It was founded in the city back in 1995
Zoe’s Place trustees announced that their Liverpool hospice will close at the end of 2024. Since 1995, Zoë’s Place has supported children and their families who are affected by life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
The West Derby site was their first and for years has offered short-breaks – often referred to as respite services – and palliative and end-of-life care to children aged from birth to five-years-old. In 2004, a second Zoe’s Place was opened in Middlesbrough and in 2011, the third hospice opened in Coventry.
With only nine months before the charity’s lease for Yew Tree Lane ends, the trust said yesterday, October 7, that there is “insufficient time and money to relocate to a new home elsewhere.” The charity had been hoping to build a new hospice near to its current location, but said the time taken to get planning permission left insufficient time to construct the building.
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They said a significant rise in the projected costs and the challenge of raising funding in the current economic climate means there are insufficient funds available. Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice was founded by former chairman, Professor Jack Scarisbrick.
The idea of a hospice specifically for babies and infants was born after he identified that those with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and their families were desperately in need of specialist facilities where children could receive respite or palliative care. According to their website, the name Zoe’s Place was chosen as “Zoe is the Greek word meaning Gift of Life.”
After raising the necessary funds and finding suitable premises, Zoe’s Place became a reality in February 1995. A few months after it opened, the ECHO visited Zoe’s Place to learn more about their vital work.
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By June 1995, word of the hospice has spread and they were “inundated” by families seeking help. The ECHO previously reported: “Staff at Zoe’s Place, the first baby hospice in the country, are already accepting respite care bookings for the middle of next year.
“Enquiries are coming from all over the country. The six-cot unit, based in the Life Health Centre in West Derby, Liverpool, opened in February and is the first hospice in the country designed specifically for newborn infants.
“It provides care for terminally and seriously ill tots up to the age of two. All services are offered free of charge. Busy Manager Nicky Goldberg, who heads a team of 30 paediatric nurses, said she was delighted at the response.
“She said: “We have been getting very busy indeed. At the moment we have three little visitors staying with us.
“The interest in Zoe’s Place proves there are many parents out there who need help with their sick babies. At first we were aiming at just the North West, but we have had to rethink that because calls have been coming in from all over the country. We won’t turn anyone down if we can help it.”
Founder John Scarisbrick, also referred to as Jack, was honoured with an MBE in 2015 for his services and dedication to children confronting life-limiting, life-threatening, or complex conditions. According to the Zoe’s Place website, in January of this year he stepped down from his role of 30 years as chair and trustee at Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice.
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On their website, executive trustee Joan Stainsby said: “Jack’s founding vision aimed to ensure every child, irrespective of their health condition, could experience life to the fullest. His dedication and support have been instrumental in shaping Zoe’s Place into a sanctuary of compassionate care.”
“As Jack takes a step back, surrounded by the love of his two children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Zoe’s Place remains committed to continuing his profound work, upheld by a dedicated community devoted to his vision. Zoe’s Place expresses profound gratitude to Jack for his exceptional service and wishes him continued joy and contentment amidst his loving family.”
With only nine months before the charity’s lease for Yew Tree Lane ends, the trust announced on October 7 that there is “insufficient time and money to relocate to a new home elsewhere.” The charity had been hoping to build a new hospice near to its current location, but said the time taken to get planning permission left insufficient time to construct the building.
Joan Stainsby, executive trustee, said: “We are sorry to be sharing such sad news with those who Zoe’s Place Liverpool has supported, and our staff and supporters. Liverpool was where Zoe’s Place originated and will always be close to our hearts. This has been an incredibly difficult decision and one that we have worked tirelessly to avoid. Unfortunately, there are simply no other options available to us.”
The charity will be working closely with parents to find alternative support. Discussions have also been held with Claire House, which also has a children’s hospice in the area, and the local NHS services, to establish alternative options for the children and parents using the hospice currently.
If you have used Zoe’s Place services or are a staff member and would like to share your thoughts, please contact [email protected]
