County's unique hospice charity, which offers both children's and adult services, is celebrating the biggest step forward in the 15-year history of the charity

Lincolnshire's only hospice for children and young people with life-limiting illness has a new name and a new look.
Andy's Children's Hospice EMN-160718-083614001Andy's Children's Hospice EMN-160718-083614001
Andy's Children's Hospice EMN-160718-083614001

Andy’s Children’s Hospice, formerly St Andrew’s Children’s Hospice, was built in Grimsby 15 years ago, offering state-of-the-art free care for youngsters and their families.

The charity is unique in that it operates both children’s and adult services from one site.

The organisation’s shops, throughout the county, including one in Louth, have also been revamped, with a new orange and grey colour scheme.

Andy's Children's Hospice EMN-160718-083629001Andy's Children's Hospice EMN-160718-083629001
Andy's Children's Hospice EMN-160718-083629001

“Customers at our shops throughout Lincolnshire will notice that we have a fresh new look,” said Jane Whenham-White, head of income generation.

“We’re now called Andy’s.

“It is a shortened version of St Andrew’s and has been chosen to make our services more friendly to the many children who use our services.

“We’ve achieved so much over the last 15 years, and now we are celebrating our biggest step forward in the history of the hospice, which has been serving the community overall for more than 30 years.”

Andy's Children's Hospice EMN-160718-083600001Andy's Children's Hospice EMN-160718-083600001
Andy's Children's Hospice EMN-160718-083600001

The launch of Andy’s coincided with the completion of a huge redevelopment, which has seen the creation of a community space for everyone to use, called The Hub.

They have also created The Retreat, a health and wellbeing centre.

“We’re now delighted to welcome the public to dine at Appetite, a servery offering home-cooked food too,” added Jane.

“Many more exciting changes have been made. For example, we have increased the number of beds for adult patients from eight to 12.”

Andy's Children's Hospice EMN-160718-083659001Andy's Children's Hospice EMN-160718-083659001
Andy's Children's Hospice EMN-160718-083659001

The hospice moved to its current site in Grimsby about 20 years ago.

It was a former social club and they fitted into what existed.

However, it got to the point where maintenance on the building was too expensive and it made more financial sense to rebuild rather than keep patching up. It served us well but it started to cost enormous amounts of money to maintain – money which is better used looking after patients,” said Jane.

“After several years of planning and putting money aside, in 2014 we began to redevelop our site in Peaks Lane, to ensure the area has the very best hospice facilities available anywhere.

In March, they officially opened the first phase of the project.

The Hub provides a light and open space for the public to enjoy, as well as for all the patients, together with their families and visitors.

Many visitors dine in The Hub at Appetite, which has a tasty menu, and visitors are often entertained by live performers.

They have also recently celebrated the completion of The Retreat, a health and wellbeing centre and the second phase of the redevelopment.

The Retreat includes a gym and exercise studio, resistance pool and treatment rooms, to enable the therapists to keep patients of all ages independent and mobile for as long as

possible.

Andy's Children's Hospice EMN-160718-083629001Andy's Children's Hospice EMN-160718-083629001
Andy's Children's Hospice EMN-160718-083629001

“We can now deliver flexible services to a wider range of people, under one roof, and our new look – a new logo, a new name for the children’s hospice and more – celebrates this,” said Jane.

“Thanks largely to the generosity of people in our region we can offer top-class services in a wonderful and modern environment.

“The area should be very proud indeed of making its brand new hospice even more amazing.”

However, help is still needed from our supporters to completely furnish The Retreat and also to turn our attention to Andy’s.

“It is in need of some TLC, and needs a new lounge and kitchen, decoration throughout and a new play area,” added Jane.

Andy’s and St Andrew’s combined receives just 12 per cent statutory funding a year towards its £3.8-million combined running costs.

There are many ways tohelp – from getting involved in an event or holding your own, by buying a brick or leaf, or by simply making a donation.

To find out more visit www.andys.me.uk or call 01472 350908.

The charity is also on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/standrewshospice, and Twitter, at @helpstandrews

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