When families are struggling to cope because their children have a serious or terminal condition, Demelza provides specialist care and support, bringing them back from breaking point.
Our hospices in Eltham, South East London and Sittingbourne, Kent and our homecare service in East Sussex provide tailored care to babies, children and young adults. Our facilities, nurses, therapists and dedicated volunteers give families the time and space to feel like families again.
We strive to give the babies, children and young people we support and their families the best life possible. Our care services and facilities focus on promoting personal freedom and choice, giving our children the chance to express themselves, have fun and feel involved without ever compromising safety. Through around the clock care, play and therapy, the Demelza team supports parents in providing what each child needs, in the way that’s best for them.
We know so many parents have deep reservations about handing over the care of their children to someone else, and we understand it is hard to visit a hospice because it traditionally means the end of life. But at Demelza, we work every day to show our families we’re about supporting them to experience the joy in life, for however long that might be and in whatever way they can.
Each child who visits Demelza SEL has access to their own bedroom, with a specialist bed or cot and ensuite bathroom. The hospice also has specially adapted bedrooms, designed to enable an enhanced level of independence for young people staying with us. Parents and siblings are welcome to stay in the family accommodation, complete with kitchenette and lounge.
It costs over £10.4 million a year to provide all of our services, more than 88 per cent of which is raised through tremendous support from the community (schools, groups, clubs, individuals), corporate supporters and our charity shops/
With your support Demelza can create precious memories for seriously ill children and their families.
To find out how you can help, refer your family to our service or simply to find out more about our services, visit www.demelza.org.uk