M&S Hatfield Outlet

Isabel Hospice has been providing free palliative care to its patients and their families since 1982. We provide support and care to people in eastern Hertfordshire who are affected by life-limiting illnesses through our Hospice at Home, In-Patient Unit, Community Team, Living Well with Isabel programme and our Family and Bereavement support service. Our clinical teams work closely with other healthcare providers in the area, including care homes, hospitals and GP surgeries, improving access to our services and sharing their knowledge and expertise. We have expanded our service to support more people with a non-cancer diagnosis, now on average 41% of our patients. Our Living Well programme has also allowed us to reach people much earlier in their diagnosis, supporting them to manage the challenges of living with serious illness and long term conditions through a range of interventions and holistic therapies. All of our services are free of charge to those who need them, but they are not without cost, meaning we must raise £7 million every year to guarantee the future of our care. We rely heavily on donations from our community, as well as income from fundraising events and from our 17 shops.

Riding is a holistic therapy for any disability. When sitting on the walking horse, the pelvis is moved involuntarily in a way which mimics walking – a three dimensional movement. The rider’s upper body has to adjust to this in the same way as when really walking so all appropriate walking muscles are stimulated and exercised. The righting, accommodating and balancing instincts are stimulated and the rider’s neurological system practises walking. Muscles in the trunk are exercised and stimulated, head control and balance are improved. This is in addition to the physiological advantages of exercise in the open air such as improved circulation, kidney and bowel function, deeper breathing and improved bone density. Psychologically, riders gain self confidence from overcoming fear and meeting challenges. They gain independence and are encouraged to take responsibility for the horse’s action as well as their own. Cause and effect is clearly and instantly illustrated. Vocabulary, spatial awareness and memory are all involved and practised. Also riders meet, co-operate and socialise with the voluntary helpers. They feel involved with our stables on a personal level and we feel the same with them.

Our focus is on preventing homelessness – from education in schools and family mediation through to supporting young people in their first homes or caring for adults who have housing needs combined with mental health or substance misuse issues.