National Lottery Community Fund post will support young people to transition between children and adult hospice services

During 2019, three collaborative events took place at each respective hospice. These welcomed young people and their families to Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice for the first time, introducing them to the support still available to them as they reach the age of 18.

The ongoing partnership project is designed to support young people with life limiting illness in their transition to adult hospice services before they reach 18, which is the age limit for EACH’s services.

As the newly appointed Transition Coordinator, Kristie Foreman will work across all three Hospices, while liaising with schools, acute and community care providers across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, to provide holistic management plans for young people and their families. She will help set up events, give support and guidance, and provide a single point of contact for young people and their families.

Families who have been through this transition have told us what a hugely difficult time it can be. The project aims to ensure that they feel well prepared for the transition, are supported through this period (and beyond) and that they have someone that they can ask for help in navigating these changes to their care.

Kristie adds: “I am thrilled to be working as part of a team with all three Hospices, supporting young people and their families with the process of transition from paediatric to adult hospice services.”

Susan Shackleton, Head of Clinical Services at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, said:

“We are looking forward to working with Kristie in the months ahead. We have really enjoyed collaborating with EACH and Arthur Rank Hospice Charity over the past few years, and we look forward to introducing young people in Cambridgeshire to our adult hospice services. By working together, we can make sure we are there when it matters for local young people and their families.”

Sara Robins, Director of Clinical Service at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, comments:

“I am very excited to be supporting Kristie in her new role. This builds on the work the Hospices have already done in 2019 to engage more with young people and their families so they understand what adult Hospices have to offer.

“Feedback we received in 2019 highlighted the need for age appropriate activities, complementary therapy and family support to enable young people and their families to feel empowered to start moving through transition to adult services from children’s services.”

Mike Higgins, EACH Milton Service Manager, concludes:

“We’re all delighted the lottery has chosen to fund this essential post. Having funding for three years means we can make sure young people and their families supported by EACH get the very best possible send-off to Arthur Rank Hospice Charity or Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, feeling assured the service they receive from us, which is so vital to them, will continue into adult hospice services.

“The creation of this unique post puts us in a really strong position moving forward and we’re delighted to have Kristie on board.”

Families who may benefit from the service and wish to speak to Kristie are welcome to make contact with her through East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice or Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Find out more information about Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice