The Ark Celebrates Its 5th Anniversary!
Five years ago, the doors of The Ark opened for the very first time. When we launched our Building The Ark appeal, we dreamt of creating a space filled with warmth, hope, and love—a place where families could feel safe and supported. Since its grand opening in 2019, The Ark has become exactly that, and so much more.
Reflecting on Five Incredible Years
As we celebrate The Ark’s 5th anniversary, we take a moment to reflect on the journey that brought us here. The Ark is more than just a building. Rose, grandmother and sole guardian to Ben, who died in 2014, and Sophie, who is currently supported by Noah’s Ark, captured the essence of The Ark perfectly: 
“This is a place of life, of light, of joy and of play. This is a place that can let your children be more than the difficulties they face and are labelled with. This is a place where specialist care is offered, a place for families to connect, a place where the most precious of memories will be made.”
From playrooms filled with laughter to peaceful spaces designed for reflection, The Ark has become a place where every moment matters.
A Celebratory Event
To mark The Ark’s 5th anniversary, we hosted an event at the hospice itself, bringing together key figures, both old and new, who have played a part in Noah’s Ark’s journey. The Ark was decorated with photos and memorabilia from our Building The Ark appeal, reminding us just how far we’ve come.
Keynote speakers included Deputy CEO Alison Goodman, our CEO Sophie Andrews OBE, and Michael McInerney, our founder, who first envisioned the idea of Noah’s Ark back in 1999. Hearing from families as they shared their personal stories and experiences was a particularly poignant moment, highlighting the impact The Ark has had on so many lives.
The event concluded with a performance by our music therapists and the Noah’s Ark Choir, filling the room with joy. It was a day of celebration, reflection, and community.
Taking a Moment to Remember
While we celebrate the joy The Ark has brought to so many families, we also take a moment to honour the memory of all the babies, children, and young people who have died too soon.
Staff gathered in our Butterfly Garden, a special space within our nature reserve filled with colourful butterflies inscribed with messages of remembrance. This garden offers a place for families to remember their children and celebrate their lives. Staff members came together for a moment of silence, sharing a few words as we planted a butterfly in memory of those who have died over the past five years.
Looking to the Future with Hope
As we celebrate five years of The Ark, we are filled with gratitude for all the families, staff, and supporters who have made this journey possible. From the very beginning, this has been a community effort, and we look forward to continuing to support even more families in the years to come.
Happy 5th Anniversary, The Ark!