Abi's Story

Meet Abi, our Spiritual Care Lead, who has been part of St Leonard’s for seven years.

Abi first joined the Hospice as a Care Assistant on the Inpatient Unit after feeling drawn to palliative care and the chance to offer personal, hands-on support. Alongside her clinical work, she was an ordained minister at York Minster, and felt a natural connection to the Hospice’s values and approach.

After a year in her care role, Abi moved into spiritual care. Her first week in the post began at the start of lockdown, a moment that reshaped the service and encouraged new ways of reaching people. She treasures the ability to spend meaningful time with patients and families, supported by a team where compassion is at the core.

Abi describes how she often meets people who feel defined by their illness:

“I gently bring the focus back to who they are. I care for the person, not the diagnosis, and for many this is a powerful reminder of their identity and worth.”

Abi’s role often follows families across many stages of their journey. She may first meet someone during a tour of the Hospice, then later through wellbeing support, Hospice@Home or the Inpatient Unit, and eventually she may support their loved ones in bereavement.

Abi says “for me, it is a privilege to walk alongside people throughout their whole experience.”

On what makes Abi proud, she says “it’s the team and the shared commitment to thoughtful and attentive care. Many people don’t realise how much the Hospice offers, or how early support can begin. My hope is that the community will see St Leonard’s as a service for life, walking with people from diagnosis onwards, whether they come to drop ins, receive wellbeing support, or connect again through bereavement. The Hospice is a beautiful oasis at the heart of the community.”