Liverpool Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice has officially broken ground on its brand-new hospice site in Hayman’s Green, West Derby, marking a monumental milestone in the charity’s history and the beginning of a new era of care for babies and families across the region.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Friday 7th November, took place almost one year to the day after the charity’s incredible supporters came together to raise £7.5 million, ensuring that Liverpool Zoe’s Place could continue its vital work supporting children with life-limiting and complex needs.
Staff, families, supporters and local dignitaries, including Ian Byrne MP, who played a key role in helping to save the hospice in 2024, gathered to celebrate the new purpose-built hospice that will be built on the site. The day included speeches from members of the Liverpool Zoe’s Place Trustee Board and Ian Byrne MP, followed by a ceremonial “first spade in the ground” moment to mark the start of a new beginning for the charity..
Karen Livesey, Chair of Liverpool Zoe’s Place, said:
“This is a truly historic day for Liverpool Zoe’s Place. Just a year ago, we were fighting for survival and now we’re building the future. The new hospice will be a state-of-the-art centre designed to meet the complex needs of the babies and families who rely on us.
We could not have reached this point without the extraordinary support and generosity of the people of Liverpool. Their compassion has carried us through, and today we celebrate the start of something very special — a hospice built by and for this incredible community. This new home will allow us to care for even more families in need, in a space designed with love, comfort and dignity at its heart.”
The new hospice will feature some of the most advanced facilities and technology available, ensuring that every child and family receives the very best care and comfort.
Key features will include: A hydrotherapy pool offering therapeutic and sensory benefits for children with complex needs. A dedicated cinema room, giving families special moments of joy and shared experiences. Two Snowdrop Suites, private spaces where families can spend precious time together and say goodbye in peace and dignity. The latest medical and sensory technology, creating a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for every baby and child.
The new hospice has been carefully designed to balance cutting-edge medical support with the warmth and comfort of a family home, a place where love, laughter and light will always shine through.
Ian Byrne MP, Patron of Liverpool Zoe’s Place, added:
“Liverpool Zoe’s Place holds a very special place in our community, it’s a beacon of compassion and hope. To stand here and see the first steps of the new hospice being built is very emotional. As Patron, I couldn’t be prouder to see the future of this incredible place taking shape. This new home will secure Liverpool Zoe’s Place for generations to come and stands as a powerful testament to what we can achieve when we unite for something that truly matters.”
As the charity enters this exciting new chapter, Liverpool Zoe’s Place will also begin the process of transitioning to a new name — Little Lights. The new name reflects the warmth, hope and brightness that the hospice brings to the lives of the babies and families it supports. While the name will change, the heart of the charity remains the same: a promise to provide love, comfort and expert care to every child and family who needs it.
READ MORE: The Big Guitar-In Fundraiser returns to Mountford Hall
