Hospices of Hope is a UK-registered charity (registered number 1088475, Scottish charity number SC040117) founded in 1991 that develops and supports palliative and end-of-life care services across South and Eastern Europe. The organization operates from its headquarters at 11 High Street, Otford, Kent, with additional offices in Edinburgh and a branch in Moldova. Originally established as part of the Ellenor Foundation's international outreach, Hospices of Hope became an independent charity in 2000 while maintaining close historical ties to its parent organization.
History
The roots of Hospices of Hope trace back to 1985 when Graham Perolls founded the Ellenor Foundation in Dartford, Kent, inspired by the deaths of his parents Ellen and Norman Perolls. The foundation was established with a vision that those facing end-of-life should receive the best possible care, either at home or as close to it as possible. Graham Perolls was motivated to start the organization after experiencing the contrasting care his parents received - one died at home while the other received care in a hospice. The international dimension began in 1991 when Graham Perolls launched a UK fundraising appeal to bring palliative care to post-communist Romania under the umbrella of the Ellenor Foundation. This initiative was sparked by his earlier travels to Romania in 1975 and subsequent return in 1989 following the Romanian revolution, where he witnessed the dire state of healthcare for terminally ill patients. The Romanian healthcare system at the time offered little support to those diagnosed with incurable diseases, with patients typically being "sent home to die" without adequate pain management or palliative care.
Transition to independence The Romanian operations evolved rapidly throughout the 1990s, leading to the establishment of Hospices of Hope as a separate organization in 2000 with its own governance structure and identity. This transition allowed the charity to focus specifically on developing palliative care across Eastern and Southeastern Europe while Ellenor (charity number 1121561) continued as an independent local hospice charity serving Kent and Bexley. Despite becoming separate entities, both organizations maintain historical connections and shared values centered on providing compassionate end-of-life care.
Organisational structure and governance Hospices of Hope is governed by a Board of Trustees comprising 11 members as of 2026. The current leadership includes:
Denis Keefe CMG - Chair of Trustees. Sioned Evans - Vice Chair Peter Russell - Trustee Simone Ingram - Trustee Yapincak Erkan - Trustee Rick Woodward - Trustee Alex Blomfield - Trustee David Grace - Trustee David Goldsborough - Trustee Andreea Petreanu - Trustee Richard Macintyre - Trustee
The Board meets typically four times per year for two-hour sessions held in central London, with additional strategic planning and development sessions as needed. Trustees are appointed for three-year terms, renewable up to two times, and are expected to maintain high levels of engagement with the charity's work.
Operational structure The charity operates through a hub-and-spoke model with its UK headquarters coordinating support for partner organizations across multiple countries. The organizational structure includes:
UK Operations: Headquarters in Otford, Kent, and office in Edinburgh. Country Partners: Independent hospice organizations in Romania and Serbia with formal memorandums of understanding. Branch Operations: Direct presence in Moldova through Hospices of Hope Moldova. Trading Company: Operates a network of charity shops across South East England and Scotland.
Geographic coverage and partners
Romania Romania represents Hospices of Hope's longest-standing and most developed partnership network. The country hosts two major partner organizations: Hospice Casa Sperantei is the largest and most established partner, founded in 1992 in Brasov as the first Romanian charity dedicated to improving terminal illness care. The organization has grown to become the leading palliative care provider in Romania, operating multiple facilities:
Brasov Campus: The original site featuring inpatient units, the Princess Diana Centre for Palliative Medicine (opened 1997), and day care facilities. Bucharest Centre: Opened in 2021 after five years of development, requiring an investment of over €5.7 million from donations. This facility is the first and only integrated palliative medicine unit in Bucharest, designed to serve 2,000 patients annually. Adunatii Copaceni: A specialised centre for children and families affected by life-limiting conditions, completed in 2018 and fully operational by 2021. Mobile Teams: Services in Fagaras and Zarnesti serve rural populations in Brasov County.
To date, Hospice Casa Sperantei has provided care and support to over 45,000 patients and more than 100,000 family members. The organization also serves as a major training center, with the Princess Diana Centre providing residential education programs for healthcare professionals across Eastern Europe. Emanuel Hospice, based in Oradea in northwestern Romania, serves as the only provider of palliative home-care services in the region. Since 1996, the organization has supported over 3,171 adults and 288 children with life-limiting illnesses. The hospice team offers teaching programs and vocational training, having trained over 250 doctors and nurses in palliative care. In 2022, Emanuel Hospice received the Diploma of Excellence for "Team of the Year" at the Romanian Healthcare Awards.
