THIS week Hospice at Home West Cumbria, and charitable hospices across the UK, are taking part in Hospice Care Week.

The annual week of activities raises the profile of hospice care across the UK and is a chance to tell people about the incredible work more than 200 hospices do within their local communities.

The week of activities, from October 8 to October 14, has the theme of 'Heart my Hospice' led by national hospice and palliative care charity Hospice UK.

Hospice Care Week will be promoted in Hospice at Home West Cumbria shops in Workington, Whitehaven and Cockermouth.

Windows will be dressed with bunting and creative decorations in keeping with the heartfelt theme and 'Turn It Yellow' as they compete in a national window dressing competition.

Within the shops are some delicious handmade jams by Hawkshead relish company, which go on sale at £2.75 each or £5 for two in a gift bag, with all profits supporting Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

They will also be launching a new website where they hope the public will share their stories and messages.

Julie Monk, Chief Executive of Hospice at Home West Cumbria said: "We are the only organisation locally that delivers hospice at home services; caring for those with a life limiting illness or struggling to come to terms with a bereavement. All our services are provided free of charge.

"We wouldn’t be able to deliver the care into over 300 people’s homes without the fantastic support we get from the people of West Cumbria. We have to raise almost £1 million each year to keep our essential services going. With less than a quarter of our annual income coming from the NHS, the remainder needs to be raised from our fundraising activities, voluntary donations and legacies."

Mrs Monk added the charity values volunteers and fundraisers and would welcome anyone with a few hours to spare to get in touch and find out how they can support their local hospice.

The work of the charity has been recognised in West Cumbria and has been shortlisted for the Inspiring People award at Britain's Energy Coast Business Cluster Business Awards.

Each year across the UK more than 200,000 terminally ill adults and children receive hospice care to live with life-limiting conditions. This care includes support with medical care, wellbeing therapies like massage, emotional support and volunteer-led support, such as befriending.

National hospice and palliative care charity, Hospice UK, is encouraging the public to support their local hospice in whatever way they can - whether by donating, volunteering or showing they care on social media.

Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive of Hospice UK said: "Hospices have a special place in people’s hearts, especially for those who have seen first-hand the incredible care they provide to loved ones.

"Like other charities, hospices are operating in a difficult economic environment and many are also facing additional challenges, such as those related to staff recruitment. So, it has never been more important for people to support their local hospice.

"We hope that during Hospice Care Week the public will take up the opportunity to show their affection for hospices whole-heartedly and demonstrate their support in practical ways whether donating, volunteering or spreading the word about hospice care on social media."

The new website can be found at www.hospiceathomewestcumbria.org.uk The charity hopes members of the public will share their stories, messages and offers of support on social media using the hashtag #HeartMyHospice #hhwc @HospiceatHomeWC.

Next month Hospice at Home will hold the first Hospice Talent Night at the Carnegie Theatre in Workington and is looking for performers of all ages to showcase their talents, to help the charity raise money.

The event is on November 3, from 7pm and tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children, available from the theatre’s box office.