The Alder Centre is an Architizer A+Awards 2023 finalist in the Hospitals & Healthcare Centres category.

Located in Liverpool, The Alder Centre provides bereavement counselling for families who have had a child pass away as well as a national telephone helpline and general counselling for hospital staff. Established in 1987 by Mr John Ashton following the death of his own son, the 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.

A series of rooms configured like a big house, set inside a secret garden can be a familiar place for parents to meet, talk, grow things and have a cup of tea. The architecture is simple with a series of seven council 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 helpline where volunteers answer phone calls from parents.