Author: Joe Nerssessian

St Christopher’s Vice President recognised in Kings’ Birthday Honours for contribution to hospice

Posted on by Joe Nerssessian

A GP who has been supporting St Christopher’s Hospice for more than a quarter of a century has been recognised in the Kings’ Birthday Honours 2026 for “services to palliative care”.

Dr Tyrrell Evans, 75, for 35 years a partner at Paxton Green Group Practice, is being honoured with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his dedication to the local community in south London, including decades of volunteering and fundraising for the hospice where his wife was also supported.

As a much-loved GP he pioneered patient participation in healthcare in the 1990s, founded a long-standing residents’ association, and supported initiatives addressing isolation and vulnerability. His contribution has previously been recognised through a Southwark Civic Award, reflecting decades of dedication to improving both healthcare and community life.

BEMs are awarded to people who have made achievement or contributions to the community in a local geographical area.

Dr Evans was first appointed a Trustee at St Christopher’s Hospice by Dame Cicely Saunders in 2002 and continued in that role until 2017, including a period as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. In 2019 he was made a Vice President. His wife, Siân Evans, a nurse and counsellor, was supported by the Hospice before she died in 2020.

As part of his fundraising in Siân’s memory, Dr Evans launched an appeal through regular Christmas cards to friends and family, helping to raise more than £50,000 to establish the Newly Qualified Nurses Community of Practice which has provided more than 40 hours of training to 90 clinicians across the UK and internationally, with 85% of participants rating their sessions as “excellent” and 96% recommending the programme to colleagues. This was later extended to include the training of GPs in palliative care.

These training programmes have been run by St Christopher’s Centre for Awareness and Response to End of Life (CARE). Dr Evans had also helped to raise money and support for the CARE building in preparation for its opening in 2021.

Dr Tyrrell Evans says:

“I am delighted for my work to have been recognised in our King’s Birthday Honours.

“When Dame Cicely Saunders appointed me back in 2002, she said, you will do a good job for the Hospice, won’t you? I have done my best to fulfil her expectations.

“I am fortunate to have worked with so many skilled, committed and compassionate people. It has been a real pleasure to be part of the teams at Paxton Green and St Christopher’s, and I hope to continue my involvement with our hospice for many years to come.

“May I take this opportunity to thank all my friends and family who have contributed to my wife’s legacy fund for the hospice.”

Steve Smith, Chief Executive of St Christopher’s, says:

“We’re delighted that Tyrrell’s long-standing contributions to St Christopher’s have been recognised by King Charles III in his birthday honours.” 

“Tyrrell has dedicated a quarter of a century to supporting both the hospice and the wider palliative care sector and has had a huge impact on the development of professionals across the world. 

“We’d like to extend a huge congratulations to Tyrrell from everyone here at St Christopher’s and thank him for his continued fundraising and support.” 

“The Christmas present was mum being with us”

Posted on by Joe Nerssessian
The family eating dinner in the hospice cafe

“The Christmas present was mum being with us.”

When Allen Mills’ mum, Susan, came to St Christopher’s in late November 2024, her family thought she might only have a few days to live. But in her typical, determined way, Susan managed six weeks — long enough to share one more Christmas with her husband and three children.

“She was a strong, stubborn, loving woman,” Allen says. “She had been told she was dying more than once, and she just refused to accept it. Mam was great at everything… except for dying! She always kept fighting.”

Born in London, Susan was raised between County Galway, Ireland and London. Her husband, Allen’s father, Tony, was from a small coastal village in County Mayo.

“Mum used to love going back there with the dogs, the next stop over the Atlantic Ocean was Boston. Fresh air, fresh food, great people, great craic, the pubs were open late,” says Allen, 39.

Susan was initially referred to St Christopher’s just after Easter in 2024 and the family were supported by the community team before she was admitted to the hospice’s inpatient unit a few weeks before Christmas, where she died on 30 December 2024.

“Before then,” says Allen, “I only really knew St Christopher’s from the shops on Lordship Lane. I’d never actually set foot in the hospice and you think it might be full of sadness and misery but it’s not.

“This place is like nothing I’ve ever experienced in my entire life.”

