This is… Children’s Hospice Week 2020
This is Children’s Hospice Week – the only week in the year dedicated to raising awareness and funds for children’s hospice and palliative care services across the UK, and the seriously ill children and young people they support. This year it’s happening 22-28 June 2020.
Children’s hospice services are a lifeline for families when they’re facing the toughest of times, and they can’t continue their vital work without your support.
When a child’s life is expected to be short, there’s no time to waste. Growing numbers of children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families need lifeline care and support so they can make the most of every moment they have together, whether that’s for years, months or only hours. Many of these children have complex health conditions and need round the clock care.
The 54 children’s hospice services across the UK play a vital role in helping families stay afloat, giving them a break from caring responsibilities, providing specialist clinical care and providing a range of practical and emotional support for all the family.
In 2020 our theme for Children’s Hospice Week is ‘This is…’
The world of children’s hospices can seem daunting and unfamiliar – we want to take away that element of uncertainty and introduce people to what they’re really like. Families and services alike will be able to give an insight into the reality of day-to-day life, for example:
• This is… our care team. Between them they worked 678 hours last week alone to provide round the clock care to families who need it most.
• This is… our dressing up cupboard. Families have hours of fun just being silly together here.
• This is… Bobby – he’s 10 years old and has an undiagnosed condition that means his life is likely to be short – here he is with our resident music therapist with his beloved guitar.
We’re set to publish some important research that shows the true cost of providing children’s hospice services and you might be shocked by the results.
We’ll also be looking at new and emerging services as children’s hospices keep pace with demand from families in their area.
Famous faces will be on board to help us reach out far and wide.
Get involved
All children’s hospices are charities and rely on the public’s generosity and donations to help children and families make the most of the time they have together. A big part of Children’s Hospice Week is raising vital funds to support these lifeline services.
We’re developing some brilliant resources to help you spread the word and get your workplace or family and friends involved in fundraising. Check back soon for more updates.
