Woodlands Hospice marks 30 years by shining a light on its lesser-known lifelines

Marking an accomplished 30 years of support for families in Liverpool, Woodlands Hospice is spotlighting the hidden care that often goes unnoticed. 

Across North Liverpool, South Sefton and Kirkby, thousands of families have received support from the charity throughout the past 3 decades, encompassing diagnosis to bereavement. 

Woodlands is now Liverpool’s sole adult hospice providing inpatient care, following the closure of Marie Curie’s inpatient services in Woolton last July.

Established in 1996 as a day facility, Woodlands Hospice has evolved into a vital care hub on the Aintree University Hospital campus. Today, it features a 15-bed inpatient unit dedicated to providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care for adults facing cancer and other life-limiting conditions.

Now, to continue offering its vital specialist care at no cost to patients and families, this independent charity relies on raising £5,000 a day in funding.

For three decades, Woodlands Hospice has been a lifeline for thousands of adults and children, offering essential comfort through bereavement groups, complementary therapies, mindfulness courses, and personal counselling. Beyond medical care, the hospice helps families celebrate life’s most precious moments together, hosting events such as weddings and christenings to create lasting memories.

Every year, the Patient and Family Services team provides over 2,500 individual support sessions, backed by a dedicated team of more than 26 trained volunteers.

For Ali Moore and her loved ones, Woodlands Hospice is far more than a place of care—it is deeply woven into their family history, touching three generations.

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!”

After Tom’s death in 2017, the Moore family went back 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.”

Leading up to its official anniversary on June 20th, Woodlands Hospice is launching a calendar of events and fundraisers. The campaign honours those who built the hospice’s 30-year legacy while raising vital funds for its future.

Find out more about the hospice’s work here.

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