Zoe’s Place Hospice Assures Continuity of Service

Zoe’s Place baby hospice has expressed “confidence” that its services will continue without interruption until its new facility is operational. The Liverpool-based hospice successfully surpassed expectations, announcing it had accumulated over £6 million within a single month, thereby securing its long-term viability by the deadline of Thursday, November 7. The hospice is required to vacate its present location on Yew Tree Lane, West Derby, by June 2025, as its landlords, The Institute of Our Lady Of Mercy, plan to relocate and sell the property. In October, the charity’s trustees had previously declared that the organization would be compelled to cease operations by the end of the year, citing escalating expenses and insufficient time to construct a new facility. Nevertheless, a fundraising initiative, initiated with assistance from West Derby MP Ian Byrne and various local celebrities, prompted a substantial influx of public donations. Summa Gill, Zoe’s Place fundraising manager, informed BBC Radio Merseyside that the contractors collaborating with the charity were cognizant of the pressing timeline. She stated, “Given that support we’ve seen from fundraising I think we’re going to be also relying on our contractors to put in the same effort when it comes to building our new hospice.” Ms. Gill explained that the 30-day fundraising deadline was established to avert a significant service interruption after the hospice vacates its current premises. She added, “Everybody understands how integral we are to those families,” and continued, “That gap in service we can’t have that for too long. “I remember some of the nurses talking about Covid and some of the families struggled then without the services they were getting, but I’m pretty sure everybody is going to be doing everything they can to avoid any gap in service.” A separate charitable organization is in the process of being established to manage the Liverpool location, while the current Zoe’s Place trustees will retain responsibility for their other hospices situated in Middlesbrough and Coventry. Furthermore, The Charity Commission has indicated its intention to “work closely with all parties” regarding the future arrangements for Zoe’s Place. Michelle Wright, the hospice’s head of care, commented last week during the announcement, stating: “Words cannot express how I feel.”The fact that we can continue to support our children and families means everything and is all every member of the team has wanted to do.”