Elizabeth Murphy is the Chair of the Beacon of Hope – Ffagl Gobaith


Finalist: Voluntary and Not for Profit

Elizabeth Murphy is the Chair of the Beacon of Hope, a charity which provides immediate integrated non-medical palliative care after the diagnosis of a potentially terminal illness.

Elizabeth established Henoed Ceredigion Age Concern in 1994 because of clear gaps in care for the elderly. Through her work in this, it became clear that there was a real need for the care of people of all ages after they had been advised of a serious diagnosis. This prompted Elizabeth to set up the Beacon of Hope. The charity has offices in Aberystwyth and Cardigan and now has more than 75 volunteers. Elizabeth created a system whereby the charity provides immediate comfort and skilled practical support. The Beacon of Hope was presented with the Queen’s Award in 2006.

Whereas in 2000 the regional NHS Trust had no palliative care strategy, Elizabeth has ensured that now there is, as well as a one-stop source of social help after a serious diagnosis. The Beacon of Hope provides comfort and skilled practical support to resolve inevitable financial and personal issues. Therefore individuals are provided with integrated health and social care through the charity’s work with Social Services and the Health Service.

Since 2000, Elizabeth Murphy has been pursuing the possibility of a holistic framework of care after a serious diagnosis. She researched widely and in 2006 obtained some part-time funding from the Welsh Assembly Government to employ Palliative Care Nurses to implement the Gold Standards Framework of Palliative Care. Hospice at Home, launched in May 2007, is now the flagship of the Charity.

Elizabeth has achieved all this due to her compassion for others, identification of solutions, determination and extensive experience. She is a genuine motivator, bringing together all the best elements of administrative, political and ethical theory and practice. She is kind, persistent and has a strong sense of immediacy.

Tell us something your colleagues don’t know about you?
I was a Red Coat at Butlins and a Bookmaker’s Clerk.

Who inspires you?
Dr Keri Thomas and Dame Cicely Saunders.

What is your top leadership tip?
To operate a flat management structure.