Liverpool baby hospice Zoe's Place to close its doors after 30 years

A specialist baby hospice says it will be closing down at the end of the year after failing to find funding for a new building before its lease runs out.

Zoe’s Place has been in operation for the last 30 years and had hoped to build a new £3.5m hospice close to its current location in Yew Tree Lane, Liverpool.

But, a statement from the trustees released on 7 October, said: "The time taken to get planning permission has left insufficient time to construct the building.

"In addition, a significant rise in the projected costs and the challenge of raising funding in the current economic climate means there are insufficient funds available."

They added with "great sadness" that the hospice would have to close at the end of 2024.

"With only nine months before the charity’s lease for Yew Tree Lane ends, there is insufficient time and money to relocate to a new home elsewhere."

Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice have supported babies and young children who have complex illnesses or disabilities for three decades.

The hospice opened in February 1995 in Liverpool with two more following - in Middlesbrough in 2004 and Coventry in 2011.

It is unclear whether other branches have been affected. The hospice says it is now in a 30 day consultation period to potentially find a solution.

Head of fundraising Matt Meany says the news is "devastating".

Matt Meany, head of fundraising for Zoe’s Place, said the service the hospice provides is a "lifeline for families."

"They rely on us - and they’re going to lose that support that we’ve provided in Liverpool for nearly 30 years.

Matt says the hospice has simply “ran out of time”, adding: “For this to be miraculously fixed, we need someone to come to us with a building and say ‘you can have this’.

"It is absolutely devastating to have these conversations, particularly with the families.

"Everyone in this organisation has chosen to work in the charity sector because they believe in what we do. To see it end is something we never dreamed of happening.

"I know that everyone in this organisation has fought hard to keep this going and find a solution."

Children's hospice Claire House, which has bases in Wirral and in West Derby, say they closure of Zoe's Place is concerning.

David Pastor, CEO at Claire House, said: “We were deeply saddened when we heard about the closure of Zoe’s Place and are concerned for all the children, families and staff affected.

“As it stands, we know there are not enough services for seriously and terminally ill children in the area, and this will just make the situation worse.”

Clare's House say they will be offering palliative and end-of-life care to any babies or children currently under the care of Zoe’s Place.

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