Denville Hall is celebrating its 100th anniversary with the launch of a £26 million Centenary Appeal, supported by newly appointed Presidents Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Ian McKellen and Daniel Radcliffe.
Founded in 1926 as a haven for retired actors, Denville Hall now provides care for people across the performing arts, including specialised dementia support. The Centenary Appeal will fund two new assisted living buildings offering greater independence for residents while keeping them connected to a vibrant artistic community.
Plans also include a new café, restaurant, cinema, rehabilitation and yoga studio, gym, and fully accessible landscaped gardens. An additional £13 million will establish Alfred’s Fund, an endowment created to secure the care home’s future for the next century.
Dame Helen Mirren said, “Even a very successful actor, director, writer, producer, composer or musician can reach the latter part of their life with no support in place. It is the nature of being an artist that so many decisions through life and work are made for reasons of culture, inspiration, education and communication, not for financial security. It is called dedication to art. It is a calling.
Unemployment is a constant in the ‘Gig economy’ of being a performing or creative artist, so it can be very hard to accumulate any nest egg. To be an artist by its very nature can mean sacrificing that financial future. Here is where Denville Hall steps in, to create security and care for those who have spent their lives giving us entertainment and inspiration, and creating the culture that we as the British are so rightfully proud of.
I am very proud to be, along with two genuinely extraordinary artists, Ian McKellen and Daniel Radcliffe, a President for the Centenary Appeal for Denville Hall. This appeal will mean Denville Hall can expand their services, and continue their important work for the next generations.”
Sir Ian McKellen said, “Making a play or producing a show, even when it’s built around a mighty star, is a communal activity. From first rehearsal to closing night, the performers, creative teams, management bosses and lowly stage-sweepers all depend on each other in a way that other enterprises cannot match. So, every job I have done over 60 more years as a professional actor has felt like working and playing with a family of friends, old and new. It’s that kinship which supports us when disaster strikes, when bad reviews close our show or Covid, for example, prevents us from working. This spirit inspired the establishment of the unique Denville Hall, where workers from the entertainment industry can find the care and shelter they so often need, when life and funds are running out. With Dame Helen and Daniel I shall encourage colleagues who can afford it, to be generous in their support. But all contributions are welcome. If you have a suggestion how you and others could help, please be in touch.”
Daniel Radcliffe said, “I’m deeply honoured to have been invited to become a President for Denville Hall’s Centenary Appeal, an incredible residential home and organisation just outside of London which was first opened 100 years ago as a ‘haven for actors’ who had nowhere else to go. Nowadays Denville Hall caters for actors, agents, performers, or any professional in the entertainment industry who needs support in their elder years whether it be full time care or a short break. Their door is always open and they don’t turn anyone away. And that is where you come in. In celebration of their centenary Denville Hall is aiming to raise £26 million to fund new residential developments and also to support ‘Alfred’s Fund’, providing financial support to those in greatest of need. So please join us as we give back to those who have dedicated their lives to entertaining us, giving them safety, support and most importantly dignity.”
Chair of Trustees Joanne Benjamin said, “I am very honoured to be Chair of Trustees at Denville Hall, which has been, for the past 100 years, a sanctuary in later life for performing arts professionals, both on and off the stage, in front of and behind the camera. As we celebrate our 100th year, we are asking everyone to help ensure this vital care continues for the next century, and beyond.”
Fundraising is already underway within the industry, with Nica Burns CBE and Dame Rosemary Squire leading the philanthropic campaign ahead of a public appeal launching in Spring 2026.
More information can be found here.
