Visit to Derian House

Yesterday, I took my first visit to Derian House to meet with Mick Croskery, the Community Fundraiser. I wasn't sure what to expect and to be honest I don't think many people do when they first visit a children's hospice. Although a children's hospice the services are for children and young people up to 25 years and as such it is suitable for a wide age range.

On arrival as I got out of the car, a hearse was leaving and I later found out that it was a little girl that had recently died.

The Hospice and its Facilities 

That being said the hospice is a happy place as it should be, all the walls are decorated with bright artwork. That may seem odd to anyone that has never visited one but it is a place that is designed with children in mind to make them feel happy not sad and depressed.









It goes without saying that the rooms are large and full of the latest technology and comfort, specialist beds, wheelchairs and equipment. There is also a sensory room, lounge area where the children spend much of their time. The older children spend time in the lounge where there are computers and gaming machines such as play-stations and xbox's plus televisions. The hospice also has a number of flats so that parents can stay close to the children and spend what ever time they need with them.

Soft play room

Sensory room

Bedroom

Specialist bed

There is a pool room that is specially adapted for the children that can be used by them and also their family on weekends. This may not mean much until you realise that going swimming as a family is a non starter at a regular pool. They are just not suitable for many reasons, but include the temperature (this one is heated) and the equipment to get in and out. This pool is booked during the week for the sick children and then families can book in at weekends, each one hour session costs £40 to run but the free to the families of course.

Pool

The gardens are beautiful and of course with children in mind, there is a seaside area as well as a play area. All designed specifically for wheelchairs.

Garden

Play area

Memory pebbles

Play area

Seaside area

Respite Care

Respite care is generally seen as help for parents and this is true, but respite care can also be a big benefit for the children. I was interested to learn that some of the older boys arrange to go in together for a 'holiday', this may sound odd but they need a break from their parents. Again simple things come to light, they want to get together as they are friends all in a similar situation and they want simple pleasures such as going to bed when they want to. At home, bed time is at the latest when mum and dad go to bed, if they want to watch something on TV they can't. Why? Because they need their parents to help them to bed. They go there to stay up until 2am and eat pizza and have fun with friends.

One other thing that came from this was the inaccessibility of the kitchen. When designed and built it was done so as a commercial kitchen but when asked, the older children want to be able to be part of making their own pizza as 2am and as it stands they can't. The cost of a new kitchen though is £27,000!

Sibling Support

This is the service that really surprised me and equally impressed me. I expected a children's hospice  to help look after sick children whether it be at the end of their life or respite care to give parents support and a much needed rest and this they do. The one thing I did not think about though was the affect a sick child can have on siblings. Parents naturally have to give more attention to a sick child and this can leave any other siblings feeling left out. It is more than that though, the siblings don't get a childhood the same as their school friends, simple pleasures such as going to the cinema, a theme park or for a pizza with family is not possible as the venues are not suitable for wheelchairs.

Yes, they may go out with school friends but they do not understand the home situation and what it is like living with a very sick brother or sister.

The hospice has a sibling support team that help the well children to be children, They arrange trips to theme parks and crazy golf for example and take them out for pizza. Sometimes on their own and sometimes as a group as they can all have fun together and support each other knowing what each other is going through. Needless to say this costs money!