Together for Short Lives welcomes the announcement that Bristol-based children’s hospice at home charity Jessie May will become a subsidiary of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) from 1st April 2026. This is a demonstration of the proactivity and collaborative spirit that defines the children’s hospice sector.
Children’s hospices help families of children living with serious illness to make magic moments together, providing choice to access support at home and away from hospital. We understand that Jessie May becoming a subsidiary of CHSW represents a big change for families, staff and all those who support both charities, but we commend both organisations for collaborating to find a way of making the most of the resources they have to best support families in and around Bristol.
Nick Carroll, CEO of Together for Short Lives, said: “Jessie May and Children’s Hospice South West are two excellent children’s hospices. They provide essential and highly valued care in the hospice, home and community across the South West. ”
This partnership is good news for families and children.
Children’s hospices are currently under significant financial pressure. Hospices fund around 70% of their services via fundraising but despite rising costs and growing demand, there is no corresponding increase in statutory income. Alongside fragile funding, workforce shortages and a lack of planning from local NHS bodies and councils make it increasingly challenging for hospices to sustain the vital care they provide. This is a challenge we recognise and continue to campaign on, however the sector’s response to these pressures should also be recognised and celebrated.
“This is a sector that is not only compassionate and caring, but is also smart, strategic and rises to the challenge,” Nick said. “By working together, Jessie May and CHSW will be able to share knowledge and expertise and deliver upon a shared objective in a more sustainable way so that families can rely on them now and tomorrow.”
Together for Short Lives is here to support and advocate on behalf of children’s hospice and palliative care services across the UK, across the NHS and voluntary sector, to help them provide the best possible care for families.