Suffolk’s first-ever hospice outreach centre will open in Haverhill at the end of the month as St Nicholas Hospice Care aims to treat its patients closer to home.

The Burton Centre in Camps Road has been transformed over the past few months ahead of the centre official opening on May 31, which will treat patients more locally and prevent them having to travel to the hospice’s base in Bury St Edmunds.

The centre’s manager Mandy Wilson said: “I grew up in Haverhill, so it’s great to be able to do something for the community where I grew up. We hope this outreach centre will make a big difference.

“Our aim is that the Burton Centre offers a warm welcome in a relaxed and informal setting.

“We will have a drop-in service for anyone looking for advice and information about living with a life-shortening illness, such as cancer, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s and end-stage heart failure, as well as support about end-of-life care.”

When the centre opens it will offer counselling, bereavement support, pastoral networks and complementary therapies to people facing life-shortening conditions, their families and carers.

A quarter of those using the hospice’s services come from Haverhill or the surrounding villages.

““A lot of people don’t like to travel from Haverhill to Bury,” said Ms Wilson.

“The road is not very good, especially if you are not feeling your best. But now the hospice will be offering services right in the town centre.”

A large community room at the site will continue to be available for use by local groups, with many of the town’s brownies, guides and scouts starting to use the facility this week.

The final preparations are being made to ensure the centre is ready for its grand opening day, when it will be open to members of the public from 11am-5pm, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11.30am.

“We really hope people will come and see us on our open day and find out exactly what is on offer here,” added Ms Wilson.

For more details call 01284 766418.