Youngsters let their imagination run free during a day of fun and discovery at The Nook. Seventy people visited the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) base in Framingham Earl, near Norwich. For some families, it was their first time back at the hospice for a day of fun, and for two recently referred families it was the first time they had stepped through the door. The event, which included arts, crafts, food and activities, was held in collaboration with Together for Short Lives, a national charity that supports the UK’s 54 children’s hospices, including EACH. During the day, families and carers were invited to sit down and answer questions about hospice care. The aim of the sessions was to find out more about people’s experience of hospice care and what could be better. EACH was one of ten children’s hospices chosen to take part across the UK. Families were introduced to all the hospice has to offer, all with the hope of exploring and collaborating with families in a fun and enjoyable way about how they felt when they were offered support from the hospice, and any barriers they faced in accepting support. Together for Short Lives is keen to use this information to understand why there is a gap between the total numbers of children with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition and those who are accessing their local hospice services. Among the highlights, children and parents enjoyed a craft activity where they made princess tiaras and there were also cream teas, cakes, bubbles, a treasure trail and garden games. They left with beautifully-designed stencil creations on their hands and arms. “The families were very relaxed and really enjoyed the day, despite the sweltering conditions,” said The Nook Care Manager Emma Chilvers. “Being able to welcome people back like this was wonderful and it felt like a pre-Covid event. “We opened the bi-fold doors and families enjoyed being able to make use of the space available to them, both inside and outdoors. “The Nook is such a beautiful place and an event of this nature gave us a chance to showcase just how special it is. “I was blown away and we’ve had some great feedback both from families and Together for Short Lives.” Thirty-seven children attended, along with 33 adults. They were able to explore The Nook’s sensory room and soft play area, as well as being treated to a session with Jeff Sharkey, from Musical Keys. Children’s hospices are often described as a “lifeline” for families that access their local hospice. They provide a range of services from symptom management, short breaks in the hospice or at home, therapy services, sibling support, hydrotherapy, emotional and spiritual support through to end of life and bereavement care. Together for Short Lives hope that through this fun, activity-filled discovery work they will be able to understand the reasons why families sometimes find it difficult to take up referrals to children’s hospice services, and that together they will be able to support families on this journey. Dr Helena Dunbar, from Together for Short Lives, said: “We are enormously grateful to all the children’s hospices for organising such a fun day for families, so we can better understand how families feel about being supported by their local children’s hospice. “We know first impressions are so important, which is why we hope these amazing activity days shine a light on all the incredible support the hospice has to offer.” EACH supports families and cares for children and young people across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. Hobbycraft, Together for Short Lives’ longstanding partner, kindly donated materials for families to enjoy during the fun day, which took place on 13th August. Image credit – Karen Self/EACH
