To help us raise vital funds, we want to turn your used postage stamps into donations. It couldn’t be easier to help us, please just follow these steps: Step 1 – Keep hold of or collect any used stamps Step 2 – Keep them somewhere safe Step 3 – Pop into your local...
Our shops provide a crucial source of income for us, which is why we’re so grateful for our lovely shop volunteers who help us keep them up and running! This day in the life diary has been written by one of our Witney volunteers, AnnMarie, who tells us all about her...
As we approach Father’s Day, we wanted to send our thoughts and best wishes to those missing a loved one. Here at Sobell House, we’ll be remembering all of the dads, stepdads, grandads and fatherly figures who are no longer with us, but are forever in our hearts and...
Our Spring/Summer 2022 newsletter is now available for you to read online. We hope you enjoy reading our latest updates and finding out about the different ways you could help us to be there for more families across Oxfordshire in need of our care and support. We send...
1 April marked the launch of the Home Hospice service, which aims to enable more patients the chance to die at home, if this is their wish, and be cared for in comfort and with support in place. The service is a unique partnership between Oxford University Hospitals...
Over our decades of care, we have seen the value to patients and their families of being able to spend time outside. For so many, feeling the sun – or even the rain – on their face becomes part of the therapeutic process and improves their physical, emotional and...
This article was kindly written by Chris Robinson. “I have been a Sobell House Bereavement Volunteer for almost 12 years and completed my training in 2010. I joined the service after being sent a poster at the GP Practice, where I worked as Practice Manager,...
Join Team Sobell in the iconic Oxford Half Marathon on Sunday 16th October! The 13.1 mile route is flat and fast, and takes in some of the most inspirational sights of this beautiful city. As you follow the route you will be boosted by the live entertainment and DJs,...
Our Winter Walk is fast approaching and time is running out for you to secure your place! Online registration closes on Wednesday 9th March 2022. Everyone is very welcome to take part and the route is accessible for wheelchair and buggy users. You can even bring your...
Having a Will, written professionally with a solicitor, is the best way to make sure your loved ones are provided for after you’ve gone. Your Will gives you peace of mind, as well as being a reflection of your life and your wishes. If you don’t have a Will, or you...
We see moments of sadness, joy, but most of all love at Sobell House. In celebration of Valentine’s Day, we wanted to share a heart-warming story with you all, as told by our Chaplain, Graham. We hope this story demonstrates that life and love never stop in our...
Pasquale Dente has been working throughout the pandemic as an intensive care nurse at the John Radcliffe Hospital. Pasquale has used his first-hand experience of caring for people during the pandemic to write and publish a book entitled Behind the Mask, which explores...
Over £6,800 raised – what a great way to start the new year! In January we had 54 fundraisers step up to the challenge of planking every day, gradually increasing their planking time from 20 seconds to 3 minutes. Our challengers didn’t let anything stop them,...
The art therapy programme at Sobell House provides an opportunity for people to explore feelings, thoughts and ideas. Sometimes it can be helpful for people to simply enjoy using the art materials on offer, and being able to put their focus on the task at hand. We...
Meet Niki Wardell-Yerburgh, who works as a Community Fundraiser in our charity team. In her ‘day in the life’ diary, Niki gives readers an insight into her busy working day – from planking to planning! This diary was written in January 2022. 07:40 My fundraising...
Kickstart your new year by taking part in our much-loved Winter Walk. Date: Sunday 16th January 2022. Location: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock. Time: 10am start, gates open at 9am. Distance: 5 miles. Who can attend? Everyone! This event is enjoyable for all ages and...
Following on from the success of our cookbook Food & Kindness, we are very excited to tell you we have produced a Food & Kindness 2022 calendar in time for Christmas. Each calendar month reveals a delicious recipe from a local restaurant or food business for...
