Francis House Children’s Hospice CEO Announces Retirement After 20 Years of Service
On Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, Reverend David Ireland, the long-standing chief executive of Francis House Children’s Hospice, announced that he will be retiring from his position in 2025. This news comes after 20 years of dedicated service to the beloved Manchester charity.
In 2005, David became only the second person in the hospice’s history to hold the role of chief executive, following in the footsteps of Sister Aloysius, the founder of Francis House. However, David’s connection to the hospice began long before his appointment as CEO.
As a young architect in 1986, David first walked through the gates of Francis House to meet Father Thomas Mulheran and Sister Aloysius. He was there to do a small job designing office space for the Catholic Children’s Rescue Society. Four years later, he oversaw the conversion of the former convent, the home of 16 religious Sisters, into Francis House Children’s Hospice.
At the time, there were only four children’s hospices in the country, and the demand for a hospice in the north-west was great. Inspired by the successful model of Martin House in Wetherby, which had opened in 1987, David and the team at Francis House worked tirelessly to provide a much-needed space for families with children facing life-limiting conditions.
Reflecting on the challenges of creating the hospice, David said: “It was a difficult challenge not only from the point of view of providing something that was right for the families, but also to do something that was architecturally acceptable with an old 1950s building within a tight budget. I’ll never forget the sight of the Sisters’ possessions being wheeled down the drive as the builders moved in to transform what was their home into a place for children and families to rest and recuperate on their difficult journeys. Francis House was born out of their sacrificial gift.”
Within two years, Francis House was fully operational and opened in November 1991 by the late Diana, Princess of Wales. David formally joined the board of trustees in July 1994 and was ordained as a minister at the United Reformed Church in Oldham the following year. In 2005, he was offered the position of chief executive at Francis House, which changed his life forever. His deep passion for the hospice and its work has never wavered.
Under David’s leadership, the hospice has experienced significant growth, including the opening of Francis Lodge in 2014. This young adult wing provides respite care for teenagers and young adults with life-limiting conditions, offering them a space to enjoy some independence in a parent-free zone. Today, Francis House supports over 600 families through a range of services, including respite care, homecare, day care, sibling support, parental support, end-of-life care, emotional and bereavement support.
Running Francis House costs £4.8 million per year, with only 14% of income coming from the government. The majority of funds are raised through voluntary giving, highlighting the incredible support and generosity of the local community.
Some of David’s accomplishments during his tenure as CEO include the opening of two residential care homes in Didsbury and Heaton Moor. These groundbreaking projects provide a permanent residence for young people with life-limiting conditions and complex needs.
Reflecting on his time at Francis House, David said: “It has been the greatest privilege to follow in the footsteps of Sister Aloysius, the founder of the hospice. I am honored that the Trustees have allowed us to develop and expand our services over the years to meet the increasing need. I have had three absolutely brilliant Registered Managers and a great team, both care team and ancillary workers. But the biggest thanks has to go to the children, young people, and their families who have allowed us to walk alongside them in good and difficult times. The mums and dads who have trusted us to care for their children and allowed us to help them make wonderful memories.”
David will remain in his role until a successor is appointed, which is expected to be sometime in 2025. In the meantime, he is grateful for the support and dedication of the volunteers, staff, and supporters in the community who have helped make Francis House the incredible organization it is today.
To mark the first 30 years of Francis House, a new book titled ‘A Worthwhile Error – The History of Francis House Children’s Hospice’ has been released. It is available for purchase for £19.95 (plus postage and packing) by calling the hospice on 0161 434 4118 or from their online shop at www.francishouse.org.uk. All proceeds from the book sales will be donated to the care of children, young people, and their families at Francis House.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.