Forty-five years of the Isle of Wight’s ‘hospice story’ will be celebrated with a series of commemorative events in 2022.
The 45th anniversary year will celebrate specialist end-of-life care for people of the Isle of Wight, which began in 1977 with the opening of Southampton’s Countess Mountbatten Hospice, now known as Mountbatten Hampshire.
Many people are unaware that Islanders travelled to Southampton for hospice care for five years, before the then Earl Mountbatten Hospice opened in 1982.
Key role of Island businesses
Many Island businesses played a key role in the development of Countess Mountbatten, which is still acknowledged on a wall-mounted plaque in the hospice entrance.
Today, Mountbatten Isle of Wight and Mountbatten Hampshire work in partnership, sharing expertise and best practice, though remain separate charities supported by their respective communities.
Hartley: Forged a unique and very special relationship with our Island community
Nigel Hartley, Mountbatten CEO, said,
“This anniversary is very special for many reasons, notably the start of the hospice story on the Island.
“Countess Mountbatten Hospice was the local hospice for the Island for five years, and very much opened to support Islanders as well as the communities across Hampshire.
“Rightfully, it was recognised the Isle of Wight needed its own hospice and, since then, we have forged a unique and very special relationship with our Island community, who give us incredible support.
“The strength of that, alongside our expertise and innovation, has led to us becoming a national exemplar of hospice care, which the Island should be very proud of.
“We believe the early days helped define what was to come, so celebrating this anniversary and acknowledging the work we do today on the Isle of Wight, Southampton and west Hampshire, is really important.”
12 months of events
Events will be held across the year, including a run between the Southampton and Isle of Wight hospices, a special regatta in Cowes and a party at Mountbatten, which will be open to anyone.
Gala dinners and an anniversary concert at Newport Minster are also planned.
45th anniversary logo
A 45th anniversary logo has been specially designed for the occasion by brand expert Stephen Izatt, whose company, Thinkfarm, developed the new Mountbatten logo in 2017.
News shared by Matt on behalf of Mountbatten. Ed
