St Clare Hospice receives substantial grant from central government

NEARLY half a million pounds has been awarded to the St Clare hospice for a major refurbishment project.

The Department of Health’s capital grant of £472,098 will be used for the ‘A Space to Breathe’ project – a scheme to create spaces that enhance the sensory and therapeutic environments at the hospice’s Hastingwood site.

The refurbishments, which will begin this month, will also modernise many areas of the building, and create more spaces for patients and visitors

Tanya Curry, chief executive of the hospice, said: “I’m delighted that the Department of Health has endorsed the changes we are desperate to make: their grant means that more of the money that our fantastic supporters raise for us day in and day out can be spent on providing care in much improved facilities.”

“The Space to Breathe project will in many ways allow patients and their families to be themselves, giving people greater independence.”

The work is expected to be completed by March 2014 and all the Hospice’s services will remain open during the refurbishment project.