St Elizabeth Hospice announces new Chief Executive Officer

Independent Suffolk charity St Elizabeth Hospice has announced the appointment of Judi Newman as its new CEO.

Previously serving as Development Director at the hospice, Judi has more than 25 years’ experience working in the charitable and public sectors in local, national and international organisations and takes on the role from former St Elizabeth Hospice CEO, Ru Watkins.

Her career has seen her work for such charities as Oxfam and Research Autism, before a love of Suffolk brought her and her family to move to the region over a decade ago, which also saw her join Suffolk Community Foundation as Development Director.

“The hospice is such an incredible organisation and it’s an honour to be given the opportunity to play my part in working alongside the hospice team and the local community to continue developing and expanding our services to help more people,” said Judi.

“I have such admiration for the care our staff provide and for the close relationship the hospice has with the community. It really is a cornerstone of our community, with over 1,500 volunteers choosing to give their time and energy to support the teams in any way they can.

“I have been moved to see first-hand how volunteers and the public continually support the hospice with amazing enthusiasm and creativity, especially during the difficult times brought by the pandemic when the community rallied behind the hospice and our #HereTogether fundraising campaign, helping to raise a fantastic £250,000 in six months.”

This collaboration with the community is something Judi is keen to continue, particularly through the hospice’s involvement in the Compassionate Communities movement. An initiative which sees the hospice team work with the community to build confidence of how local people can better support one another during emotionally difficult experiences.

As well as this she is determined to work with staff to enable St Elizabeth Hospice to meets its ambition to provide greater parity in the levels and range of specialist palliative and end-of-life care services available in the region, by expanding the hospice’s services to support more patients and their families.

The hospice remains committed to developing Zest, St Elizabeth Hospice’s young adult service, in order that it can help more young adults, living with progressive and life-limiting illnesses, to fulfill their aspirations and enjoy the quality of life they deserve.

Judi added: “The hospice’s roots lie in the community and that is very important. It provides more than health care, it supports the whole family whose loved one is under its care. There is hardly a family in East Suffolk who doesn’t have a relative, loved one or friend who has received support from St Elizabeth Hospice, or knows others who have.

“I, myself have known friends who have received its care and I have seen the importance of the dedication and personalised care that the hospice staff provide and what it means to the whole family, including the bereavement support that is available.

“Everyone who works here becomes engulfed by the love and compassion of the hospice as it is such a warm and friendly environment to be a part of.

“I am looking forward to seeing what the future will hold, as the whole hospice team wants to be here today, tomorrow and in years to come in order to support as many people as possible in the communities we are so proud to work in.”

St Elizabeth Hospice improves life for people in east Suffolk living with a progressive or life-limiting illness.

The hospice’s work is centred on an individual’s needs whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice.

To find out more information about St Elizabeth Hospice call 01473 727776 or visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk.