Pilgrims Hospices Canterbury Modernisation: Update on our progress
We’re pleased to share that at the end of January 2026, we reached an important milestone: our full planning application for the modernisation and redevelopment of our London Road hospice was submitted to Canterbury City Council.
This follows months of careful design work, conversations with staff and volunteers, and feedback from patients, families, and our local community. It’s been a real team effort, and we’re grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their thoughts and ideas along the way.
What the modernisation will bring?
Modernising our site will ensure that the facilities for patients, families, staff and volunteers at Canterbury will meet the future needs of our community.
Your support is helping us shape a hospice that feels welcoming, calm and fit for the future. Our plans include:
A brighter, more accessible hospice environment, with spaces that feel comfortable and private for everyone who walks through our doors
A brand-new Inpatient Unit (IPU), with better access to the gardens, designed to meet the needs of people who rely on our care now and in the years ahead
Modernised Victorian buildings, keeping the character of our much-loved site while improving how the space works day to day
A new therapy centre, gym, sanctuary space and landscaped gardens, giving patients and families more places for gentle activity, reflection, and wellbeing
Environmentally responsible features, such as air-source heat pumps, solar panels and improvements to biodiversity
Better movement around the whole site, making it easier for visitors, staff and volunteers to get where they need to go
PHC Modernisation 3
PHC Modernisation 4
PHC Modernisation 2
PHC Modernisation 6
PHC Modernisation 8
PHC Modernisation 11
These changes will help ensure that the high-quality care we’re known for is matched by the setting in which it is delivered.
We’ll keep you posted as the planning process continues, and there will be plenty of opportunities for supporters to follow our progress and stay involved.
Looking ahead together
Pilgrims has been caring for local people from our Canterbury site for more than 40 years. This modernisation is an important step in ensuring we continue to offer specialist end-of-life care to our patients, and their families, in buildings that fully support the work of our teams.
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
23rd March 2026
Living well in each moment: Lawrence’s journey with Pilgrims Hospices
Lawrence Fox, a Londoner and former construction manager who has lived in Canterbury for 27 years, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2024.
After beginning chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, he was referred by his specialist nurse to Pilgrims Hospices for additional support.
Lawrence has experienced the holistic benefits of hospice care through wellbeing groups, physiotherapy and complementary therapy:
“I do guided mindfulness sessions at Pilgrims, which I love; they help me stay present in the moment and not get so anxious about the future – that’s the secret. I’m interested in psychology and being mentally strong. And I love being around people; there are some things you can’t tell your family, but you can share them with strangers, which is so helpful.”
Lawrence also attends Living Well groups, which offer talks by speakers on a range of topics, and has had reflexology treatment: “I’d never tried that, so I thought I’d have a go! I found it very relaxing.”
Most recently, he has joined Time to Create, a therapeutic art group where patients can try various artistic activities and processes, and is currently making a memory book:
“It’s nice coming to the hospice and catching up with some friendly faces.”
Lawrence values his physical fitness and says that being active helps him manage his illness; he does Pilates and, thanks to the support he is receiving from Pilgrims, hopes to begin swimming again in the near future, having previously swam for his native London Borough of Islington – “It’s like therapy for me.”
Lawrence continued:
“Without Pilgrims, I wouldn’t have known what to do or where to go after my diagnosis. They’re always here if you need them, and having that back-up is reassuring. The groups get me out of the house and into a routine, and I’ve met so many people – including partners and carers, who are welcome at the hospice groups, as it gives them a break as well.
“I didn’t realise until now that the hospice relies so much on donations, so I want to give back in any way I can, and sharing my story is one way I can do that.”
Pilgrims run a wide range of wellbeing groups and activities designed to support patients to live well, stay connected and enjoy the best quality of life possible.
For more information on Pilgrims Hospices’ Wellbeing Programme:
Call the Pilgrims Hospices Advice Line on 01233 504 133
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
17th February 2026
Zoo comes to hospice for Lorenzo’s 8th birthday
Pilgrims Hospices helped make one little boy’s birthday wish come true when a zoo experience was brought to his mum’s bedside.
Lorenzo with his birthday balloons
Rosanna, who is receiving care at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury, had hoped to take her son, Lorenzo, to the zoo for his 8th birthday on Sunday 15 February 2026.
Sadly, due to her poor health, a family day out wasn’t possible. Instead, the hospice team decided to bring the zoo to them.
Lorenzo, his brother Luca (10), and cousin Mischa (2) gathered at the hospice alongside their dad, Rob, grandparents Claire and Gero, aunties and uncles, and close family members from Herne Bay and Whitstable.
