Set in a tranquil and leafy location in Ashton-under-Lyne, Willow Wood is a purpose-built Hospice providing specialist Palliative Care to those suffering with life-threatening illnesses. The Hospice is a place of warmth and comfort set in a homely environment which is often a relief to those who have spent months - sometimes years - in and out of hospital.

The staff and volunteers at Willow Wood are committed to providing a better quality of life - the Hospice was designed with the needs of the patients and their families in mind and provides a warm and cheery atmosphere.

The emphasis at Willow Wood is on Palliative Care - although the medical team cannot provide a cure, they offer comfort, support and relief from many distressing symptoms.

We provide a range of care to patients, including In-Patients, Day Hospice and Out-Patients. We have our own hydrotherapy pool and have recently opened a Lymphoedema Clinic.

It currently costs over £2 million per year to run the Hospice, but no charge is made for any of our services.

We receive financial support from the local Health Authority, but we also rely heavily on voluntary donations and fundraising activities for the majority of our income.

We rely heavily on our small army of more than 400 volunteer workers and helpers, without whom the Hospice could not survive.

We also depend on support from people and businesses in the local community. Many local businesses have supported the Hospice by raising funds, or by sponsoring or hosting fundraising events. We are always on the lookout for more corporate partners.

We organise or participate in fundraising events throughout the year, raising money to help keep the Hospice running to the high standard we have established.

Wherever you look in the Tameside & Glossop areas, there is normally someone raising money for the Hospice and keeping us in the local news.

We have a fantastic team of people who have helped make the Hospice what it is today - a place of caring, compassion and understanding. Reading about our staff and volunteers will hopefully give you a better understanding of how the Hospice works and how important each role is.

Regardless of their different roles and responsibilities, all the staff and volunteers featured here agree Willow Wood is a wonderful place to work and is not gloomy or depressing, despite what others may think.