Francis House Children's Hospice

What Francis House Children's Hospice does

Francis House Children's Hospice is a registered charity (Charity No. 328659) and company limited by guarantee operating specialist paediatric palliative and end-of-life care from its base in Didsbury, Manchester. Founded in 1990 and opened by Diana, Princess of Wales in November 1991 as only the fifth children's hospice in the UK and the world, it serves families across Greater Manchester with two hospice facilities — Francis House (seven beds for children and families) and Francis Lodge (seven beds for teenagers and young adults) — and two residential homes: 463 Parrswood Road (seven beds, opened 2015/2016) and 92 Barcicroft Road (six beds, opened 2023). The organisation currently supports more than 435 families and employs 101–250 staff, holding a CQC 'Good' rating from its February 2022 inspection.

The underlying operating model is care-delivery rather than technology-led. Clinical and residential services are delivered free of charge to families, with no NHS commissioning contracts of material disclosed size; instead, the £5.8 million annual cost base is funded almost entirely through voluntary mechanisms — one-off and regular donations, a £1/week community lottery, legacies, merchandise, and community events such as the 2026 Rainbow Road art trail. There is no evidence of proprietary technology, digital platform, or AI/ML capability in the disclosed footprint, and operational technology is best characterised as standard charity-sector fundraising, CRM, and clinical-records tooling. Leadership transitioned in April 2025 with Rachael Taylor succeeding David Ireland, who had served approximately 20 years as CEO.

Name

Francis House Children's Hospice

Legal name

Francis House Family Trust

Website

https://francishouse.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Francis House Children's Hospice is a Manchester-based registered charity (No. 328659), founded in 1990, delivering free specialist paediatric palliative and residential care to more than 435 families across Greater Manchester via two hospices and two residential homes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Hospice / Paediatric Palliative Care

NAICS

Other Residential Care Facilities (6239), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Pediatric Hospice & Palliative Care (HLADAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Home Hospice Agencies (HLAFAEAC), Community-Based Palliative Care (Home-Based Non-Hospice) (HLADAHAH)

Keywords

• Children's hospice care
• Paediatric palliative care
• Respite care services
• Bereavement counselling
• Family support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Voluntary Donations: Majority of funding comes from voluntary donations. The hospice requires £5.8 million annually in charitable donations to continue providing support to families.
2. Weekly Lottery: Weekly lottery programme launched in 2026. Players pay £1 per week for chance to win prizes up to £25,000. Minimum 50p of every £1 goes directly to supporting families.
3. Legacies and Wills: Leave a gift in Will programme where supporters can remember Francis House families in their Will
4. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling merchandise, Christmas cards, and books. Also operates charity shop in Withington.
5. Easter Chick Appeal: Annual fundraiser selling knitted chicks with Creme Eggs for £2 each, raising tens of thousands annually
6. Events and Fundraising: Various events including balls, runs, challenges, gala events and community fundraising activities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Francis House Children's Hospice provides specialist paediatric palliative care for children and young adults with life-shortening or life-threatening conditions across Greater Manchester. Services include respite care, day care, homecare, end-of-life care, and emotional and bereavement support for the whole family. The hospice operates two main facilities (Francis House for children and families, Francis Lodge for teenagers and young adults) plus two residential 'home for life' facilities.

