Initial conversations took place in 1987, where it was decided that a group should be established to investigate the provision of palliative care within West Essex.
The joint planning team was made up of local Councillors, Healthcare Professionals, Business Owners, and many others. In 1989, after an extensive period of research the group held a public meeting, chaired by Jo Brennan, a member of the local health authority. The findings showed a clear need for specialist care for those with a terminal illness in our local community. A decision made that evening would change forever the care of local people with life-limiting illnesses as they journeyed towards the end of their lives.
It was proposed and agreed that a Hospice Service should be established – St Clare Hospice Trust was born. That evening the first donation was presented, a cheque for £5,000 from Essex Radio.
“My years with St Clare will always remain special to me. The people I met and their generosity with money and time was humbling. I knew St Clare Hospice Service would happen as planned, but it happened mainly because so many people wanted it to happen – and to all those people, I say thank you for helping me achieve that vision I carried with me for so many years.”
Jo Brennan
St Clare Hospice timeline
1990 Born in April
1991 Day satellite services
1993 Day service centralised at new centre in Hastingwood
1995 Capital appeal launched
2000 8-bed Inpatient Unit opened
2007 Multi-disciplinary independent living team created
2011 St Clare community team of specialist palliative care nurses born
2013 Community team expanded to cover 7 days a week
2014 Day service facilities refurbished
St Clare Hospice at Home service launched
2015 St Clare Hospice at Home service expanded and extended to 24/7 cover
25th anniversary celebrations began in April
2016 Taylor Centre Opened
