A life-changing service at St Oswald's Hospice in Newcastle has marked its 21st birthday - and one mum paid tribute to the "amazing" support it offered.
SInce 2003, the hospice has provided short breaks and palliative care to babies, children and young adults who have progressive and life-limiting conditions. It opened after the charity's "Jigsaw" appeal was supported by the Tyneside community.
In 2012, in light of a lack of support for the over 18s, the service extended its remit to cover age 0 to 25. Supported by doctors, 24/7 care is combined with social and recreational activities - including trips to local farms or to surf in the North Sea.
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Last year, the service supported a total of 53 children and 13 young adults. One of those chilren was Hayden, 10, who has myoclonic epilepsy and global developmental delay..
Hayden has been coming to St Oswald’s Hospice for short breaks for the last 7 years. His mum Bethany said: "St Oswald’s Hospice is invaluable to us. Hayden loves coming for his short breaks to see his friends and his brothers enjoy events at the hospice, too. The staff are amazing to all of us. You feel the love as soon as you walk in.”
Nurse Diane Nicholson added that over the 21 years developments in care had meant staff were always trying to improve the quality of life young people lived. She added: "We’re always pushing the limits so that our children and young adults can experience as much in life as is safely possible.
“It is a privileged position to deliver personal care, manage health needs, have fun and connect with our children, young adults and their families. It’s also a privilege to be present when a young person comes to the end of their life. We want to make those final times as comforting as possible for all, and capture some nicer memories in the darkest of times."
Last year, the hospice also launched an outreach service bringing that nursing care to families' own homes. That service is led by Rebecca Liddle and Jessica Carlington. Rebecca said: "We provide consistent and individualised care at home to children and young adults with complex health needs through the Outreach Service.
"This can help reduce waiting lists and will allow more families across the North East to access our specialist care. The service is already having such a positive impact on the families we support."
In June, construction began for a new £1.3 million development featuring self-contained accommodation for young adults at the hospice. Set to open in spring 2025, this is designed to "ease the transition" for young adults and help them to have as much independence as possible.
Angela Egdell, director of care at St Oswald’s Hospice, said: "We’re incredibly proud of how far we have come in the last 21 years and know from our children, young adults, families and carers the difference we make to young people’s lives. A difference that was only made possible through the generosity of people who contributed to our Jigsaw Appeal, which first launched back in 1999.
“But we know we can’t rest on our laurels and we are always looking at how we can improve the excellent care we offer to young people and their families and carers."
She said that the hopsice was thankful to everyone who donates and funds the work it does. To find out more about St Oswald’s Hospice or how you can support, visit: www.stoswaldsuk.org
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