October 2024

Expanding our care services to include care for children after death.

My name is Michael and I’m the Chief Nurse here at Bluebell Wood. I want to share with you a story of love, loss, and the incredible impact your support can make. In June, our CEO, Heidi, shared an update about the journey we have been on over the past two years - the progress we've made with our new-look service provision and our continued commitment to support families when they need us most.

I’m really pleased to tell you that after further recruitment and training of nurses, we are now expanding our care services to include something incredibly precious: care for children after death.

What is care after death?

Imagine the unimaginable...losing a child. Now imagine the heartbreak of having to say goodbye too soon, without the time or support to truly cherish those final moments. At Bluebell Wood, we believe that every family deserves the opportunity to say goodbye.

Our care team now provide care for families of babies, children and young people who have died of a life-shortening condition. From 16th September, the hospice opened its doors to these families, offering them the space and time to be with their child after death.

"Care after death is a very special part of what Bluebell Wood does, allowing families to spend precious moments together, creating memories that are specially tailored to the family's needs."

No other organisations locally provide this care in the same way as a children’s hospice. We can make it so families have longer to spend with their child after they have died. Bereaved families can come to the hospice and spend time with their child in our bereavement bedrooms. Our care team can create lasting keepsakes like hand and foot moulds, whilst providing emotional support and assisting with the overwhelming task of funeral arrangements.

This reintroduction of services is all part of our plan as we continue to grow further and recruit the necessary team to enable us to offer end of life care and unplanned symptom management again. We’re hopeful we’ll have more news on this soon.

Taz’s Story

Taz is a bereaved mum who has experienced personal loss and the incredible care at Bluebell Wood. We spoke to Taz about the support the family received from the hospice when her son, Ibraheem, died in 2019. 

“I will be forever grateful to the staff who helped give us amazing memories and knowing that they continue to be there for us is amazing,” said Taz.

Watch Taz's full interview here