The Blue House Hospice

The Baptist Church is our long-term partner in Sliven, and it was through this partnership that in 2003 the Blue House Hospice & Care Centre was birthed. The vision was to provide a range of community welfare services to the people of Sliven from a caring Christian centre. Our good friend Genka Ivanova is the driving force behind the project, and she leads the team. It began with nurses working in the community especially helping patients with rehabilitation from strokes, and other disabilities. The cost of these services were simply out of reach for many. Much aid, financial and otherwise has been received from our supporters, and after a full programme of renovations and improvements throughout, The Blue House finally opened for the first day Hospice patients in the Autumn of 2007.

Patients generally attend the Hospice 2 days a week. Many live in the old tower blocks so the environment at the Blue House is a welcome respite from isolation, and the constant pressure on family carers. The support from the team, combined with friendships that develop, and a variety of activities offered, all help improve the quality of life for those suffering. In a very real way, the love of God is demonstrated through the work of the Blue House.   

For children, there is a programme of Speech Therapy and Psychology sessions offered regularly at the centre, and welfare advice and support is also given to as many people as possible.

Adjoining the Main facility is a smaller annex, which is still in development. Possibilities for this include a half way house for young adults leaving the orphanages, or maybe future residential accommodation for the Hospice.