Summer holidays - very busy time

We have families booked in to stay who will be enjoying time to be together as a whole family, without the pressure of giving round-the-clock care to their child. This enables parents and siblings to be themselves rather than be nurses and doctors.

When families stay here they are able to experience all the facilities the House has to offer and can enjoy not having to do all the normal chores, including cooking meals and washing up. It is not uncommon to find mums and dads curled up with a good book – something which they just don’t have time for at home.

We also host our Summer BBQ each year during the school break, so preparations are well underway for that.

Some families use the 6-week break to go on day trips and enjoy special time together, other families go away on holiday, safe in the knowledge their child is being cared for at Chestnut Tree House.

We are always extra busy during the summer holidays not only with routine short breaks but also with emergency care, as some children unexpectedly need hospital admissions and additional support.

Sadly, a number of these children may also be being cared for in the last few days of their life.

I would just like to thank the members of staff in the care team in advance for the extra effort they will undoubtedly be putting in over the next few weeks.

Chestnut Tree House, in Dover Lane, Arundel, cares for over 280 children and young adults from 0-25 years of age with progressive life-limiting conditions.

For more information on Chestnut Tree House visit the website www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk