Together for Short Lives

England’s first Citizens’ Jury on assisted dying has concluded that the law in England should be changed to permit assisted dying. Organised by Nuffield Council on Bioethics, the interim findings published today suggest that after a 8 week deliberation process, 20 of the 28 jurors were in favour of a change in the law. Together for Short Lives does not have a single view on assisted dying or assisted suicide. We represent those who support the general purpose, some who oppose it and some who are uncertain. However, we do think that if a change in the law on assisted dying for adults happens, there would be significant implications for young people with life-limiting conditions, their families and the professionals and services that support them. There are some important physical, emotional and psychological differences between young people and older adults that the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill, which will be scrutinised by the House of Lords soon, needs to address. Parliament needs to consider whether appropriate safeguarding measures could be put in place, while also ensuring young people still have the essential ability to choose their own care. For more information, see our full briefing for peers ahead of the first Lords debate on the bill, which will happen later in the autumn: https://lnkd.in/gNkmkwKM

What an incredible day at BGC Group's Charity Day! We were joined by the one and only Holly Willoughby, our Patron, and the wonderful McConville family. Together, they headed up to the trading floor where they helped raise vital money for our Butterfly Fund. It was an even more poignant day for mum Stephanie, dad Tony and 15-year-old Talitha, who celebrated her first birthday yesterday without her twin brother Alex, who sadly died last year. Talitha was surprised by BGC with an out-of-this-world space-themed birthday cake. Talitha's family are one of 1,647 that have received a Butterfly Fund grant since we started it. No family should have to worry about money when their child dies, and with the support of incredible people like you and the generosity of BGC Group, they won’t have to. https://lnkd.in/dK8s9whw #BGCCharityDay

Thank you to Social Care Minister Stephen Kinnock for meeting with us and Lord Balfe this afternoon - and for listening to why NHS England must commit to continuing the £25m ringfenced funding for children's hospices as a centrally distributed grant. We look forward to working with you to make sure seriously ill children can access sustainable, high quality palliative care for the long-term. Important opportunity to include this in the government's 10 year NHS plan.

Today we’re at BGC Partners in London for their iconic BGC Charity Day. We’re going to be joined by some very special guests, who will be taking to the trading floor to raise money for our Butterfly Fund, which gives financial support to families after their child dies. No family should ever have to worry about money when this happens, and the funds raised from today’s international fundraising event will make sure they don’t have to. Come back tomorrow to find out which wonderful people joined us for the day! #BGCCharityDay BGC Group

The 54 children's hospices across the UK bring light to the lives of families all across the country… For families like Alyssa's, their local children's hospice is a lifeline - a place where they can safely leave their precious child and have some much-needed respite from the demands of caring for a seriously ill child. Alyssa is a beautiful, happy girl who lives with her mum, Lynette, dad, Nicolas, and brother, Ethan. At just five days old, a seizure caused by a rare gene mutation led to severe developmental delays and epilepsy. As a result, Alyssa uses a wheelchair, is non-verbal and is tube-fed. When Alyssa’s little brother, Ethan, was born, they were introduced to Little Havens at Havens Hospices Havens Hospices , their local children's hospice - and ten years on, the family still visits the hospice regularly. Lynette shared, “Little Havens care for Alyssa so that we can have a little bit of a rest. You don't have to worry when you come here - it's a bit of a break from being a carer, and you can just chill out and spend time as a family.” This month, Morrisons stores are fundraising during the 54 Challenge - a month-long relay event where the 54 Challenge Cup will make its way around the UK. When your local store has the cup, they will spend a day or two trying to collectively raise £540,000 for children's hospices across the UK. Keep an eye on our social channels and follow the cup's journey!💜🏆

Time is running out to grab your Early Bird tickets to our 2025 #Conference! ⭐ Towards a strong, sustainable future 📅 7 – 8 May 2025 📍Hilton, Manchester Deansgate The discounted rate is only available for a limited time. Don't sleep on securing your tickets. https://lnkd.in/eChW_u38

What’s life like for a seriously ill child with complex needs? What about the lives of their loved ones? Find out in a new BBC Radio 4 podcast series, Complex, which follows seven-year-old Nora and her parents Dave and Tors at home, at school and at a children’s hospice. It’s a beautifully moving exploration of the highs and lows of caring for a seriously ill child. You can listen to last week’s episode and this week’s episode on BBC Sounds: https://lnkd.in/ecxnQShM

📢 Call for Abstracts - open now The Together for Short Lives Conference Built to Last: Towards a strong, sustainable future 7th – 8th May 2025 A cornerstone of our conference is the opportunity for professionals like you to share and learn from each other. We warmly invite you to submit your abstracts, whether you’re presenting fresh ideas, showcasing innovative approaches in care, evaluating service developments, or sharing the outcomes of pilot studies or ongoing research projects. We welcome contributions from all disciplines and sectors. https://lnkd.in/eWvk2893

As of 9 September 2024, the Death Certification Reforms are in force, and independent scrutiny by a medical examiner is now required for the registration of all non-coronial deaths in England and Wales. This updated guidance is essential for all medical practitioners and covers: Who can complete a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). The role of medical examiners in scrutinising non-coronial deaths. When to refer a death to the coroner. How to accurately complete each section of the MCCD, ensuring proper documentation. An MCCD is required to register all non-coronial deaths, except in the case of stillbirths. The published guidance can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/eazPZnym

The first week of the Morrisons and Together for Short Lives 54 Challenge is almost complete - and the cup has already been welcomed in so many stores across the country. From Manchester to Penzance, Morrisons colleagues have been raising money for Together for Short Lives and their local children's hospice. Head into your local Morrisons store this month to support the cause!