Spring Update 2026

From Francis House CEO Rachael Taylor

Woman wearing a white jumper stood in a lounge at a children's hospice with toys and people in the background

The last year has been a hectic one for us. We have been busy making improvements to Francis House to ensure the hospice environment feels as warm, welcoming and child-friendly as the care we provide.

Families arriving at Francis House are now greeted by a beautiful undersea mural, bringing colour and imagination from the moment they walk through the door.

Along the corridor linking each of our children’s bedrooms, a vibrant rainbow mural now adds a sense of joy for children and families spending time with us.

Together with these creative touches, we have also been able to complete important upgrades to the building itself thanks to a Government grant. We have fitted a new roof to Francis House, new flooring has been installed throughout all the bedrooms. The parents’ flats, where families stay whilst their child is with us for respite care or during end-of-life, have all had a much-needed makeover.

These improvements ensure Francis House continues to be a comfortable and welcoming home-from-home for all our families.

Painted undersea mural of cartoon creatures on a wall

Mural of an undersea world with a smiling shark and colourful sea weed and fish

rainbow mural painted along a wall in a corridor

Young woman placing a teddy bear on a child's bed in a colourful bedroom with painted bug cartoons in the walls

Bedroom with painted cartoon bugs and butterflies on the wall. The bed has a rainbow duvet cover and there is a hoist about the bed

Wall covering made up of textured and coloured materials in the shape of a caterpillar

A snapshot of the care and support we provided in 2025.

435 families supported
2,256 respite nights for children and young people
217 day care sessions (more than doubled)
299 homecare visits to family homes and hospitals (increase of 77%)
142 one to one Seasons sibling support sessions
422 sibling nights
387 bereavement support sessions (increase of 47%)
69 emotional support sessions
192 Rainbow Room nights

Behind every number is a child, a parent, a sibling and a family who have turned to the hospice during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. It is a powerful reminder of the difference that compassionate care – and the continued support of the community – makes every day.

Thank you for being such an important part of the Francis House family.

Rachael