St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington is one of London’s four Major Trauma Centres. Every year, the Emergency Department treats more than 140,000 patients (mainly from communities in Westminster as well as a significant number from Kensington and Chelsea). There are about 160 staff on duty at all times, including nurses, doctors and ancillary staff. These teams work day and night in an environment of relentless pressure, facing over-crowding, emotional distress and sometimes even aggression, while continuing to deliver compassionate, life saving care. Despite the intensity and importance of this work, staff have very limited space to rest or recover, largely due to the hospital’s ageing buildings.

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Caring for Carers Trust has planning permission to provide a 22m broad beam barge as a permanent mooring adjacent to the Emergency Department and open 24 hours a day. It will offer a calm, welcoming refuge for staff from the demands of the department. It will provide a place where staff can pause, get refreshment, reflect and regain strength during challenging shifts. The space will include a communal lounge, kitchen and refreshment facilities, and a quiet reflection room.

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Westminster City Council has generously provided an NCIL grant of £244,000 to construct the barge subject to the Caring for Carers Trust raising £280,000 additional funding by the end of January 2027 to equip and install and connect it to hospital services. Once completed, the barge, along with a maintenance endowment, will be gifted to St Mary’s Hospital (Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust), creating a lasting legacy of care for those who care for us.

This project is a powerful opportunity to give something back to NHS staff, and a visible, tangible commitment to their well-being, resilience and humanity, as they continue to support the community when it needs them most.