A Liverpool-based baby hospice that was previously at risk of closure has transferred to a newly established charity.
This week, Zoe’s Place Trust announced that it had transferred ownership of its baby hospice to Liverpool Zoe’s Place, which was established as a charitably incorporated organisation in December.
Liverpool Zoe’s Place has local Labour MP Ian Byrne as its patron and six trustees, and has finalised plans to build its new home at Hayman’s Green in West Derby, Liverpool.
Last October, Zoe’s Place Trust said its Liverpool baby hospice, which it opened in February 1995, would close at the end of 2024 due to its lease coming to an end and spiralling costs of building a new facility.
This prompted Byrne to initiate a fundraising appeal to raise an additional £5m needed to build a new home for the Liverpool baby hospice.
In December, Zoe’s Place Trust revealed that the appeal had raised £7.5m.
‘We’ve come far’
Byrne said: “We’ve come so far from the threat of Zoe’s Place closing in October to where we are now.
“This is the start of an exciting future for the hospice under the stewardship of Liverpool Zoe’s Place.
“I have no doubt that we’ll create a centre of excellence to support the most vulnerable children in our city. This is a great day and I’m so proud of the people in our wonderful and generous city.”
Karen Livesey, chair of Liverpool Zoe’s Place, said: “I’m thrilled that Liverpool Zoe’s Place has taken on ownership of this wonderful children’s hospice in Liverpool.
“We’re working closely with the staff and plan a family day later in the month to mark the transition.
“We could not have done any of this without the support and generosity of the people of Liverpool. The next step is to put a spade in the ground for the state-of-the-art new centre.”
‘Significant step forwards in governance terms’
A Charity Commission spokesperson said: “As regulator, we have an important enabling role, helping charities to achieve their purposes and upholding public confidence in the charity sector.
“Whilst it’s principally for trustees to lead their charity, the commission can play a crucial role in helping facilitate discussions, particularly in complex circumstances.
“As such, we continue to engage with the trustees of Zoe’s Place Trust and Liverpool Zoe’s Place as they work towards ensuring the future of vital services provided to some of society’s most vulnerable children.
“The registration of the new charity was a significant step forwards in governance terms and the commission is pleased to have been able to play a part in making it happen.
“Confirmation that the new charity has now taken responsibility for the existing Liverpool hospice and the new build project are important steps in ensuring that hospice provision for children continues in Liverpool.”
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