For some of the families that are supported by Claire House, coming in for respite is not what they necessarily need right now. That is where our day care service comes in.
Families can come to our Wirral or Liverpool sites, or the team can visit a family’s home. Whilst there, the Claire House team will look after all of the medical needs of the child, while making sure they, and their family if present, enjoy some fun activities.
Tamara, whose daughter Aurora receives sessions at home, said: “Aurora always loves her day care sessions. The Claire House team always come with lots of activities; story time, painting, messy play which Aurora loves! As a mum, it gives me a chance to talk and voice my concerns about Aurora and the team always listen and give great advice.”
Speaking from the day care service team, Claire Jones, Care Coordination Team Lead, said: “We have some families who are a little wary about leaving their child for respite initially. Day care offers a nice introduction to Claire House and is a great way to meet the team and build relationships.”
Families ask for day care for many different reasons, whether it be to spend time with their other child or children, attend meetings or appointments, get some sleep or even tidy their house.
“The biggest difference many families have said is that they get to spend time with their other children,” says Claire.
“Parents can have days out they often cannot do because it would usually mean having to bring all the equipment their seriously ill child needs, as well as having to stop for feeds. But on day care days, these days are all about the siblings.”
Claire, whose son Max comes to Claire House for his sessions, said: “When Max goes for day care sessions, it means I can spend some quality one-to-one time with my young daughter. The last time we took our dog Roey to the dog park while Max was enjoying time with other children.”
For the families we support, the day care service provides the reassurance of someone they can trust.
Claire continues: “Because it is monthly, we are getting to see these families regularly, and we build up a relationship so they know they can rely on us.”
As a result of the day care service and building a trust with Claire House, the hospice has found that some families who were initially reluctant to leave their child for a respite day have found it easier to do so.