Susan Mills

On Christmas Day itself, the family sat together in the café and had dinner with Susan, sharing stories. An experience that has left Allen with a positive memory of one of the most difficult times of his life.

“It was joyous that we were able to spend Christmas Day together. She looked fantastic, She had a lot more energy about her. We didn’t do presents; the Christmas present was mum being with us.

“I’m always quite happy talking about it because it was a nice day and we might not have had that. 

“The fact that we got Christmas Day and we had a good day, she was in good form. And we all had a chance to sit around the table and eat Christmas dinner, as close to normality as we could, I look back on it really fondly.”

Susan and her family

“Mam was great at everything… except for dying! She always kept fighting.”

The quality of the dinner itself was a surprise too, for both Allen and Susan – who enjoyed hers so much she had two!

“She had an early Christmas dinner on the ward and then came down and had another with us, so she had two dinners. It was fantastic, I’ve had some pretty ropey ones over the years with watery gravy but the food was great.”

“It must be tough for the staff working over Christmas, especially being away from their families and seeing other people enjoying their Christmases in very different environment, but they were first class. From the minute you walk through the door, from reception to the wards, is it so accommodating and helpful and just it just makes the process easier.”

It was during their Christmas dinner that Susan pointed out a poster for a fundraising bike ride challenge for the hospice which was from London to Versailles, near Paris, reminding Allen that he had done a similar trip before with his friend, Gavin.

“That kind of nailed it for me that I was going to I was going to do it,” he says. “By hook or by crook.”

In September 2025, he completed the 283-mile bike ride alongside 47 other riders, including his friends Gavin, Paul and James, with his team raising more than £11,000 in memory of Susan.

Christmas dinner at the hospice
Allen and Susan on the IPU

It was the extra, above-and-beyond support, that he remembers feeling so important from the team at St Christopher’s, with him and his partner Shannon, as well as Tony and the rest of the family being able to visit at any time.

“The nurses were first class, often we’d be finishing work or, and it’d be late but they let us in at any time. And, you know, sometimes I stayed the night or stayed quite late to get her settled, something as simple as just watching TV with her.

“We watched Titanic one night together, I moved the bed around and we watched Titanic while she had her dinner.”

During Susan’s stay at St Christopher’s, Allen and his dad also took part in the Remembering with St Christopher’s event at Sydenham, lighting candles in memory of loved ones.

He said the family will be back this year to remember Susan.

“It was very poignant, and probably a bit of an eye opener for the pair of us about what world we were going to be stepping into. It was quite a sobering experience, because we realised what road we were on, so that was quite sad.

“But it was a beautiful ceremony and I’m really glad I was there, it made me realise I need to make every moment count.”

Speak up for hospice care by writing to your MP

Posted on by Joe Nerssessian

This year, Hospice Care Week is celebrating the importance of hospice care, while also highlighting the vital issue of funding shortfalls.

Hospice UK estimate that as many as 2 in 5 hospices are planning to make cuts this year.

As the home of the modern hospice movement, we’re standing up for hospices across the country and calling for a new funding model.

At St Christopher’s we are fortunate that, thanks to the support of our community who raise millions for us every year, we are able to continue to provide care and support when people need us most.

Write to your MP

So this Hospice Care Week, please speak up for hospices up and down the country and encourage your local MP to attend a Hospice UK event in parliament on 15 October.

You can find a template of the letter below to copy and paste into your email.

Find your local MP and their email address by entering your postcode on members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP.

Dear (insert name of your local MP), 

I am writing as your constituent and a supporter of St Christopher’s to ask you to attend a special parliamentary drop-in event in Westminster on Wednesday, 15 October, hosted by Hospice UK, to celebrate Hospice Care Week. 

This year’s theme is “hospice care is more than you think”. To bring this to life, Hospice UK will be reimagining a Hospice at Home in Parliament, offering a unique insight into the care hospices provide in people’s homes and communities every day. 

I understand St Christopher’s is proud to be part of a movement that delivers personalised, compassionate care, helping people stay at home, surrounded by the people and things they love most. Their teams work tirelessly, not only on the ward but also in the community and in people’s homes, supporting those who need palliative and end of life care day in, day out. 

