Opened in 1984, St Michael's Hospice is an independent charity that exists to help and support patients and their families living with a terminal illness. Its multi-disciplinary team includes doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, complementary therapists, social workers, chaplains and counsellors. They work together and often in partnership with the NHS to relieve patients' symptoms, control their pain and help people to live well until the end of life.

The hospice provides in-patient services, hospice day care and support for patients in a range of settings, including their homes. St Michael's is also there to ensure loved ones have access to the appropriate care and support they need to cope with the complex feelings and lifestyle changes caused by a terminal illness.

As a charity, the hospice sought to provide its services in new and innovative ways over the past year. It sought and received funding for Covid-related counselling and was able to maintain visitors through the creation of “ward runners” – volunteers who received and escorted visitors to the external door of the patient's rooms. Nurses who were unable to work face-to-face with patients provided telephone support to care homes and carers for palliative patients.

St Michael's says on its website: “Through sheer dedication and love for our fellow men and women, we built the hospice ... you can still feel the love when you walk in. There's something very special about our building.”