Hospice
Fundraising
Nine-year-old girls, Lucy and Sophia, both have complex medical needs. They first met at school and, along with their mums Jill and Megan, have formed a close friendship.
Sophia began attending short breaks at St Oswald’s Hospice Children and Young Adults Service in 2018, where she received expert medical care in a home-from-home environment.
Her mum, Megan, admits she felt a lot of “mum guilt” at the thought of accepting additional help. She visited the hospice to see if it would be the right environment for her daughter.
She recalled: “I remember the first visit we took Sophia in to look around, like it was yesterday. I had never felt more welcome. The staff were so incredibly kind – I remember getting back in the car and smiling the whole way home. That made me think about how happy it would make Sophia if she went to St Oswald’s Hospice for short breaks.
“We took the plunge and went ahead with the referral – and we’ve never looked back.”
She enjoys lots of activities, including baking, arts and crafts and music therapy.
Megan continued: “Sophia gets so excited when I tell her it’s time to go to the hospice. Sometimes I leave it until the very last minute before I tell her, otherwise she gets far too excited and impatient – she just wants to get there and settle in.”
She added: “The staff at St Oswald’s Hospice are the only people in the world I trust to meet all of Sophia’s health needs.”
When Sophia’s best friend, Lucy, was offered a place at St Oswald’s Hospice, her parents initially turned it down.
“I didn’t feel ready for her to go,” her mum, Jill explained.
But when Lucy was a little older, the opportunity came up again.
“Lucy was 7 at the time, and at that stage we were really struggling,” Jill said. “The pressure of looking after our daughter and managing all her health needs was taking a toll, and we were exhausted.”
It was Megan who helped reassure Jill and dad, Andrew, by singing the praises of St Oswald’s Hospice and the positive impact it had made on Sophia.
Jill said: “Megan always spoke so highly of the hospice. We decided it was in Lucy’s best interests to try it and get her used to time away from the family home.”
Like Megan, Jill felt guilty about accepting the support.
“I thought people would think I couldn’t manage Lucy’s care,” she explained.
Again, Megan reassured her friend, as did the care team at St Oswald’s Hospice, who understand how emotional the process can be for parents and carers at the beginning.
Lucy’s introduction to St Oswald’s Hospice was very gradual, helping her and her parents get used to the Children and Young Adults Service.
Jill and Andrew even stayed overnight in the family accommodation during Lucy’s initial visits.
“We’d literally all pack our bags and stay at the hospice,” Jill said. “The staff were great and so welcoming.”
She loves all the fun activities she gets to do during her stays.
Meanwhile, Mum and Dad get the opportunity to spend some quality time together, knowing their daughter is in safe hands.
Jill continued: “As soon as I take Lucy to her bedroom at the hospice and she knows she’s staying, she tells me using her eye-gazer that she’s really happy.”
Both Jill and Megan describe their daughters as very sociable girls who love spending time with other children during their short breaks.
Sometimes Lucy and Sophia’s stays coincide, and the staff arrange activities for the best friends to enjoy quality time together.
Jill said: “The staff will set up their beds in the Children’s Lounge so they can watch films together. It’s the closest thing Lucy gets to having a sleepover at her best friend’s house.”
Jill and Megan recently spoke at the Northern Bear Charity Golf Day in aid of St Oswald’s Hospice, where they talked passionately about the impact the Children and Young Adults Service has had on them and their daughters.
Attendees listened in awe at the shared bond between Sophia and Lucy – and their mums – and delighted in seeing photos of the girls enjoying magical moments together.
Lucy and Sophia recently took part in a WetWheels trip, where the Children and Young Adults Service arrange for children, young adults and their families to take sea voyages on the wheelchair-accessible boat.
Reflecting on the care her daughter receives, Jill said: “I can’t thank the team at St Oswald’s Hospice enough for looking after Lucy and loving her like we do. It’s like they are our extended family.”
Megan added: “I can’t imagine our life without the hospice and the support we receive from them. No words would ever be enough to thank them for the outstanding care they give to all the children and young adults.”
We can’t wait to see what magical moments best friends Sophia and Lucy enjoy next!
We’re sharing Lucy and Sophia’s story as part of Children’s Hospice Week, the annual awareness week organised by Together for Short Lives for children’s hospices and palliative care services. This year, Children’s Hospice Week takes place 16th – 22nd June.
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