However, the reality is that rising costs and an unsustainable funding model mean many hospices are being forced to cut back services, despite growing demand.  

With fair funding from government, hospices like St Christopher’s can maintain and expand their services, supporting the ambition laid out in the Ten Year Plan for Health to provide more care, closer to home – just what people like me and my family want.  

Last year, St Christopher’s joined Hospice UK in campaigning for better funding, and thanks to this, they have been able to develop new services and support more people in our community. 

I would be hugely grateful if, as my local MP, you could drop-in to Parliament’s Hospice at Home on Wednesday 15 October, 10am-3pm in the Jubilee Room. Please join Hospice UK and St Christopher’s in celebrating the breadth of support hospices offer, and in calling for the fair funding that will secure the future of these vital services. 

To RSVP or for more information, please email policy@hospiceuk.org. 

Thank you for your support. 

(Name)  

(insert your postcode) 

Share stories of our work

We are also using this opportunity to celebrate the great work of our teams.

Hospice care is more than you think. It isn’t just about managing symptoms in the last few days of life. 

It’s about living fully and living well, right until the last moment.

That means remarkable moments happen. Like a game of football in the hospice garden or a couple dancing again.

Last year we supported almost 7,000 people across our south London and our community teams made more than 25,000 home visits.

Please share our videos celebrating our work on social media to remind people that hospices are so much more than you think.

‘Remembering ourselves’: grief and identity with asylum seekers

Posted on by Joe Nerssessian
People work around a table on art projects, we can see their hands not their faces

“We should have that spirit of resilience that this is what life is all about. It’s got its good side, bad side, and the very ugly side.”

— Project participant

As part of a recent project, our Community Action team collaborated with a group of asylum seekers on ‘Remembering Ourselves’ – a ten-week group exploring loss, memory, grief and identity through reflective art-making. Loren Seaman, Community Learning Facilitator, reflects on the process.

Loss is a central and ongoing reality for most asylum seekers, but it’s rarely addressed within the programming at Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers — in part given the care needed to maintain a safe environment for those already in difficult, vulnerable positions.

But with the right approach, a project emerged.

It came from a long-term relationship with the centre, built through previous workshops, informal conversations over lunch, and the slow, steady work of earning trust.

With the participants, we co-designed a space that could explore the themes of loss, memory, grief and identity gently, using mixed-methods adapted to the group’s needs.

With varied levels of English fluency in the group, we chose materials, colours, and symbols that could facilitate reflection without relying on language.

Participants made clay impressions of meaningful items—shells, jewellery trinkets, tools—offering ways to express memory and identity without needing to speak.

These tiles were later broken and reassembled using fragments from everyone’s pieces, forming shared mosaics of collective memory.

This physical act of breaking and reconstructing became a powerful metaphor for what’s been lost, what’s carried, and what can be pieced back together.

A mosaic of broken ceramics and items on a table

Each session stood on its own, with built-in moments for quiet reflection and prayer, so participants could find meaning whether they came once or every week.

We focused on listening without interpretation, creating space for individuals to engage on their own terms without pressure to explain. The process was designed in response to the needs of the group— emotionally, linguistically, and culturally.

“We put everything together and we look at life in a different dimension.”

One person shared: “Because now, these [tiles] are a mindset of different people on a platform…This could be my past, this could be another person’s present, this could be someone else’s future. So we put everything together and we look at life in a different dimension.”

Another said: “We should have that spirit of resilience that this is all life is all about. It’s got its good side, bad side, and the very ugly side. That’s what makes us. So for that reason, we have to live, and we have to move forward. And thank God for a place like this. We come here, we share together. We change our views about life. Sometimes if you are alone, you think it is just only you. But when you come and you hear their own side of the story, you get encouraged.”

A woman creates at a table with different pieces of art equipment around her

“This project has changed the way I think about what we do at the centre.”

— SDCAS centre manager

The project reached some of the centre’s most longstanding clients, many of whom had been in the UK for more than 15 years and rarely participated in mixed-gender, multi-week groups.

