News

Children’s Hospice South West's Charlton Farm gave a warm welcome to Bristol City players and staff for their Christmas visit.

The squad’s trip to Charlton Farm is the annual highlight of the long-standing relationship between the Robins and CHSW, which provides the highest level of care, clinical expertise and enrichment opportunities for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

From decorating biscuits to colouring, playing table football and FIFA, the Robins and young people shared the Christmas spirit of Charlton Farm.

Helen Rogers, Acting Head of Care at Children’s

Stagecoach South West brought Christmas cheer to children this week when its Santa bus visited Children’s Hospice South West in North Devon.

Gary the Rabbit and the Stagecoach elves visited the charity’s Little Bridge House hospice near Barnstaple to hand out festive treats including goody bags and art and craft supplies for the sensory playroom.

Little Bridge House provides respite, palliative, end-of-life and bereavement support for nearly 200 children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Parents can take a break from being primary carers for a few days and brothers and sisters

On Thursday 12 December families staying for respite at Children’s Hospice South West’s Charlton Farm, were treated to a festive lunch courtesy of food redistribution company, FareShare.

The feast was provided by Waitrose & Partners and John Lewis & Partners as part of their campaign to bring people together this Christmas.

Caroline Silke, Partner and Social Impact Manager for Waitrose & Partners, said: “For many, Christmas is a time to get together with loved ones to celebrate. Yet for some, this can be the most difficult time of the year. Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the

Staff at Little Harbour children’s hospice at Porthpean in St Austell have been busy working on a charity single which is now available to buy to help raise funds for, and awareness of, Children’s Hospice South West.

Harbour Walls was written by Richard Trethewey who works as a Music Therapist at Little Harbour children’s hospice. Richard wanted to create a song involving all the staff at the hospice to sing to bereaved families at the hospice’s annual Remembering Day.

The words of the song were compiled from contributions from staff and are themed around the idea of a harbour being a place

Dawn Barnard, 45, from St Blazey has worked as a carer at Little Harbour children’s hospice at Porthpean in St Austell for almost three years. Inspired by the families she works with and friends in the fitness industry Dawn set herself a huge challenge of competing in a bodybuilding competition while raising funds for Little Harbour. Since January she has committed to a strict regime of training and diet all while putting time into her fundraising for Little Harbour as well.

The competition Dawn is entering, Mr and Miss Plymouth Bodybuilding and Fitness Show, is taking place on Sunday 20 th

Children receiving care at Little Harbour in St Austell have received a donation of life-changing technology worth thousands of pounds from children’s charity Lifelites.

Many of the children using the services at Little Harbour have complex disabilities and life-limiting conditions, but the specialist technology which Lifelites has donated can give them the opportunity to do things they never dreamed of. It enables them to play, be creative, control something for themselves and communicate, for as long as it is possible.

The technology, along with training and technical support services

Charlton Farm is one of three children’s hospices run by Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW). Nestled in gorgeous surroundings in Wraxall, North Somerset, it supports families who face the emotional and physical strain of caring for children who, sadly, are not expected to live into adulthood. It provides a haven, a place where children and their families can be nurtured and cosseted, returning home with renewed vigour and a sense of anticipation for the next visit.

Pat Hobbs from Frome is helping to raise awareness of Charlton Farm as many people are unaware it is the local hospice for

Monday, June 17 marked the beginning of Children’s Hospice Week - the only week in the year dedicated to raising awareness and funds for children’s hospice services across the UK and the seriously ill children and young people they support.

The theme of the week is ‘Moments that matter’ and the local children’s hospice, Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), is showcasing the wealth of special memories made for families supported by the charity.

Melanie Teixeira from Weston-super-Mare and her family have been having respite stays at CHSW’s Charlton Farm for several years. Melanie’s son Arthur

The very special Narnia sensory garden at Children’s Hospice South West’s Little Bridge House has been given a fabulous new look thanks to two talented local craftspeople and a host of generous CHSW supporters.

A stunning new stained-glass mosaic mirror designed and created by Silverton-based glass artist Sue Smith has been installed at the hospice in Fremington.

The colourful mirror is fully water-, rust- and frost-proof and replaces the garden’s original weather-worn Celtic mirror. It was paid for with donations from Barnstaple’s Rotary Shop; Bideford, Barnstaple, Lyn and Holsworthy Lions

One of the longest serving members of staff at Children’s Hospice South West is retiring today (Monday) after nearly a quarter-of-a-century at the charity.

Alison Vogler, senior cook at Little Bridge House, was one of the original care team members when the doors of the hospice opened for the first time in September 1995.

Nearly 24 years later, she will be hanging up her apron after more than two decades providing families at the hospice with delicious home-cooked meals.

“I’ve got mixed emotions about retiring,” admitted Alison, from Sticklepath in Barnstaple.

“I’ve been here a long time and