Weldmar Hospicecare is a Dorset charity providing specialist end of life care for adults with a life limiting illness, and support for their loved ones.
Our compassionate approach supports patients and their families in the community, at home, and in our hospice. We have a dedicated team of nurses, doctors, therapists, social workers and counsellors, but only 17% of our funds are provided by the NHS – we need to raise £27,500 per day, with the support of the local community, in order to continue our services.
Our aim is to ensure all adults needing end of life care in Dorset have access to excellent services, delivered when they are needed, meeting individual needs of patients and their loved ones.
All of our care is provided free.
Stampede by the Sea
Have you herd? Wonderfully decorated elephants will be arriving in Bridport, West Bay and Lyme Regis in a fun, free, and vibrant art trail to raise funds and awareness for Weldmar!
You can also remember a loved one with a handpainted dedication on our Memory Elephant.
Learn more30 years of Weldmar Hospicecare
We opened our hospice doors for the first time in January 1994. Read our story and timeline, meet our '30 Faces of Weldmar', and discover more about how Weldmar Hospicecare has become the charity it is today.
Learn moreOverseas Challenges
Epic adventures. Lasting memories.
Discover where you could go with our exciting new destinations for 2025 and 2026!
Learn moreThe latest Weldmar news, blogs, and stories
There for you throughout life’s most difficult journey
Weldmar Hospicecare has a compassionate approach, treating every patient as an individual. We provide specialist end of life care individuals in Dorset who have been diagnosed with a life limiting illness, and their families in the community, at home, and in our hospice. We also provide support to the carers and loved ones of the patients in our care.
All of our care is provided free.
We have a dedicated team of health care professionals, including nurses, doctors, therapists, social workers and counsellors.
How to support Weldmar
All of Weldmar’s services are provided to those who need them for free. To provide these services, we need to raise the equivalent of £27,500 every day. Just 17% of our income is from the NHS.
There are lots of ways that you can support Weldmar. This could be playing Your Hospice Lottery for just £1 a week or making an affordable regular donation, taking on a challenge, or shopping with us. This will help us to continue to provide specialist end of life care to adults in Dorset who have a life limiting illness, and support for their loved ones.
It’s not just about raising money – a great way to support us is to volunteer, and there are opportunities across the charity.
How to donate and fundraise Volunteering with us
More about our charity shopsHow your support makes a difference
If you want to know how your support makes a difference to the people that we care for – both patients and their loved ones – take a look through our selection of personal stories.
Clare's Story
We cared for Clare's husband, James, at home for just ten days. In that time, there was support from a Weldmar Community Nurse, Weldmar at Home, and our 24 Hour Advice Line. Clare says "it made a world of difference".
Read Clare's StoryAlfie's Story
“I couldn’t imagine going through what we did without this place and the people in it” - how Alfie's mum was cared for at our Inpatient Unit, and how he is pushing himself to the limit to fundraise for Weldmar.
Read Alfie's StoryJosephine's Story
Watch our video interview with Josephine, who describes care provided to her mum both at home and in our Inpatient Unit - "they make you feel you're the only ones, and give you one hundred percent attention."
Watch Josephine's StoryInformation about Weldmar in your local community
Our Community Outreach Coordinator, Fran, is out and about in different locations across Dorset every week. You can ask any questions about our services and what we do, and also get useful information about volunteering, fundraising, and more.
As well as events with our Community Outreach Vehicle, Fran also attends village hall talks, library events, community groups, and more.
You can also apply to have a visit from Weldmar Community Outreach at an event you are organising.
Join our team
Weldmar Hospicecare is hiring across a number of our departments, including clinical and nursing, through to catering, fundraising and retail.
View all our Dorset charity jobs.
Information for Professionals
Weldmar Hospicecare is committed to ensuring that those who need excellent palliative care in Dorset have access to it, and so we have a range of education and training courses available, and useful online guides such as our Advance Care Planning Hub.
Professional Courses
Weldmar Hospicecare is committed to providing training in order to improve palliative care for all in Dorset, and run a series of educational courses.
Learn moreAdvance Care Planning
Resources for Advance Care Planning: the process of person-centred discussions between an individual and their care providers about their preferences and priorities for future care.
Learn moreMaking a referral
How to refer a patient to Weldmar Hospicecare, with a summary of our services.
Learn more
Did you know...
2,123
patients and loved ones in Dorset received our care last year
£27,500
is how much we need to raise every day to provide our services
83%
of the care we provide is in the community and patients' own homes