Julia's House

Julia’s House officially opened its new Family and Therapies Wing at the children’s hospice located in Corfe Mullen on Wednesday, May 19, with a special ceremony attended by some of the families it cares for and charity patrons Martin Clunes, Liz Yelling and Chris Jarvis.

Since the opening of the Julia’s House hospice building in 2006, the charity has waited a long time to offer round the clock care. The opening of the new Wing finally allows Julia’s House to provide vital end-of-life care and support to Dorset children and their families in the hospice. This complements existing end-of-life care currently provided by the charity in the children’s own homes.

The Wing, housed within the small extension building, includes the Mermaid suite, a private area consisting of a child’s bedroom, an en suite room for family members and a courtyard garden for families. The charity can now offer parents the option of spending the final few days with their child in a peaceful, non-clinical, and familiar setting rather than a hospital.

When the rooms are not being used for end-of-life care, the space will be utilised to provide a range of complementary therapies and bereavement support for family members.

The Family and Therapies Wing was officially opened on May 19 by two of the children that Julia’s House cares for, Ebony, Honey and their respective families and charity patrons Martin Clunes, Liz Yelling and Chris Jarvis. The opening was marked with a red ribbon cutting ceremony and blessing at 3pm, conducted by the Bishop of Sherborne.

Other guests of honour were the trustees of charitable trusts who have funded the extension building and valued Julia’s House supporters and trustees, without whom the hospice extension building would not be possible.

Martin Edwards, Julia’s House Chief Executive, commented: “It has always been our dream to move beyond day care at the hospice, and now that this dream has come true. Families with a child who is dying can now choose where they want the expert nursing support that we offer. Whether they wish to be supported at home or in the hospice for the final stages of their child’s journey, we will be there for them.”

The Pyjama Appeal, backed by Martin Clunes, Harry Redknapp, Liz Yelling, Chris Jarvis and Lesley Waters, is a campaign to raise funds to provide the staffing for end-of-life care in the new facility and weekend respite care in the remainder of the hospice. The dedicated campaign website www.pyjamaappeal.co.uk is full of inspiring fundraising ideas of how you can help provide overnight and end-of-life care for Dorset children and their families. Or you can call 01202 607400 to simply make a donation.