THE CITY’S well-known children’s hospice has reached its ten year anniversary thanks to kind donations and fund-raisers.
Acorns Children’s Hospice, on Bath Road, has made it to the milestone and has been celebrating all year round with events like the Acorns Triple Run.
The hospice was built in 2005 following a £4million fund-raising appeal and now provides palliative care for children with life threatening and life limiting illnesses from across the county.
Since it first opened its doors it has helped 465 children and their families.
Head nurse Jayne Collins has been with the charity for the last two years, she said: “We have made amazing progress throughout the years.
“We are now looking to offer more services within the community so that families can have tailor made care at home.”
It costs £9million a year to run the hospice which has a swimming pool, several rooms which the children can personalise with their own posters a decorations, a sensory room, vegetable patches and games room.
They have a large outdoor garden for the children play including sensory objects to engage children with a number of disabilities.
“It is a nurse lead service and it is lovely to have the opportunity to get to know families and build relationships over the years,” Jayne added.
“It’s a home away from home for the children, some times the families have spent a long time in hospital and clinical environments, but here they can relax and feel supported.”
On the grounds there is also a sectioned off water feature where those who have lost children can go to remember their loved ones and write their name on a stone to go inside the fountain.
The hospice’ gardener creates a map of where the stones lay so they can be removed and cleaned and put back in the exact spot, this is a quiet place where people are always welcome to go a reflect.
“We have had a lot of support from the local community and are able to offer several different activities for the children and events and we are able to take them out as well,” Jayne said.
The hospice also has two specially designed rooms where children can spend their last moments and the family can all be together even after they have passed.
“There have been times when a child has died and the parents have had the opportunity to be together here and giving them that chance makes it all worth while.
“It can be very upsetting at times but it is also very satisfying to support a family and being there for them.”
Visit www.acorns.org.uk for more information about the charity.
