Farewell to Bridges Support Service

It is with great sadness that Murray Hall Community Trust closed the Bridges Support Service for the final time yesterday, after nearly 25 years of supporting people and their families at the end of life in Birmingham and Sandwell.

The service was the first of its kind and remained the only palliative care service in the country to be managed by a community organisation, enabling people who were dying to continue living at home in a setting that was neither a hospice nor a clinical service.

We all live our lives in one community or another, and as a community organisation, Murray Hall Community Trust is proud that, over the years, we have journeyed with and supported thousands of people and their families during one of the most challenging times of their lives. It has been a privilege and an enriching experience of compassion, connection and community.

This unique service came about through the power of the community working together. Bridges was the essence of a compassionate community and of the kindness that unites us in our shared humanity. All of this was possible because of the passion and dedication of the many staff members, volunteers, leaders, funders, families and community members who supported us, and who made it possible to achieve extraordinary things for people. To all of you who were part of this service, with deep gratitude, thank you for your commitment and compassion.