Palliative and end-of-life care for children with life-shortening conditions
When a child’s life is going to be short, every moment matters. Our palliative and end-of-life care brings comfort, dignity and gentle expert support, for the child and for everyone who loves them. Whatever lies ahead, no family faces it alone.
Here for the whole family
Children’s palliative care is about helping a child live as fully and comfortably as possible, for as long as possible. It can begin at any stage, alongside other treatment, and it continues through to the end of life and beyond.
Our team is here to ease pain and difficult symptoms, to support families with the decisions ahead, and to make sure precious time together is as peaceful as it can be. This care can take place at our hospice, in hospital or at home, wherever feels right for the family.
And our support doesn’t end when a child dies. We’re here for as long as families need us, in the days, months and years that follow.
How we can help
As well as caring for families supported by Rainbows, we share our specialist expertise with healthcare professionals caring for babies, children and young people across the East Midlands. Our Single Point of Contact service is one of the ways we do that.
When a child dies, families need time, and a safe, gentle space in which to grieve. Our care doesn’t end when a child’s life does. In the days and the long months that follow, we’re here for the whole family.
To lose a child however short or long our relationship has been, can leave us feeling incomplete and unable to face the future. We are committed to providing long term bereavement support to the whole family.
Remembering a child is a deeply personal thing, and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. At Rainbows, we offer families gentle ways to remember and honour their child, and to find comfort in the company of others who understand.
Rainbows couldn’t change what we were going through but it could put a soothing balm around it. I also think she chose Rainbows for us. She knew we could all be together and she knew we would be looked after.
We’re here whenever you need us
If you’d like to talk to someone, our team is here to listen and help. Please get in touch and we’ll do everything we can to support you.