The centre’s manager said: “The workshop approached delicate subject matter that we don’t usually address at the centre. There was a need, and it wanted to be filled. It was a really beautiful thing to see take place – the things that feel impossible to do, we managed to do in this project, and it changed the way I think about what we do at the centre.”

Although we intentionally never asked people to share, individuals began opening up. For some, it was the first time they had done so in the many years they’d been attending the centre.

“I think it’s time to remind me what happened… You’re trying to encourage me to forget about my past and try to fight for my present and my future. I’m so happy about that.”

While we weren’t aiming to forget the past – rather to let it sit alongside the present and future – these words speak to the hope that emerged: where the past could be acknowledged without becoming the whole story.

This article was originally published in issue six of our Connect magazine. To read the full magazine, or to sign up to receive future editions, please click here.

Find out more about our Community Action team here.

Autumn issue of Connect magazine published

Posted on by Joe Nerssessian

The Autumn/Winter 2025 issue of our community magazine explores the important work of our teams and highlights how people remember their loved ones through extraordinary acts. It also includes a message from our new Chief Executive, Steve Smith.

Read the issue below or, collect a copy from one of the hospice sites or one of our shops.

If you’d like to have future issues sent to you, please register your interest here

If you’ve got any questions or comments about anything you read, or would like to share your experience of St Christopher’s, please do get in touch by emailing communications@stchristophers.org.uk

Connect Magazine Autumn 2025

‘Inspirational’ effort as 47 riders ride to Palace of Versailles

Posted on by Joe Nerssessian
The riders in Versaille

Our Palace to Palace riders conquered the road to Versailles and you can still donate to support them

After four days of wind, rain and climbing some very serious hills, more than 40 determined cyclists have completed an epic ride from Crystal Palace all the way to the Palace of Versailles – and together they’ve already raised almost £150,000 for St Christopher’s Hospice.

Among the team were two of our very own nurses, Clinical Team Leads Katie Grace and Chris Mangar, joined by colleagues from across the hospice including music therapist Seán Kenny, Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Consultant Lead, Helena Talbot Rice, Head of Bereavement Services, Fiona Walkingshaw, and Living Well at Home Volunteer John Firmin. They cycled alongside community members, friends and supporters riding in memory of loved ones cared for by St Christopher’s.

One of those supporters was Nick Green, 54, from West Wickham. Nick took on the challenge in memory of his best friend Steve, who died at St Christopher’s earlier this year. In a moving tribute, Nick completed the ride on Steve’s own bike and has raised almost £5,000 so far.

“I wanted to ride his bike so I could have Steve with me.”

Nick Green
Nick holds Steve's bike aloft at Versaille

“Steve was my best friend,” said Nick. “I was blown away by the care he got at St Christopher’s, it was inspirational to see the staff doing work I could never do and that’s why I took on the cycle.

“Steve fought with grit, determination, and bravery. The fight Steve showed was nothing short of incredible, he refused to give up – his mentality, courage and spirit were beyond inspiring.”

“Steve was a keen cyclist himself and he’d have loved to have done something like this and I wanted to ride his bike so I could have him with me,” he added.

George Moore was riding in memory of his grandad, who was supported by St Christopher’s ten years ago, and Allen Mills rode in memory of his mum, who was on the inpatient unit last Christmas.

The cyclists’ journey began right outside the hospice in Sydenham, taking them through Crystal Palace Park, the Surrey Hills, the Sussex countryside and on to northern France. Medieval market towns, quiet villages and rolling farmland marked their path before finishing triumphantly at the stunning Palace of Versailles.

Former TV doctor, Dr Rosemary Leonard MBE, who has now taken on several of our big challenge rides, took part alongside her son and his partner.

Helena and Katie

“Your donations help us continue to be there for patients and families when they need us most.”

Katie Grace, Matron

Katie Grace, hospice nurse and Clinical Team Lead (Matron), reflected on why she and her colleagues joined the challenge:

“I’ve worked on the inpatient unit for nine years and every year I see the demand for our services grow,” Katie said. “It’s a privilege to be part of a team that takes on challenges like this, alongside volunteers and supporters, to raise the funds we need.

