Woodlands Hospice is marking 30 years of caring for families in Liverpool by spotlighting the hidden support many do not realise hospices provide. Thousands of families across North Liverpool, South Sefton and Kirkby have been supported by the charity over the last three decades, from diagnosis through to bereavement.
Woodlands is now the only adult hospice in Liverpool with inpatient care, following the closure of inpatient services at the Marie Curie Hospice in Woolton in July of last year.
Founded as a day hospice in 1996, Woodlands Hospice, located on the Aintree University Hospital campus, has grown to include a 15-bed inpatient unit providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care for adults with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.
Today, the independent charity needs to raise £5,000 every day to continue providing its range of specialist care and support services, free of charge, for patients and their families.
Over the last 30 years, Woodlands Hospice has supported thousands of adults and children through its bereavement groups, complementary therapies, mindfulness courses and one-to-one counselling sessions. It also helps families create important memories together from weddings to christenings.
The Patient and Family Services team delivers more than 2,500 one-to-one support sessions every year, supported by over 26 trained volunteers.
For Ali Moore and her family, Woodlands Hospice has been more than a place of care, it is intertwined in their history, spanning three generations of the family, as Ali explains, “My Uncle Tom, was a founding committee member and chairman of the board, and his brother, my Dad, installed the first signage for Woodlands. Then in 2017, Uncle Tom experienced Woodlands’ care first-hand when he became a patient. He said that his final weeks were filled with dignity, comfort and constant support …and he enjoyed having TalkSport on the radio, just like at home!”
Following Tom’s death in 2017, the Moore family returned to Woodlands Hospice as volunteers and fundraisers. Ali adds, “It’s not a doom and gloom place, there’s loads of laughter. We said that we wanted to volunteer because we find comfort here – Woodlands is a big part of our family history and we want to make sure that it’s here for the next 30 years.”
Robert Johnston, Chief Executive of Woodlands Hospice said, “We are North Liverpool’s best kept secret – many people don’t realise we’re here or understand the breadth of support we provide.
“For 30 years now, Woodlands Hospice has supported thousands of families through their hardest moments. Alongside our specialist clinical care, we help people create special memories with loved ones, support children and adults through bereavement, and provide counselling and emotional support.
“For lots of people, Woodlands becomes part of their lives and they stay connected to the hospice long after their loved one has died, whether that’s through volunteering, fundraising, attending events or simply dropping in for a cup of tea and a chat.
“With increasing pressure on hospice services across Merseyside, it is more important than ever that people understand the vital role hospices play in our community.
“As we mark our 30th anniversary, we are incredibly grateful to our staff, volunteers and supporters who have helped make that care possible, and who will continue to shape the future of Woodlands Hospice for the next 30 years.”
For its 30th anniversary year (with the official anniversary on 20th June), Woodlands Hospice is hosting a series of events and fundraising activities celebrating the people who have shaped the hospice over the last three decades and helping support its future.
To find out more about the hospice, volunteering or fundraising, visit woodlandshospice.org.
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About Woodlands Hospice
Woodlands Hospice is a registered charity providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care for adults with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses across North Liverpool, South Sefton and Kirkby.
Founded in 1996 as a day hospice in response to the needs of local people living with cancer, Woodlands Hospice has grown to include outpatient services and a 15-bed inpatient unit, supporting patients and families from diagnosis through bereavement.
Alongside specialist clinical care, Woodlands Hospice provides family and bereavement support, complementary therapies and holistic care supporting physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing.
Woodlands Hospice is an independent charity working in partnership with University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, with charitable fundraising helping to fund specialist care and support services.
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