What Francis House Means to Our Families

Emily was given only hours to live before arriving at Francis House one Christmas Eve. Mum and dad James and Jackie had reluctantly accepted hospital advice to switch off her ventilator after further complications to a chronic chest condition.   That was almost seven years ago and Emily is still fighting a courageous battle despite mounting health problems.

“We’d never been introduced to Francis House before and it’s been the best thing that’s ever happened to us,” said Jackie.

“We’d already said our goodbyes to Emily as a family when we came here in 2006 but the hospice was like a rainbow in a very difficult time. We are able to spend time together as a family and have the worries taken off our shoulders. The hospice has been very sensitive to the needs of our family, including our son, who has also received support.” Francis House has 92 paid staff and 89 volunteers and around 240 sick children and their family members in its care at any one time.

James added “Francis House has given us the strength and comfort to be a family without worrying about Emily’s care and made a lifetime of difference in our lives because of all the years we’ve been here.”