Farleigh Hospice announces redundancies as financial pressures threaten future of Chelmsford's best-loved charity
The mid-Essex hospice says years of underfunding, rising costs and declining donations have forced it to act
Farleigh Hospice, the Chelmsford-based charity that has provided end-of-life care to people across mid-Essex for more than four decades, has announced a small number of redundancies as it battles a deepening financial crisis.
The hospice, which has served the communities of Chelmsford and the surrounding area since 1982, said on Tuesday that it had been consulting with staff and would be making changes to its bereavement services, alongside job losses, as part of a plan to secure a "sustainable future."
In a statement published on its website, the charity said: "we have been consulting with our staff and there will be some changes to our bereavement services, to focus on the families and carers of patients cared for by Farleigh Hospice, and a small number of redundancies."
The hospice stressed that patient care would continue without disruption, with community teams still providing support in people's homes and its Inpatient Unit remaining open.
A crisis years in the making
Farleigh Hospice pointed to a combination of long-term and more recent pressures as the cause of its difficulties. Years of inadequate NHS funding and declining legacy income, combined with recent increases in National Insurance and the minimum wage, plus rising care costs and the cost of living, have led to significant challenges for the charity.
The announcement comes as hospices across England are facing intense scrutiny over their financial sustainability. Farleigh Hospice recently responded to a House of Commons Public Accounts Committee report on the financial sustainability of adult hospices, signalling it is among those charities feeling the acute strain of the current funding environment.
The hospice employs 327 people and is supported by over 600 volunteers, making it one of the most significant voluntary sector employers in Chelmsford. Its chief executive, Michelle Kabia, who was appointed in August 2025, is leading the organisation through the restructure.
"We do not want to say goodbye to colleagues"
The tone of the charity's statement reflected the difficulty of the decisions being made. "We do not want to say goodbye to any of our valued and dedicated colleagues but sadly we need to act now to ensure we can continue to serve our community for many years to come," the hospice said.
Leaders expressed confidence that the measures taken now would strengthen the organisation's long-term position, stating they are confident that by taking action now, the hospice will be more resilient and in a stronger financial position to be there for the people who need it.
What Farleigh Hospice does
Farleigh Hospice is a registered charity which provides care for people affected by life-limiting illnesses across mid-Essex, helping patients live as actively as possible from the point of diagnosis to the end of their life, providing physical and emotional care free of charge. Approximately 80% of its care takes place within the community and in patients' home environments.
For Chelmsford residents, the hospice is a vital lifeline — whether that means a nurse visiting a patient at home, specialist pain management advice, or bereavement support for grieving families.
How you can help
The hospice is urging supporters not to walk away. "Over the last 43 years, your generous donations and fundraising efforts have ensured that local people living with a life-limiting illness have the care and support they need to enjoy the best quality of life possible and to die with dignity and comfort," it said, asking the public to keep supporting the charity.
Those wishing to donate or get involved can visit farleighhospice.org.
Farleigh Hospice is a registered charity, number 284670. Its Inpatient Unit is based in Chelmsford.