The Friends of Robert Owen House
An Isle of Man Registered Charity, number 839
That’s how the ROBERT OWEN HOUSE, located within the grounds of the Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital (part of the Broadgreen Hospital complex) has been described over the years by hundreds of grateful families.
Robert Owen House must be one of the best kept secrets from North Wales to the Isle of Man, yet one only has to mention the name in social conversation to discover the number of people who have heard of it one way or another.
So why does this ‘Safe Haven’ mean so much to so many people?
ROBERT OWEN HOUSE provides overnight accommodation solely to relatives/carers of patients who find themselves in the Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, often requiring life-saving heart or lung treatment or surgery.
It avoids the need for them to have to find B&B accommodation in Liverpool, with the associated problems of public (or costly private) transport and personal security. It also gives peace of mind to the patient, knowing that the relative/carer is safely housed in a sympathetic environment with good quality services whilst they themselves are undergoing major, often serious, medical/surgical procedures.
The house operates on a B&B basis. It comprises 17 comfortable twin en-suite bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, enabling residents to cook their own food, along with a laundry area for personal use. There is a modest nightly charge to cover the basic expenses of running the facility.
Whether around the dining table, or relaxing in either of the spacious lounges, the camaraderie and mutual support between families is exceptional.
Access to the House is restricted, ensuring security, privacy and quiet – so important at such a time.