A hospice is celebrating reaching the finals of a national award.

The Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge has announced that its 'No Barriers Here' team made it to the finals of the National Palliative and End of Life Care Awards 2024.

The awards will celebrate excellence, best practice and innovation in the industry over the past year.

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The team, nominated in the Diversity and Inclusion category, was recognised for its efforts in addressing disparities in access to care.

Gemma Allen, who leads No Barriers Here at the hospice, expressed pride at their accomplishment.

She said: "We know that many people and communities experience inequities accessing palliative and end of life care and we are exceptionally proud of No Barriers Here and the extensive impact that it is having.

"We are extremely lucky to have such a dedicated team of people who are committed to better understanding the barriers people face to access palliative and end of life care.”

Originally launched in 2019, the programme exercises an equity-based approach to work with those marginalised from accessing care.

The initiative employs arts-based methods in assisting people in planning ahead for future care, workshops, education, and extensive research.

The team has developed a training programme for other healthcare professionals to incorporate the scheme in their service.

Already successful across the UK, the it made its international debut in Canada in May.

Claire Towns, CEO at hospice, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to be able to share and celebrate No Barriers Here.

"As CEO I am proud of the positive impact that this work and research from The Mary Stevens Hospice is having on so many people’s lives.”

The upcoming awards evening, hosted by TV presenter Kate Garroway, is set for the evening of Friday, June 28 at The London Marriott Hotel in Regents Park.