Work begins on Maggie's Northampton

Construction has begun of a new Maggie’s centre at Northampton General Hospital, the latest in a series of projects delivered for the cancer support charity.

The centre, designed by renowned architect Stephen Marshall Architects, with a garden from landscaper Arne Maynard, is being built by Sir Robert McAlpine in the grounds of Northampton General Hospital (NGH).

Maggie’s plans to open the centre and be offering free expert psychological, emotional and practical support to people with cancer, as well as family and friends, by the end of 2025.

Dame Laura Lee, CEO of Maggie’s, Liz Summers Specialist Cancer Nurse at NGH and Palmer Winstanley, Acting Chief Executive of the hospital, gathered on site to mark the start of construction with some of the project’s key supporters: James Morgan, Chairman of will trustees for the Diana Russell legacy; Dominic Hopkins DL partner at HCR Law; and Mary Laing, who supported the project alongside her late husband and campaign chair David Laing CBE.

Dame Laura Lee, Chief Executive of Maggie’s said: “I am delighted to get started building Maggie’s for the people of Northampton and the wider region. It takes us closer towards our aim of reaching as many people living with cancer as possible. Our centre will be open to anyone who needs it, with all our support free and no appointment or referral necessary.

"We have been working closely with Stephen Marshall Architects and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust to bring our expert support to the hospital and of course, it wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible donors.”

Planning permission for the centre was officially granted in 2020. Once open, the centre will work closely with staff at Northampton General Hospital to ensure the 150,000 people in the East Midlands area living with cancer, and their family and friends, will be able to visit the centre for support. It is expected that the centre will support approximately 15,000 visits a year.

Maggie’s has 28 years of experience and expertise providing free cancer support and information in centres across the UK. Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, the centres are warm and welcoming, and are run by expert staff who help people live well with cancer.