Our History

St Barnabas Hospice opened its doors to its first patient over 40 years ago. Over four decades later, more than 100,000 people have received free, high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care and support across Lincolnshire.

It's been an incredible journey...

  • A small group of people with total funds of £270 formed a charitable trust with the aim of developing a local hospice.

    1979
  • The Trust had raised enough money to buy a nursing home in Lindum Terrace in Lincoln, which opened as a four-bed unit and demand soon grew and a further two beds opened in 1984.

    1982
  • An eleven bed inpatient unit opened at the former Bromhead nurses home in Nettleham Road in Lincoln and could also host a day care service and provide a base for the home care nursing team.

    1989
  • A welfare service was developed to offer support and guidance to patients, families and carers – in 2016, this has grown to see £8 million of benefits claimed on their behalf.

    1990
  • We were honoured to host a visit from Her Royal Highness Princess Diana to our Hospice on Nettleham Road where she met with patients, families, staff and volunteers on Tuesday 17th March 1992.

    1992
  • The first charity shop opened in Lincoln and there are now 26 shops across the county. In November 1996, St Barnabas formed a promotions company, which operates a lottery service throughout the county.

    1996
  • The Trust had five day centres in Gainsborough, Sutton-on-Sea, Lincoln (Lea Centre), Boston and Spalding. In 2001, the Lincoln site relocated to Hawthorn Road and was officially opened by Princess Alexandra.

    2001
  • The Inpatient Unit underwent an extensive refurbishment programme and an official opening ceremony was performed by Professor Mike Richards, CBE, National Director for Cancer and End of Life Care, in February 2009.

    2009
  • St Barnabas merged with Gifts Hospice in Grantham to provide Day Therapy services in that area.

    2010
  • A consultant in palliative medicine was appointed by the Trust and United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, based at the inpatient unit in Nettleham Road and Lincoln County Hospital. A further two consultants have been appointed in Boston and Grantham.

    2011
  • We celebrated 30 years of caring and supporting patients and their families throughout Lincolnshire.

    2012
  • St Barnabas pooled its expertise with United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust and South West Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group to open a ground breaking six-bed hospice within Grantham and District Hospital.

    2014
  • The brand was overhauled and a new-look was unveiled to help raise awareness of the range of services and to boost donations.

    2016
  • St Barnabas celebrates 35 years of caring for local people.

    2017
  • Renowned actor Warwick Davis becomes the official Patron for St Barnabas Hospice.

    2017
  • St Barnabas celebrates 40 years of providing vital palliative care across Lincolnshire.

    2022

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