A South Cumbrian hospice has officially launched its new Lake District base.
St Mary’s Hospice is now operating community services from Kelsick Grammar in Ambleside.
The new partnership between St Mary’s Hospice and Impact, the organisation behind the restoration and redevelopment of the historic Kelsick Grammar building, will create a dedicated community hub delivering wellbeing, bereavement, dementia and outreach services across the South Lakes.
For more than 35 years, St Mary’s Hospice has supported people and families across Furness and South Lakes living with life-shortening illness, grief and bereavement.
Around two in every 10 patients supported by the hospice come from the South Lakes area.
Lynsey Lawson, head of community services at St Mary’s Hospice, said: “This launch is about bringing compassionate care into the heart of our communities.
“By establishing a permanent South Lakes base at Kelsick Grammar, we can support more people earlier, reduce the impact of rural isolation, and ensure families across the South Lakes can access the care, support and dignity they deserve.”
The Kelsick Grammar site will host services including bereavement support groups, wellbeing sessions, dementia support, education programmes and wider community engagement initiatives.
The partnership also creates opportunities for collaboration with local organisations and healthcare partners to strengthen support networks across the region.
David Williams, founder and CEO of Impact, added: “We’re proud to welcome St Mary’s Hospice to Kelsick Grammar.
“From the beginning, our vision for Kelsick has been to create a place that serves the community in meaningful and lasting ways – a space where people can come together, feel supported and access opportunities that improve lives.
“This partnership reflects that ethos perfectly, and we’re delighted to see Kelsick becoming a home for such important work in the South Lakes.”
Community events and programmes will begin rolling out from the Ambleside base over the coming months.
For more information about St Mary’s Hospice and the new South Lakes hub, visit www.stmaryshospice.org.uk