“Every day we see the difference our care makes to people across south London. By supporting us, you’re helping us continue to be there for patients and families when they need us most.”

How you can help

Thanks to the incredible effort of our riders, St Christopher’s is another step closer to meeting its target to fund end of life and palliative care for our south London community. Every donation counts.

If you’d like to show your support for our cyclists and help us keep caring for local people and families, please donate here.

Support our incredible riders!

Scroll through the gallery below to see our riders in action.

The riders in Versaille
Day Four - Palace to Palace Finish line
Palace to Palace Riders - Day Three
Palace to Palace Riders - Day Three
Palace to Palace Riders - Day Three
Palace to Palace Riders - Day Three
Palace to Palace Riders - Day Three
Palace to Palace Riders - Day Three
Palace to Palace Riders - Day Three
Palace to Palace Riders - Day Three
Palace to Palace Riders - Day Three
Palace to Palace Riders - Day Three
Palace to Palace Riders - Day Three
Palace to Palace Riders - Day Three
palace to palace riders in france day two
palace to palace riders in france day two
palace to palace riders in france day two
palace to palace riders in france day two
palace to palace riders in france day two
Palace to Palace Day 1 France

Brian’s salsa makes him feel ‘light on his feet’

Posted on by Joe Nerssessian
Brian with his three sons, all smiling

“Whatever your dream is, you just have to push for it and go hard.”

For a man who’s always worked hard and been the beating, active heart of family life, for his ageing parents, four siblings and four children, losing much of his mobility and being referred to St Christopher’s after a second cancer diagnosis came as a huge body blow for Brian Sewell.

After initially refusing the hospice’s offer of physiotherapy, Brian attended a course of six sessions and, after enjoying the physical and psychological lift, wants others to overcome any reluctance they might have about engaging with St Christopher’s.

“Coming to St Christopher’s was hard, and I knocked it back a couple of times,” Brian, 58, who was diagnosed with bone cancer in October, admits.

“When I got up and danced it was like I didn’t have cancer.”

A screengrab of the video of Brian dancing alongside rehab assistant Rali in the hospice gym

“I just thought it was a place you went at the end. When I eventually came, my goal was to come and improve my mobility. I used to do everything for my mum and dad but I’d had to stop driving and I felt helpless.

“When I heard the salsa at my first physio session I just wanted to get up and dance. My son, Brett, who is a professional dancer was there with me and the physio asked if I wanted to dance. I said I didn’t know if I was strong enough. I promised that I was going to.

“Dancing has always been a big thing for me and I loved going out dancing. So, when I got up and danced it was like I was in a normal gym. I felt like I didn’t have cancer and everything was alright. I feel light on my feet.”

Brian Sewell and his wife smile at the camera

Brian, who’s lived all his life in Croydon and has known of many people who’ve been cared for by St Christopher’s, wants people to know what it’s really like.

“We have to find a way of letting people know that it’s not just a place you go to say goodbye.

“I would tell people to get down there and accept their help. They are really good people, it’s a lovely place with a great café and beautiful garden and the physio was fantastic.”

Nurses from St Christopher’s continue to call Brian every couple of weeks to check he’s ok and he’s hoping to return for more physio at some point.

Having achieved his dancing goal, proud dad Brian now wants to see his 16-year-old son Broghan make his debut as a professional footballer, after he recently signed for Southampton.

“A week after Brett said he liked dancing aged eight we were in a dance club, and when Broghan said he wanted to play football for a team I had him signed up straight away. Whatever your dream is you just have to push for it and go hard.”

It was Broghan’s twin brother Brae’s diagnosis aged three with a rare genetic condition called Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT) that Brian believes has helped him and his wife Siobhan face his own challenging circumstances.

“We were told he had a lifespan of 26 and he’s now in a wheelchair. Watching Brae deteriorate prepared us for my diagnosis. He was only young and didn’t know what lay ahead.

“I have my bad days, but I’m ok and thanks to the physio and the medication I sometimes think maybe the doctors made a mistake.”

Heather Richardson awarded MBE for services to nursing and palliative care

Posted on by Joe Nerssessian

We are delighted to announce our former Chief Executive Heather Richardson has been awarded an MBE in the Kings’ Birthday Honour List.