The Pilgrims catering team prepared a lovely traditional birthday tea, complete with freshly made sandwiches and colourful jelly and cake, creating a warm and joyful party atmosphere.
Lorenzo excitedly opened presents, including a cuddly dinosaur, Lego, and plenty of sweets, some of his favourite things.
To ensure Rosanna could be at the heart of the celebration, nurses carefully brought her bed into the hospice Therapy Centre, creating space for everyone to be together.
After lunch, a special surprise arrived courtesy of Creepy Claws Animal Encounters in Teynham, who kindly volunteered their time to bring along a selection of fascinating creatures.
Lorenzo Birthday 9 2
Lorenzo Birthday 8
Lorenzo Birthday 6
Lorenzo Birthday 5
Lorenzo Birthday 4
Lorenzo Birthday 3
Lorenzo Birthday 2
Lorenzo Birthday 1
From reptiles to other “creepy crawlies,” the experience delighted the children, and Rosanna bravely joined in, holding the animals and sharing laughter with her family. Being able to take part together created precious memories at a time that matters most.
Rosanna’s husband Rob said:
“We can’t thank everyone enough for the special kindness we have been given here at Pilgrims. You have all been part of making Rosanna’s time here warm, comfortable, and peaceful, not just for her, but for all of us.”
Claire, Rosanna’s mum, added: “Thank you all so much; we now have a really precious memory for the family to share.”
Lorenzo Birthday 14
Lorenzo Birthday 13
Lorenzo Birthday 12
Lorenzo Birthday 11
Lorenzo Cousin Mischa Copy
Hospice Services Manager, Sam Churchyard, reflected:
“It’s wonderful to help this lovely family share such a special moment. The team was determined to make the birthday truly memorable, and everyone pulled together to make it happen. We’re also incredibly grateful to Michael at Creepy Claws Animal Encounters for bringing along these fascinating creatures for the family to enjoy.”
Shirley Clark, from the Marketing and Communications team at Pilgrims, photographed the day:
“It was a privilege to capture these moments for the family. Those natural smiles, the laughter, and the little in-between moments, will become treasured memories for years to come.”
At Pilgrims Hospices, care extends beyond clinical support; it’s about helping families live well together, right to the end, and creating moments of joy when they’re needed most.
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
10th February 2026
Hannah takes on London Marathon for Pilgrims Hospices in memory of brother
Hannah Brazier from Herne Bay will run the London Marathon on 26 April 2026 in memory of her brother, Kyran, who was cared for by Pilgrims Hospices.
With more than £2,000 raised in sponsorship, Hannah is helping to ensure that other families can continue to benefit from local hospice care.
Hannah with her brother, Kyran
After receiving a Stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis, Kyran spent his final week in Pilgrims’ care; he died at the Canterbury hospice in September 2024, aged 36.
Hannah said: “Our experience as a family was overwhelmingly positive. During Kyran’s stay at the hospice, staff and volunteers gave him exceptional care filled with comfort, dignity and compassion. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and every need was met with kindness, patience and warmth.
“Kyran took great joy in the delicious meals he was served, the friendly jokes he shared with everyone, and the massages that helped ease his pain.
“Knowing he was so well cared for brought our family a great sense of peace.”
Inspired to give back and to say thank you, Hannah signed up to run London Marathon 2026 for Pilgrims. With the support of family and friends, she has already raised over £2,000, and with a few months still to go until the big day, she hopes to raise even more:
“Running the London Marathon in Kyran’s memory is an honour, and a chance to give something back to the organisation that gave so much to us when we needed it most. Pilgrims offered compassion, dignity, and unwavering support during the most difficult time of our lives. They didn’t just care for my brother, they cared for our entire family. We were welcomed at any hour, day or night. Staff provided toys for Kyran’s children to play with during visits, and they made space for family meals in the shared dining area. To his children, the hospice became affectionately known as the “house-pital” because it felt like a second home.
“Through fundraising, I’d like to help ensure that everyone has access to dignified end-of-life care in a comfortable setting with excellent support. While many of us shy away from talking about dying, my experience showed me how vital it is that people are able to die with dignity, compassion, and comfort. I want to help make this level of care available to all families who may need it.”
Pilgrims Hospices charity places for London Marathon 2026 are full, but if you’ve been inspired by Hannah and would like to fundraise for Pilgrims, visit our events page or contact our Fundraising team to find out more:
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
18th December 2025
Ho Ho Ho and away they go! Santas take over Herne Bay for Pilgrims Hospices run
More than 1,100 Santas brought festive cheer to Herne Bay seafront on Sunday 14 December 2025, as Pilgrims Hospices’ much-loved Santas on the Run! returned for another jolly fundraising success.
