Together for Short Lives

This year, we've supported more families than ever before through our Family Support Hub. One parent told us: “Having people like you by my side has made all the difference. Whether it was offering a listening ear, providing encouragement, or simply being there, your care has been a source of strength. I will always be grateful for the help from Together for Short Lives.” We will continue to be here in 2025 for every family caring for a seriously ill child 💜

This Christmas, some of Hobbycraft's amazing, creative colleagues have truly made spirits bright for families across the country! ✨ By transforming 18 children’s hospices across the UK into enchanting winter wonderlands, they’ve brought much-needed festive cheer to children with life-limiting conditions and their families. For them, every memory made, and every moment spent together, is a precious gift. We’re so grateful to Hobbycraft for helping create these magical moments and making Christmas extra special. To help families make more precious memories this Christmas, text MOMENT to 70560 to donate £5.

If you find yourselves wandering through Center Parcs UK & Ireland this festive season, you might spot this lovely short film playing on TVs and screens throughout! This Christmas, Center Parcs gifted 50 free Winter Wonderland passes to seriously ill children and their families, helping them create magical memories like the ones you see in this film. Thank you Center Parcs, for helping us make every moment a gift for seriously ill children and their families this Christmas and beyond. #CenterParcs #ChildrensHospices

Our helpline is there for struggling parents, whether they need financial, practical or emotional support. When Donna felt like she had nowhere else to turn, she called us. Today you can give £15, which will help us answer a call to a parent like Donna. By donating today, you’re not just helping us pick up the phone. You’re letting parents like Donna know that they’re not alone. Text MOMENT to 70490 to donate £15 to help us answer a helpline call this Christmas or head to https://lnkd.in/gT5QBMZA.

🆕 Huge news today on funding for children’s hospices in England. Together, we have successfully campaigned, and our voices have been heard. This morning, we warmly welcome the UK Government’s decision to increase NHS England funding for children’s hospices to £26 million in 2025/26. In addition, there will also be a £100m in capital funding for all children’s and adults’ hospices in England this year and next, enabling improvements in facilities, IT systems, and outdoor spaces to enhance palliative and end of life care. This is brilliant and most welcome news for our children’s hospices and the families that use their lifeline services. Thank you to Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting for listening to us and the voices of seriously ill children, families and children’s hospices. We look forward to working with you on the details. We also relish the opportunity to shape the NHS 10-Year Plan to make sure seriously ill children and their families can access the palliative care they need, when and where they need it – in hospitals, children’s hospices and in the community. Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Paqca1

Did you catch Zac, Dawn, Adam, and Chestnut Tree House Activities Coordinator, Jack, on The Jeremy Vine Show this morning? They shared the amazing work Hobbycraft colleagues did in transforming Chestnut Tree House into a winter wonderland this Christmas. You can see the heart-warming transformation in Hobbycraft's Christmas advert here: https://lnkd.in/ebbCJv6y For families caring for a child with a life-limiting condition, every moment is a gift. That's why creating special memories, especially during the holiday season, is so important.

Last week, over 100 seriously ill children, loved ones, bereaved siblings and parents had an unforgettable afternoon at the home of English football – Wembley Stadium! For four hours, the families got to take part in skills and drills, have a guided tour of the stadium – including visiting the player’s dressing room – and take turns scoring penalties against England's Three Lions mascots and our very own Chief Executive Nick Carroll! One of the children, Stanley, said: “When we came onto the pitch, I just couldn’t believe it. Seeing where the players get ready, walking up the tunnel and getting to score a goal with my dad and sister was amazing. We had the best day, and I’ll never forget it!” This historic event was hosted by Together for Short Lives and Carabao, the soft drinks manufacturer and sponsors of the Carabao Cup.

Last week, over 100 seriously ill children, loved ones, bereaved siblings and parents had an unforgettable afternoon at the home of English football – Wembley Stadium! For four hours, the families got to take part in skills and drills, have a guided tour of the stadium – including visiting the player’s dressing room – and take turns scoring penalties against England's Three Lions mascots and our very own Chief Executive Nick Carroll! One of the children, Stanley, said: “When we came onto the pitch, I just couldn’t believe it. Seeing where the players get ready, walking up the tunnel and getting to score a goal with my dad and sister was amazing. We had the best day, and I’ll never forget it!” This historic event was hosted by Together for Short Lives and Carabao, the soft drinks manufacturer and sponsors of the Carabao Cup.

If you are a supporter of your local children’s hospice, you will know that right now children’s hospices are being stretched further financially than ever before. Our CEO Nick Carroll has been talking to the media, and this morning he spoke to GB News. He told Eamonn and Isabel that Wes Streeting needs to make good on his promise of an announcement on the future of the children’s hospice grant before Christmas. They are still waiting. He also told them that the National Insurance rise will cost children’s hospices an extra £5 million per year – stretching them further than ever before. We will keep on campaigning and advocating for every family whose child has a serious illness. We will not stop.

Our CEO Nick Carroll is at Acorns Children's Hospice with their CEO Trevor Johnson MCIPD. They both told BBC Breakfast that despite Wes Streeting’s announcement last month that there would be an announcement on the Children’s Hospice Grant before Christmas, hospices are still waiting. Trevor told the BBC that with rising financial pressures, uncertainly over the grant and increased staff National Insurance payments, they are desperately hoping for some good news from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care soon. They told the BBC that we need: 1⃣ Confirmation that the grant is continuing ASAP. 2⃣ It needs to be a multi-year grant. 3⃣ It needs to reflect rising costs for hospices. 4⃣ It needs to be ringfenced. 5⃣ And it must be centrally distributed by NHS England. We look forward to an announcement from Wes Streeting soon.