Suffolk hospice wins grant for Haverhill centre

A hospice in Bury St Edmunds has been awarded more than £325,000 to turn a Haverhill building into a community outreach centre.

Plans for the Burton Centre include clinics, counselling, complementary therapies and a drop-in centre for patients and their families.

St Nicholas Hospice has been given £326,488 by the Department of Health.

It follows St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s decision to approve the plans.

Barbara Gale, chief executive of the hospice said: “Our development of the Burton Centre will be the first hospice outreach centre in west Suffolk.

“We have chosen Haverhill because of the large population and its growing need for more services for those at the end of their lives and in response to local requests.”

Proposals include counselling and therapy rooms on the first floor.

Planned services include bereavement support, advice, medical and nurse clinics, complementary therapies, faith networks, group support for patients and carers and a drop-in centre.

The Burton Centre currently houses a public library and cafe, which the hospice said would both continue to operate in one half of the building.

The hospice also plans to work in partnership with local health and social care organisations.