2nd September 2025 marks 40 years since we welcomed our first patient back in 1985. You may have seen on our social media channels that we have been reflecting on how far we've come in those years.
Forty years ago, a group of visionary founders came together with a bold dream—to create a hospice rooted in compassion, dignity, and care for all. Charged with raising the staggering sum of £1.5 million, this group of fundraisers faced an overwhelming challenge. But with courage, passion, and an unshakable belief in this community, they succeeded —laying the foundations for the hospice we are so proud to be part of today.
That pioneering spirit was reflected in the hospice staff team too. Tracey Hinde, who was recruited onto the nursing team several months before the hospice opened, remembers: “We were a close team, all working together. We all got on really well, starting on the same day, and that helped. We were all excited and enthusiastic. Palliative care was quite a new specialism and hospices were also relatively new so there was a real feeling that we were pioneering patient care.”
What began as a 12-bed ward has grown significantly over the decades, with the development of the Community Nurse Specialist team, Day Therapy, Counselling services and more. We've spent four decades supporting patients and families with expert end-of-life care — and demand for our services continues to grow.
