Our history

Birth of modern hospice care 

Dame Cicely Saunders is credited as the pioneer of modern hospice care.  From a wealthy and religious background, she trained as a doctor, nurse and medical social worker. 

Cicely was inspired by her involvement in the care of soldiers after WW2 whilst working in a hospital as a volunteer. During her time there, she provided care for David Tasma, a 40-year-old Polish-Jewish refugee. David had terminal cancer and was suffering from what Cicely would later describe as ‘total pain’ which included psychological, social, emotional and spiritual distress as well as the physical sensations of illness.  

David spent the last months of his life in a busy surgical ward because there wasn’t anywhere else for him to go. Cicely would sit and read to him and told him about her ambition to build a dedicated facility for the dying. When he died, he left her £500 (around £19,000 today) ‘to be a window in your home’.

When St Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham opened in 1967, a large, plain glass window was dedicated to David with a small brass plaque. 

St Christopher’s Hospice was the first hospice to provide expert pain and symptom control, compassionate care, teaching and clinical research.

“You matter because you are you, and you matter to the last moment of your life.” 

History of Rennie Grove Peace Hospice  

Fast forward to the 1980s saw little change by the medical profession in the care and treatment of the dying. They were still being treated in busy impersonal wards and staff were not given training to fulfil the needs of the terminally ill and dying.

The 80s was a time for change and growth in hospice care because the provision in hospitals was inadequate. 

This common need led to the establishment of three local hospices in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire in the mid to late 1980s; Grove House, Ian Rennie Hospice at Home and Peace Hospice.

A selection of images from our archives:

Key milestones in the evolution of Rennie Grove Peace

1982: St Albans and City District Hospice Care Team established, led by Dr Mary Groves 

Dr Mary Groves, a new GP in St Albans, was deeply affected whilst looking after a young mother the same age as her with terminal bowel cancer.  With deepening concerns about the “woefully inadequate care” available to patients and their families, Dr Groves helped to establish the first St Albans and City District Hospice Care Team.  

1985: Iain Rennie Hospice at Home established, led by Moira Rennie and five local nurses

The charity was named after its first patient, Iain Rennie. Iain was in his mid-30s and a father to two young boys when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Five local nurses* and their family and friends, joined forces and worked with Iain’s GP and wife, Moira, to care for him at home 24-hours a day until he died peacefully at home. 

1991: Peace Hospice Appeal established, led by Gill Hollander 

Gill Hollander established the Southwest Herts Peace Hospice Appeal which raised almost £2 million in four years. This followed years of campaigning and fundraising in the 1980s to turn Watford’s derelict Peace Memorial Hospital into a hospice following its closure in 1985 (originally built in 1925 in memory of those who fought and died in WW1). 

1993: First Iain Rennie Hospice at Home charity shop opens in Tring 

Peggy Bainbridge, a long-standing volunteer, began the retail fundraising operation with a market stall in Tring on Fridays. This stall led to the opening of a charity shop in Tring. More shops followed and today our Retail and Trading department boasts 33 shops and an ecommerce presence which raises around £3 million in a typical year.

1994: Grove House welcomes patients to its purpose-built hospice in St Albans 

After a successful £1m appeal, led by the late Lord Robert Runcie, Grove House was able to build a purpose-built hospice in St Albans. On opening, the building was named the Macmillan Day Hospice - its name was changed a few years later to Grove House. 

1996: Peace Hospice opens  

Following extensive restoration, the main building is reopened as Peace Hospice by HRH Princess Michael of Kent. It incorporates a Day Care Centre and a suite of offices. 

2000: The new Inpatient Unit opens in Watford

HRH Princess Michael of Kent opens the 12 bedded Inpatient Unit which now cares for 170 patients per year.

2002: Iain Rennie Hospice at Home opens first office

Iain Rennie Hospice at Home opens its first office in Chalfont St Giles, named Gillian King House.

2005: The South West Bereavement Network is formed

Hosted by Peace Hospice and a number of bereavement charities, The South West Bereavement Network is formed in 2005.

2007: eBay is set up for Iain Rennie Hospice at Home

In 2007 Iain Rennie Hospice at Home starts listing items on eBay as another source of income for the hospice.

2011-2013: Merger of Iain Rennie Hospice at Home and Grove House 

After years of collaboration, Iain Rennie Hospice at Home and Grove House merge in 2011 and launch as Rennie Grove in 2013. 

2014: Starlight Centre opens

The Starlight Centre is opened by HRH Princess Michael of Kent and becomes the base for Outpatient and Day services in Watford

2015: Herts Neighbours is established

This cabinet office social action funded project matched volunteers with people with a life limiting illness, to provide support and companionship. The first step to forming our Compassionate Neighbours service.

2016: Retail and trading operation grows

Bainbridge House in Berkhamsted, named after Peggy Bainbridge, opens to support Rennie Grove's retail and trading operation.

2020: Compassionate Neighbours launches

A continuation of Herts Neighbours, Compassionate Neighbours provides 1:1 support and companionship for local people experiencing illness and loss.

2020: Rapid Personalised Care Service service launches

By providing personal care, such as washing and dressing, for patients in their own homes who are reaching the end of life, this service ensures patients stay comfortable at home during their final weeks.

2021: The new-look Grove House opens

By trebling the space available, the refurbishment of Grove House enabled the expansion of a range of services for patients, families, and carers as well as facilities for children and young adults.

2021: The first Compassionate Café opens

The first Compassionate Café opens in Croxley. The cafe provides a safe space for people who are lonely or grieving to come together, chat and support one another. It proves a great success, and we now have 16 cafés.

2023: Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care is formed

Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care starts formally operating as a newly registered charity. The merger of Peace Hospice with Rennie Grove enables us to support more people, and to ensure every local person receives the care they need, when they need it.

2023: The Coordination Centre starts operating

A single point of contact Coordination Centre, offers one telephone number with direct access to a specialist triage team who can quickly direct anyone in need of support to the team who can provide the care they need.

2023: Living Well programme launches

Through practical, specialist and peer support, the 10-week Living Well programme empowers people with the knowledge and support to live well for longer.