Together We Are Stronger

We work closely with the hospital staff to ensure every investment we make is right for the patients, visitors and staff.



Support a local charity that supports your community


 About Friends of Stratford Hospital


Friends of Stratford Hospital is a local charity, first established in 1948, with the primary aim of raising funds to provide equipment and other comforts, not readily available from the NHS, which support the needs and health and wellbeing of patients, their loved ones and the hospital staff.

The Friends' serve the community of Stratford-on-Avon, as well as the surrounding villages, who require cancer, physiotherapy, or ophthalmology treatment, to name some of the services. The Friends work closely with the hospital staff to ensure they invest appropriately.


The charity relies on voluntary assistance, donations, and other support to maximise the potential of this worthy cause and we welcome all assistance.

The charity consists of a board of trustees, led by Chair, Ursula Russell, an active committee, and numerous 'Supporters'.

The Patron of the charity is Emma Holman-West, a highly regarded and prominent figure in the local business community.


Friends of Stratford Hospital is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity number: 215843 



A Brief History

Back in 1884 the first hospital was opened in an attractive Victorian building on the Alcester Road and later expanding into the Old Workhouse buildings on Arden Street, and after the introduction of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948, these buildings were replaced by new ones.

The League of Friends, a group set up to champion the hospital and raise funds to provide those things, not readily available from the NHS but which support the comfort and wellbeing of patients, their loved ones, and the hospital staff, was set up by way of support.

In 1996 the original South Wing was sold to a hotel chain, which fortunately retained some of the original Victorian features including the clock tower and much of the façade.  At this time, acute services were transferred to Warwick Hospital.


Changing With The Times

A new modern hospital building was built and opened in 2017 so that some services could return to Stratford making treatment more accessible for those that were unable to travel to Warwick. The building includes a state-of-the-art cancer treatment unit, an ophthalmology unit and a community well-being centre. The League of Friends threw themselves into supporting this exciting move with renewed vigour and started a campaign to support the staff and patients of the new building, helped by a legacy from a local farmer, Percy Lomas and his sister, Roma. Since this included properties and land as well as money (shared with Shipston Hospital), the League spent some ten years obtaining full access to the bequest and were relieved and delighted when the Café Lomas and Lomas Suite opened.

More recently an extension to the new hospital building was completed and in 2025 a state of the art Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) opened. The CDC is part of a national programme to transform diagnostic services by offering a wide range of elective tests outside of hospital settings. The CDC enhances the Radiology Services by offering MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, and mammography under one roof with the CDC helping to reduce hospital pressures and cut waiting times, giving patients quicker access in a calmer, more convenient setting. Not only is it equipped with genuinely high technology, but it’s been designed in a way that really puts people at ease — calm, welcoming, and thoughtful in its details.


The Friends' Have Also Changed With The Times

Whilst we remember fondly and respect the hard work and dedication of previous members of the charirity, in 2024, The 

League of Friends Committee decided to change its name. These days, although retaining the same principals and 

values, we are now simply known as Friends of Stratford Hospital. 

The Friends' and Supporters are busier than ever as we strive to meet demand, and contribute meaningfully to the welfare of patients, their loved ones and the staff in an increasingly busy and ever-evolving Stratford Hospital.

Photo: The Rigby Unit, a specialist cancer treatment ward opened in August 2017. The facility, named after benefactor 

Sir Peter Rigby, began treating its first cancer patients in August 2017, as part of a new £22 million development.

TRUSTEES


Chair: Ursula Russell MBE DL 

chair@friendsofstratfordhospital.org


Trustee/Secretary/Treasurer: Cynthia Musgrave (Cindy)

secretary@friendsofstratfordhospital.org

treasurer@friendsofstratfordhospital.org


Trustee: Chris Boylan


Trustee: Jane Meehan


Trustee: Sian Sayer


Trustee: Elizabeth Roome


Patron: Emma Holman-West

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    Stratford-on-Avon Union Workhouse 1901

    Image courtesy of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

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    Stratford-upon-Avon Hospital viewed from Alcester Road - 1940's.

    Photograph with permission of Warwickshire County Record Office: PH 352/172/210

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