Rainbows to improve its support for young adults
RAINBOWS hospice in Loughborough has received a double boost in the form of lottery cash and a message of support from the Duchess of Cambridge.
The £10,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund will help fund the new post of a transition support worker offering support to young people who are moving into adulthood.
Jo Sims, head of family support and outreach, said: “We are very grateful for this funding and would like to thank the National Lottery Community Fund for the award, which will help to benefit so many of our young people.
“Research shows the number of young adults with life-limiting conditions has risen significantly over the past few years.
“This new role will enable us to support more young people from across the East Midlands in their transition.
“The children and young people we provide care and support for are an extremely vulnerable and high-risk group due to their conditions and associated complex medical conditions.
“Families are often overwhelmed by many and varied challenges, which have been exacerbated during the pandemic because of increased isolation, reduced access to services and reduced contact with their support networks.
“This project will enable us to continue delivering services to our community of young people and their families from across the East Midlands and ensuring families feel connected within their communities.”
The Duchess of Cambridge recorded a video message to mark Children’s Hospice Week.
She said: “I hope you will join me in thanking the UK’s 54 children’s hospices and their incredible staff for the life-changing care they provide to children and families facing the unimaginable – helping them to make the most of every precious moment together.”
Dee Sissons, Rainbows chief executive, said: “We are thrilled the Duchess of Cambridge is helping to raise awareness of services like Rainbows by marking Children’s Hospice Week.
“She is a fantastic ambassador for seriously ill children and their families and the children’s hospices that they rely on.”
The Duchess of Cambridge’s message can be viewed at:
togetherforshortlives.org.uk/royalmessage To find out more about the transition support worker role, visit:
TRIBUTE PAID TO CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS BY DUCHESS KATE