Honorary graduates 2014-15

Glynis Atherton (LLD)

Saturday 17 January 2015 11:45am

Thousands of people in Exeter, mid and east Devon have been touched by the care and support of Hospiscare, a charity which provides care for people at the end of their lives not only in a hospice environment, but also in the community.

Glynis Atherton has been Chief Executive of Hospiscare for the past nine years, and under her leadership the charity has thrived. Part of its success is due to the superb partnerships it has forged with local organisations and businesses, including the University of Exeter, which has partnered Hospiscare for the past three years with tremendous support from staff and students.

Such support is important, because 80 per cent of the charity’s income comes from the generosity of the local community, allowing it to provide care for over 2,000 people and their families each year. What makes Hospiscare special is that it sees each patient and members of their families as individuals, with their own needs and wishes.

Glynis graduated from Swansea University with a degree in Politics and began her career in the voluntary sector. Her first post was with a housing association in London, followed by a period when she ran a national coalition of community organisations from home while raising her young children.

Following a move to Northamptonshire, Glynis held the post of County Director for Victim Support. She then joined the national charity the Motor Neurone Disease Association as a senior manager. While there she completed an MBA with the Open University and later secured Institute of Director professional qualifications.

She joined Hospiscare in 2006.