North London Hospice celebrates 30th anniversary

The North London Hospice building at Woodside Avenue opened on November 4, 1992, becoming Britain’s first multi-faith hospice site.

The Finchley site, now also the charity’s head office, was opened eight years after the smaller hospice team was created to provide end-of-life care at home.

It was brought to life after four years of fundraising after a call for a north London hospice by founders Dr Chris Hindley and Harriett Copperman.

The North London Hospice is celebrating 30 years (Image: North London Hospice)

Since its official opening, which was followed by a visit from Queen Elizabeth II, the unit has provided end-of-life and respite care to more than 10,000 patients.

North London Hospice’s chief executive Declan Carroll said: “Most of our care takes place in the communities we serve but our inpatient unit is what many people picture when they think of North London Hospice.

“We’ve come a long way since its doors first opened. Visitors are often surprised by what they find inside our building.

“It’s a warm, welcoming and calm environment, with a team of staff and volunteers who make it a very special place.

“But it’s thanks to our supporters, who have helped finance new kitchens, garden projects, patient facilities and currently our revamped café and lounge area, that we are able to keep the home of North London Hospice in good shape and ready to support our community for the next 30 years.”

More than 3,500 people a year from Hampstead, Golders Green, Brent and other north London areas benefit from the hospice’s care.

The building has also become the home for its Barnet community nursing team and the central hub for many of its support services that have developed over the years, including social work and bereavement support, learning and development staff, and its out of hours and palliative care support teams that enable the hospice to offer 24/7 care.