RIBA North West Region Award Shortlist 22.02.24

The Alder Centre has been shortlisted for an RIBA North West Region Award.

Established in 1986 by Mr John Ashton following the death of his own son, The Alder Centre is a unique health service both in the UK and globally. Mr Ashton found that conversations with other bereaved parents provide the most support and understanding during the grieving process. Thirty years after the first counselling sessions at the Alder Hey – held in a laundry cupboard in the old children’s hospital – AHMM designed a new dedicated building and gardens that promote companionship and offer a place of sanctuary. The architecture is simple with a series of seven counselling rooms, each with their own private garden, configured around a large communal space with a lounge and kitchen. There is a flexible training room, office and dedicated room for the ‘Child Deathline’ where volunteers answer phone calls from parents to a national helpline.

Assessment will take place over the next few weeks, with judges visiting each shortlisted project before the announcement of all regional award winners in May.