How does the Children's Hospice help?
A life-limiting condition can be very hard to come to terms with. That is why we are here. We provide respite and end of life care for these special children, young people and their families, both in the children's hospice at Horizon House and at home. By providing these services, we give the family and the full-time carer a well deserved break.
We are the only children’s hospice in Northern Ireland providing this much needed help and support. Children from birth to 18 years of age are eligible for care, and like all hospice services, there is no charge for families.
Last year we helped 250 families, but we know we need to do more. We want to help more families and make this essential service even more accessible to those who need it most.
Support for families
Caring for a life-limited child puts an enormous strain on family life and or some families, holidays, family activities and outings prove difficult or impossible. Meal times become staggered, sleep is often interrupted and parents rarely have time to themselves. A number of families who use our services have two or more life-limited children and healthy brothers and sisters inevitably feel left out as parents often provide 24-hour care for the sick sibling. At times, families can feel overwhelmed by their situation, both physically and emotionally.
The children's hospice helps by providing friendship, care and support to the whole family, throughout the child's illness and after the child has died.
Horizon House
The children's hospice is situated in Newtownabbey, overlooking Belfast Lough. In addition to purpose built children's accommodation, there are family rooms, art and music rooms, play areas, a multi-sensory room and a hydrotherapy pool. Offering a home from home environment, Horizon House is a place where children and their families feel safe, welcome and supported.
The Community Team
The community team operates throughout Northern Ireland providing respite and end of life care in the child's own home. Additional nursing support is provided by our Hospice at Home service. The team also provide a 24-hour, 7 day a week on call service for families.
