In April 2025, the Maggie’s charity officially received planning permission to build a new cancer support centre in Cambridge. This sustainable, timber-built facility will be located on the grounds of Addenbrooke’s Hospital, replacing a temporary centre that has been operating since 2012. The new centre is set to become a permanent hub offering practical, emotional, and psychological support to people affected by cancer, as well as their families and carers.
Architecture and Project Concept
The centre is being designed by Níall McLaughlin Architects, in collaboration with renowned landscape designer Tom Stuart-Smith. It will be a two-storey wooden structure set within a natural woodland environment, creating a peaceful and restorative atmosphere.
The internal layout will include:
- an open-plan kitchen and social area;
- a winter garden and rest zones;
- private rooms for one-on-one counselling;
- group spaces for workshops, therapy, and light physical activity;
- quiet rooms for reflection and relaxation.
Natural materials, especially timber, are central to the design. The building aims to feel warm, inviting, and radically different from the clinical atmosphere of a hospital. The surrounding gardens will play a key role in the healing process, offering patients and visitors a direct connection with nature.
Project Cost and Funding
The estimated cost of building the new Maggie’s Centre in Cambridge is between £4 million and £6 million, which equates to approximately €4.6 million to €6.9 million at current exchange rates. Annual operational costs are projected at around £600,000, or roughly €690,000.
The project is entirely funded by private donations, charitable contributions, and corporate partnerships. Maggie’s receives no direct government funding, relying instead on public generosity and fundraising campaigns.
Expanded Capacity and Services
In 2024 alone, the temporary Maggie’s Centre in Cambridge recorded more than 10,000 visits. With the new facility, this figure is expected to triple, offering significantly increased capacity and a wider range of services.
The expanded programme will include:
- nutrition workshops and stress management seminars;
- sessions for families and children;
- rehabilitation programmes post-chemotherapy or radiotherapy;
- peer support and community events.
The centre’s design and scale will make it possible to respond more effectively to the growing number of people affected by cancer in the region.
Integration with Healthcare Infrastructure
The new Maggie’s Centre will be directly linked to Addenbrooke’s Hospital and form part of the wider Cambridge Biomedical Campus. This strategic location means patients will be able to receive holistic care — medical and emotional — all within walking distance.
By offering dedicated support in a non-clinical setting, the centre will also ease pressure on medical staff, enabling them to focus on treatment while Maggie’s teams address mental health, personal resilience, and quality of life.
Community and Cultural Significance
Maggie’s Centres are known for their architectural excellence and therapeutic design. The Cambridge building will be no exception. With an emphasis on natural light, warmth, and flow, it is designed not only to function efficiently, but also to foster human connection and emotional well-being.
The centre is also expected to host:
- community engagement events;
- educational lectures and outreach programmes;
- partnerships with universities and local health organisations.
It will become a vital community asset, contributing to the broader goal of humanising healthcare through thoughtful space and care.
Project Timeline and Next Steps
Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2025, subject to final contractor appointments and fundraising progress. The centre is expected to open in 2028.
Key upcoming steps include:
- finalisation of architectural plans;
- confirmation of funding and procurement;
- expansion of public and corporate fundraising campaigns.
The charity remains committed to transparency and long-term stewardship, ensuring that the new centre will serve the community for decades to come.
Conclusion
Green Light for Wooden Maggie Centre in Cambridge marks more than just a new construction project — it represents a shift in how cancer care is delivered and experienced. With its human-focused design, sustainable materials, and integration into nature, the centre will offer not only support, but also dignity, comfort, and connection.
As healthcare systems face increasing pressure and patients seek more compassionate support structures, the new Maggie’s Centre in Cambridge stands out as a model of architectural healing and social impact. Once completed, it will be a place of hope and renewal — for patients, families, and the entire community.
