A children’s hospice set up 12 years ago will be undergoing its biggest refurbishment to provide the latest state-of-the-art facilities.
The revamp at Richard House Children’s Hospice in Beckton will transform its care facilities, allow staff to deliver care in the best possible surroundings while providing an exciting space for the community to share. Work is expected to begin by the end of the year.
Last month the hospice’s Board of Trustees gave the green light to the plan to revamp. Staff are now working with architects on the redesign, which will flood the building with light and offer state-of-the-art facilities.
A considerable amount of the cost will be covered by a grant from the Department of Health in April. The hospice will need to find the rest to fully fund the redesign as it is currently envisaged.
Peter Ellis, Chief Executive Officer of the hospice, said: “When Richard House was designed we only considered the needs of children, less so the needs of young adults, which means the building isn’t as flexible as it needs to be for our new ways of working. Our proposed plans will give us the flexibility to deliver on our vision.
“The changes are about enhancing the holistic environment of Richard House and once completed I believe we will provide a space that promotes a sense of well-being for children, young adults and families. Our refurbished building will also be an environment that addresses the needs of our diverse and transient local community while ensuring that privacy and dignity is maximised.”
The hospice now plans to consult with the community and will be inviting friends and supporters to visit and discuss the plans.
Richard House is a purpose-built children’s hospice caring for children from across the London, Essex, Kent and the Home Counties.
Its core aim is to accompany families caring for children with life-limiting, life-threatening and complex healthcare needs, during their journey through life to death.
When it opened in 2000, it was the first children’s hospice in London and cared for just a handful of children and young people. Today, it has almost 300.
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