Richardson, a registered general and mental health nurse who has worked in hospice care since 1989, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for “services to nursing and palliative care.”

Middle aged white woman, smiling to camera with short blond hair

On her award, she said: “I am absolutely delighted both personally, and for the recognition for the many people who have worked alongside me to achieve this.

“I’d like to extend my thanks to those who have nominated me. It has given me a spring in my step and reinforced my passion for palliative nursing and the difference we can make, not only to for patients and those close to them, but also for broader systems of healthcare and society as a whole.

“I’ve had a wonderful career with incredible opportunities and have been fortunate to have great mentorship, education and support of colleagues. Working with other inspiring nurses has taught me so much. I’ve learnt the value of relational engagement with patients, families and carers, and of goal-focused, risk-confident care. I have also seen time and time again the value of learning from mistakes and in the face of adversity.

“As I look forward, I want this next phase to help build the next generation of nurses and leaders in palliative care. We can do this by creating opportunities for them to learn, connect and prove and communicate their value.”

Richardson served as Chief Executive and previously Joint Chief Executive of St Christopher’s for a combined period of eight years until 2021. Most recently, she has been advising St Christopher’s Centre for Awareness and Response to End of Life (CARE) as an academic lead and senior  consultant.

Prior to joining St Christopher’s, Richardson held the role of National Clinical Lead for Hospice UK, and worked as Clinical Director, then Strategy Advisor to St. Joseph’s Hospice in East London.

Richardson has a PhD, her research concerned with users’ experience of day hospice. She has developed a research interest around public health and end of life care and is involved in global programmes of learning for palliative care leaders. She has previously served as an honorary professor in palliative care at Lancaster University and as a Senior Research Fellow for Harris Manchester College in Oxford.  

Jan Noble, Interim Chief Executive at St Christopher’s, says: “Everyone at St Christopher’s is delighted for Heather in receiving this well-deserved honour.

“Heather’s dedication, vision, and compassion have shaped not only St Christopher’s but also the wider field of palliative care, both nationally and internationally.

“I know that her leadership as former Chief Executive and her ongoing work for the hospice have inspired countless colleagues and transformed the experience of people at the end of life both here in South London and across the globe.

“On behalf of St Christopher’s, I offer Heather our warmest congratulations.”

Patients and staff join stars at Chelsea Flower Show

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Two St Christopher’s patients had their dreams come true as they were invited to the Chelsea Flower Show.

Sam Lucas and Emma Pancha were joined by staff members Jarmila Whiteley, Lorna Pearce and Emily Fisher on ‘preview day’ at the world famous show.

They got an exclusive look at this year’s gardens as they represented hospice patients at the Hospice UK ‘Garden of Compassion’ and were photographed with our ambassador, Tom Allen, as well as with Hospice UK’s ambassador, Gloria Hunniford.

Tom had met Sam and Emma, as well as Lorna and Jarmila, a few weeks earlier when the comedian joined them for a session of painting ‘Together Pebbles’ which were included in Hospice UK’s garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Sam, 54, said going to Chelsea was on her bucket list and decorated her wheelchair especially for the occasion.

When told she would be attending, she said: “Oh my god, you’ve made my life.”

Afterwards, she added: “I had a truly magical day. I think we all did. After watching Chelsea on the BBC twice a day for 30 years, it was incredibly special to see it all in the flesh.

“And we were treated to a cavalcade of celebrities all day so that added a fun dimension. I got to meet a few of my gardening heroes so that was really cool. But there’s only one quote of the day from me and it’s still echoing around my head, ‘David Tennant touched my hat!”

  • St CHristopher's at Chelsea Flower Show with Tom Allen
  • St CHristopher's at Chelsea Flower Show
  • Sam and Emma at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

The Together Pebbles feature is based on an initiative started during Covid-19 whereby hospice patients would receive a hand-decorated pebble: one side featuring an artwork, and the other with a personalised message from a friend or family member.

They’re symbolic of the many acts of remembrance taking place in hospices around the UK, who offer ways for families to make dedications – and find comfort – through their in-memory gardens, tree dedications or books or remembrance.

