Meet the charity staff

Steph, Director of Fundraising and Marketing

It’s Steph’s job to head up the fundraising activities and help to lead and inspire the team to bring in as much money and support for the hospice as possible, and to make sure our supporters know how grateful we are for everything they do for us. Find out more about what a typical day looks like, how it feels to work for the hospice and Steph’s idea of a perfect day.

Name: Steph Lawless
Job Title: Director of Fundraising and Marketing
Joined the team: November 2021

How did you get into your role and come to work for Katharine House?

I’m coming up to 20 years in fundraising, working at national charities Diabetes UK and Dogs for Good. I’d also been a trustee for a smaller charity called Brain Tumour Support for many years, which had given me good experience of working at Board level. When this job came up at Katharine House, I felt I had to go for it as the hospice is so well respected and I’d admired the team from afar for many years.

What’s a typical day like?

What I love about fundraising is that you never know what each day will bring. In recent days I’ve been carrying out monthly 1:1s with my lovely managers; talking to our inspiring founder, Neil Gadsby about our hospice history campaign; sharing ideas and best practice about our lottery with another charity; supporting my team through some new changes; gathering news from some NHS colleagues, and looking at new Fundraising Regulator guidance to ensure we’re compliant. Every day is busy and goes so quickly!

What do you wish people knew about hospice care?

One of our biggest challenges is the misconception around our partnership with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH). Many people think that means we’re fully funded and don’t need to fundraise – when of course we do and it’s harder than ever! We pay OUH a grant for providing our clinical care, and our costs are ever rising, so the financial support of our community is so vital to our sustainability.

How does it feel to work for the hospice?

The hospice environment is so joyful. Of course, there’s sadness here but the prevailing feelings are of love and positivity. Our clinical colleagues’ expertise in providing such excellent care is combined with the warmest kindness and care for everyone. These feelings travel across the whole site and are very much shared by us in the charity team upstairs. There’s always lots of laughter and optimism.

What makes Katharine House so special?

I think everyone says this, but it’s the people! As well as each of us (staff and volunteers) being specialists in our own areas of work – whether that’s clinical, social work, catering, finance or fundraising and marketing – our values and morals are aligned so that the team culture is very strong. Plus, we’re ever evolving and striving to do better.

Now for some quick-fire questions…

If I had to sum up my role in one sentence, I’d say: Leader of a passionate team of amazing people who work hard every day to raise more funds and ensure our supporters know how grateful we are for everything they do for us.

If I could go anywhere in the world, I’d go to: Africa – I dream to go on a safari holiday one day.

My favourite dessert is: my (American) mum’s pound cake – rolled out for every family birthday and occasion.

My all-time greatest song is: Life’s What You Make It by Talk Talk.

My favourite season is: spring. I love the blossom.

If I won the lottery, I would buy: a new car, and book that safari!

People are often surprised when I tell them: I’ve written two novels.

My idea of a perfect day is: with family at my parents’ house, with time in the garden with the children and animals.

I never miss an episode of: Gogglebox.

Without doubt, the best animals are: dogs. I hope to get another one at some point in the future.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Be the authentic you.

My proudest moment was: when I self-published my first novel and the reviews started coming in – apart from the 2-star reviewer who clearly thought my book was absolute drivel.

When I’m not at work, you will probably find me: writing, pottering in the garden, with my family or visiting friends.

My go-to biscuit is: I’m not really a biscuit fan, but our colleague Sarah makes the most incredible triple chocolate cookies!

I’m currently listening to: a Radiohead playlist taking me back to my college and university years.

Katharine House Hospice

To find out more about the work we do, read What we do or explore our Events calendar and For Patients and Families pages.
If you’re a local business and want to learn more about supporting Katharine House, go to our Corporate pages.
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