Northern Ireland Hospice

What we do

Northern Ireland Hospice is a local charity caring for local people.

Each year we care for over 3,000 adults, children and young people with life-limiting and life threatening conditions, both in hospice and in the community. We also support their families and carers.

The adult hospice is based at Somerton House, Somerton Road, Belfast and the children’s hospice at Horizon House, O’Neill Road in Newtownabbey.

Although we do receive some funding from government, we still rely heavily on voluntary donations and legacies to fund our much needed services.

We care for adults

We care for adults with life-threatening illnesses in hospice and in the community, usually in the patient's own home.

At Northern Ireland Hospice we accept that cure may not be possible and our specially trained staff aim to relieve pain and other symptoms and to provide emotional, social, spiritual and family support. Support for the family continues into bereavement. Our adult hospice and day hospice are located at Somerton Road, Belfast.

We care for children and young people

There are over 750 life-limited children and young people living in Northern Ireland. Life-limiting conditions include conditions such as Batten’s disease and Muscular Dystrophy and life-threatening conditions such as cancer and heart disease. These children have very complex needs, often requiring 24 hour care. Many will die before adulthood. We provide respite and end of life care for these very special children, young people and their families, both in the children’s hospice at Horizon House, Newtownabbey and in their own homes.

Support for families and carers

We also support patients’ families and carers, and close friends. Carers looking after a loved one at home who is seriously ill need ‘cared for’ too. Our Carers’ Service provides support, information and advice and equips them with the skills they need to look after their loved ones and themselves. In addition, our social workers are trained to recognise the difficulties which families face when someone is seriously ill. They provide help and support with the emotional and psychological effects of serious illness as well as practical advice on financial matters or anything else that families may be worried about.