Meet Lisa Howe, who works as a Senior Specialist Nurse in our community palliative care team. Lisa is passionate about providing people with the very best care possible. In her ‘day in the life’ diary, she gives readers an insight into her busy working day as she...
In conversation with Miles Young You are warmly invited to the next Sobell Business Breakfast, where we are delighted to be joined by our guest speaker, Miles Young, the incumbent Warden of New College, Oxford, and an expert in the field of advertising and marketing....
Meet Lauren Crowley, who works as a senior specialist nurse in our hospital palliative care team. In this ‘day in the life’ diary, Lauren is assigned patients to see in the John Radcliffe Hospital and teaches some newly qualified respiratory nurses. Pictured from left...
Our Spring/Summer Newsletter is now available to read online. We hope you enjoy reading our latest updates and finding out about the different ways you could help us to be there for more families across Oxfordshire in need of our care and support. We send our...
There are many people who contribute to the day-to-day running of Sobell House, and we thought you might like to get to know a few of them a bit better. In this article, we’re going to meet Matt, one of our hospital palliative care team members. We’ll find out a bit...
We were so pleased with the response to our call out for syringe driver bags! We received many bags from our super stitching supporters, and the bags have now all been distributed across our inpatient and hospital teams. Just take a look at some of the fabulous bags...
We think it’s important that anyone who wishes to support Sobell House has an opportunity to do so, and that’s why we love to host or take part in lots of different events, so that everyone has a chance to join in. If you’re keen on having some fun and supporting us,...
Meet Ellie Simmons, who works as a nurse on our busy inpatient unit. In Ellie’s day in the life diary, she shares what it’s like to care for local people and families at Sobell House during the Covid-19 pandemic. This diary was written in April 2021. 07:15...
On Thursday 24th June, we were able to host a very special outdoor event to thank our amazing volunteers for all of their incredible support and hard work. We would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Oxford City Football Club for hosting us – we...
We’re so proud to have provided compassionate, life-enhancing, and special care to the people of Oxfordshire for 45 years. During that time we’ve seen many changes, with our facilities expanding to include a day centre, music and art therapy rooms, and of course our...
On Monday 31st May, Oliver took on the challenge of climbing the equivalent height of Scafell Pike at his local climbing centre, Clip n Climb. Not only that, he set himself a time limit of 3.5 hours to complete the challenge. We’re really pleased and proud to say that...
Our Spring/Summer Newsletter is now available to read online. We hope you enjoy reading our latest updates and finding out about the different ways you could help us to be there for more families across Oxfordshire in need of our care and support. We send our...
Dying Matters Awareness Week is a national initiative to encourage people to start talking about death, dying, and bereavement. This year’s theme focuses on the importance of being in a good place to die. There is no right or wrong place to die; it will be different...
Meet Ellie Simmons, who works as a nurse on our busy inpatient unit. In Ellie’s day in the life diary, she shares what it’s like to care for local people and families at Sobell House during the Covid-19 pandemic. This diary was written in April 2021. 07:15...
Monday 12th April 2021 marked 45 years since the first patient admission to Sobell House. Lots has changed since 1976, so we thought we’d take a whistle-stop tour through just some of the milestones we’ve covered in that time: The hospice building has been extended...
Taking place at the beautiful 18-hole course at Studley Wood Golf Club, our annual charity Golf Day is always a popular event. Take a look at the Studley Wood Golf Club virtual tour video and you can understand why! With a score of 4.6 out of 5 on Golfshake.com, and...
Our popular Winter Walk event was postponed earlier this year, due to the lockdown restrictions in England. However, we’re really pleased to announce that the lifting of lockdown restrictions means we’ve been able to reschedule the event. The lovely people at Blenheim...
It’s been a tough 12 months for all of us, and unfortunately here at Team Sobell we have seen a significant drop in our income from our community, retail and events fundraising. That’s why we’re appealing for support from our community to help to safeguard our care...
