It was a pleasure for Liam Hanlon DL to visit Claire House Liverpool in West Derby to see first-hand the fantastic services currently being delivered and to learn more about the exciting plans for the future.

The visit offered a fascinating insight into both the history of the site and its future purpose.

The beautiful Honey’s Green Lane building was originally constructed in 1906 as a Carmelite monastery, providing a peaceful home for an enclosed order of Carmelite Sisters for more than a century. The Sisters subsequently moved to a new purpose-built monastery, allowing this historic site to take on a new role within the local community.

Claire House opened its Liverpool site in 2018, and today provides day care, complementary therapies, counselling, clinics, groups and other support for children and families.

Following the recent granting of planning permission, Claire House now has an exciting opportunity to transform the historic site into a full 24/7 children’s hospice. The plans include specialist care, respite accommodation, family support, therapeutic facilities and purpose-built end-of-life care spaces, while carefully incorporating the existing building and its gardens.

During the visit, Liam was able to see the plans and understand more about the scale of the proposed £25 million project, as well as the vital role that local businesses, organisations and supporters can play in helping Claire House turn this vision into reality.

“It was a real privilege to visit Claire House and see the fantastic work already taking place here. What particularly struck me was the way this historic building, which has served such a different purpose for more than 100 years, is being given a new lease of life to support children and families in our community.

“Seeing the plans for the new £25 million hospice really brought home the scale of the ambition and, more importantly, the difference it could make to families across Liverpool and Merseyside. I hope our visit can help raise awareness of the project and encourage local businesses and organisations to get behind Claire House and help make this vision a reality.” Liam Hanlon DL

A hugely informative visit and a reminder of what can be achieved when historic buildings, local communities, charities, and businesses come together with a shared purpose.