St Wilfred’s hospice is an independent charity that has been supporting those in the community with terminal illness since 1987. St Wilfred’s provides ‘home from home’ impatient care as well as supporting very ill people by visiting them during the day and helping them with ‘living well’ services. The charities rehabilitation programmes include working alongside patients to help them remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. In addition to the hospice, the Education Centre offers courses for medical professionals and carers.
The new hospice is situated in Walton Lane in Bosham, West Sussex. The catchment area runs from Emsworth to the west and Arundel to the east and then everywhere to the south of the South Downs.
In 2012 the ‘dreambuilding’ project was created by the Board of Trustees to strive for a future with premises that improved on their existing site in Grovesnor Road, just south of Chichester. It was felt that a completely fresh bigger premises was necessary to continue to support the developing needs of this West Sussex district.(1)
In July 2019 the monumental looking brand new building in the village of Bosham in Chichester harbour was ready to welcome its first patient. The project took over a year to complete at a cost of £16.2million. (2)
The site is on a side lane off the main coastal A259 road which connects Emsworth in Hampshire to Brighton and Eastbourne in East Sussex. This unique facility sits in approximately a third of an acre with parking for at least 30 cars to the front and side. The design of the finished centre includes two large barn shaped wings with a central entrance area. There is also two further structures towards the rear of the complex.
The recently completed St Wilfred’s Hospice health hub is 50% bigger and was delivered by the leading British construction company Kier.(3)
The fabrication features red bricks, oak wood cladding and burnt orange clay tiled roofing. The southern facade boasts flint cladding which is very often found on older walls in this locality. To attractively lift the look of the exterior, soft turquoise coloured window and door frames have been chosen. This visual contrast will assist those who are visually impaired to find their way and also reflects the branding of St Wilfred’s Hospice and this nautical setting just ten minutes walk from the beach.
The architecture is the size of an extensive city hotel but has been very positively received by those who live in this conservative village. This modern asset to the region fits in well with the country farmhouse style residential detached properties alongside it and also the traditional cottages in the adjacent roads.
“The Hospice blends in with the surroundings very well and looks friendly and homely.” said an elegant lady that lives in one of the houses nearby.
Benefits of the modern premises encompass the ability for visitors to spend time with patients. Family and friends have special spaces and can stay the night if they want to in one of the 18 en suite bedrooms. A ‘living well’ centre for therapy and socialising is an added bonus and a chapel and prayer room gives space for quiet and meditation when required. The capacious ground floor plan has treatment rooms, an art therapy room and a gym.
‘The Stables’ houses the Inpatient ward and ‘The Granary’ is home to community services. ‘The Sussex Barn’ is where the Day Hospice and support services can be found and ‘The Hay Loft’ contains all the Hospice’s other essential support services. “The main buildings are grouped to look like a converted farm complex.” states the charity’s ‘Dreambuilding’ planning overview. (4)
“Making a difference to local lives” is the mission statement of the organisation which strives to make sure everyone gets the dedicated care they are worthy of. We have a comparatively ageing population in West Sussex, which is known for its fresh sea air, countryside, history and culture and also as a haven for the retired.
Helping people achieve the best quality of life that they can, for as long as possible, is a key goal for St Wilfred’s team members who together play an important part in the local healthcare system. Now more than ever it is wonderful to have a light, spacious and welcoming environment to enable those who need end of life care in our community to have the peace, love and support they deserve.
(1) St Wilfred’s Hospice website, 20 April 2020, St Wilfred’s Hopice website
(2) ‘St Wilfred’s Hospice £16m home opens in Bosham’ Joe Stack, 23 July 2019, Chichester Observer, 23 July 2019 ‘St Wilfred’s Hospice Opens’ Chichester Observer
(3) ‘Delivering for communities’ Kier Construction website, 21 April 2020, Kier Construction website
(4) ‘About The Building’ St Wilfred’s New Hospice Appeal website, 21 April 2020, Dreambuilding St Wilfred’s Hospice website