How Celebrity Voices Widen the Lens on Hospice Care

At Empica, we work with organisations whose impact goes far beyond headlines. St Peter’s Hospice in Bristol is one such organisation, providing comfort, dignity and support to patients and families during life’s most vulnerable moments. Public voices can help shine a light on this vital work. Celebrities like Michael Palin and Richard E. Grant have shared their deeply personal experiences with hospice care, bringing attention to the difference organisations like St Peter’s make every day.

Michael Palin spoke about his late wife Helen, who lived with chronic pain and kidney failure, describing how hospice care gave her comfort and dignity in her final days.  Actor Richard E. Grant has similarly described the peace and reassurance hospice staff provided to his wife Joan, allowing her to remain at home surrounded by family until her death. Comedian Janey Godley offered a rare insight from her own experience as a patient, speaking directly to her fans from her hospice bed in 2024, sharing what it’s like to be a hospice patient and encouraging families to discuss end-of-life care openly.

St Peter's Hospice, Bristol

Hospice care provides emotional support, comfort and guidance for families during intensely intimate moments, as well as expert end-of-life treatment. It helps patients live their final days with dignity and offers families reassurance and practical support during an emotionally challenging time. Public storytelling breaks down stigma, sparks important conversations and highlights the invaluable work of hospice teams like those at St Peter’s, whose dedication is reflected in the experiences of public figures such as Michael Palin, Richard E. Grant, not to mention the late-great Janey Godley. By sharing their stories, these voices help the public understand the full scope of hospice care, encouraging families to engage in meaningful conversations and ensuring that more people can access the compassionate support they need.