insideKENT Magazine Issue 44 - November 2015 | Page 150

CHARITY
Kent Charity Profiles cont.

Demelza Hospice Care for Children
www.demelza.org.uk
Who do you help?
The ethos of Demelza Hospice Care for
Children is to “add life to days when days
cannot be added to life.” We aim to make the
most of each moment and create precious
moments for the whole family. We support
hundreds of families who need our help across
Kent, South East London and East Sussex,
either through our two hospices, or in their
own home. We provide specialist expert care
for babies, children, and teenagers, as well
as mums, dads, grandparents, brothers and
sisters.
We take away the medical stress and bring
the fun back into family life. Having a child with
a disability often means families miss out on
the simple things such as going swimming
together, something which we can make
possible through our fantastic hydrotherapy
pool. We spend a lot of time supporting
siblings with trips and activities, helping them
realise there are lots of people in the same
situation as them and enabling them to still
have a childhood, despite having a sick brother
or sister.

What services do you provide?
When the young people who use our service
become teenagers, we work very closely
with them, offering advice and support on the
options for life after Demelza. This transition
service is formed in conjunction with the young
people themselves, who tell us what they want
from us.

Attending one of our events or fundraising for
Demelza is a fun way to support your local
children’s hospice. Among the events coming
up in Kent is our annual carol concert which
takes place in the magnificent surroundings
of Canterbury Cathedral on Friday 18th
December at 7.30pm. You can book via our
website or by calling 01795 845288.

All the young people referred to Demelza
are not expected to reach adulthood and
we are available to families from diagnosis,
during treatment and, if needed, through
bereavement. Our care does not stop there.
Our annual bereavement weekend in the
summer sees families come together to
remember their child, share experiences and
have fun.

How can people help?
Demelza has been in existence for more than
16 years and we need your help to continue
this vital support and care for so many families
across the South East. If you are having a
clear-out, please consider donating unwanted
books, clothes, bric-a-brac or gifts to a
Demelza charity shop. You can find details of
your nearest one at www.demelza.org.uk.

How do you receive your funding?
Our care is 24-7, 365-days-a-year and is
free of charge for families. We receive a small
amount of government funding, but most of
the money we need day-in day-out is thanks to
the generosity of the local Kent community.

Signing up to our hospice lottery is a simple
way to support our work, and for just £1 a
week, you could win £1,000!

Do you have any upcoming events?
All of our upcoming events can be found at
www.demelza.org.uk. Find out more about
Demelza by following us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/demelzahospice, or on
Twitter @demelzahospice.

150