Research indicates that families with seriously-ill children experience extreme pressure during their child’s life and beyond and that finding care and support is difficult. The children we support are some of the most seriously-ill in the UK and their families one of the most disadvantaged and marginalised groups. Emotionally, the experience is devastating and families face isolation as friends and family members drift away, unable to cope with the enormity of the situation they are facing.

We will provide families with dedicated, practical outreach support at our new centre (The Woodlands), in the local community, in hospital and in the home. This will include child support, finance and welfare advice, wellbeing (art and music therapy, horticultural therapy) and counselling. A calendar of events and activities will promote social inclusion and help to build a supportive peer to peer community. When the time comes, we will also provide whole family bereavement support.