This document outlines Keech Hospice's strategy for 2026-2031. It addresses growing demand for hospice and palliative care across all ages, focusing on six strategic aims. The first aim, 'Our Care', emphasizes personalized, inclusive care, stronger communication, and collaborative partnerships to improve outcomes for people and families in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Milton Keynes.
2026-2031StrategyOne hospice. All ages. Supporting people and families when it matters most.
We're an all-age hospice, supporting people and families through every stage of life, while shaping the future of hospice care for generations to come.
The next five years will bring significant challenges and opportunities for hospice care. Demand for hospice and palliative care is growing across all ages. People's needs are becoming more complex, journeys between childhood and adulthood are changing, and financial pressures continue to increase. This strategy sets out how Keech will respond. We will focus on six strategic aims to meet the changing needs of our community in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes.“ Liz Searle CEO, Keech Hospice
Strategic Aim 1: Our Care We will influence the transformation of the environment, systems and conversations about living well, death and dying, pioneering integrated models of care that serve all our residents.
We will...Deliver personalised and inclusive care Strengthen communication and community engagement Foster strong and collaborative partnerships to improve care outcomes What does this mean for Keech? More people and families need specialist support than ever before. As an all-age hospice, we are uniquely placed to provide care that adapts to changing needs throughout life, ensuring everyone can access the right support at the right time. We need to reach people earlier, understand their individual needs and ensure they can access care wherever they are, at home, in hospital, in hospice or wherever we're needed.
Strategic Aim 2: Education, Learning and Research As a university hospice, we will champion excellence in education, research, and innovation, supporting lifelong learning across the sector. As an all-age hospice, we will lead in equipping carers and professionals to deliver outstanding palliative care for people of all ages.
We will...Develop a skilled, flexible, and future-ready workforce Cultivate a culture of continuous learning and professional growth Build collaborative learning communities and networks Be a research-led practice What does this mean for Keech? The needs of the people we support are becoming more complex. We need to keep learning, teaching, researching and sharing our expertise so that adults, children and families continue to receive exceptional care in a changing world.
Strategic Aim 3: People and InclusionWe will attract, retain and engage staff and volunteers and provide meaningful development opportunities, championing diversity and inclusion across all we do.
We will...Continue to improve the experience of joining and being part of Keech Embed our values at the heart of all we do allowing everyone to thrive Protect the organisation through good governance What does this mean for Keech? Our teams need to be flexible, diverse, skilled and supported to deliver care wherever people need us. Investing in staff wellbeing, development and leadership will help us meet growing demand in homes, hospitals and communities.
Strategic Aim 4: Data and DigitalWe will build a resilient, digital and data driven organisation where high-quality, secure, and accessible data empowers every team to make informed decisions, improve performance, and deliver strategic impact.
We will...What does this mean for Keech? Digital, data and technology are critical enablers of hospice care. They help us understand our communities, demonstrate our impact, unlock new opportunities and ensure we continue making the difference when it matters most. Be a data informed organisation Harness technology to drive engagement and excellence Collaborate with others to drive digital progress Maintain robust and secure systems and governance Build a digital and data confident culture Be efficient and effective with our resources
Strategic Aim 5: Leadership and ExcellenceWe will be expertly led, effectively governed, and a values-driven learning organisation, committed to quality and continuous improvement, with an ambition to achieve ‘Excellent’ across all areas as assessed by regulator inspections and independent reviews.
We will...Be evidence-based Continue to strengthen and diversify the Board of Trustees Cultivate values-driven leadership that promotes clarity Actively engage with stakeholders, service users, and communities What does this mean for Keech? Too many people still miss out on the right support at the right time. We need to lead the conversation about living well, death and dying, influence the wider sector and continue raising standards across end-of-life care.
Strategic Aim 6: Sustainability and ResilienceWe will improve efficiency and effectiveness and increase revenue generation, whilst ensuring long- term financial and environmental sustainability.
We will...Strengthen financial sustainability and resilience Embed environmental sustainability Grow our sustainable net income Ensure our trading operations are sustainable Engage and collaborate with our partners What does this mean for Keech? We know hospice care transforms lives and helps people receive care where they want it. To ensure Keech is here for future generations, we must grow our income, demonstrate our value and build a more sustainable future for the communities we serve.
More people need us. Needs are becoming more complex. Resources are becoming more stretched.
Our strategy is our response: helping more people and families live well, providing expert support at every stage of life, supporting our people, embracing innovation and ensuring we're here for everyone who needs us, now and in the future.