The Royal Borough of Greenwich has announced that £389,000 of Section 106 funding will be invested into enhancing facilities at the Community Hospice, helping to create a more comfortable, dignified and supportive environment for residents receiving end-of-life care.
The improvements have been shaped by the lived experience of hospice patients, volunteers and staff and will support the redevelopment of the hospice’s inpatient unit, including refurbished private rooms with ensuite facilities. These upgrades will enable more people to access hospice care when they need it most, while ensuring patients and their families can spend meaningful time together in a calm and compassionate setting.
The funding is made up of financial contributions from developers, designated to improve local services and reinvested by the council into vital community infrastructure.
Councillor Mariam Lolavar, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care and Borough of Sanctuary said:
“We know how important it is that residents receive compassionate, high-quality care at the most difficult times in their lives. By investing this funding into the Community Hospice, we’re helping to create a more dignified and supportive environment for patients and their loved ones.
“By reinvesting contributions from developers back into vital community services, we’re strengthening the link between growth and wellbeing across the borough and ensuring that everyone is supported to live well, right through to the end of life.”
Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich said:
“We’re putting developers’ cash to good use and getting things done in Greenwich. This investment will make a real difference to people and families facing incredibly difficult moments, ensuring they feel cared for, supported and respected.
“It’s easy to just point at problems, but in Greenwich we’re getting things done to improve services that matter most to our community.”
Aneta Saunders, Deputy Chief Executive at the Community Hospice said:
“We are incredibly grateful to the Royal Borough of Greenwich for this investment and for recognising the vital role hospice care plays in our community. This funding will help us create a more comfortable, dignified and welcoming inpatient environment, where people and those close to them can spend precious time together, supported with compassion and respect.
“As a charity, partnerships like this make a real difference, allowing us to improve our buildings, support our staff, and ensure more local people can access the care they need, when it matters most.”
The redevelopment will also create a more welcoming and inclusive hospice environment, designed to reflect the diverse communities of south-east London and ensuring people from all cultures and backgrounds feel welcomed, respected and able to honour personal traditions and ways of grieving. Improvements will include a redesigned reception area, increased natural light, and better access to gardens, helping to create a calm and reassuring space for patients and visitors.
A new staff wellbeing hub will also be introduced, providing a dedicated space for clinical teams to rest and recharge, supporting them to continue delivering high-quality, compassionate care.
Sustainability will be a key part of the project, with environmentally friendly upgrades helping to reduce energy use and running costs, ensuring more resources can be directed towards patient care in the future.
Councillor Lolavar visited the hospice to see the redevelopment, how the funding is being put to good use, and to meet the staff involved in delivering the improvements. Watch here.
For over 30 years, the Community Hospice has been a trusted part of the local community, providing free care and support to people living with terminal illness, as well as their families and carers, across Greenwich and Bexley.