Tag: High Sheriff of Greater Manchester

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Willow Wood unveils bold new five-year strategy

Willow Wood Hospice has officially launched a new strategy, setting out its vision to remain at the heart of the Tameside and Glossop communities it serves.

The 2025–2030 strategy aims to guide the organisation through the next five years with a clear focus on sustainability, community engagement and continued excellence in care.

Developed through a series of workshops, surveys and open discussions, the strategy reflects the shared values and ideas of the Willow Wood workforce – comprising staff and volunteers.

The result is a 24-page publication that not only offers an insight into the Hospice’s services, but also outlines a bold plan for the future, including a key aim to achieve a balanced and sustainable financial position by 2028.

Hospice patron and local councillor Taf Sharif (left) and the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester Martin Ainscough CBE DL.

At its core, the strategy identifies four key strategic priorities:

Communication – strengthening internal and external communication, community engagement, and branding and identity.

Quality of care – the care and experience patients receive, support for patients and families, and valuing recognition and feedback.

People – focusing on leadership and management, nurturing a supportive and inclusive team culture, and workforce development and education.

Sustainability – robust income generation, effective financial management, strong governance and rigorous quality control.

To mark the occasion, a celebration event was held at the Hospice in Ashton-under-Lyne on Friday (20th June) with staff, volunteers and invited external partners in attendance.

Among those present were Martin Ainscough CBE DL, High Sheriff of Greater Manchester; Councillor Jodie Brown, the Civic Chair of Derbyshire County Council; representatives from Tameside Council’s Adult Social Care team; and NHS Greater Manchester.

Willow Wood Hospice CEO Tracy Minshull (right) with Councillor Jodie Brown, Civic Chair of Derbyshire County Council.

The event featured speeches from Tracy Minshull, CEO of Willow Wood Hospice; Timothy Jackson, Chair of the Board of Trustees; and Hospice patron and local councillor Taf Sharif.

Some guests also enjoyed guided tours of the Hospice’s tranquil gardens in the sunshine, led by Head Gardener Sophie Cordingley and garden volunteer David Johnson.

CEO Tracy Minshull said: “When I joined the Hospice just over a year ago, I outlined my vision to create a new strategy that would guide us into the future and emphasised that our volunteers and staff combined are one workforce.

“I am proud to launch our plan for meaningful progress over the next five years. By working together with our workforce, supporters and partners, we will rise to the challenges and continue to deliver the high-quality, specialist care that defines Willow Wood Hospice.

“Thank you to our staff, volunteers, trustees and patrons for helping to shape the strategy. Their hard work, ideas and passion have been key in creating a plan that reflects our shared vision and commitment to care. We look forward to delivering our services with their continued support.”

The full strategy document is available to view and download from the Hospice’s website at www.willowwood.org.uk/strategy

Printed copies are also available at the Hospice and in its charity shops across Tameside and Glossop.

Hospice volunteers Barbara Lawton (left) and Eileen Smith with trustee John Maltby.
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Hospice honoured to receive High Sheriff award

Willow Wood Hospice has received a Special Recognition Award from the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester in its 25th anniversary year.

Dr Eamonn O’Neal DL presented a certificate to CEO Tracy Minshull on a visit to the Hospice, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, on Monday (15th July).

The award celebrates Willow Wood’s “outstanding contribution to the community” and “recognises the appreciation of the people of Greater Manchester for your altruistic acts of thoughtfulness and kindness”.

Dr O’Neal DL was greeted by staff, volunteers and trustees in the Hospice’s garden room, where he spoke about the importance of their work, thanked them for their service and explained his role.

During his visit, the High Sheriff embarked on a tour of the beautiful gardens in the glorious sunshine, led by Head Gardener Sophie Cordingley and her team of dedicated volunteers.

He spoke to patients and learned more about the work on the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit, guided by Ward Manager Kath McGuinness and Sister Paula Tansey.

Willow Wood’s Head of Community Services, Callie Harrop, also showed Dr O’Neal DL the Hospice’s community services facilities including The Hive, counselling rooms and complementary therapy suites.

Speaking about his visit, Dr O’Neal DL commented: “One of the privileges of being High Sheriff is that you get to visit places like Willow Wood and it is the most uplifting thing that can happen to you.

“The people I have met have been so warm, welcoming and friendly – only what I expected – and I would encourage anyone who has some nervousness about the word ‘hospice’ to come along to Willow Wood to meet the staff and volunteers here.

“The gardens are just magnificent too. I had a wonderful morning, the best visit of the High Sheriff year so far.”

Tracy Minshull, CEO of Willow Wood Hospice, said: “It was a huge honour to welcome the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester to our Hospice. Eamonn was very engaging with our staff and volunteers, who showed him what a special place Willow Wood is.

“It was a lovely surprise to be given a Special Recognition Award, which we were very grateful to receive.

“As a new CEO, I personally found it invaluable to listen to his experiences of working in the hospice sector and we thank him for taking the time to visit us.

“We would like to thank Mark Llewellin DL, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, for inviting Eamonn.”

The Office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular title in British history and among the most ancient in the world, dating back more than 1,300 years.

Dr O’Neal DL was chosen by King Charles as High Sheriff of Greater Manchester and installed in April. This is the second time he has served as High Sheriff, having previously held the 12-month ceremonial position in 2020.

He is a trustee of Francis House Children’s Hospice and was previously Chair and Chief Executive of St Ann’s Hospice.

Willow Wood Hospice’s mission is to lead and deliver high quality multi-professional specialist palliative care, support and education across Tameside and Glossop.