Sheffield United F.C. is proud to support several local charities, including Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, which offers services, care, and assistance to children with life-limiting medical conditions and their families.
Though people often associate hospice exclusively with old age, anyone with a terminal illness—of any age—can benefit from this type of specialized care, which focuses on reducing pain, managing symptoms in as much comfort as possible, and supporting the patient’s emotional needs.
An Alternative to Hospital Care
Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice is a UK registered charity that was founded in 2004 with the vision of helping local families who were seeking an alternative to hospital care. Fundraising for the organization started in 1998, when 11-year-old Richard became terminally ill, and he and his mother wanted him to die at home. Bluebell Wood first opened its doors to families in need on September 19, 2008. Since then, the hospice has supported hundreds of children from across South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, North Derbyshire, and parts of North Lincolnshire. It’s located in Sheffield.
Services
Bluebell Wood is there for children and their families at incredibly daunting times. It offers what it calls “short breaks”—overnight stays and day care for children at the eight-bedroom hospice or in the family home, with care provided by a dedicated team. This service helps tired parents to get some much-needed rest and a brief break from caregiving responsibilities. Families can also stay with their child in the hospice if they wish.
The hospice offers more than just a place to sleep, however—it also helps families make positive memories together. Kids and their families can enjoy a soft play area, music therapy, a cinema, spa pool, and sensory activities. They can also relax and play in the hospice’s expansive gardens. An annual Christmas party, summer carnival day, a “superhero day,” and religious celebrations are just some of the activity days and events the hospice has hosted for children and their families.
Family support is at the heart of Bluebell Wood’s mission. To that end, the Family Support Team offers group and one-to-one support for parents, siblings, and carers, as well as monthly workshops that promote wellbeing with activities like cooking, yoga, and even skin care. In addition, the hospice supports young people from ages 14 to 25 through its Youth Group, which gives them opportunities to spend time with people of a similar age, make friends, and enjoy fun activities together.
The hospice’s holistic care extends beyond end-of-life. Families who have lost a child can receive bereavement support from Bluebell Wood, including emotional support, guidance, referrals to other service organizations, and practical advice during this time.
All Bluebell Wood services are provided free of charge to families referred to the hospice; it receives government support but relies on donors for the bulk of its funding.
One Patient’s Story: Daisy and Her Family
Daisy is a 19-month-old little girl who was born with SCN2A, a rare epilepsy condition that has impacted her brain development, limiting her vision and causing seizures. She has developmental disabilities as well. Delivered by emergency C-section, she had to be resuscitated at birth. She was put in an incubator and started having seizures.
Daisy’s parents describe the first few weeks of her life as scary because no one could tell them what was wrong with certainty. Daisy was released from hospital just before Christmas; the family was happy but apprehensive. They were initially reluctant to seek help from Bluebell Wood, as they associated palliative care with end-of-life rather than holistic care and support.
Daisy’s father explains that once they came for their first visit at Bluebell Wood, they started to realize that it was not a daunting place at all, but rather an amazing service that supports families.
Due to her condition, Daisy requires constant, attentive care. It’s understandably difficult for her parents to trust anyone enough to look after her and know what to do in emergencies. However, Bluebell Wood has provided the family with a home away from home—the staff was able to put Daisy’s parents at ease, so much so that the little girl enjoyed a stay there on her own. Daisy’s mother describes the hospice as providing a “massive helping hand,” giving the family some precious time at home.
As Daisy’s father points out, parents of children with life-limiting conditions often feel isolated and unable to enjoy many of the community activities that new parents often take for granted, such as parent and baby groups. The hospice recognizes this and provides families with vital social support, not only via its staff, but by connecting parents and carers with other families experiencing similar situations. Daisy’s parents are now reassured that there are other families out there who are going through the same thing and who can fully understand their situation.
Bluebell Wood has also given Daisy’s elder sister, Poppy, a great deal of support, reassuring her and helping her to feel comfortable and included. The family have stayed at Bluebell Wood together, enjoying the cinema room and playing in the garden, with Poppy experimenting with arts and crafts and playing the drums and guitar in the music room.
How to Help
If you are interested in learning more about Bluebell Wood and how you can help support their important work for children and families, go to https://www.bluebellwood.org/