Landmark Opening Door Ceremony for the Pears Maudsley Centre
Young people, donors, partners and colleagues from across the King’s Maudsley Partnership came together for a milestone moment in our journey into the Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People.
The Opening Door Ceremony was a celebration which brought together everyone who helped us to get here, from young people who helped shape the building’s design to the donors who made it possible.
Based at the heart of our world leading Maudsley Hospital site, the pioneering new Centre has brought together clinical and scientific expertise to transform the mental health of children and young people for generations to come.
Professor Philip Shaw, Director of the King’s Maudsley Partnership said, “I have an immense feeling of pride at the sight of the Pears Maudsley Centre opening its doors. It is the home of the Partnership, created to revolutionise how we understand and help children and young people living with mental health conditions. It’s exciting to think of what we achieve by bringing clinicians and academics together under one roof, alongside children, young people and families.
“I’d like to share my sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to getting us to this stage.”
Guests were treated to a showcase of the work already taking place within the Partnership, including a demonstration of Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy – designed to non-invasively capture images of brain activity – as well as a VR headset which helps young people learn how to manage emotional dysregulation.
The evening also included a series of activities for guests of all ages to take part in, including learning how close up magic can help to improve communication skills, arts therapy, and a visual artist capturing the events of the night.
Dr Bruce Clark, the Trust’s CAMHS Clinical Director and Clinical Director of the King’s Maudsley Partnership said, “The challenges facing young people’s mental health today are numerous and it’s vital that we, as clinicians and researchers, are as well-equipped as we can be to meet them head on.
“This ceremony represents the culmination of years of collaboration not only with colleagues from across medicine, research, and charity, but also with the many donors who have donated time and resources to make this a reality. Perhaps most important of all are the many young people who have guided the development of this Centre.”
Senior leaders from across the Partnership shared speeches before a drinks reception on the third floor garden terrace – an area designed to promote good mental health in a natural space.
Sarah Holloway, Chief Executive of Maudsley Charity said, “The opening of the Pears Maudsley Centre is a watershed moment for children and young people’s mental health and a major milestone for us at Maudsley Charity. We have given £10m - our largest ever grant to date – towards the creation of this building but more importantly, as a proud member of the King’s Maudsley Partnership, we are excited by what will happen inside these walls.
“This is the place where the best minds will collaborate on much-needed innovations in treatment and care, and where many young people and their families will find once again be given hope for the happy, healthy futures we all want for our young people.”
Ade Odunlade, Interim Chief Executive of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust said, “The Pears Maudsley Centre represents a symbol of change, hope for the future and a commitment that we are putting children’s mental health on top of the agenda. It is setting the standard for and will influence healthcare settings around the world. I am so pleased to see our colleagues move in as we open this new chapter for the Trust, the King’s Maudsley Partnership, and the children and young people we support.”
Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor & President of King’s College London said, “This Pears Maudsley Centre reflects the very best of what we can achieve when universities, health services, charities and philanthropists work together in service of society. I am immensely proud of everyone who has helped bring this vision to life, and of the difference it will make to children, young people and their families for years to come.”
The event is the first in a series of celebrations, culminating in a ribbon cutting ceremony once the Centre becomes fully operational in early 2027.
Find out more about the Pears Maudsley Centre
All photography: Ben McDade
