Our Work
END OF LIFE CARE
We support families whose child, is end of life. At this stage the family only have them for a very limited time, it may be just a few weeks or days. We are dedicated to making lasting positive memories and enriching lives of the child’s last few weeks. Our Bereavement lead also helps the family to consider choices that they may need to make when their child nears their end of life journey. Our work includes the whole family within their own home.
BEREAVEMENT
5,000 children are bereaved of a close family member annually turning their family life upside down. This is especially true when the death is sudden.
Bereavement work is vital for these families throughout their grief journey. This is why the bereavement lead offers one-to-one work with children and young adults who has been bereaved of a sibling or a parent, The bereavement lead also works with children and young adults who has had a traumatic bereavement like suicide or who has had several bereavements within a short space of time. Groups for children and young adults are run during the school holidays which allows the bereaved children to share their experiences of their grief journey with their peers in a safe and nurturing environment.
Our bereavement lead also offers parents who has experienced a loss of their Child one to one work, making sure they are emotionally supported within their grief journey. Parents also have access to our bereaved parents’ group, this allows them to talk with other parents who has lost a child, a child bereavement is a very lonely experience as no parent should ever bury their child.
Our annual Memory Day brings together families of Enfield who has had a child die. Within the memory day we celebrate the child’s life and allow time to reflect and remember every one of their children.
Our bereavement work is for as long as the family’s need our support
PLAY THERAPY
There are approximately 49,000 children and young people, diagnosed with a life- limiting condition every year in the UK.
Little Sparks Enfield works with children who have complex medical conditions, or who are deemed as having a short life expectancy. Their access to activities can be very limited; something that other children may take for granted.
The health play specialist and nursery nurse providing one to one specialist Play/Respite for children and their families age 0-19 within their own home. This allows the family a chance to have a break from caring for the sick child or carry out daily tasks we take for granted like shopping. We also provide specialist play therapy for children who are going through cancer treatment and need support with understanding what is happing to them. The Health Play Specialist also offers distraction and pre and post procedural play.
Siblings of these children can also feel isolated. Little Sparks Enfield offers a safe space for them to talk and feel included and express themselves through play and craft activities this could be on a one to one or at one of our sibling groups we run during the school holidays.
Family’s parties and outing
Our Specialised events are tailor made for children and families and their individual needs.
This is a very important part of our service as this allows the families to have fun time together and make memory’s regardless of age or ability of their child, as a lot of our children have medical equipment, they can’t access these things like we can on a day-to-day basis.