We’re very pleased to confirm that all 10 of our charity shops are open from today, Monday 12th April, in line with government guidelines. It’s been more than 3 months since we’ve been able to welcome our lovely supporters in our shops, and we’re really looking...
A day in the life of Lorraine, who is the Director of Fundraising & Communications for the Sobell House Hospice Charity. In her day in the life diary, Lorraine catches up with her team and some of our supporters from her desk at home, and reflects on the different...
Volunteering is a wonderful way to give back, learn new skills, and meet new people. Our volunteers make a huge difference to the services we provide and funds we raise – we couldn’t do it without them! Below are two new voluntary roles we have available. We’re...
A day in the life of Lorraine, who is the Director of Fundraising & Communications for the Sobell House Hospice Charity. In her day in the life diary, Lorraine catches up with her team and some of our supporters from her desk at home, and reflects on the different...
This year, we’re celebrating our 45th year of caring for our community by asking our supporters to take on a Challenge45! Your Challenge45 can be any activity based around the number 45 and you can complete it at any time in February. By taking part, you will be...
Our volunteers play such an important role here at the hospice, however in line with government advise they are staying home and staying safe at the moment. We’d like you to meet Justin and Alex, who have been able to continue their volunteering, providing...
We’re pleased to share the good news that the team at Sobell House have been receiving their Covid-19 vaccinations over the past few weeks. This is such an important milestone for our team, who have been working tirelessly on the frontline since the start of the...
Oxford United fans are sure to recognise footballer Josh Ruffels, who we’re so delighted to say has chosen to become a charity ambassador for Sobell House. Josh, who was born and raised in Oxford, is very keen to use his profile and following to help us spread the...
Meet Andrew, who has been going the distance to fundraise for Sobell House! This week we wanted to introduce you to Andrew Smith, who has been going above and beyond in his fundraising efforts to help support Sobell House, after his friend, Amy, received care and...
This year, Sobell House turns 45! That means your incredible support has helped us to provide care for the people of Oxfordshire for 45 years. But to ensure we can be there for more people who need us, we need your help. Introducing Challenge45, where we’re asking our...
Written by Graham Sykes On World Religion Day – Sunday 17th January – it is worth remembering that the world is populated with people of many different religions and none. All are human and all have an inner being, a spirit, a private place where they find...
Making a Will is one of the most important things we should all do, especially if your circumstances have recently changed, for example you have bought a house or got married. Using a solicitor to write your Will can save your loved ones unnecessary stress at an...
Following the national lockdown announcement, please note that all of our shops are closed under futher notice. If you have donations, we kindly ask that you keep them to one side ready to be dropped off to us when we reopen. Thank you for your understanding and...
Following the national lockdown announcement and with the safety of participants in mind, we have decided to postpone our Winter Walk event, which was due to take place on Sunday 10th January. Blenheim Palace have very kindly offered us an alternative date to host our...
Please see below for our charity shop closing times over the festive period. We wish all of our supporters a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Bicester closed 24th, 25th, 26th, 28th, 29th Dec and 1st Jan Carterton closed 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th Dec and 1st Jan Didcot...
We are happy to announce that our shop doors have reopened following the country’s second lockdown, and all ten of our shops are looking forward to warmly welcoming our customers back. You can find your local shop and their opening times by clicking here. We are...
We need your help! We’ve entered Oxford Bus Company’s “Brand the Bus!” competition where we could win the opportunity to have our logo and message proudly featured on a bus that drives routes all across Oxfordshire. Our video entry is below and features Julia, who...
We’re urgently recruiting for voluntary Social Distance Champions to provide a safe meet and greet service for our patients’ visitors. Volunteers who are not at increased risk of adverse impact of COVID-19 are permitted to be on site. Therefore, this role is...
It’s nearly time to wrap up warm, put on your wellington boots, and join together with our Sobell community for our much-loved Winter Walk! Next year’s walk takes place on Sunday 10th January and is the perfect way to start the year by getting active while raising...
