Together for Short Lives

In her last blog from Australia, Helena Dunbar visits Bear Cottage Children's Hospice to meet the wonderful team, and enjoys some final sightseeing around Sydney. Find out more about her Churchill Fellowship travels here: https://lnkd.in/g6-GS4cJ

“We were giddy with excitement, laughing and being playful. We were about to have our third baby. Our boy was delivered and the change in mood was immediate. A ‘crash call’ was made and everything changed.” Barney and Harvie’s son Rafferty was born with severe limb deformities and required resuscitation. A diagnosis of Severe Amyoplasia came shortly after. The family spent five weeks in their local hospital before being moved to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where they stayed for two further months. After the family were referred to the Kentown Children’s Palliative Care Programme, our Co-ordinators were able to step in to help lighten the load. Our Co-ordinator Ben was able to arrange a free delivery of groceries to their home and a financial grant to support them while Barney was on leave from work: “That was one of the single best things to happen to us around that time.” In December, the family will enjoy a trip to Center Parcs UK & Ireland thanks to our partnership: “I want to convey how grateful we are to the Kentown Programme... the practical and emotional support has utterly blown us away. It has guided us through some very difficult times and we cannot say thank you enough.” Over the last year, we have been able to support Rafferty and 122 more children in Lancashire and South Cumbria through the Kentown Children’s Palliative Care Programme which brings together our Family Service Coordinators, Rainbow Trust Children's Charity Family Support Workers and Specialist Children’s Palliative Care Nurses from five NHS Trusts. This project is funded by THE KENTOWN WIZARD FOUNDATION.

With less than one week to go until a crucial Westminster event discussing the future of children's hospice care, there is still time to help by asking your MP to attend. Children's hospices are currently at a turning point. If a vital £25 million NHS fund is not confirmed for years beyond 2024/25 then many crucial services, including respite and end of life care, will be cut. Inviting your MP to attend this event can help children's hospices gather the parliamentary support they need to ensure this funding. 📢 Invite your MP here: https://lnkd.in/dyDWSBHQ

📢 Introducing the first look at our 2025 Conference programme! Built to Last: Together for Short Lives' Children’s Palliative Care Conference 2025 Our 2025 conference is all about recognising and sharing best practice and looking to the future of children's palliative care. Speakers will be announced soon - watch this space! For more information and to secure your place at our conference, visit: https://lnkd.in/eZ2PJ4b5 Early bird pricing ends tomorrow so grab your tickets quick! (For group bookings, email conference@togetherforshortlives.org.uk)

Today, the Morrisons partnership goes out with a bang…🎆 After 2 years and 9 months, the Morrisons and Together for Short Lives partnership has come to an end. Together, colleagues, customers and suppliers have raised £10,722,514 for seriously ill children, their families and the children's hospices that support them. Thank you to every single colleague and customer who has contributed to this amazing total - through fundraising weeks, donations, challenges and so much more, you've continually shown up for Together for Short Lives! We invite you to watch the video below showcasing our journey together and the incredible impact made possible by the partnership.

New paper 🚨 Children’s health in England is in shocking decline. How can the government reverse this trend? As members of the Health Policy Influencing Group, today we publish our Roadmap setting out how to put children at the heart of the NHS. 🛣️ https://lnkd.in/eg-47X6h

⏰ Final call to submit an abstract for our 2025 #Conference - submissions close at midnight tonight! Help shape our next conference and share your work with other professionals at Built to Last: Together for Short Lives' Children’s Palliative Care Conference 2025. Contributions are welcome from all disciplines and sectors. All abstract submissions will be reviewed by clinical experts from Together for Short Lives' Advisory Council. Submit an abstract and find out more here: https://lnkd.in/ekFN39fD

We’ve had an amazing few days at Chestnut Tree House with this incredible group of colleagues from Hobbycraft. They have something very special in the works for you – watch this space next week and get ready for that festive feeling!

"Children's hospices provide not just medical care, but a haven of comfort and compassion through wraparound care for the whole family." Some of you may remember three years ago when we were campaigning to be the next charity Morrisons partnered with - and if so, you will remember the important role Emily played in helping us secure the partnership. Emily's beautiful daughter, Amelia, has a rare genetic neuromuscular disorder and along with her husband and younger daughter, the family benefits from the vital support of Keech Hospice Care, their local children's hospice. Unfortunately, not all families with seriously ill children are aware of the support available to them. Through our Community Outreach Project, which was made possible by the Morrisons partnership, we have reached 1,415 families, ensuring they know that help is within their grasp. If you'd like to read more about Emily's story and her thoughts on reaching more families, follow the link: https://bit.ly/3BVS0vN

With children's hospices facing rising costs and falling funding, fundraising has never been more vital to build a better future for seriously ill children and their families. Over the last 20 years, with your help, we have raised £34 million for children’s hospices, creating countless memories for families. With your help, we are fighting for a future where no child or family is left behind when it comes to palliative care. From fair funding for children’s hospices, to ending the postcode lottery of care, your support is helping us to campaign tirelessly for seriously ill children across the country today, tomorrow and long into the future. Read more about how we are fighting for every child, family and children’s hospice in our latest impact report: https://bit.ly/47ZStJj