TBN Spotlight: Louise Compton

We put Louise Compton, the corporate fundraiser for Salisbury Hospice Charity, under the spotlight! We had a conversation with Louise to find out more about her and her work with Salisbury Hospice charity!

Introduce yourself Louise.

I am Louise Compton the corporate fundraiser for Salisbury Hospice Charity. I have 30 years of financial services back ground, working in many roles from personal and business banking, also 5 years in agricultural banking. I joined the charity 5 years ago and have not looked back, this career gives me the opportunity to use all the skills I have learnt over many years of working with so many diverse businesses. Salisbury Hospice supported us as a family back in 2010 and also again four years later when sadly a close friend lost her fight with cancer. It is a real privilege to do what I do and to give back to a hospice that means so much to me and my family personally.

Tell us all about Salisbury Hospice Charity!

Salisbury Hospice care Trust, now known as Salisbury Hospice Charity was founded in 1981 with the initial aim to fund a Home (Domiciliary) Nursing Team with two specialist Palliative Care Nurses and a Social Worker. With enthusiasm from the local community running high, fundraising continued and by 1987, over £500,000 was raised to build Salisbury Hospice and fund its initial running costs. Since then, Salisbury Hospice Charity has continued to work with the local community to raise funds for the hospice, with the team now funding 50% of the £2.9 m annual running costs. The Fundraising Team works tirelessly to raise funds through a variety of ways, building long lasting partnerships with corporates, community groups and individual supporters. Together, we raise essential funds for this wonderful service, a service that is free of charge and supports not only the patient but their families too. Without the work of the charity and its many supporters, there would simply be no hospice, a special place which throws a protective arm around the wonderful community it serves.

Has there been any particular charity highlights that you would like to share from this year?

There were a lot of highlights in 2023, the biggest one being a new event I set up called FUSE (Fun, Ultimate, Social, Engagement). This was an opportunity for all the businesses I work with, and many more, to network in a very fun relaxed environment. The event was held at The Stones Hotel, Salisbury, this was a lovely venue and they were very generous in their hospitality. A lot of businesses had an opportunity to showcase, to name just a few Salisbury Art Scene, Katie Dawkins Golf, Live Escape Salisbury, Bluestone Vineyards, Ace Cabaret Casino, Salisbury Radio, Fordingbridge Print, Glass by Tina, Chatty Flamingo, The Holistic Academy, Design Pit and Wiltshire College. This event wouldn’t have been possible without two very important volunteers, who also happen to be The Boardroom Network members, Carol McGeary from Carol McGeary Recruitment & Consultancy and Deanna Dykes from Step Associates. I plan to bring back FUSE in 2025, so keep a look out for more details.

Any exciting news or events to share for 2024?

2024 brings a lot of exciting events for the charity and different things for people to get involved with. On Saturday 27th April our renowned Midnight Walk returns with the opportunity to dress up in Neon and flood the streets of Salisbury with colour. We also have our flagship event, Salisbury

Summer Fair, held in the beautiful grounds of Wilton Estate on Saturday 3rd August. All of our events can be found on our website Salisbury Hospice Charity.

What do you most love about working in Salisbury?

Being a very local girl Salisbury born and bred I love to work in Salisbury. However, our area covers from South Wiltshire, East Dorset and West Hampshire, so I spend most of my days visiting many other towns and villages. We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful rural part of the world and there is nothing I enjoy more that driving around on a crisp sunny winters day and visiting businesses I never knew existed.

When you’re not busy working, what do you love doing in your time off?

I have two teenage children who are currently studying for their A-levels and GCSE’s, so 2024 feels like a year of change and trying to keep them calm. I have a mad working cocker spaniel, so I enjoy walking and trying to switch off from the pressures of life. Photography is a passion of mine too and I have been known to hit the odd golf ball and both of these I would love to do more of but it is hard finding the time. My job can involve weekends and evenings, so no two days are ever the same.

Tell us about your favourite local restaurant?

I visited Hixon in Salisbury just before Christmas and I will definitely be returning to sample more of their delicious menu.