History

The Laura Centre is now the sole project of the charity COPE. Gail and Harry Moore founded COPE in 1988.  COPE’s initial work focussed on providing a range of services for children with cancer and their families.  This work led directly to the creation of the COPE children’s oncology unit (ward 27) at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, as well as the creation and funding of two children’s community Macmillan nurses and contributing to haematological research.   The work initiated by COPE contributed to a significant shift in awareness of families’ needs and most of these services are now funded by the NHS.  Gail and Harry went on to start a separate charity that created Rainbows children’s hospice.

Following the sad death of their daughter Laura from Leukaemia, Gail and Harry became acutely aware of the lack of support for families bereaved of a child. 

This led to them opening The Laura Centre in October 1991 to provide therapeutic support to anyone bereaved of a child or young person. In 1994 our service was extended to include support for children bereaved of a parent or carer. 

The Laura Centre saw 80 people in the first year it opened and has steadily grown since. We currently support more than 400 people every year. 

In 2005 we expanded into no. 6 Tower Street.  In September 2006 two building nos. 4 and 6 Tower Street were joined together so that we could have one reception and waiting room. This has made the Centre more accessible with the creation of a downstairs counselling room and disabled access toilet.  In addition we were able to move our Quiet Room to the ground floor to make it more accessible.