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Monthly Meeting - 2nd December 2009

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices

At this time of rejoicing and celebrating our families, we, in the U3A, had a sober and reflective lecture on the work of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices(EACH) on Wednesday 2nd December.

Jessica Hiscocks spoke of the philosophy behind the work of these institutions. For children with life-threatening and conditions the aim is to make the remaining time as positive as possible.

We have three hospices in this region Quidenham, Ipswich and Milton in Cambridgeshire. There is a measure of support from government but further funding is needed. Staff ratios are high, necessarily, and specialist equipment and treatment are both expensive.

Support is given to families in these awful circumstances for three years after the child’s death by means of counselling and visits. Each year a Memory Day is held during which messages are attached to balloon and left to float away into the air. Each hospice has two open days a year and far from being sad occasions, the predominant sounds are those of children’s laughter.

Of course, the overall situation is tragic. The supportive and caring work of the hospices was recognised in the generosity of members present who contributed £234.81 to the retiring collection. Jean & Derek Oldham.