Sunflower House Opens at Lewis Manning Hospice Care

The need

The Lewis Manning Hospice provides support to adults living with life-limiting illnesses or those in need of end-of-life care. They work tirelessly with service users across East Dorset, Purbeck, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and West Hampshire. Around 1200 people are now using their services each year. To meet growing demand for its services, the charity purchased an additional property to house its therapy, bereavement and family support services. To make the new space fit for purpose and fully accessible, the building required significant renovation and specialist design input.

The project

CRASH is proud to have supported Lewis-Manning Hospice Care in the creation of its new therapies centre, Sunflower House, in Poole.

Through the unique collaboration of CRASH Corporate Patrons and supporters, the project was transformed into a welcoming, safe and functional space where patients and families can access crucial care and support.

Overall, the total Gift in Kind value for the completed project was £50,812, comprising discounted and pro-bono materials, professional expertise and a grant from CRASH.

Corporate Patrons:

Arcadis joined the initial site visit, producing a detailed report and providing project advice. The Arcadis team also gave MEP and structural engineering expertise for the design of the space.

British Gypsum supplied high-quality materials to improve the internal environment, including acoustic boarding for soundproofing, suspended ceiling systems, and plastering materials.

Geberit provided a specialist sanitary-ware pack for the new accessible bathroom, ensuring comfort and dignity for all users.

Supporters:

Marshalls plc contributed guttering materials to enhance the building’s external drainage systems.

Altro Limited donated durable, hygienic vinyl flooring and wall cladding products throughout the therapy spaces.

The outcome

Sunflower House, the newly opened therapies centre, provides a serene, purpose-built setting for complementary therapies, family support, and bereavement counselling. Its welcoming, thoughtfully designed environment enables staff and volunteers to deliver compassionate care to individuals and families affected by life-limiting illness across Dorset.

The centre features dedicated spaces for counselling and holistic therapies, helping visitors feel comfortable, supported, and understood during challenging times. A new virtual hospice hub extends this care online and by phone, allowing nurses and therapists to reach patients who cannot travel to the centre.

In addition, Sunflower House includes a spacious central hub and kitchen area for drop-in support, informal conversations with nurses, and group activities that foster confidence and combat isolation. Accessible reception areas and upgraded bathrooms, including facilities for those with mobility needs, ensure every visitor is welcomed and supported.