Make a Referral Donate Now

Search

Recommend search terms:
Our services

We are here for you. Find out more about our services and the different ways we can support you.

We’re here for you

Whether you’re living with a life-limiting illness, caring for someone who is, or grieving the death of a loved one, we’re here to help.

To reach our main reception at the hospice, please call 01246 568801
How you can help

There are lots of ways you can support us and help make a difference.

thumbnail
About us

We are here for the people of North Derbyshire and for those who are important to them.

thumbnail
Our shops and coffee shops

Shopping with us or donating items for us to sell helps fund our compassionate care.

Find your local Ashgate Hospice shop:
Make a Referral Donate Now
Ashgate Hospice > Tree of Life

We’re creating a brand new Tree of Life in the Ashgate Hospice gardens – a beautiful outdoor sculpture where people can remember someone important to them and help provide care for years to come. 

This stunning three-metre tree, designed by Mark Reed Sculpture, will feature up to 1,000 engraved leaves – each one a tribute to someone special. 

The new Tree of Life will offer a peaceful space for remembrance and reflection, surrounded by nature and easily accessible for everyone. 

 

Coming in 2026 

Work is now underway and the new Tree of Life will be installed in March 2026. We can’t wait to share it with you. 

At the moment, we’re not taking new Tree of Life dedications while we prepare for the launch – but we’ll let you know as soon as you can reserve a new leaf. 

When the new Tree of Life opens, you’ll be able to dedicate a personalised leaf for a monthly donation of £10 or more. Each leaf will carry the name of someone important and help fund the specialist care we provide across North Derbyshire. 

If you already have a leaf, apple or dove on our existing Tree of Life, don’t worry – your dedication will be automatically transferred to a new leaf on the new tree. We’ll contact you individually to explain the plans and invite you to the launch event. Your current emblem will also be returned to you as a keepsake. 

A graphic of what a Tree of Life leaf will look like.

About the new Tree of Life

The Tree of Life will be a three-metre steel sculpture in our gardens, with space for up to 1,000 engraved leaves. 

Each leaf will feature the name of someone important, cut out in the metal as a delicate stencil design. 

A regular donation of £10 per month will secure your leaf on the Tree of Life and help provide hospice care all year round. 

The project is being fully funded through restricted government funding via Hospice UK. This means no patient care funds are being used – and every future donation will go directly towards caring for local people and those important to them. 

Visiting the Tree of Life 

Once installed, the Tree of Life will be open to visit at any time for quiet reflection. Paths will be fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. We’ll also hold regular events throughout the year so supporters can come together to see the leaves displayed. 

 

Stay updated 

We’ll be sharing updates as the new Tree of Life takes shape. If you’d like to be the first to hear when dedications reopen, please sign up to our email updates below. 

Sign up for updates

FAQs

Tree of Life
Why is there going to be a new Tree of Life?

The Tree of Life offers people the opportunity to have a visual memorial in memory of someone important to them through a monthly donation. Regular income is vital to our work, helping us continue providing care and plan for the future with confidence. 

The current tree is displayed on a wall inside our building, but it isn’t very accessible, and there is no quiet area for reflection – something many supporters have asked for. The new Tree of Life will be a large, bespoke sculpture in our garden, offering a beautiful space to remember and reflect. 

What will the new Tree of Life look like?

The Tree of Life will be a stunning 3-metre sculpture in our gardens, with space for up to 1,000 engraved leaves. It will be made of waxed mild steel designed by Mark Reed Sculpture. 

How do I get a leaf on the Tree of Life?

For a monthly donation of a minimum of £10, a personalised leaf with the name of someone special can appear on our Tree of Life. Each leaf represents a person important to you and helps us provide care for years to come. 

Can I personalise my leaf?

Yes, you can add a personal message to your leaf. For the best visibility, we recommend keeping your message to no more than two rows of up to 12 characters each.

How is the new Tree of Life being funded?

The new Tree of Life is being funded using a portion of £844,000 allocated to us from Hospice UK’s government emergency funding. This funding is strictly restricted, meaning it can only be spent on capital projects such as buildings, equipment, or one-off items – it cannot be used for running costs or patient care. 

No money donated for patient care or day-to-day running of Ashgate is being used. The Tree of Life project is just one of several initiatives being supported by this restricted funding, and it will also generate long-term, regular income through monthly leaf donations to help sustain our work for years to come. 

Where will the Tree of Life be located?

The Tree of Life sculpture will be situated in our garden at Old Brampton and can be visited for peaceful reflection. Once your leaf is engraved, you’ll be invited to see it displayed on the tree. 

When will the Tree of Life be installed?

The sculpture, created by Mark Reed Sculpture, will be installed in March 2026.  

What happens if I already have a leaf, apple, or dove on the current Tree of Life?

You will automatically be transferred to a new leaf on the new Tree of Life. We will contact you individually to explain the plans and invite you to the launch. We also ensure your current emblem is returned to you as a keepsake.  

What is happening to the current Tree of Life? 

The current Tree of Life will be relocated to the new home of Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s maternity ward reflection garden. 

Will there be opportunities to see the Tree of Life after my leaf is added?

Yes. Every quarter, we will hold a special event so supporters can come and see their leaves displayed. 

Can I visit the Tree of Life outside these events?

Absolutely. The tree is located in our garden and can be visited at any time. Paths are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. 

Can I add more than one leaf?

Yes. Each additional leaf requires a separate monthly donation. 

Can I change the inscription on my leaf?

Because each name is carefully cut into the metal like a stencil, it isn’t possible to change the inscription once it has been engraved. If there’s an error in the name or wording, we’ll arrange for a new leaf to be made. 

Can I choose the position of my leaf on the tree?

The tree is designed as a collective memorial, so placement of leaves is decided by the design team to create a harmonious overall display. 

What happens when my monthly donations come to an end?

We will contact you if your monthly donations stop. After three months with no donations, your leaf will be removed from the Tree of Life and sent to you to keep as a keepsake.