For the second time this year our shops have sadly had to close in line with government guidelines. This will have a big impact on our fundraising, but we’re pleased to say that our online shop is continuing to operate! On our online shop you can purchase Christmas...
A day in the life of Mary, who works as a Lead Specialist Nurse for Palliative Care in our hospital palliative care team, and takes us on her first day working at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. This diary was written in August 2020. 7am Today is my first day...
This year, we’ve been chosen to benefit from the Co-op Local Community Fund. Money raised will go towards Sobell House’s Bereavement Service and will be used for the recruitment and training of Bereavement Volunteers. The Bereavement Service is a vital part of...
We’re very pleased to announce that we have opened two new charity shops in Marston and Wantage. This exciting new venture has been made possible through the support and kindness of our community, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming many of our...
This Halloween, you and your family are invited to join Actor Paul Chahidi for some spooky stories, which can be enjoyed from the comfort and safety of your own home! Get dressed up in your creepiest costume and settle down with some terrifying treats as we make our...
A few weeks ago our beautiful Memory Tree was installed at the hospice to bring comfort to families and friends who have lost a loved one. Our Tree features hundreds of bronze, silver, and gold leaves each bearing the name of someone special, and we’re very pleased to...
A day in the life of Mary, who works as a Lead Specialist Nurse for Palliative Care in our hospital palliative care team, and takes us on her first day working at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. This diary was written in August 2020. 7am Today is my first day...
We are delighted to have launched Food & Kindness: The Sobell House Cook Book which can be purchased on our online shop by clicking the button below. Inside our cookbook, you’ll find delicious recipes from some of Oxford’s most popular eateries, including Cherwell...
Every year, hundreds of Sobell House supporters gather together for our annual Light the Night walk through Oxford’s city centre. Due to coronavirus restrictions this year that wasn’t possible, so we decided to bring the magic of Light the Night to people’s doorstep...
A day in the life of Debbie, who works as a personal assistant to our specialist team of consultants, and spends her working days juggling meetings, emails, diary scheduling, and administrative projects. This diary was written in August 2020. 8am Arriving at the doors...
Matt is one of our consultants, and kindly took the time to share with our supporters how our hospital team have adapted to caring for people during the Covid-19 pandemic. “The last six months have changed the world as we know it and for many individuals and their...
A day in the life of our Corporate Partnerships Manager, Tim, who spends his working days fundraising for the Sobell House charity. This diary was written in August 2020. 7:45am I realised early on in lockdown that I needed to get into a good daily routine, so since...
For World Photography Day we’ve shared these past and present photos to help illustrate how much we’ve been able to expand our services, team, and building over the last 44 years. This is all thanks to the ongoing support from people both in our local...
COVID-19 has brought with it heart-breaking and unfamiliar changes in the way we provide our care. From the way staff have had to change their interactions with patients and each other, to having difficult conversations with families over the phone rather than in...
We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated to our Covid-19 Appeal. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our local community, over £57,300 has been raised, which will help to fund our clinical care team, provide bereavement support to those...
Please note this diary was written before the coronavirus pandemic. 08:45 I arrive at work in time to join a national research conference call. Palliative care services are working together around the UK to ensure we learn more about the best treatments to offer our...
We’re delighted to announce that Paul Chahidi, actor and star of BBC Three’s hit comedy series ‘This Country’, has become a Sobell House ambassador. He said: “I am thrilled to be able to help raise awareness of this incredible place that looked after my dad with such...
Research reports that almost one fifth of the UK population say that they are often, or always, lonely. When a loved one dies, it’s difficult to readjust to life without them, and you may feel lonely as you navigate and learn to cope with your grief. With the...
The team at Freeths Solicitors, Oxford, have written a useful article about the importance and benefits of leaving a charitable gift in your will. We were really pleased to contribute a few words about what we’re able to do thanks to people who very kindly choose to...
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