Claire House Hospice is asking the community to help raise £10 million to complete the expansion of its West Derby site, which would allow it to support twice as many families.
The hospice was given the former Carmelite Monastery site in West Derby in 2017 and has since carried out minor internal refurbishment to areas on the ground floor to make it functional and usable for day-care facilities for families and children.
For many families, distance has long been one of the biggest barriers to accessing hospice care when they need it most. Long, exhausting journeys to the charity's Wirral hospice have often meant families spending precious time travelling, rather than being together.
Planning permission secured
After securing planning permission from Liverpool Council this summer, the hospice is now asking the city to rally together and help raise the £10 million needed to 'Make the Hospice Happen.' The development could also allow Claire House to support twice as many families, increasing from around 500 to 1,000.
Liverpool Council's planning committee signed off on upgrades to the site on Honey's Green Lane in June to create a round-the-clock care facility. A sensitive transformation is designed to create a welcoming and purpose-built hospice environment that combines modern clinical care with thoughtful, child-centred proposals.
Claire House plans to temporarily relocate its day services in Liverpool while demolition work begins on the site early next year.
Chief executive's appeal
David Pastor, Claire House chief executive, said no family should miss out on hospice care because of where they live.
He said: "Why should children in Liverpool miss out simply because of where they live? They shouldn't, this is not right.
"In Merseyside and Cheshire, a child dies every two days. Sadly, there is currently no children's hospice providing 24/7 end-of-life care in Liverpool, meaning too many families face difficult journeys when they need support most.
"Some families are missing out altogether because it's impossible for them to travel. This is about giving Liverpool's children, young adults and families the same access to hospice care, the same choice and the same support that families on the Wirral already have.
"We have planning permission. We know the need is there. Now we need Liverpool to make the hospice happen."
Facilities and family impact
The transformed site would provide two dedicated end-of-life care bedrooms and six respite bedrooms, giving children and young adults access to expert round-the-clock care.
Two Butterfly Suites would give families a peaceful and private place to spend precious time together after a child has died.
Kate Jones' son Josh died at hospital after access to Claire House proved to be too challenging from their home in Warrington.
She said: "We always wanted our son Josh to pass at Claire House, but he was too ill to be taken to the Wirral. It was just too far.
"If the West Derby site was up and running, we absolutely would have preferred him to be transferred so he could pass there instead of in the hospital. We wouldn't have chosen a hospital for him."
To support the campaign and donate, visit clairehouse.org.uk/make-the-hospice-happen.
