Charity of the year winners, Chestnut Tree House

Chestnut Tree House is the children’s hospice for Sussex and South East Hampshire. Thanks to support from the local community children and families who know they don’t have long together have the chance to live life to the full and say goodbye in the way that is right for them.

On a visit to Chestnut Tree House, kids can be astronauts for the day in the multi-sensory room, discover creepy crawlies on a woodland walk, or form their very own pop group in the music room. It is a place where parents can just be parents, and not carers, and where siblings have people to talk to who understand.

As well as care provided at the House, there is a Community Nursing Team who visit families at home, taking children out to explore their local community or simply giving tired families and carers the chance to take a well-earned break.

Then, when the time comes, Chestnut Tree House helps families say goodbye, in whatever way feels right for them, at home or in the hospice itself. They offer ongoing bereavement support for the whole family.

The generosity of individuals and businesses in the local community makes this happen. Very little of the £4.6 million needed every year to provide hospice care for local children comes from central government. The majority comes from donations, fundraising, gifts in Wills, shops and the Chestnut Tree House lottery.

“When the pandemic hit last March, of course we were concerned,” explains Alison Taylor, Corporate Fundraising Manager at Chestnut Tree House. “Events were cancelled, shops closed and fundraising as we knew it was not possible. And all of this at a time when we knew our children and families would need care and support more than ever.

“But we have been blown away by our incredible supporters who have adapted and continued to fundraise, ensuring that our dedicated care team can continue providing vital care to children and families – now and in the future.

“We’re incredibly grateful to receive this ‘Charity of the Year’ award, but ultimately, we are only able to care for the children, young people and families who need us because of your support. So, on behalf of everyone at Chestnut Tree House – thank you! You make children’s hospice care possible, helping families like Zac’s to make precious memories to last a lifetime.”

Zac’s story

Three-year-old Zac was born with Semilobar Holoprosencephaly an abnormality of brain development in which his brain doesn’t properly divide into the right and left hemispheres, resulting in severe complex needs and a life-shortening condition.

“We were given this diagnosis at our 20-week scan and we were shortly referred to Chestnut Tree House, our local children’s hospice” says Dad, Adam.

“When I was about 24-weeks pregnant we visited Chestnut Tree House for the first time,” says Mum, Dawn. “You hear the word ‘hospice’ and you get frightened; you think of a sad and gloomy hospital setting. But it’s not like that, we walked in and it instantly felt like a home away from home, it was amazing. We stayed for dinner, had a swim with the boys, it is such an amazing place.

“When Zac was about six months old, we had our first community visit from Chestnut Tree House. It’s our only chance to relax and not to worry, sometimes we go out to the cinema, or for dinner – it’s the only time Adam and I can eat together.”

As well as community visits, the family also visit Chestnut Tree House for respite care. “We all stay together at Chestnut Tree House, it’s like a little holiday for us where we can have precious family time. Zac is so happy to visit the House, when we drive there, he knows where he is going and you can see he just gets so excited, he’s so happy when he is there.”

One of the family’s favourite things to do at Chestnut Tree House is to visit for the activity days. “We’ve met amazing animals, a bubble-pop man, been to a medieval day, made some furry friends – Zac loves it, the boys love it, and we just love watching them all make amazing memories together.”

When asked what life would be like without Chestnut Tree House, Dawn said “I wouldn’t even want to think about it. It has been life-changing in so many ways. Our lives would be very, very different without Chestnut Tree House.”

From helping families spend precious time together to supporting them through some of their toughest times, every pound you or your business raise or donate to Chestnut Tree House will make a big difference.

Your support means that children and young people with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions across Sussex get the care and support they need. Families just like Zac’s.

To find out more, visit www.chestnut.org.uk or email hello@chestnut.org.uk.