Compassionate Chat with Tom Allen

These pebbles were a way for people to stay connected, despite not being able to see each other in person because of the lockdown.

At the Hospice UK Garden of Compassion, Together Pebbles created by hospice patients, staff and guests will be placed into beautiful artisanal crafted bowls, specially made for the garden by artist Thea Thompson.

Click here to read more about this visit on the Hospice UK website.

‘Something special’ about caring for people at home

Posted on by Joe Nerssessian
Eva Trowers

“It’s so very special if you can get it right – make it a better death so that it leaves a better legacy.”

It was the realisation that you have only one chance to get it right for each person in your care that’s dying, that drove Eva Trowers’ passion to become a specialist palliative care nurse.

Twelve years after joining St Christopher’s after a long period as a district nurse, Eva, is now a Clinical Team Lead, managing a team of nine that looks after 250 patients in the community in Bromley, and none of that passion has worn off. If anything, it’s grown.

“I just love going out in the community. There’s something so special for me about looking after people in their own homes, in their environment and on their terms.

“Sometimes you have to stop and pause because it’s such a profound moment in people’s lives. Knowing that each and every one of us will come to the end of life at some point, it’s so very special if you can get it right – make it a better death so that it leaves a better legacy.”

“I really appreciate the amazing teamwork that goes into providing end of life care.”

Eva had set out wanting to make a difference to people at another significant life moment – as a midwife.  

“I think there are similarities between the beginning and end of life and then I did my nurse training and was drawn to working in the community.”

Caring for people nearing the end of life was the exclusive responsibility of the senior district nurses when Eva started out.

Then, as soon as she became a Sister and first encountered patients at that stage of life, there was an almost immediate connection.

“There was this woman who I was visiting. I was so keen to get it right for her and at the same time so anxious not to do her a disservice. I remember turning her over, she held me, and I held her and she said she felt safe. That was the turning point. From that moment, my heart was in palliative care.”

It took another few years before Eva made the move to St Christopher’s and she admits that the first year or so working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the community was more challenging than she’d anticipated.

“I might have been a bit naïve about the level of clinical autonomy you take on with the role. It was only then I realised quite how skilful specialist palliative care nurses are. I really appreciate the amazing teamwork that goes into providing end of life care – with our colleagues in district nursing as well as all the Allied Health Professionals in the team here at St Christopher’s.”

Now, in her managerial role, Eva is able to coach, model and mentor as well as maintain face-to-face contact with patients. Even with all her experience, Eva says she retains some of those early self-doubts.

“You never lose some of those vulnerabilities, that feeling that you’re not 100% sure you’ve done everything right. We’re all human and we try to be courageous. We have to have a healthy way of managing things although you don’t come into this job not to be affected. But we have a fabulous team dynamic, and we come together to talk things through, reflect and grow so that we never become desensitised.”

Eva and Liam Conlon with GInger at an event in parliament campaigning for better funding
Eva alongside MP Liam Conlon in parliament and Director of Retail Ginger Bujdoso.

In October 2024, she was advocating for high quality palliative and end of life care in parliament, meeting MPs during Hospice Care Week.

Eva was part of a team from St Christopher’s and Hospice UK who spent a day at a pop-up charity shop in Westminster, lobbying for better funding for hospice and palliative care.

Back in her day job, and seeing the growing elderly frail population, she is determined to play an active part in broadening access to palliative care in the coming years. In addition to completing an MSc in advance practice, Eva is keen to complement the skills she uses on a daily basis.

“I really enjoy nursing and have a passion for strategy. I feel really strongly about equitable access to good end of life care. We will all die and we should all have the opportunity to have palliative care when we need it. So, we need to continue to invest in our workforce and evolve services so that are ready for the demographic changes so everyone can access quality care and die well in the place they want to die.”

For the time being, Eva is committed to providing that care as best she can to all her patients. With that commitment though comes constant reflection.

“At the end of every day I have a whole spectrum of emotions. Some days it’s very sad. Other times you know you’ve made an awful situation better. You learn to separate yourself in some way because you have to, by developing a resilience to deal with what happens on a daily basis.”