Product overview

Francis House Children's Hospice operates a portfolio of interconnected care and support services for children and young adults with life-shortening or life-threatening conditions, centred on its two hospice facilities: Francis House (for children and families) and Francis Lodge (for teenagers and young adults as a parent-free zone). Core clinical services include respite care, day care, homecare, and end-of-life care, complemented by emotional and bereavement support, parental support, and sibling support programmes including the Seasons group. The organisation also provides two residential 'home for life' facilities — 463 Parrswood Road (seven beds) and 92 Barcicroft Road (six beds) — for young people requiring permanent residential care. Fundraising services include an online donation platform, a weekly lottery (in partnership with Unity Lottery), legacy giving, and the annual Easter Chick Knit Appeal. A community engagement initiative, Rainbow Road (a 5 km ceramic tile trail), connects the hospice to local communities. The hospice relies on £5.8 million in annual charitable donations and supports over 435 families across Greater Manchester.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Francis House (Main Hospice Facility) The main hospice facility providing accommodation and care for children and families with life-shortening or life-threatening conditions. Features seven colourful bedrooms named after rainbow colours, six family flats with kitchen and lounge facilities, and round-the-clock clinical care from a multi-disciplinary team.
• Francis Lodge (Teenagers and Young Adults Facility) An age-appropriate parent-free residential facility for teenagers and young adults (from age 13), offering independence, social activities, and continued specialist palliative care. Features six bedrooms named after world cities, a cinema room, recording studio, and sensory room.
• Respite Care Short-term residential stays that allow families to take a break from their normal routine, with clinical care provided for the child by the hospice's multi-disciplinary team.
• Day Care Structured day care for children and young people who attend the hospice for activities and clinical support without overnight stays.
• Homecare Nursing care provided in the family home by a team of experienced Registered Nurses who also work at the hospice, offering support from first meeting through to end-of-life planning.
• End of Life Care and Symptom Control Specialist palliative care for children and young people at the end of life, including care planning conversations with families and symptom management.
• Emotional and Bereavement Support Psychotherapy and counselling services for young people, parents, and siblings, including the Shining Stars bereaved siblings group, individual support, and parent evenings.
• Parental Support Informal and formal emotional support for parents and carers, including listening, talking, massage therapy, and access to trained psychotherapists.
• Sibling Support Dedicated support for brothers and sisters of children with life-shortening conditions, including the Seasons group programme, Saturday sibling sessions, and counselling.
• 463 Residential Facility A seven-bed 'home for life' residential facility at 463 Parrswood Road, providing permanent accommodation for young people with life-shortening conditions and complex needs. Financially self-supporting and operated by Francis House Families Limited.
• 92 Barcicroft Road Residential Facility A six-bed care home in Heaton Moor launched in 2023, providing permanent residence for young people with life-shortening conditions and extremely complex needs. Operated by Francis House Families Limited.
• Francis House Weekly Lottery A weekly lottery managed through Unity Lottery, offering a jackpot prize of £25,000 for £1 per week. A minimum of 50p per £1 played goes directly to supporting the hospice. Draws take place every Friday.
• Online Donation Platform Digital donation facility allowing supporters to make single or recurring donations, with Gift Aid support. The hospice requires £5.8 million annually in charitable donations to operate.
• Online Shop and Charity Shop Online merchandise store selling Christmas cards, merchandise, and books, alongside a physical charity shop located in Withington selling donated items. Orders despatched within 3 working days.
• Legacy Giving (Gifts in Wills) Bequest programme inviting supporters to leave a gift to Francis House in their Will, promoted during annual Make a Will Month with free Will-writing services via partnership solicitors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 435+ families supported from across Greater Manchester
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Joseph Holt BrewerycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJoseph Holt chose Francis House as one of their four Charities of the Year. The brewery, with 127 pubs across Greater Manchester, organized various fundraising events. Brewery draymen participated in charity runs and fundraising challenges.
• SyngentacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that challenged themselves in numerous events raising thousands of pounds for Francis House.
• DLA Piper UK LLPsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganised charity Netball tournaments, participated in Born Survivor and the Great Manchester Run, collected creme eggs and sold Easter Chicks.
• Neuven SolutionssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganised an annual golf day with proceeds to Francis House.
• Cardinal PartnershipsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that raised £5,000 to help fund a short break holiday for children attending respite at Francis House.
• ParfettssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEmployee-owned company based in Stockport supporting Francis House as part of their community giving programme.
• Manchester UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive years of partnership celebrating together. Sir Alex Ferguson laid cornerstone at Francis Lodge construction in 2012.
• BarclayssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerManchester office used volunteer hours to stuff and pack chicks for the Easter Chick Appeal.
• GlaisyerssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerStaff member Niki Polymeridou took part in Trafford Palazzo Abseil for Francis House.
• Unity LotterycoreTechnology or IntegrationExternal lottery platform administered by Sterling Management Centre Limited. Handles weekly lottery draws and prize payments.
• GRIT StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to create Rainbow Road - a 5km community art tile trail connecting hospice with local community. Created handcrafted ceramic rainbow tiles.
• Fundraising RegulatorsupportingOthersRegistered with Fundraising Regulator, demonstrating commitment to fundraising standards and accountability.
• Caritas Diocese of SalfordsupportingOthersProperty sold by Caritas Diocese of Salford to Francis House Families Limited for conversion into 463 residential care home.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People: Loughborough-based children's hospice supporting families across the East Midlands with hospice, therapy, and bereavement services. Directly comparable in service scope, fundraising reliance, and family-centered pediatric palliative care model.
• Shooting Star Children's Hospices: Surrey-based charity (formerly Shooting Star Chase) operating two children's hospices offering respite, palliative, and end-of-life care. Directly comparable as a UK children's hospice charity with similar clinical services and donation-based funding model.
• Naomi House & Jacksplace: Hampshire-based charity operating two linked facilities — Naomi House for children and Jacksplace for teenagers/young adults — directly mirroring Francis House's Francis House / Francis Lodge twin-facility structure.
• Forget Me Not Children's Hospice: Huddersfield-based children's hospice supporting families across West Yorkshire with hospice, home care, and bereavement support. Directly comparable in regional service model, donation funding, and age-segmented facilities.
• Tŷ Hafan: Welsh children's hospice providing respite, palliative, and end-of-life care across Wales. Directly comparable in service model, charity status, and family-centered pediatric palliative care.
• Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS): Scotland's national children's hospice charity operating two hospices and a home care service. Comparable in mission, multi-site hospice operation, and reliance on voluntary donations for pediatric palliative care delivery.
• Martin House Children's Hospice: Yorkshire-based children's hospice serving Yorkshire and the Humber with respite, palliative, and bereavement care. Comparable in charity-funded pediatric hospice model, multi-disciplinary clinical team, and family support services.
• Acorns Children's Hospice Trust: UK children's hospice charity operating three hospices in the West Midlands and Worcestershire, offering respite, end-of-life, and bereavement support. Directly comparable to Francis House in mission, multi-site operating model, donation-based funding, and CQC-regulated pediatric palliative care.
• Claire House Children's Hospice: Merseyside-based children's hospice providing respite, palliative, and end-of-life care plus a dedicated teenage and young adult unit. Closely comparable to Francis House in service mix, age-segmented facilities, and charity-funded UK hospice model.
• East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH): Operates three children's hospices across East Anglia providing care, respite, and family support. Comparable to Francis House as a multi-site UK children's hospice charity with similar clinical model and donation-based funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FrancisHouseCH
• YouTubevimeo.com/user14844885
• Facebookfacebook.com/FrancisHouseChildrensHospice
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/francis-house-childrens-hospice
• Instagraminstagram.com/francishousech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Francis House Children's Hospice