At Princess Alice Hospice, we believe the best way to understand the LGBTQ+ experience in hospice care is through authentic storytelling from members of our community. We hope that our positive stories will help assuage any uncertainties for those nervous to access hospice care or join our staff due to fears of discrimination. We also hope that any challenging stories help us learn and continue to improve to ensure the Hospice is an inclusive and safe place for all members of our community.

Have a look at some of the stories that have been shared so far, and keep an eye open for more stories coming through.

• Our CEO, Nigel, talks about what Pride and belonging means to him and the Hospice.
• Zoe discusses her experiences using our Man Shed and entering the Hospice for the first time.
• Submit your own story as a member of the LGBTQ+ community or working with LGBTQ+ service users and loved ones.

Below are a range of resources and links that provide support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Websites

• Mind Out Support – For mental health support for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
• LGBT Health and Wellbeing – For specific resources on dementia and the LGBTQ+ experience.
• Action for Carers – For support and resources for LGBTQ+ carers.
• Age UK Navigating later life  – To help LGBTQ+ patients and loved ones prepare for the end of life.
• LGBTQ+ Death Cafe – The first LGBTQ+ specific Death Cafe.
• A guide for LGBTQ+ on funerals –  Information on support and rights for LGBTQ+ funerals.
• Ally guide – A guide to being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.
• Marie Curie LGBTQ+ support –  Support with palliative care if you’re in the LGBTQ+ community.

Books

• What’s the T? – By Juno Dawson
• Gender Euphoria – By Laura Kate Dale
• Lesbian Widows, Invisible Grief – by Vicky Whipple
• Gay Widowers, life after the death of a partner – By Michael Shernoff, MSW
• Partnered Grief – By Harold Ivan Smith and Joy Johnson
• A Matter of Life and Sex – Oscar Moore
• LGBTQ+ – Inclusive Hospice and Palliative Care – By Kimberly D. Acquaviva
• Social Work Practice With Older Lesbian and Gay Men – By Ann Fannin, et al
• The Loss of a Life Partner – By Carolyn Ambler Walter
• The Madness of Grief – By The Reverend Richard Coles

If you know of a resource that you think could help others, please send it to [email protected] to share on this page.

Below is a range of resources and links for professionals.

• hiding-who-i-am-the-reality-of-end-of-life-care-for-lgbt-people.pdf Marie Curie
• It’s more than rainbows in receptions Marie Curie and No Barriers Here
• List of LGBTQ+ terms | Stonewall
• Trans and Gender Diverse Inclusion handbook | Hospice UK
• LGBTQ+ Learning Framework Toolkit– Skills for Care
• Films– My Genderation- Trans Lives
• Care Home Guide for Creating Inclusive Residential Care for LGBTQ+ Elders The Circle Research Project

If you know if a resource that you think could help others, please send it to [email protected] to share on this page.

We at Princess Alice Hospice want to ensure that our Hospice is a safe place for people to come and access our services without fear of discrimination or misunderstanding. While we work to ensure our services are accessible and equitable, we need to understand the importance of putting in this work.

The LGBTQ+ community has historically faced marginalisation or discrimination. Read more on Pride history.

We are so grateful for any stories that can help the Hospice continue learning and ensure we’re a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds and identities.

We’d love if you could share your Pride story with us.

Find out the answers to your questions here.