Hearts Together

02/10/2026

Planned surgery doesn’t always go to plan. Here at Hearts Together, we see every day how quickly circumstances can change, and how important flexible, purpose-built patient and carer accommodation can be during these incredibly stressful and uncertain periods.

Here’s Vyvyan’s story, and how Hearts Together supported them:
" I initially booked for two weeks as my wife was due major surgery at Derriford Hospital ... In the end I stayed for over 5 weeks due to complications ... I don't really know how I would have survived a traumatic period without their [Hearts Together] availability and friendly support."

I initially booked for two weeks as my wife was due major surgery at Derriford Hospital. Daily travel would not really have been feasible. In the end I stayed for over 5 weeks due to complications with her treatment. In summary this is a brilliant facility and I don't really know how I would have su...

30/09/2026

From Plymouth to the Isles of Scilly, and everywhere in between and beyond, we’re here for families. *Comment below where you travel to us from!*

Hearts Together supports families who need to be close to healthcare in Plymouth such as at Derriford Hospital, whether they live right here in Plymouth, elsewhere in Devon and Cornwall or even further afield across the country / globe!

In 2025:
- 71% of our guests were from the South West
- The average round trip journey to Hearts Together was 3 hours 40 minutes

BUT our reach can extend much further. Our longest UK journey last year was 641 miles from Aberdeenshire – a journey of 10 hours 52 minutes. We also hosted guests from Canada, France, Germany, Ghana, New Zealand, Pakistan, Spain and the United Arab Emirates, all visiting loved ones who were being treated at a local medical facility right here in Plymouth.

Wherever our guests come from, Hearts Together is here to keep families together when it's needed most.

28/09/2026

"My journey into counselling was from my own personal experience. There were things I couldn't tell my mum, ."

Meet Fran.

Fran is one of Hearts Together's counsellors. She's there for every family who stays with us — ready to listen, without judgment, without a waiting list.

This week we're launching our Sponsor a Counsellor campaign. Because this service has no funding. It exists because people like you choose to make it possible.

Watch Fran's story. Then, if you can, sponsor a counsellor.

www.heartstogether.org.uk/sponsor-a-counsellor

11/09/2026

Celebrating our fabulous young volunteers!

Back in July, we were delighted to spend some time thanking two wonderful young volunteers, Maisy and Kadie from Discovery College for their commitment, hard work and enthusiasm during their placements with us.

As part of their time at Hearts Together, Maisy and Kadie have been supporting our Guest Services team, helping to clean rooms, keep the hotel tidy and welcoming, and spending time chatting with our guests.

Their support has made a real difference to the day-to-day running of the hotel, and we’re incredibly grateful for everything they have contributed.

Pictured: Hearts Together CEO Angela, Volunteer Lead Lucy, Magdalena Hooper, Deputy Head at Discovery College (YMCA), alongside Kadie and Maisy.

We’re also delighted to continue our important collaboration with Discovery College Plymouth, providing students with valuable work placements where they can develop new skills, gain experience and build confidence, while Hearts Together benefits from their time, energy and enthusiasm. 🤝

We believe volunteering is a fantastic way for young people to learn, grow and make a genuine difference in their local community, and we’re proud to play a small part in that journey.

A huge thank you to Maisy and Kadie, we hope you enjoyed your time with us as much as we enjoyed having you!

09/09/2026

Come and see what Hearts Together is all about!

Our Hearts Together Open Days are an opportunity to step inside our ‘home away from home’, meet our friendly team and volunteers, explore our facilities and find out more about the difference we make to patients, carers, friends and families staying close to loved ones at Derriford Hospital.

During your visit, you can:

- Take a look around our Hospital Hotel
- Find out how we support patients and their loved ones
- Learn more about the services we provide
- Meet our team and volunteers
- Discover ways you can get involved
- Hear about our plans for the future
- Enjoy a cuppa and some cake!

Everyone is welcome, whether you’re a supporter, potential volunteer, healthcare professional, community group, local organisation, or business group.

📅 Upcoming Open Days:

Thursday 17 September
11am–12.30pm | 1.30–2.30pm

Thursday 22 October
11am–12.30pm | 1.30–2.30pm

Saturday 24 October
11am–12.30pm | 1–2.30pm

Thursday 19 November
11am–12.30pm | 1.30–2.30pm

Saturday 21 November
11am–12.30pm | 1–2.30pm

Thursday 17 December
11am–12.30pm | 1.30–2.30pm

Saturday 19 December
11am–12.30pm | 1–2.30pm

📍 Hearts Together Hospital Hotel, 7 Blunts Lane, Plymouth, PL6 8BE

Places are limited, so please book your place in advance.

Come along, have a cuppa, meet the people behind Hearts Together and discover what makes our Hospital Hotel so special.

👉 Book your place: Hearts Together Open Days : https://www.heartstogether.org.uk/Event/hearts-together-open-days

08/09/2026

*** Feel Good Friday Health & Wellbeing Festival ***

Come and find us at Plymouth Arena (Plymouth Pavillions) on Friday 11th September 10am-4pm. Find out how we can help help you achieve your health goals and have a friendly chat with one of our expert health improvement practitioners.



Livewell Southwest Plymouth Wellbeing Hub Network St Budeaux and Barne Barton Wellbeing Hub Community Builder - Stonehouse The Rees Centre Family and Wellbeing Hub Four Greens Community Trust Plymouth Public Health William Sutton Hubs Plymouth Wolseley Trust

07/09/2026

We have some incredibly exciting news 🎬

Our anniversary film "Hey Guys, Keep Going. 25 Years of Being Together" has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Best Small Charity Film category at The Saltways Charity Film Festival — one of four films selected from over 200 entries. We are absolutely over the moon.

The awards ceremony takes place on 24 September and will be livestreamed you can register to watch here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_05D6babqQDeYLTGfw7FmCg

07/09/2026

Our pop-up café week starts today!

Today marks the start of our week-long fundraiser at Harewood House in Plympton, and we couldn’t be more excited to get started!

We want to kick off the week with a massive thank you to KTL (previously KandyToys Limited) for their fantastic support of our pop-up café. Your generosity is helping us make the week possible, and we’re incredibly grateful for your support.

From today until Friday 11 September, we’ll be serving up plenty of delicious treats, hot drinks and good conversation, all while raising vital funds for Hearts Together and helping us continue to support families.

So, if you’re in this week, why not pop in, grab a cuppa and a slice of something delicious, and help us raise as much as we can?

📍 Harewood House, Plympton
📅 Monday 7 – Friday 11 September

We’d love to see you there!

https://www.heartstogether.org.uk/news/ktl-support-harewood-house-fundraiser

Local toy giant Kandy Toys Limited supports Hearts Together this September! We’re delighted to be supported by local toy giant Kandy Toys Limited (KTL) at our pop-up charity café in Plympton this September. Come along to Harewood House from Monday 7 to Friday 11 September for delicious homemade t...