Care minister’s visit to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice brings confirmation of continued government funding

Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care, called in at the brightly lit sensory playroom at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice in Byng Road, Barnet, when he met staff and parents.

During his visit he confirmed the financial settlement for the next three years for children and young people’s hospices under government funding from NHS England.

Mr Kinnock, who was accompanied by Noah’s Ark’s chief executive Sophie Andrews, met Rose Charles whose granddaughter Sophie Charles, aged 19, has a life-limiting genetic condition and who attends the hospice.

Rose, of Whetstone, praised Noah’s Ark for the support it had given her granddaughter whose brother Ben died in 2014 from the same condition.

“The difference that having Noah’s Ark has made is that Sophie is still experiencing a positive life.

“We have been supported in so many ways by the hospice since 2008. Everything the staff do is tailored to the individual.”

Having seen at first hand the work done by Noah’s Ark and the “extraordinary impact” it had, Mr Kinnock said he was determined that children needing the support of hospices should receive the “excellent, wraparound care they deserve”.

Under the three-year settlement, children and young people’s hospices will be provided with £26 million each financial year to 2028-29.

Noah’s Ark was allocated £882,000 under the 2025-26 settlement, which represented 13 per cent of its income.

Sophie Andrews said Mr Kinnock’s confirmation of funding for the next three years marked “a significant step forward”

“Whilst thing funding is welcomed and will give us a more solid foundation for the next three years, we will still rely heavily on the generosity of our community for the majority of our income.

“We thank every supporter who continues to stand by Noah’s Ark, helping us to be there for more children and families.”

Mr Kinnock’s confirmation of the three-year settlement was welcomed by Nick Carroll, chief executive of Together For Short Lives.

Continued government funding would help ensure seriously ill children and their families could continue to access vital hospice care.