Trinity has a fascinating history that dates back to 1891 when we were founded thanks to the generosity and foresight of the Hoare banking family.

Here's a snapshot of just a few of the key moments in our 130 year history.

Read about the history of our gardens

2021

We marked Trinity's landmark 130th anniversary throughout the year including with our "130 Appeal"; our 130 Gala which raised a record breaking total for the hospice; and a visit from our Royal Patron, Her Majesty The Queen Consort.

2019

We were rated "Outstanding" by the Care Quality Commission. This is the highest rating that can be awarded.

2016

The Duchess of Cornwall visited to officially mark the beginning of our 125th year.

2015

Trinity was granted our Royal Trinity Hospice name by the Cabinet Office, reflecting the long patronage and association with the Royal Family.

2011

We celebrated our 120th anniversary and opened Mulberry Place, a light-filled room overlooking the Trinity gardens, which is used to host outpatient groups and special events for patients such as weddings.

2009

We reached a landmark in our history when our new 26-bed, purpose-built inpatient unit opened its doors.

1986-1987

Trinity’s first charity shop opened on Wilcox Road, SW8, on 27 October 1986.

At the forefront of good practice, Trinity established education services throughout the 1980s and opened a day centre for outpatients.

Trinity was active in the establishment of the Association of Hospice Administration, set up in 1983 to link the c.100 Hospices and support units run by many hospitals, and in the Help the Hospices (now Hospice UK) Advisory Committee and The Association of Independent Hospitals

1984

The management of Trinity’s bereavement service is taken over by a paid social worker and a registrar in psychology joined the staff team.

1981

A volunteer-led forerunner to our now professionally-led bereavement service was established by Trinity’s Chaplain, who provided training and support to volunteers who visited bereaved families at home.

1978 -1980

The launch of the Macmillan Home Care Support Service and outpatient clinics changed the structure of care for the first time since 1891. Two nursing sisters and the medical officer cared for patients from Wimbledon to Brixton, Mitcham and Chelsea.

The first major refurbishment included restoration of our two-acre gardens. In 1980 we took on the name Trinity Hospice and appointed a full-time medical director.

HM Elizabeth the Queen Mother visited in March 1981 and ‘planted’ a new copper beech in place of one that had to be felled.

Even though the building is difficult and the patients ‘mortally ill’, Medical Officer Dr West says it is gratifying to see patients whose symptoms are under control while remaining mentally alert, who are beautifully cared for and at peace, with their family sitting relaxed around the bedside. 

1977

Trinity’s Council, in place since the 1900s, took over management to run the hospice as a secular, independent establishment as the remaining six nuns running the Hostel could not find sufficient novices to replace them.

The new council reaffirmed their commitment to be “open to all in need on recommendation of a doctor with no distinction on grounds of circumstance, nationality or religious belief, and to maintain the atmosphere of a real home.” The Hostel aims to enable each patient to live as near normal life as possible. This calls for a "high standard of medical and nursing care, with the full support and understanding of relatives and friends, yet in a homelike environment."

1973

Staff from the Hostel were deeply involved in the growing interest in terminal care in the wider medical community and represented the Hostel at the Royal College of Physicians conference in London, at the Guild of St Luke Conference in Newcastle, the international conference in Boston, the first conference at St Christopher’s Hospice and the annual symposium of Marie Curie.

1952-3

A special appeal was launched to raise funds for the Hostel, which included a leading article and letter to the editor in The Times on 7 March 1952. Over £42,000 raised by 31 December 1952.

“places like the Hostel – and there are far too few – can offer peace and beauty, both spiritual and material, at a time when the dying and their relatives need these to help their faltering faith and strength”.

In 1953 building work was completed on a new wing, to be called “St Michael’s Ward” which included 25 beds, windows that opened onto the gardens, smaller wards and a relaxing colour scheme, pictured below.

The ward was opened by Royal Patron by HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother on 12 May 1953, pictured below.  

1938 – 1946

A “refuge room” was constructed in the basement and a “dug out” in the garden in September 1938 which was described as “a year of exceptional difficulty and anxiety”.

The Hostel was evacuated to Lindfield during World War II, where it was largely self-sufficient thanks to the gardens, and returned to Clapham in 1946. The image below shows Lindfield in 1942.

1936

Queen Elizabeth, later The Queen Mother, agreed to continue as Royal Patron, a role that she began as Duchess of York. The photograph below shows the Elizabeth Clark ward in 1937.

1933

Records show that in 1933, the hospice was “in constant occupation”. Accommodation increased to 55 beds to tackle long waiting lists. Bells and signal lights were installed at each bed and W.B Randall Blacking was commissioned to turn the stable block of The Elms into a chapel.

1930

A surprise gift box arrived which contained ‘a very substantial portion of the beautifully decorated cake made in honour of the Princess Elizabeth’s 4^th birthday’, enough for everyone. ‘Even those of the patients who were the most ill brightened up upon hearing whose cake it was, and insisted on having a taste of it’.

“the ‘alleviation of pain’ summarises our medical work. There is another side – the wonderful, and untiring, and ceaseless efforts of our Sisters and Nurses to make the last days of these dying people happy and peaceful; and it is astonishing the number of patients who tell me they feel so much better because of the rest and peace they have experienced since coming into our wards.” Medical Officer Dr Ryan  

1929

Mrs William Hoare who ‘the Home owes the first thought of its existence’ died. The annual report from this year said ‘she had a deep and loving sympathy with those whose health and strength were failing, and who had not the means to obtain the comfort and alleviation which was so necessary to their condition’.

1921

The Hostel purchased No.1 The Chase for use as additional accommodation for nurses. The 1922 annual report stated ‘the advantage to the nurses of being able to meet together in surroundings distinct from their work, yet conveniently near to it, requires no emphasising’.

Premises comprise The Hostel of God, the nurses' home plus the Annexe which included an operating theatre and 12 individual bedrooms for treatment of severe illness or post-operative care (these were for patients who would pay according to their means).

1899 – 1907

29 Clapham Common North Side was purchased in 1899 and number 30 in 1907. We occupy the same buildings today.

1895

‘the work has grown and prospered in every way. The beds have been in constant request, several times we have been literally forced to make the Hostel elastic, and often we have had to refuse as many as four applications a day, though we have practically given up taking children in order to meet the increased demand for adults.’ Hostel Report, 1895

1892 – 1896

Patients were cared for by the Sisters of St James’ Servants of the Poor at the Chase in Clapham. In 1896 The Sisters of St Margaret’s of East Grinstead took over.

1891

The National Free Home for the Dying, later the Hostel of God, Trinity Hospice and finally Royal Trinity Hospice, was founded. We have Colonel William Hoare of the famous banking family to thank for this act of foresight. He gave £1,000 of the £2,000 needed and raised the remainder from an appeal in the Times newspaper on Christmas day to provide a home “for the man who is neither curable nor incurable but simply dying”.

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