Search begins to secure sustainable future for Peterborough landmark and protect vital care services

Sue Ryder, which is the current custodian of Grade I Listed Thorpe Hall mansion house and Grade II listed gardens in Longthorpe just outside Peterborough, is facing an increasing burden to care for the historic building, placing a strain on charity funding which is already under pressure from the cost-of-living crisis.

In a positive step to both safeguard the mansion house’s future and protect the vital care the charity gives, Sue Ryder is working with an estate agent consultancy, GL Hearn, to open up discussions with interested parties and explore alternative, sustainable options for the mansion house and part of the estate. 

Martin Wildsmith, Chief Commercial Officer for Sue Ryder shares:

“As part of these conversations, Sue Ryder is being very clear that our aim is for the existing hospice to continue to operate from its location on the site, whilst securing an outcome which ensures the mansion house is maintained for future generations to enjoy.

“As the current custodians of Thorpe Hall, we are doing what we can within our limited charitable funds to care for the mansion house building, as we recognise its local significance and national importance. 

“However, its age and listed status mean this is becoming increasingly challenging, and we are about to search for specialist contractors to undertake a significant amount of repairs to safeguard the building.

“While these repairs are necessary to keep the building safe, at a time when the cost of providing our care has gone up by 20% and more people than ever before need our palliative care and bereavement support, the mansion house is diverting our charitable funds away from those who depend on our services and instead towards building maintenance and repairs. We cannot allow this to continue.

“We hope working together with national heritage experts, the local council and potential interested parties we can secure a positive future for the building which will allow us to continue to provide care from our existing inpatient unit and ensure our charity funds can be used where they are most urgently needed - on providing more care for more people.”

In response to the increasing costs of delivering its vital palliative care and bereavement support, Sue Ryder has recently launched its ‘Cost of Dying’ campaign. Find out more about the and how you can support it.