All aboard

Gill Dodge, chief executive of Noah's Ark Children's Hospice (which Kyran Bracken talks so warmly about in our interviews section), explains why laughter and tears go hand in hand

I wonder what images come to mind when you hear the phrase ‘children’s hospice’? Most people think it’s a building where children, with cancer, go to die and that all the care is focused on the life-limited child. Perhaps it is a very sad place? The facts are that most life-limited children have conditions that mean their bodies fail them over a period of ten years, sometimes even longer. Much of the care given to them happens in their own homes – helping the family to live as normal a life as possible. You can make the quality of life better for an ill child, but the mum, dad, brothers and sisters who will be left behind also deserve proper support and care to help them cope. In fact, children’s hospice services really focus on bringing a positive outlook on the lives there to be lived!

Most charities are born out of a passion, perhaps from a nurse or a parent. In our case, it was our founder Michael McInerney. He lost a nine-year-old niece, who died in a north London hospital. This was in the mid 1990s - there wasn’t a children’s hospice in London at the time, the family didn’t get the level of support they really needed. Michael wanted to change things so, in December 1999, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice began its journey.

At first, in line with other children’s hospices, the charity’s efforts were focused on fundraising and finding a building for the hospice – not easy to accomplish in the competitive north London property market! In 2005, the Board decided that they needed to put dedicated effort behind the cause, so I came on-board as the first employee. Whilst still searching for that building, we decided we wanted to reach the children out there who need support now – time is never on their side.

Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice currently provides practical support in the homes of life-limited children, and their families, within the communities of north London. We began in 2006 and are now working with Enfield and Barnet Primary Care and Hospital Trusts, funding a community nursery nurse and play specialist respectively. It’s all about positive play – having some fun.

Our priority is to develop our community outreach service, including its expansion into Haringey, Camden and Islington. In addition, in 2008, our service plan sees the introduction of a Family Support Programme. This gives our trained volunteers the opportunity to support families by working with them in their own homes or at special family/sibling days. In addition we will also have the services of a social worker volunteer – really increasing the time and help we can give to our families. We will continue to search for land on which to establish a hospice to complement our community work.

Things can get emotional working with these families – not least because the children and their parents’ courage, and their appreciation of our help, can be very humbling. This makes everyone at Noah’s Ark even more determined to work to get them the support they need and deserve, now.

With no support from the Government, Noah’s Ark must generate all the resources needed to run and develop this essential lifeline. I do want to send out a call to action, but it isn’t just about money – it could be the valuable gift of your time. If you are able to get involved, even in a small way, you will really help us make a difference. Join us in making every day count and help our families face the future with hope.

Please visit www.noahsarkhospice.org.uk to find out more, or call 020 8449 8877.