03 Leading the way in specialist hospice care for children and young adults Playing our part...


Since opening Helen House in 1982 and Douglas House in 2004, we are now seeing increasing numbers of children and young adults who are surviving longer with complex, acute and unstable medical needs and often with changing prognoses. As an organisation we still provide short breaks and embrace a holistic family approach, but we are also developing our ability to look after patients when they are acutely ill. We are all playing our part in the care of children and young adults by offering a service that offers specialist palliative care, as well as embracing young people’s social, educational and spiritual needs.


This review of the year, ending 31 March 2010, reports on the second year of our 2008-2012 strategic plan, focused on giving choice to the young people who we look after and their families. After developing the world’s first hospice of its kind, we are most definitely still learning, but the benefit of being a pioneering organisation is that we can share what we have learnt, hosting visits from Russia, Sweden, Spain, Ireland and Japan. We all have a part to play in ensuring that children and young adults with life-shortening conditions around the world receive the best care possible in the most appropriate environments.


‘We are all playing our part in the care of children and young adults by providing a service that offers specialist palliative care, as well as embracing young


people’s social, educational and spiritual needs.’ Tom Hill, Chief Executive


We could not do this alone, and want to thank every single one of you who gives your time, your commitment, your friendship and your help to support the families of Helen & Douglas House. Thank you.


Who we are...


Helen & Douglas House has the time and expertise to care for young people with very complex needs and give support to their families. The two hospice houses offer specialist medically supported short breaks and end-of-life care, as well as counselling and practical support for the whole family.


Tom Hill MA FCA DipChA Chief Executive


Our aim is to help every young person – aged from birth to 35 – to live life to the full... even when that life is short.


Helen & Douglas House Playing our part Annual Review 2009/2010


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