Marie Curie

Marie Curie is a British charity and brand dedicated to end of life care. It describes itself as the UK's leading end of life charity, bringing 75 years of experience and leading research to the care it gives at home, in its hospices and over the phone. The organisation supports people living with a terminal illness, their families and carers, and healthcare professionals, offering hospice care at home, hospice care in its own facilities, companion support, and a support line. It also operates a network of charity shops under the Marie Curie name, selling donated goods to raise funds. The charity's services are delivered across the UK by Marie Curie Nurses, healthcare assistants and other professionals. In the most recent year cited on its website, over 39,900 people received expert hospice care in their homes or in Marie Curie hospices. Marie Curie also runs an online community moderated by its support line team, and provides free information on terminal illness, dying and bereavement. Its stated mission is to provide a better end of life for more people, whatever the illness, easing pain and protecting dignity. Marie Curie is a registered charity rather than a commercial company, but it operates as a brand with significant public recognition, including through its fundraising appeals, retail shops and campaigning work. It is governed by a board of trustees and led by a chief executive. The charity is funded by donations, legacies, fundraising and its shop network. It has published statements on diversity and inclusion, acknowledging inequalities in access to end of life care and committing to address them. In 2023–2024, patient and family feedback showed high satisfaction: 98% rated their experience of Marie Curie care and support as very good or good, 92% said they were always involved in decisions about care, 98% said they were always treated with dignity and respect, and 97% said they were always able to give their views on the quality of care and support. These figures are used by the charity to demonstrate the quality of its services and to improve them.

Marie Curie was founded in 1948, the same year the National Health Service was established in the UK, to provide care for people with terminal illness. It was named after Marie Curie, the pioneering scientist, reflecting the charity's roots in research and care. Over the decades, the organisation grew from a small nursing service into a national charity with hospices, home nursing and a support line. The charity has long been associated with Marie Curie Nurses, who provide free nursing care to people in their own homes, often overnight, allowing families to cope and patients to remain at home. In the 1950s and 1960s, the charity expanded its hospice provision, opening facilities in various parts of the UK. The Marie Curie Memorial Foundation, as it was originally known, focused on both care and research into cancer and other terminal illnesses. By the 1980s and 1990s, Marie Curie had become a household name in the UK, known for its daffodil appeal and its network of charity shops. The shops sell donated clothing, books and household goods, generating vital income for the charity's services. The charity also campaigned for better end of life care and raised awareness of palliative care. In the 2000s and 2010s, Marie Curie continued to develop its services, including the launch of the Marie Curie Support Line, which offers practical and emotional support by phone. It also invested in research, funding studies into palliative care and terminal illness. The charity has published reports on the state of end of life care in the UK, highlighting gaps and inequalities. In recent years, Marie Curie has focused on reaching more people, including those from diverse communities, and on advocating for policy changes to improve end of life care. Its website states that it brings 75 years of experience and leading research to its care. In 2023–2024, it reported that over 39,900 people received expert hospice care from its nurses and healthcare assistants. The charity also runs an online community and provides free information resources. Marie Curie is a registered charity governed by a board of trustees. It is funded by public donations, legacies, fundraising events and its retail shops. The charity has made public commitments to diversity and inclusion, acknowledging that access to end of life care is not equal for all people and stating that it will work to tackle these issues.

• 2023

  Over 39,900 people receive expert hospice care from Marie Curie Nurses and Healthcare Assistants.

• 2000

  Marie Curie continues to develop palliative care research and services.

• 1980

  Marie Curie becomes a well-known national charity with a network of shops and fundraising appeals.

• 1950

  The charity begins expanding its hospice and home nursing services.

• 1948

  Marie Curie is founded in the UK to provide care for people with terminal illness.

The UK's leading end of life charity, providing expert care and support for people living with terminal illness and their families.

• Hospice care at home

  Marie Curie Nurses provide expert hospice care in patients' homes across the UK.

• Hospice care in Marie Curie hospices

  In-patient care in Marie Curie's own hospices for people with terminal illness.

• Companion support

  Marie Curie Companions provide emotional and practical support.

• Support line

  A free phone line offering practical and emotional support.

• Online community

  A space for sharing thoughts and experiences, moderated by the support line team.

• Charity shops

  Shops selling donated goods to raise funds for Marie Curie's services.

1. 1Marie Curie | The UK’s leading end of life charity | Marie Curiemariecurie.org.uk
2. 2We’re here to support you | Marie Curiemariecurie.org.uk
3. 3Patient and family feedback | Marie Curiemariecurie.org.uk
4. 4Inclusivity | Marie Curiemariecurie.org.uk