Our Vision Hearts Together Hospital Hotel Dedicated to Monica Pearce (1933-2006) The thought of creating a Hospital Hotel which would support patients receiving treatment at Derriford was the dream of our founder, Monica Pearce, first suggested back in 1993 following her own heart treatment in London. In the early 1990s, Monica, along with her fellow campaigners, delivered a petition of 195,000 names to Downing Street, which prompted the House of Commons to announce in 1994 that a Cardiac Unit would be set up at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Devon. Following this success, Monica set about on her second appeal to raise enough funds to build carers' accommodation near the hospital, to provide accommodation and wrap-around support services for patients, carers and relatives when receiving medical treatment or visiting a loved one in the hospital. Hearts Together Hospital Hotel, initially known as 'The Lodge,' opened its doors in August 2001. Since then, each year, between 7,500 to 10,000 patients, carers, and relatives have found solace in the services and accommodation provided, often described as a haven by guests experiencing some of the most difficult times in their lives. Originally named HeartSWell South West, Hearts Together underwent a transformation in July 2019 when HeartSWell merged with HeartSWell Lodge CIC to form the charity as we know it today, Hearts Together C.I.O. The need for Hospital accommodation and support services University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust (Derriford Hospital) is the only designated major trauma centre, as well as the largest hospital offering several specialist and tertiary services in the southwest peninsula. With a population of approximately 2 million relying on its care across Devon & Cornwall. Yet, amidst these critical services are the stories of patients, loved ones, and carers, navigating through uncertainty and stress. For many, accessing care means enduring lengthy journeys or grappling with the financial strain of accommodation costs, adding layers of difficulty to an already challenging situation. Here at Hearts Together, we provide more than just accommodation and support; we offer empathy, understanding, and a sense of community, placing individuals at the heart of our approach and striving to help alleviate many of the burdens caused by ill-health. Our Values Our values are at the heart of everything we do. They shape how we provide support and drive the development of new services. These values guide us to stay true to our mission, ensuring that the families and individuals who rely on us are always our main focus as we grow and improve our care. We are collaborative We work together as a team and with others to meet individuals’ needs. We believe that being inclusive and embracing diversity helps us to better achieve our goals. We believe that the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. We know we are stronger when we work in partnership, sharing skills and strengths. People matter most People are at the heart of everything we do. Our people focus drives all we do for our guests, our beneficiaries, our team, and our partners. We treat people as individuals and take the time to understand what matters most to them. We act with care, compassion, and kindness. We are progressive We have drive and determination. We are continually looking at how we can do things better. We seek out opportunities for continuous growth and improvement, to ensure we continue to deliver high quality, forward thinking and innovative services, for the people we are here to support. How you can help As a small, independent charity, we receive no mainstream government or NHS funding and rely heavily on community support and fundraising to continue providing accommodation and essential support to the many families in need. Please select a donation amount (required) £1 Will make a difference for someone when they need it most £5 Will provide two frozen meals for a guest. With many guests coming to us at short notice often without time to prepare for their stay. £10 Will help to fund the upkeep, maintenance, and charging costs for our shuttle vehicle so that we can continue to transport guests during their stay, saving them stress and money - with taxi costs to the hospital averaging around £5 one way! £15 Will go towards helping us develop our 'Welcome home packs', this is something we are currently developing. Our aim is to help our guests with the transition when they leave us, with many guests staying at our Hospital Hotel for extended periods of time. £20 Will provide a contribution towards the on-site and remote counselling support service we offer at our Hospital Hotel for our guests, many of whom are going through some of the most difficult times of their lives. £35 Will help to fund a room for the night for someone who would otherwise be unable to stay Other Set up a regular payment Donate Manage Cookie Preferences