PRINCESS ALICE HOSPICE helps terminally ill patients make the most of the time they have left, and supports their families through the process of losing a loved one. Every year, more than 2,700 patients across Surrey, southwest London and Middlesex receive free palliative and end-of-life care, in their own homes or at the charity's hospice in Esher. The organisation, which opened almost 30 years ago, has one of the largest community nursing teams in the country and is a leading provider of education for health and social care professionals. It returns to our lists this year for the first time since 2011. Its chain of 36 shops is operated by a team of professional retail staff and more than 800 volunteers. Last year, they raised £1.2m towards the charity's £8m running costs. Princess Alice Hospice ranks fourth among mid-sized organisations on the list for making a significant difference to the world, with an 88% positive score from employees, whose jobs are an important part of their lives (83%, also fourth). The charity is just as committed to caring for its 355-strong team, which operates all hours and every day. This requires many people to work shifts but all requests for flexible hours are considered and, where possible, accommodated, a spokesman says. Staff can also work remotely — at home or in different settings. “We seek to balance the needs of our organisation and the patients and the families that we care for, and the needs of our staff, who are crucial in our being able to provide the high-quality care and support we deliver,” the hospice adds. Improvements to the working environment have included relocating the cramped staff room to a larger space and upgrading the changing rooms, which has helped encourage more employees to run, walk or cycle home. The organisation also holds monthly “Schwartz rounds”, a system that allows people to discuss any emotional effects their roles are having upon them. They don't have time to be bored (80%), and they love their jobs (77%). As a charity, the ability to use money as a reward is restricted, but the hospice celebrates success and additional effort by publicly thanking people in a weekly staff newsletter.Two-thirds of employees get paid £25,000 or less a year, while a nurse's salary is typically just under £30,000. Workers feel they are paid fairly for the jobs they do, compared to colleagues (66%) and others in the sector (67%). Development opportunities range from external courses funded by the hospice to its own inhouse training, secondments and mentoring. Staff are proud to work for the hospice (86%, in fifth place) and think the charity is doing its bit for the local community (73%, ranking third). www.pah.org.uk
