Rowcroft Hospice is proud to announce its formal commitment to the Armed Forces community through the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant – a public pledge that recognises and supports those who serve, or have served, in the military, along with their families.
To mark the occasion during Armed Forces Week, Rowcroft was honoured to welcome Warrant Officer Ted England from the 243 Multi-Role Medical Regiment and Jon Beake from Defence Relationship Management South West. The guests were given a tour of Rowcroft’s Inpatient Unit by Ward Manager Michelle Ayling and Director of Patient Care Vicky Bartlett, before meeting with some members of the hospice’s clinical team, the hospice’s Chair of Trustees Sally Scott-Bryant, and Chief Executive Mark Hawkins, for the official signing ceremony.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a national promise that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, will be treated fairly and with respect within the communities, economy and society they have served.
“It was a great honour to sign the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of Rowcroft Hospice,” said Rowcroft CEO Mark Hawkins. “It’s so important to recognise the vital role played by those in the Armed Forces, and the immense sacrifices they and their families make to keep us safe. The hospice is proud to offer a warm welcome to all who need our care, including those from the military community who have given so much in service to their country.”
Rowcroft’s Chair of Trustees Sally Scott-Bryant said:
“This covenant reflects the hospice’s commitment to standing with the Armed Forces community and offering the support and respect they truly deserve. The covenant is an important milestone in our journey to champion equality and inclusion, and to ensure that our care remains accessible and tailored to all members of our community.”
The decision to sign the covenant reflects Rowcroft’s strong commitment to inclusivity across South Devon, as well as its deep appreciation for the unique challenges faced by armed forces personnel, veterans and their loved ones. These challenges can include frequent relocations, long periods of separation from family, adjusting to civilian life after military service, managing the emotional and physical impact of service-related experiences, and ongoing health concerns including mental health issues such as PTSD.
By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, Rowcroft joins a growing number of organisations across the UK working to ensure that armed forces personnel and their families are treated with fairness, understanding and compassion.
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Lead Image: Rowcroft Hospice Covenant signing re Armed Forces
About Rowcroft Hospice
It takes time, compassion, medical expertise and money to help patients with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones to make the most of every day, but every year Rowcroft Hospice helps around 2,500 people in South Devon to do just that.
By providing comfort, support and specialist services, the hospice enables families to share precious moments when they are needed most – whether it’s a beautiful wedding, remarkable reunion or a simple thank you.
From Dartmouth to Dawlish and up onto Dartmoor, Rowcroft cares for 80% of its patients in their own homes with a team of community nurse specialists, social workers, and bereavement volunteers. The team also provides occupational therapy, physiotherapy, complementary therapy, spiritual care and music therapy, delivering a holistic approach tailored to individual needs.
Day and night, Rowcroft’s award-winning Hospice at Home team provide free specialist support to patients at home in their last few of weeks of life. The team helps to monitor and manage symptoms to enable patients to be comfortable and also offers support for loved ones, enabling carers to take much needed breaks. The service includes a dedicated telephone support line 24 hrs a day.
In Rowcroft’s 12-bedded Inpatient Unit in Torquay, the hospice’s team provides specialist care for patients whose complex needs cannot be met at home. Along with high quality health and social care, we also offer delicious homecooked meals and access to our beautiful gardens. The welcoming and homely environment helps patients and families to make the most of precious time together.
Rowcroft is an independent charity with around 75% of its funding derived from the incredible generosity of local people. The hospice team fully acknowledges the current challenging economic climate and is grateful for the local community’s continued support through these tough times; every pound raised makes a real difference.
With an increasingly ageing local population, the demand for Rowcroft’s care has never been greater. The charity currently cares for around one in three people with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon and has ambitious plans to expand its care to reach more people.
For more information, please visit www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk
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