|
Children's Hospice South West
Little Bridge House
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
Shipmates,
I had
the special privilege on Sunday 9th January 2011 of visiting
Little Bridge House and having a conducted tour by Paula Hullett the
Community Fund Raiser.
It was a
wonderful experience to see all the special facilities provided for
these special young people, whose journey through life will be
considerably shorter than ours.
Front of
Little Bridge |
Rear of
Little Bridge |
The
lower floor of the front part of Little Bridge House depicted here is
dedicated to the administration and fund raising teams. It is worth
mentioning that the government only provides 11% of the money (and
that could easily be reduced or removed depending on government)
they require to operate the marvelous facility, the remainder being
generated from fund raising groups and events, donations, bequests, and
trusts.
|
Children's Room |
One cannot begin to describe the feeling of peace and quiet,
although we were told that the children maybe suffering from
life-limiting conditions, but they can be just as noisy and
naughty as other children and we were lucky to have a nice quiet
day.
There are two wings which accommodated not only the children,
but have accommodation for parent’s and siblings too. |
|
From small private sitting rooms and kitchens to larger communal
areas where all parents can meet, which includes a lounge and
dining room.
Each month they
open the doors to their supporters to give them an insight into
children’s hospice life. They do not have any planned family
stays at Little Bridge House during these days, and use it as an
opportunity to carry out annual maintenance and provide their
donors and volunteers with a day of thanks for all their ongoing
support. |
Family Lounge |
|
Chapel |
Children's Hospice South West help and support children and
their families who are living with life-limiting conditions.
They are the only organization in the South West to provide
vital hospice care to these families, and are there for
families, day and night throughout the year.
There are over 1000 children who could benefit from their care,
yet they are only able to provide care for up to 400 families.
Of these, some come to them for palliative care, some for
emergency care and many for planned respite and a rare
opportunity for a break. |
|
But there's more to it than that. They provide a loving and
caring place for every member of every family who stays with
them; a sanctuary for mums and dads, brothers and sisters. A
place where everyone can begin to forget their worries for a
while, be a family again and find expert help and support in
facing an uncertain future. |
Messy Room |
|
Sensory Room |
The sensory Room
shown here has a light and sound system and provides different
types of relaxing therapy, not only for the children, but carers
too have found it relaxing. We were told of a man who had been a
full time carer for his daughter for 15 years and had rarely had
a full nights sleep in all those years. Staff suggested he try
out the room and left him to it. He was found there the
following morning and had the best full nights sleep in years. |
|
Making the most of every moment
The hospices are often filled with joy and laughter. Of course,
there is no mistaking the serious work they do, but the atmosphere
of the hospice isn't what you might imagine.
They
do everything they can to help make the most of every moment a
very sick child has with them and with their family. And that
includes giving them one-to-one specialist care, having fun
times through play, music, outings and crafts, simple pleasures
that many of us take for granted. |
Jacuzzi |
|
 |
 |
|
Soft Play Room |
Helping
everyone to be themselves
Parents, who often struggle to cope with their child's illness,
find some relief from their responsibilities of care at their
hospices. They can relax, be themselves and do what any parent
wants to do - be a parent again. Brothers and sisters, who might
be feeling isolated, scared or confused, have a chance to play
together, share some special times and have a little fun, too.
|
|
Finding time and space to smile
They
often hear people saying that their children especially enjoy
coming to the hospices because they are places where they can be
understood, where they can receive specialist care and where
they can find the space and time to smile despite everything.
And that is what CHSW is all about; making the most of short and
precious lives in every possible way - and helping to raise a
smile whenever they can.
They
need your support to continue this vital work. Every penny - and
every smile - you help them to raise makes a big difference to
the children and families who need our services. |
Special Needs
Bath Room
|
|
So please help them - in any way you can.
|
|
|
|
|
Visit days are by
appointment only
and are available on the following dates: |
|
|
|
|
|
Monday 7th February |
Monday 14th March |
Monday 11th April |
|
Monday 9th May |
Monday 13th June |
Monday 11th July |
|
Monday 12th September |
Monday 10th October |
Monday 14th November |
| |
Monday 12th December |
|
|
|
The Gardens of Narnia |
|
|
|
|
More Views
(These images
DO NOT
enlarge)
|
|
Sensory Room |
|
Parents Lounge |
Kitchen |
Dining Room |
|
|
|
Children's Room |
Jacuzzi |
Messy Room |
Return to Ulster
Links |
Site Directory |
