Oakhaven Hospice

Compassionate hospice care and support in Lymington and in patients' homes across the New Forest, Totton and Waterside

For over 30 years, Oakhaven Hospice has provided compassionate end-of-life care to patients and their loved ones, both in the hospice and in patients’ homes. The charity supports a community of over 150,000 people across the New Forest, Totton and Waterside.

Oakhaven's team of nurses, doctors, counsellors and therapists ease the physical symptoms and offer psychological, spiritual and social support. Care is tailored to suit the needs of each individual, and with a blend of specialist expertise and compassion, Oakhaven offers support for patients and their families when they need it most – free of charge.

Vital care and support for patients in their own homes

Almost 90% of Oakhaven's care takes place in the patient’s own home – with the Hospice Community Team providing symptom control, clinical care and emotional support. They take time to listen and understand the individual needs and wishes of our patients, manage their symptoms, and help them spend their precious time with loved ones - making every moment matter.

Currently, Oakhaven supports over 450 patients at any one time, from the 10-bed Inpatient Unit at the Hospice in Lymington and with the Hospice Community Team visiting patients at home. The hospice receives over 900 referrals each year, serving our New Forest, Totton and Waterside communities.

As an independent local charity, Oakhaven provides these vital hospice services to our community free of charge. Just 11% of Oakhaven’s costs are covered by the NHS. The remaining 89% of the £ 9 million it takes to provide these vital services each year is raised through the generosity of our community’s kind donations, fundraising and gifts in wills, along with the income generated by Oakhaven's charity shops and home care provider, Oakhaven Care Ltd.

Surely everyone locally is aware of Oakhaven Hospice and the amazing support, comfort and outstanding care it offers to the New Forest, Totton and Waterside community: to those who face death from illness which can strike cruelly at any time of life, seemingly indiscriminately picking not just on the elderly but also the very young and people in their prime.

“When I got my diagnosis, my world fell apart. Oakhaven became my sanctuary.”

Oakhaven Wellbeing at the Coates Centre

In addition to patient referrals, Oakhaven Wellbeing provides specialist support to everyone in our community who is navigating a life-limiting condition, caring for a loved one or experiencing a loss or bereavement.

Based at the Coates Centre on the grounds of Oakhaven Hospice, Oakhaven Wellbeing offers a space to meet with others and a support hub, where patients, their loved ones and anyone in our community can enjoy a range of activities to enrich their daily lives.

The team offers a wide range of support groups, practical drop-in sessions, signposting and planned wellbeing activities every month, as well as the opportunity to just sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Find out more by visiting www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk/wellbeing

“Hospice” care means much more than just the hospice 

Patients and their loved ones are looked after in a variety of settings: the Inpatient Unit, the Day Hospice and in the community. For whilst there are ten physical beds in the wonderful hospice itself, in total there are over 450 beds at Oakhaven: the community team are looking after many more people in their own homes, in care homes and at Lymington New Forest Hospital.

Oakhaven’s geographical coverage reaches out from Lymington to Barton on Sea and New Milton in the west, up through Sway and Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst to Cadnam, across to Beaulieu, Dibden Purlieu, Totton and the Waterside.

The community teams, with all nurses trained in palliative and end-of-life care, bring the hospice to peoples' bedsides: bringing appropriate pain relief and warm, comforting, calm care for those who prefer or for whom it’s more practical to stay at home.

Everyone touched by Oakhaven feels its embrace

When you visit the hospice you immediately feel its enveloping embrace, from the welcome by the friendly volunteers at Reception to the happy busy buzz which emanates from everybody you meet.  

As Lindsay, the wife of an Oakhaven patient, said, "No one truly knows how important Oakhaven really is until you need them. We all go through life, and we forget that this place is everything to someone right now. Oakhaven takes away that fear, desperation, and despair when you have no other support. We are so lucky to have it and we need to keep it. Your donation to Oakhaven today isn’t just a gift – it's a lifeline for families facing the unimaginable."

Jill West, Oakhaven's Community and Events Manager, explains further, "Everybody knows the reality, but we make sure it's not about that. It’s about making the last weeks and days happy, enjoyable, pain-free, supportive, caring and compassionate – like an envelope, a bubble, in which the time left can be preciously spent with loved ones, creating positive memories for those left behind to treasure. It’s so hard to explain it, and you can’t really understand it until you actually experience it.  But that’s why we work here, that’s why we fundraise, that’s why the community want to fundraise too."

How you can support Oakhaven

Oakhaven's vital, specialist care is provided to patients free of charge. Patients are referred from all NHS settings - Oakhaven is not a private hospital. It currently costs Oakhaven £9 million each year to provide its services - yet only a small percentage (11%) of Oakhaven’s running costs are covered by the government.

Oakhaven’s high local profile tends to lull people into the assumption that the fundraised funds always flow. The reality is that it is an enormous challenge to maintain this wonderful facility for our community, and it’s only thanks to a veritable army of volunteers, fundraisers and donors that it continues to do so.  

There are many ways you can support Oakhaven: 

1) Make a donation

You can make a donation online using your debit or credit card. It’s quick, easy and secure and you’ll be making a difference to someone’s life today. Click here to donate.

2) Leave a gift in your will

Oakhaven is able to care for 1 in 5 patients thanks to people leaving a gift in their will. A legacy doesn't have to be large, it will make a difference no matter its size. Find out more at www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk/legacy

3) Play Local Hospice Lottery in support of Oakhaven

Local Hospice Lottery gives you a chance to win cash prizes every week, whilst supporting Oakhaven Hospice. Find out more at www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk/lottery

4) Fundraise

Every year Oakhaven organises fundraising events, from coastal walks to Santa dashes, lovely lunches to art exhibitions, business networking to abseils and skydives. By taking part in an event for Oakhaven, you'll be joining our amazing community of fundraisers who support Oakhaven Hospice. Find the latest at www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk/events

There are many ways you can help raise money for Oakhaven, as an individual, a group or a business. From holding a coffee morning, to cycling a distance, to putting on a quiz. You’ll find plenty of helpful resources and downloads on our website to get you started at www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk/help-us-fundraise

An 'Oakhaven Hospice' Rose is now available to order from Harkness roses, with a donation to Oakhaven Hospice. Click here for details.

5) Visit and donate to Oakhaven shops

The ultimate in recycling and feeling good, Oakhaven's charity shops in Hythe, New Milton, Totton and Lymington are filled with real treasures. Visit the online store for furniture and eBay shop for vintage classics. Find details of the shops here.

Oakhaven welcomes your good quality donations of items for our shops. Small bags or boxes can be carried to our shops. For larger items please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to check beforehand that they can be accepted.

6) Give the gift of time

Oakhaven's wonderful volunteers bring a wealth of experience along with their commitment in wanting to help others and make a difference. Volunteers support Oakhaven’s work in every department. Many support the people Oakhaven cares for in the Hospice and Coates Centre, others provide neighbourly support to patients at home. A fantastic team helps in the shops, whilst others assist occasionally with events. Awareness Ambassadors help by taking posters and leaflets to locations in their local village or town. Find out more at www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk/volunteer

7) Follow and share Oakhaven's news

 Sign up to receive Oakhaven's monthly update at www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk/subscribe and follow Oakhaven Hospice on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Key telephone numbers

Patient Enquiries: 24 hr 01590 670346
Administration: (Mon-Fri 9-5) 01590 613025 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fundraising: (Mon-Fri 9-5): 01590 677773 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Volunteer Services: (Mon-Fri 9-5): 01590 646447 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Oakhaven Wellbeing at the Coates Centre: (Mon-Fri 10-4) 01590 613028 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Media enquiries: email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.