Our History

Dom Valdez, inspired by a lady called Kitty and a health scare suffered by his wife, was the visionary that brought about Halton Haven Hospice.

The Haven is not a place where you tip-toe in…You will hear laughter and discover a great involvement in life.

Dom Valdez BEM

His dreams began with a cancer support group in a local community centre in September 1981.  Developing from these beginnings in 1983 he was offered a piece of land to begin building a residential facility for people living alone, facing their illness alone and for others who needed support. Initially it was known as ‘The Dom Valdez Centre for Cancer Care ‘Halton Haven’. Now renamed more simply to Halton Haven Hospice. Dom devoted his life to the hospice and was subsequently buried on its grounds.

The first building was a pre-fab module which arrived on-site in September 1984.  It wasn’t until June 21^st 1986 that a ten bedroom extension built entirely by volunteers was opened.  And Halton Haven Hospice was born.  The Hospice has changed overtime and a new In-Patient Unit was built and opened by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess Of York, in 1991. This has been fully refurbished in 2017. 

Dom Valdez wrote a book detailing the initial history of his vision.  If you would like to know more please download a copy ‘One Man’s Dream’.  If you do so please consider leaving a donation to help us keep this man’s legacy alive and to support amazing care for the community of Halton and surrounding areas.

A simple idea to be homely and to care for each other in the bad times as well as the good.

Dom Valdez BEM, May 1984

We have recently uncovered some archive video footage of the building, opening and viewing of the Hospice; including an introduction and appeal by Dom himself which still rings true today.  Please follow these links to watch the video on our YouTube channel.