King's College London

Colleagues from across King’s joined a celebratory event marking the initial opening of the Pears Maudsley Centre. Based at the heart of the world leading Maudsley Hospital site in south London, the pioneering new Centre will bring together clinical and scientific expertise to transform the mental health of children and young people for generations to come.

Guests were joined by many of the donors who helped to fund the creation of the Centre, the young people who guided its design, and colleagues from the King’s Maudsley Partnership. The King’s Maudsley Partnership, which will have its home at the £70m Centre, brings together clinicians and academics from King’s and the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust – with Maudsley Charity as its charity partner.

While King’s colleagues are due to move into the building in the autumn, the opening ceremony marks another key milestone in the journey until the Centre becomes fully operational.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

Photography: Ben McDade