Our Story

Located in Alliston, Ontario, Matthews House Hospice walks together with clients and families on their journey of illness and grief. At Matthews House Hospice, we support our clients in living life fully and dying with dignity. We serve South Simcoe County, including New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Essa, Innisfil and surrounding communities.

Matthews House Hospice is honoured to be a part of our community. Since 2003, we have grown and evolved from a volunteer run community hospice offering day support programs into a beautiful new building, home to our 10 bed hospice residence and community hospice programs. Facilitated by a team of staff and dedicated volunteers, we are proud to currently offer residential hospice programs and to have expanded our community support offerings to over 55 programs.

We are proud to have been built for the community by the community.

Matthews House Hospice Stories

“What is clear is that this is a special place. It provides services to the community that are simply unbelievable. It not only delivers nursing, personal services and hospice care to its patients, but offers counseling, community support and outreach programs through the support of donations from patrons, friends and local retail and service providers and with the unflagging devotion of an army of volunteers. Wendy was at the hospice for almost 4 weeks and received all the medical and personal services that she needed around the clock. There couldn’t have been a more welcoming or supportive place for Wendy to conclude her difficult journey, pain-free and at peace with absolute comfort.”

- Gord

“When we got the news that my wife's illness was terminal I did not know where to turn. That is when Matthews House came into my life. During my wife`s illness they provided support to my wife, which gave me the courage to grant her last wish, to die with dignity at home. This was the greatest thing I could have done for her. But my story does not end there. After her passing it was the lowest point in my life. Again, Matthews House was there for me. Through their grief counselling I have been able to understand the importance of my relationship with my wife and have found reason to carry on. Without Matthews House, I really don’t know what I would have done.”

- R.O.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the compassionate care you gave Bob, Heather and me during the final week of his life. We will be forever grateful. You fulfilled his final wishes to die in Hospice. At first I was very reluctant to relinquish being his primary care giver, however, once there, I realized Bob had made the right decision: his final act of love and compassion for his family. Thank you again for making that possible.”

- Sherrill

“The care that my Dad received as a resident and the care I received as a caregiver is beyond words.”

- Anonymous

“When my Mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer several years ago, one of the first on the scene was Matthews House. They came into our lives when we were really at a loss as to where to turn and what to do. They have the expertise, contacts, compassion, the volunteers, the caregiver group and so much more. The help they were able to give our family was just unbelievable!”

- Pam

“Matthews House helped ease my stress, kept me going and functioning reasonably, since I lost my husband. They do a lot for my mental and emotional health with extremely good support. They ‘ve helped me deal with my loss and also to deal with caretaking of my mother, who has recently been diagnosed with dementia. When I think of Matthews House I think of all the support I get from them. I don’t know what people would do without them. Without their support, I don’t know what I would do. “

- G.B.

“From the first time we visited Matthews House for information to the day my lovely was accompanied out, the level of care and compassion could not have been better.”

- Anonymous

“Thank you to everyone at hospice for all of the care and support given to our mother (and us) over the years. The environment in the building itself is supportive and peaceful, and the needs of our entire family were always paramount to everyone there.”

- Anonymous

"Many thanks for all you do for our community."

- Margaret

"There are no words to say how grateful my family and I are for the care and compassion you showed my husband. Your support, kind words and deeds made it easier for all of us".

- R.A.

“Matthews House has been a pillar of support for all of us. My husband who has now passed away, suffered for many years with a debilitating neurological disease. He had the unwavering support of a volunteer from Matthews House, who became not only a friend and confidant, but a pillar of support for all of us during a very difficult time in our lives. At a time of uncertainty, fear, anger, sadness, worry, and loneliness, it is invaluable to have someone to talk to, someone who regularly visits, through good times and bad, someone who never judges, and someone who you can share your deepest fears with.”

- Debbie

"This comes straight from the heart - I shall always remember you all."

- Rita

Our History

1980's

The first community hospice services and programs were developed when a movement of local healthcare professionals saw that the healthcare system did not recognize end of life as a journey versus a technical problem with a medical fix. Early hospice services started from the homes of volunteers with a healthcare background who were passionate about helping clients and families first. In a Canadian context, the hospice movement in South Simcoe was well ahead of its time.

1988

Hospice Simcoe, started in Barrie, was one of the first nine hospices in Ontario who quickly formed to start the Hospice Association of Ontario to coordinate their efforts.

1995

A formalized training program was held at Stevenson Memorial Hospital; a system was established for assessing new clients in their last months of life and offered in-home volunteers.

2001

Circle of Friends support group started in a volunteer’s home in Barrie to help educate and assist clients sooner.

2002

A Circle of Friends was brought to Alliston. Hospice Simcoe started plans to build a Day Hospice in Barrie, while discussion about a Day Hospice in South Simcoe began.

2002 - 2003

Volunteers launched a search for a place to host a Day Hospice in South Simcoe.

2004

Matthews House, on Simcoe County Road 89, is purchased with help from the Matthews Family; new programs are launched as part of Hospice Simcoe.

2005

The first official staff member is employed. Word about Matthews House spreads and programs are added.

2007

Wellspring chooses Matthews House as one of four pilot sites in Ontario. The transition to independence from Hospice Simcoe begins.

2008

Transition to an independent hospice is complete. Wellspring and Matthews House Hospice commence joint programming.

2009

With the need for more office space, along with the desire to keep the house looking like a home, the garage was converted to offices with the help of volunteers and the community.

2010

A piece of property, at 131 Wellington Street East, in Alliston is donated for the future building of a Centre of Excellence.

2012

A feasibility study is launched, determining the need for residential hospice beds in the area. Plans to open a four-bed facility begin.

2013

Four hospice beds are opened, at the Kingsmere location, for residential clients.

2016

Matthews House Hospice is recognized as an important resource in South Simcoe. A new strategic plan is developed in consultation with community partners and stakeholders. Plans to build a Centre of Excellence at the Wellington Street address are endorsed. Plans are announced to build a 10-bedroom residential hospice to meet the current and future needs of the Alliston and Simcoe County community. Matthews House Hospice began providing Hospice@Home programs, including Personal Support Services and Nursing.

2018

Our 10-bed residential and community hospice opened and our first resident to our residential floor was admitted July 16th. Our community hospice programs continued to expand.

2023

Our Memory Care & Dementia Day Program launched in June. Our community hospice now has over 55 programs.

2024

Matthews House Hospice Foundation is established to support the growing fundraising needs of the hospice.