Organised by Rachael Edmed, Senior Fundraiser at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury, the event welcomed runners, walkers and joggers of all abilities to take on 3K, 5K and 10K routes, all in support of vital hospice care across east Kent.
With spectacular sunshine for this time of year, the festive fundraiser truly kick-started the Christmas season, as a sea of red suits set off along the promenade at 11am, cheered on by spectators enjoying the joyful atmosphere.
Santas On The Run 2025 1
Santas On The Run 2025 6
Santas On The Run 2025 2
Santas On The Run 2025 3
Santas On The Run 2025 4
Santas On The Run 2025 5
This year’s event saw 1,108 participants take part, with £28,567.80 raised so far, expecting to rise to in the region of £40,000. Over £240,000 has been raised since the event began – helping Pilgrims Hospices continue to provide compassionate care and support for patients and families living with terminal illness.
The celebrations were brought to life by fantastic local entertainment, with MC Graham Burns and Herne Bay radio station, Cabin FM, playing a huge part in keeping the festive energy high throughout the morning. Runners were also treated to the uplifting sounds of Samba Pelo Mar, while The Grinch made a mischievous appearance, spreading laughter and festive fun.
The Grinch made a special appearance
A lively warm-up session, led by Pip Smith from Active Life, got the Santas moving and ready ahead of the start, ensuring everyone was well prepared for their festive dash along the seafront.
Pilgrims Hospices would like to thank everyone who took part, volunteered, entertained, supported and cheered from the side-lines, helping to make Santas on the Run! such a memorable community event.
As the charity heads into the festive season, Pilgrims Hospices sends heartfelt thanks to all supporters and wishes everyone a very happy Christmas, with gratitude for the incredible support shown throughout 2025.
Rachael Edmed, Senior Fundraiser at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury, said:
“Santas on the Run! was truly magical this year. Seeing over 1,100 Santas come together, smiling, laughing and supporting Pilgrims Hospices was incredibly special.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who took part, our amazing volunteers, Herne Bay radio, Samba Pelo Mar, our warm-up leader from Active Life, and of course everyone who donated. Your support helps us continue providing vital hospice care to families across east Kent – thank you, and have a wonderful Christmas.”
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
27th October 2025
Pilgrims Hospices helps Margaret to realise musical theatre dreams
Margaret Grand from Wingham grew up in Canterbury. With a keen interest in singing and theatre, she did choral singing at school and sang in choirs later in life – including with Ann Robertson, Pilgrims Hospices’ founder, who Margaret knew from her village community.
John and Margaret on their wedding day
As a teenager, Margaret was offered the opportunity to study at the prestigious Italia Conti performing arts institution, but her mother wouldn’t let her go; Margaret was an only child, and her mother was afraid she would move away and not return home.
Margaret instead began working at Boots in Canterbury city centre, where she met her husband, John, who was also a musician. Together, they played in bands and performed locally.
In 2021, Margaret was diagnosed with cancer and received a life-limiting prognosis. Since being referred to Pilgrims Hospices, she has had a second chance to flex her theatrical prowess through a project with the Marlowe Theatre – showing how hospice care is not only for those at the end-of-life, but also empowers people to live well, and fully, in the time they have left.
Margaret said:
“I’d had problems with my leg, I kept getting cellulitis; I was going to the GP surgery regularly to have dressings on. The nurse noticed a spot on my leg, which started to change colour, so she asked the doctor to check it and he did an urgent referral. A biopsy at Kent & Canterbury hospital showed that I had Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare type of skin cancer. The nurses explained that I’d need to go to Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead for treatment, and have scans for five years.
“In 2022, I started to get large tumours on my leg, and I got upset every time I had it dressed. I remember the nurse, Bonnie, saying: “Margaret, I can understand why you get upset, because most people don’t see their tumours.” They just got worse and worse. I was sleeping on the sofa at home because I was so uncomfortable.
“Later that year, I went to see Les Miserables at the Marlowe Theatre with my daughter, Michelle. During the interval, I had to leave because I felt so unwell. A week later, I collapsed at home – I was just like a puppet. I called out to John, but he couldn’t get me up, so he phoned for an ambulance. I asked the paramedic to put me on the sofa and assured them I’d be OK, but they took my temperature and it was sky high, so they had to admit me to hospital, where I was diagnosed with sepsis. I was there for about a month, and I also caught COVID!”
