On Tuesday 25 April, as part of its generous £1million donation, the 64 Trust and boxer Paul Smith opened Claire House Children’s Hospices new therapy rooms at its site in West Derby, Liverpool.
The rooms will allow the charity to offer complementary therapies to seriously and terminally ill children and their families from around the region.
Paul Smith said, “It was great to be invited here this morning and see the great work that is being done by Claire House and the 64 Trust. I enjoyed chatting with some of the therapists about the work they do and how it can have a big impact on the families who visit the hospice.”
From the new rooms a highly qualified team of therapists will offer a wide range of complementary therapies including: aromatherapy, massage, reflexology, reiki, and crystal healing.
Complementary therapies can be used alongside conventional medical treatment to help the children and families who come to the hospice. As well as helping children affected by a wide range of health challenges such as pain, muscle fatigue, poor sleeping and nausea, they can help with relaxation and a general sense of well-being. The therapists can also teach parents and carers simple relaxation routines they can use with their own children.
John Nelson from the 64 Trust said, “It is amazing to see the therapy rooms finished. We know that is going to make a big difference to seriously ill children in Merseyside and beyond and we are really proud to have helped turned an idea into a reality.”
David Pastor said, “The money the 64 Trust has given us will go on helping children and families at some of the toughest times of their lives. The therapy rooms are part of our plans to develop our facilities at our site in Liverpool, where we one day hope to develop a full hospice offering round the clock care to children who desperately need us.”
As well as complementary therapies the charity currently offers day care, clinics, play and music sessions, and counselling from its site in West Derby.
On top of funding the therapy rooms, the £1millioin donation from the 64 Trust is being spent on:
- Building up the nursing team by creating five new posts and sustaining our existing respite and nursing service
- Refurbishing the Hydrotherapy Pool at Claire House Wirral
- Antenatal classes to support expectant parents through a pregnancy that is likely to result in their child having complex needs or sadly surviving for just a short period of time
- Improving equipment, such as providing nurses with new tablets and the complementary therapies team with new materials
Main image: (L-R) Kate Tosney from Claire House, with John Nelson from 64 Trust, and boxer Paul Smith – courtesy of Claire House
Other images: www.fotopiaimages.com
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