Serbia BELhospice in Belgrade serves as Hospices of Hope's primary partner in Serbia, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024. The organization continues to provide palliative home care services but faces significant challenges with staff recruitment, particularly for nursing positions, and managing long-term sickness issues within the Serbian healthcare system. Despite these challenges, BELhospice has completed and opened the first palliative care center in Serbia, fully equipped for day care, outpatient services, home care, and training.
Moldova Hospices of Hope began working in the Republic of Moldova in 2008, and in 2017 launched the first National Network of Palliative Care services in the country. It annually provides over 20,000 home care visits to patients in need of vital care. Currently, there are 4 palliative care teams offering free of charge services to beneficiaries living with life-limiting illnesses. In 2022 the first specialist Day Care Centre was launched in Orhei, and declared as a role model by the Minister of Health. The services provided by Hospices of Hope Moldova include access to specialist medicines and medical equipment, they offer continuous support from the central office in order to support patients in Orhei, Soroca, Balti and Chisinau which are located in the North, South and central parts of the country.
Albania Hospices of Hope is partnered with Ryder Albania who started work in Tirana in 1993 with the support of Sue Ruder Charity in the UK. They provide compassionate end-of-life care in Tirana and Durrës. Ryder Albania’s multidisciplinary teams offer home care services in both cities. The teams provide free medical care, psychological counselling and assistance with social service issues to patients and their families. Since 2018, Hospices of Hope together with Ryder Albania has made a major contribution towards the development of palliative care in Albania with the help of international funding, Hospices of Hope grants and local fundraising.
Greece Hospices of Hope has established partnerships with two organisations in Athens, Greece: Merimna, the only children's care organisation in Greece. And Nosilia, who specialise in adult care. Hospices of Hope provides strategic guidance and has helped Nosilia to break ground on the first palliative care day centre in Athens. Merimna was established in 1995, originally to provide bereavement counselling for children affected by the death of a parent. In 2010, they launched the first palliative home-care service in Athens and in 2013, they extended their bereavement service to Thessaloniki.
Ukraine In August 2O22, Hospices of Hope signed a formal partnership with the St Panteleymon Charity Fund, which supports hospices in Western Ukraine to offer our help and support. in 2024 Hospices of Hope partnered with CF SVOYI, which provides mobile team services helping patients in Kyiv and surrounding regions. Ukraine's hospice sector has been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict, with only 5 of the original 19 independent hospices remaining operational. Traditional government funding for medical staff and essential costs has been gradually reduced, with the Ministry of Health announcing a 22% funding cut in 2023. In March 2025, Hospices of Hope supported the opening of a new clinic in Kyiv, which serves as an out-patient clinic, day centre, and base for an expanded home-care team.
Services and impact
Clinical services Hospices of Hope supports comprehensive palliative care services through its partner network, including:
Inpatient Care: Specialised hospital units providing symptom control, pain management, and end-of-life care. Home Care Services: Mobile teams delivering care in patients' homes, particularly important for rural and underserved populations. Day Care Centers: Outpatient facilities offering therapeutic activities and support services. Pediatric Services: Specialised care for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Bereavement Support: Counseling and support services for families following patient death.
Financial performance and sustainability
Revenue and fundraising Hospices of Hope has demonstrated strong financial performance with diversified revenue streams. In 2023, the organization exceeded its fundraising target by raising over £1.6 million, surpassing the planned £1.5 million goal. The charity's income sources include:
Charity Shops: Record financial performance in 2023, raising over £400,000 in profit from 18 retail locations, significantly exceeding the targeted £186,000. Trusts and Foundations: More than 14% of income received through grant funding. Individual Donations: Traditional donor support supplemented by legacy gifts. Corporate Partnerships: Business partnerships providing funds for key personnel roles. Events: Annual gala dinners and fundraising activities.
Trading operations The charity operates through a wholly owned trading company that runs 19 charity shops across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London, Oxfordshire and Edinburgh. Notable retail locations include:
Oxford: New shop opened in 2025
Clapham: Oened in September 2024 with international ballerina and patron Alina Cojocaru performing the official ribbon cutting. Otford: Flagship location benefiting from additional footfall driven by an associated bistro. Edinburgh: Northern operations extending the retail footprint.
The retail network generated a surplus of over £400,000 in 2023, representing a significant increase from previous years. This success occurred despite challenging economic conditions and increased operational costs.
Grant funding and major gifts Hospices of Hope has successfully secured several major funding commitments:
Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust: £2 million contribution toward ellenor's wellbeing wing development in Gravesend, Kent. Various Trusts: Multiple grant applications approved for country partner support. Corporate Support: Partnerships providing funding for specific roles and projects
Retail operations and community engagement
Charity Shop Network