Our ambitious refurbishment has been rewarded with a Blackpool Civic Trust Award. At Friday night’s ceremony Trinity Hospice and Brian House were presented with the prize – a proud moment for the staff who attended on behalf of Trinity.

Compere Andy Mitchell described the refurbishment of Trinity and Brian House as superb, giving patients the highest standards of accommodation to match the excellence in compassionate care offered by the hospice. Appropriately, our President Jimmy Armfield presented the trophy to Clinical Director Julie Huttley, Facilities Manager Simon Hellawell and Head of Fundraising Linzi Young.

It was the 40th anniversary of the Blackpool Civic Trust and Joan Humble, Chairman of the group, hosted the evening at Viva. 

Trinity’s refurbishment focused on the high quality provision of accommodation for patients and families giving added privacy, dignity and patient choice. The project was paid for by a Department of Health capital grant and by contributions from local people: not least those who got behind the amazing Hospice Heroes campaign run by the Gazette, which raised well over £200,000.

Patients and their families have been feeling the benefits of the more modern interior. Our adult In-patient Unit now has more ensuite rooms, better overnight accommodation for relatives and has been completely remodelled and redecorated.

In Brian House, the lounge areas, kitchen and bedrooms were all totally overhauled, giving our young people a fantastic ‘home from home’ environment.    

Head of Fundraising Linzi Young said: “A little bit of this award belongs to every person who contributed towards the refurbishment; from the hospice staff and volunteers to the contractors, and from our Corporate supporters to the children who saved pennies in jam jars. They all helped make the vision a reality.”

It’s our second Blackpool Civic Trust award in two years: last time our gardens were the winners!