British Sign LanguageConnect with a British Sign Language interpreter Work for us Call us
British Sign LanguageConnect with a British Sign Language interpreter

Hospice: 01206 845 566

SinglePoint: 01206 890 360

Work for us

What we offer
How you can help us
Search
X
Refer
Donate
CQC

Contrast

Text Size

a a
X

What we offer

We help people in north east Essex face incurable illness and bereavement, supporting them, their families, friends and carers.

Find out more

How you can help us

A third of our funding comes from the NHS, the remaining two thirds is raised from the generosity and support of people like you.

Find out more
Search
X
Donate

Our heritage

timeline dots
Timeline image

1979 July

A meeting was held at Colchester Town Hall on 6th July “to consider the setting up of a hospice for the terminally ill to serve the Colchester Health District”. Those present: The Bishop of Colchester, Father Michael Stokes, Dr Peter Kennedy, Dr George Rhys Lewis, Deirdre Allen, Irene Overton, Dr Elizabeth Hall and some 140 members of the public. A steering committee was formed chaired by Dr Elizabeth Hall, and the volunteers of the Colchester Area Hospice Project were ready to take on the work.

Read more
Timeline image

1980 August 

St Helena Hospice was incorporated on 11th August and the steering committee became the council of management.

Read more
Timeline image

1980 May

A £250,000 public appeal was launched on 17th May at an old time music hall at Holmwood House School to establish St Helena Hospice, named after the patron saint of Colchester.

Read more
Timeline image

1981 April

The National Society for Cancer Relief agreed to fund the home care scheme throughout north east Essex “to provide specialised care at home for the terminally ill” run in conjunction with the planned hospice, with the help of Keith Dallison, district nursing officer for the community, who became director of St Helena Hospice a few years later. Two Macmillan nurses, Nuala Peddel and Maureen Percival, were appointed to the home care scheme in July 1981.

Read more
Timeline image

1981 May

St Helena Hospice registered as a charity organisation and launched the appeal logo in July, described as “the cross, emblematic of St Helena who carries it on top of our town hall with the H for Helena and Hospice.

Read more
Timeline image

1981 October

A planning application was submitted on 30th October to change the use of Myland Hall, a 17th century grade II listed building being used by Highwoods developers French Keir, to a hospice.

Read more
Timeline image

1983 December 

Building work began at Myland Hall.

Read more
Timeline image

1983 February

The hospice was given the green light and Myland Hall was acquired.

Read more
Timeline image

1983 November

Anne, Duchess of Norfolk, cut the first sod in a ceremony in the grounds of Myland Hall on 23rd November to begin the building work, paying tribute to “everyone who has worked so hard and contributed so much”.

Read more
Timeline image

1985 April 

The local community was invited to look around the new hospice.

Read more
Timeline image

1985 May

St Helena Hospice welcomed its first patient, 22 year old Lisa Brenchley.

Read more
Timeline image

1986 April

The hospice was officially opened on 11th April by the Queen Mother.

Read more
Timeline image

1987 February

The hospice caused controversy with the announcement that patients with AIDS or HIV would be admitted.

Read more
Timeline image

1987 June

First St Helena Hospice shop opened on 1st June, Head Street, Colchester.

Read more
Timeline image

1988 April 

The Joan Tomkins Centre was officially opened by Diana, Princess of Wales, on 26th April. The day centre was built thanks to a generous donation from local businessman Robin Tomkins in memory of his wife.

Read more

A meeting was held at Colchester Town Hall on 6th July “to consider the setting up of a hospice for the terminally ill to serve the Colchester Health District”. Those present: The Bishop of Colchester, Father Michael Stokes, Dr Peter Kennedy, Dr George Rhys Lewis, Deirdre Allen, Irene Overton, Dr Elizabeth Hall and some 140 members of the public. A steering committee was formed chaired by Dr Elizabeth Hall, and the volunteers of the Colchester Area Hospice Project were ready to take on the work.

Close

St Helena Hospice was incorporated on 11th August and the steering committee became the council of management.

Close

A £250,000 public appeal was launched on 17th May at an old time music hall at Holmwood House School to establish St Helena Hospice, named after the patron saint of Colchester.

Close

The National Society for Cancer Relief agreed to fund the home care scheme throughout north east Essex “to provide specialised care at home for the terminally ill” run in conjunction with the planned hospice, with the help of Keith Dallison, district nursing officer for the community, who became director of St Helena Hospice a few years later. Two Macmillan nurses, Nuala Peddel and Maureen Percival, were appointed to the home care scheme in July 1981.

Close

St Helena Hospice registered as a charity organisation and launched the appeal logo in July, described as “the cross, emblematic of St Helena who carries it on top of our town hall with the H for Helena and Hospice.

Close

A planning application was submitted on 30th October to change the use of Myland Hall, a 17th century grade II listed building being used by Highwoods developers French Keir, to a hospice.

Close

Building work began at Myland Hall.

Close

The hospice was given the green light and Myland Hall was acquired.

Close

Anne, Duchess of Norfolk, cut the first sod in a ceremony in the grounds of Myland Hall on 23rd November to begin the building work, paying tribute to “everyone who has worked so hard and contributed so much”.

Close

The local community was invited to look around the new hospice.

Close

St Helena Hospice welcomed its first patient, 22 year old Lisa Brenchley.

Close

The hospice was officially opened on 11th April by the Queen Mother.

Close

The hospice caused controversy with the announcement that patients with AIDS or HIV would be admitted.

Close

First St Helena Hospice shop opened on 1st June, Head Street, Colchester.

Close

The Joan Tomkins Centre was officially opened by Diana, Princess of Wales, on 26th April. The day centre was built thanks to a generous donation from local businessman Robin Tomkins in memory of his wife.

Close

We’ve been recording the memories of some of the people who were at the beginning of St Helena Hospice’s journey.

Our heritage stories project is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.  

Heritage stories

Go to basket

Go to basket

0
X

Processing fees

When you make a donation to St Helena Hospice, we are charged transactional fees by other companies, including fees for processing payments made to us, looking up addresses and validating bank account details.

We are very grateful to our donors who offer to offset some of these fees with a minor addition to their total amount. This is however completely optional and we are very grateful for your support whether or not you choose to contribute to processing fees.

Close
X

About Gift Aid

We are able to claim an extra 25p on every £1 on your donation amount for no extra cost to you, as long as you are a UK tax payer; have paid enough income tax or capital gains tax in that tax year; and are donating your own money. If you pay less income tax and/or capital gains tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all of your donations in that tax year it is your responsibility to pay any difference. For more information about Gift Aid, please visit https://www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity/gift-aid
 

Close
X

How many years would you like to display your leaf for?

Reminder: At the end of the display period, you will be given the option to renew your dedicated leaf or have it returned for you to keep.

Cancel Continue