Michelle added:
“Mum was discharged shortly before Christmas and was due to see her consultant around this time, but as she had been so unwell, I attended on her behalf. I explained what had happened, and the consultant was concerned. She said: “I can tell how ill your mum must be. I really think she needs palliative care, so I’m going to do a referral.” That was a massive shock; I came out of the appointment shaking. To me, palliative care meant Mum was at the end of life, on a downward spiral. But then things turned around very quickly; she was quite stable, and she started chemotherapy in January 2023.”
Margaret with her daughter, Michelle
Margaret continued: “They told me the chemo would be potent, could potentially make me very ill, and would cause me to lose my hair. On the whole, I was actually quite lucky; l didn’t feel sick at all and I pretty much sailed through the treatment. When I came out of hospital, they gave me a hospital bed at home, which made things a little easier. It was around this time that Pilgrims got in touch with me.”
Alongside pain management and symptom control, Margaret has benefitted from a range of wellbeing services at Pilgrims, including acupuncture and Wellbeing groups, through which she and other patients were involved in a musical theatre project with the Marlowe Theatre.
She also joins regular virtual meet-ups via Zoom, which offer an opportunity to connect with other patients from the comfort of their own homes.
In November 2023, John lost his balance and fell backwards at home, hit the back of his neck, severed his spinal cord and died within a week:
“Just like that. I couldn’t believe it; he’d been out cutting the grass that afternoon. He was 80. Since I’d been diagnosed, we’d always thought it was going to be me who went first – exactly a year before, when I was hospitalised with sepsis, it certainly looked that way.”
Pilgrims supported Margaret’s family through this very difficult time; her granddaughter, Holly, was offered counselling support as she struggled to cope with John’s sudden death.
Margaret was also invited for a Christmas meal at the Ashford hospice, where she could experience the environment in a relaxed, informal way.
She said: “I feel like everyone at Pilgrims is a friend, it’s a lovely community.
“I’ve got nothing but praise for the staff; they must see so many people, but they still know your name.
“Chatting with Palak from the Wellbeing team, I mentioned my love of singing and my interest in theatre, and she told me about a Hamlet-inspired project for patients that Pilgrims was facilitating with the Marlowe.
DSC 5577 01
DSC 5418 01
Margaret took part in Hamlet workshops with the Marlowe Theatre at Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury
“When I was at high school, I had a marvellous music teacher – Mr Sellers – who saw my potential. He put me in every single play, and I even sung in Canterbury Cathedral. I was also part of the Young Marlowe Theatre Playgoers; we’d do readings and put on the odd play, but it was more of a training programme. It was completely free to attend, but in return, we would go to the Marlowe and give out refreshments to the actors.
“My best friend, Catherine, was also into the theatre. Her father offered to pay for both of us to go to the Italia Conti performing arts school in London, but my mum wouldn’t let me go. And because I couldn’t go, Catherine wouldn’t go – I messed up her chances, too! I still feel guilty about that!
“We used to have village shows in Wingham, and I always took part in those. I also sang in a band with John on guitar and our friend, Dick; we’d go out gigging round the local pubs, we had so much fun. Whenever Michelle and I go to the Marlowe now, I always say to her: “I wish that was me on the stage”.”
Margaret’s husband, John (second from left), playing with the band
In 2024/25, Pilgrims organised a musical theatre project with the Marlowe, open to patients, families, staff and volunteers, which helped Margaret to realise her dream. Workshops were held at the Canterbury hospice Therapy Centre, facilitated by local performers Tom Adams and Lillian Henry, with guest speakers from the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).
This culminated in the group writing and performing a song based around Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and a special event at the Marlowe in April 2025.
Margaret read a sonnet on stage and was invited to talk about her history with the theatre. She was also delighted to sit with an RSC representative during the event.
Margaret performing at the Marlowe Theatre in April 2025
She said: “I’m so touched that the RSC, and people like Tom and Lillian, will give their time to Pilgrims to create experiences like this for patients.”
Pilgrims continue to work closely with the Marlowe, and are planning another creative project in the near future.
Margaret added:
“Before I got involved with Pilgrims, I thought a hospice was a place you go to die. Now I know it’s so much more than that, and I tell everyone!
“I remember sitting in the Thanet hospice reception waiting for my acupuncture appointment. It wasn’t until my last session that I spotted the wards, which goes to show that hospices aren’t just beds on a ward.
“It’s totally different to what people think.
“Pilgrims don’t just offer end-of-life care, but also a whole range of wellbeing services and groups. It’s really opened my eyes.”
For more information on Pilgrims Hospices’ Wellbeing Programme:
Call the Pilgrims Hospices Advice Line on 01233 504 133
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of people across east Kent, with services provided from its three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. It costs over £17.2 million annually to run these services, much of which comes from the generous support of the local community.
