Five reasons to support your local children’s hospice this winter

At Chestnut Tree House, we believe that high-quality hospice care should be there for the children who need it most, whoever they are, wherever they are. Yet, children’s hospice care receives only limited government funding. So, we rely heavily on the generosity of our community to continue providing our vital, specialist services, free of charge. Here are five important reasons to support us and make a real difference to local families who know they don’t have long together. 

1. Your support means we can deliver specialist care to local children and young people

Our teams provide specialist care for babies, children and young people with complex and life-limiting conditions. Our care focuses on improving their quality of life, managing symptoms, supporting development and helping them live life to the full for as long as possible.  

There is nowhere quite like a children’s hospice. We offer compassionate, highly specialised care, while helping children and families have precious time and make cherished memories together.  

Our services include: 

• specialist nursing and medical care
• short breaks and respite care
• end-of-life care and bereavement support
• emotional, psychological and spiritual support
• family support and counselling
• play, music and creative therapies
• community nursing care to support crisis and end–of–life care at home

2. Your support keeps families together in their own homes when it matters most

Did you know that our children’s hospice provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care in children’s own homes, as well as at our hospice near Arundel? If we can keep a child from going to A&E, we know they will be more comfortable and settled in familiar surroundings. Home is so important, and our community nurses make that choice a possibility. But we couldn’t do it without your support. 

 With your support, our community nursing team can: 

• stop unnecessary admissions into A&E for children and young people who are at the end of their lives. Our nurses provide responsive crisis care and urgent support, helping families manage periods of instability, symptom deterioration or increased complexity
• provide tailored treatment and care planning, advising families who we get to know well, and they know us
• advocate for the child or young person’s needs, coordinating support and working closely with community children’s nurses, GPs, schools, therapists, hospitals and other professionals to ensure seamless, joined-up care
• look after the wider family, providing emotional and practical support for parents, siblings and family members
• be there at the end of their lives, providing planning and support, including advance care planning, symptom control, emotional support and compassionate care
• stay by the family’s side, offering bereavement support, offering ongoing care and guidance to families before, during and after the death of a child

3. Your donations are vital in keeping our services going 

Children’s hospice care is underfunded and needed now more than ever. They play a vital role in supporting families and reducing pressure on the NHS and social care. Yet, government funding covers only a portion of what is needed, and the cost of delivering specialist care is rising.  

Demand for children’s hospice care is also increasing as more children with complex medical needs survive longer due to advances in healthcare. This is something to celebrate, but it also means that more families require long-term specialist support.  

It costs almost £9 million to run the hospice, with our NHS grant only funding less than a tenth of these costs. So, we rely heavily on fundraising and donations from our local community. Without you, Chestnut Tree House simply could not continue providing the care local families depend on. 

4. Your support makes sure no one is forgotten when a child is ill

When a child has a life-shortening condition, the impact extends far beyond the child themselves. 

At Chestnut Tree House, our care embraces the entire family. We recognise that parents, siblings, grandparents and carers all need support throughout their loved one’s journey. 

This includes: 

• short breaks that give families time to rest and recharge
• emotional and psychological support
• activities and dedicated support groups for siblings
• help with navigating health, education and social care systems
• bereavement support before and after a child’s death

Families often tell us that having someone who understands their experiences makes an enormous difference during the most challenging times of their lives. For many families, this support makes all the difference to how they cope, not only during their loved one’s illness, but in the months and years that follow.

5. Your support gives choices when time is short

We believe specialist children’s hospice care should be available to the children and families who need it most, regardless of their circumstances, background or ability to pay; it shouldn’t be a postcode lottery of care. 

The generosity of our supporters helps ensure that children and families can access compassionate, expert care when they really need it. And thanks to our supporters’ dedication, our care can be provided free of charge. 

Whether you donate, volunteer, take part in an event, use our shops, fundraise, leave a gift in your Will or simply help spread the word, you are helping protect vital hospice services for local families today and for generations to come.