Family hub
When a child has a life-shortening or life-threatening condition, it affects everyone who loves them. Our support team is here for the whole family, with emotional, practical and social support, shaped around what each family needs.
Support for the whole family
No two families are the same, so our support is never one-size-fits-all. Our family support team takes the time to get to know each family, understand what they’re going through and find the help that’s right for them, whether that’s a listening ear, practical guidance or connecting them with others who understand.
Emotional support runs through everything we do. We’re here to help families talk about their hopes, fears and worries, and to feel supported in the decisions they make about their child’s care. And our support doesn’t end when a child dies. We continue to support families through bereavement and grief, with support shaped around their individual needs.
The people behind our support
Families are supported by a dedicated team, including family support nurses, family support workers, a social worker and community cultural workers. Between them, they bring together a wide range of skills and experience, from clinical knowledge to practical and emotional expertise.
What matters most, though, is the relationships they build. Our team takes the time to really know the families they work with, so support comes from a familiar, trusted face rather than a stranger. It’s a source of reassurance that families can turn to the same people, again and again, however things change.
The support we offer
Depending on what a family needs, our support can include:
- One-to-one youth work for young people
- One-to-one sibling support for brothers and sisters
- Spiritual support, whatever a family’s beliefs
- Cultural support from our community cultural workers
- Play with our play specialist
- Social work and practical guidance
- Access to therapies, including music, complementary therapy, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and counselling
For some families, this is occasional support at key moments. For others, it’s more intensive, with a family support worker or nurse working towards specific goals alongside them. Whatever the level, it’s always built around the family.
Fundraise for Rainbows
Run, bake, skydive or organise your own event. Whatever you love doing, you can do it for Rainbows. Discover fundraising ideas and find your next challenge.
Got a fundraising idea of your own? Whether it’s a coffee morning, a quiz or a sponsored skydive, we’ll help you make it a success. Register your event and we’ll send everything you need.
For just £1 a week, our weekly lottery gives you the chance to win a cash prize while helping care for local children and families. Play today and you could be our next winner.
Here to help your family
If you think Rainbows could support a baby, child or young person you know, we’d love to hear from you. Referrals come through a healthcare professional, such as a GP, consultant or community nurse, so a good first step is to speak to someone already involved in the child’s care. If you’re not sure where to start, get in touch and we’ll help point you in the right direction.