Our timeline

Since 2007, we’ve been dedicated to providing specialist care and vital support to as many children and their families across Berkshire and into surrounding counties as possible.

Young boy playing with nurse.

25 April 2007

Our charity was founded

Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service was founded by John and Fiona Devine in 2007.

Through their experience and much research, it was clear that Berkshire needed its own children’s hospice service. So in 2007, Fiona and John established Alexander Devine Cancer Trust (later to become Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service), and so began their journey to make sure that children, like their son Alexander, and families likes theirs would be able to access the support they needed closer to home.

2009

Recruitment of the first Alexander’s Nurse

Two years after the charity was first established, the charity was able to fund its first Alexander’s Nurse. Lucy Jones was based within the children’s community team at Wexham Park Hospital to provide respite and end of life care.

Alexander Devine specialist play
Alexander Devine children

2012

CQC registration and launch of community service

2013

 Launch of our capital campaign

With the support of our founder patron, Sir Michael Parkinson CBE, we launched our capital campaign to build a children’s hospice for Berkshire on 7th November 2013 at the Fredrick’s Hotel in Maidenhead. 

Parents with child
Wooden heart sign with words "Love you to the moon and back"

2015

Hospice groundbreaking

Following a successful two year capital campaign, on Wednesday 23rd September 2015, supporters gathered in Maidenhead for the groundbreaking of our hospice. The Devine family, along with Sir Michael Parkinson CBE and Theresa May MP together put the first spade in the ground.  The building of Berkshire’s children’s hospice had begun.

Specialist play and sibling support service established

Whilst the building work got underway, the support for families continued to grow with the introduction of a specialist play and sibling support service.

2018

Our children’s hospice opens in Maidenhead

In June 2018 we opened the doors of our children’s hospice in Maidenhead for Day care.

On 14 December we held a special opening ceremony to celebrate this momentous milestone with Prime Minister Theresa May MP and Sir Michael Parkinson CBE officially opening the hospice.

Child's collage
Wooden heart sign with words "Love you to the moon and back"

2019

 Symptom management service launched

By 2019 our Alexander’s Care Team had grown to 14, which included the addition of two Clinical Nurse Specialists to develop our symptom management provision.

Sensory garden opened in March

On the first day of Spring we were delighted to be joined by our wonderful friends at LEGOLAND and Merlin’s Magic Wand to officially open the woodland themed sensory garden they designed and created for us.

Hydrotherapy pool opened

On 31st July, our patron Mr John Barley BEM officially opened our hydrotherapy pool. John, Chairman of Nirvana Spa, along with his family have played a pivotal role in sponsoring and maintaining our amazing pool.

2020

Opening of our adventure playground

We opened our exciting adventure playground that has special equipment to enable children of all abilities and their siblings to play together.

Caring through the pandemic

The pandemic is one of the biggest challenges our charity has ever faced. However, despite the severe impact on fundraising activities, our dedication to families remained steadfast. We were responsive and adapted the way we worked in order to make sure families were able to continue accessing the specialist care and vital support that they needed in a way that suited them. Indeed during this time we extended our support, offering even more care to make sure they did not face the pandemic alone.

Child's collage
Wooden heart sign with words "Love you to the moon and back"

2021

Overnight respite established

Our service development continued with the establishment of overnight respite for children at the hospice.   

 

Need our help?

The word hospice should not seem scary and getting support from us doesn’t have to mean a child’s death is imminent. Helping to enrich the lives of the children and their families is at the heart of our service, our end of life and bereavement support is just a part of what we do.

Our children’s hospice service covers the whole of Berkshire and into surrounding counties. If you think your child may be eligible for our services, please do get in touch.

Alexander Devine on Facebook

Inspected and rated Good by Care Quality commission
Registered with Fundraising Regulator
Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service is the operating name of Alexander Devine Children’s Cancer Trust. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 5757493

Copyright © 2019 Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service. UK Registered Charity No. 1118947.