The Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff and the Vale has celebrated its 65th anniversary.

The hospice, based on Bridgeman Road in Penarth, first opened in 1959 and has since cared for almost 65,000 people with a terminal illness from across Cardiff and the Vale.

Staff and volunteers celebrated the occasion this week with cakes and tea on and were joined by hospice ambassador, actress Suzanne Packer.

The hospice cares for patients in its 20 inpatient beds, through its Wellbeing and Support Hub, Hospice Care at Home community nursing service and specialist palliative care nursing team in the Vale. 

Marie Curie is the UK's leading end of life charity and cares for people with any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer's (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's, and advanced cancer. 

the illness, supporting people and their loved ones in its hospices, at home or over the phone.

Keeping Faith actress Suzanne unveiled the hospice café in April 2019, open to the general public as well as patients and their families. 

Marie Curie Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships and Service Delivery, Rachel Jones, said: "We are so grateful to all the staff and volunteers who have made it possible for us to continue caring for people in the local community living with an illness they are likely to die from, and their families, over the last 65 years.

"Since our 60^th celebrations in 2019, our teams have tackled working through the pandemic, supporting families and their loved ones during an even more difficult time than usual.

"Marie Curie believes everyone should have expert care and support at the end of life, free from unnecessary pain, and have the dignity and respect they deserve, whatever their illness. It's thanks to amazing donations and supporters that Marie Curie can continue to provide the best possible care for anyone living with a terminal illness in our hospice, at home or over the phone.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what the next 65 years has in store for us."

Suzanne said: "It's always a pleasure to visit the hospice and chat to the staff about the work they do and the importance of it to those they care for, and their families and loved ones.

"Sharing the 65^th celebration with the team – complete with a perfect cuppa – was a pleasure, and I'm delighted to be able to support such a wonderful charity."

The current building has undergone a number of renovations and improvements in the past decade, including the refurbishment of what is now the Wellbeing and Support Hub in 2016 and the installation of a spa bathroom on both inpatient units. The Wellbeing and Support Hub is a safe space where we can support the wellbeing of patients with a terminal illness, or their loved ones, ease loneliness and isolation and help ensure everyone gets the best experience possible at the end of their lives.

In February 2020, the Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff and the Vale team welcomed the then HRH Prince Charles on a special visit as patron of the charity.