Claire House - Katie & Sarah

In this powerful and moving episode, we’re joined by Sarah from the Claire House Therapies and Wellbeing team and Katie, who shares the story of her beautiful daughter Ava and the incredible support Claire House gave their family, both during Ava’s life and after she sadly passed away. Together, they shine a light on the vital work Claire House does for children and their families, the plans for a full children’s hospice in Liverpool, and why they need the support of the community to make it happen.

About this episode

Claire House Children’s Hospice provides specialist care and support for seriously and terminally ill children, as well as their parents, siblings and wider families.

Sarah shares both her professional and personal connection to this work. As part of the Therapies and Wellbeing team, she supports families throughout some of the most difficult experiences imaginable, with services ranging from counselling and psychotherapy to wider emotional and practical support.

Katie also shares the incredibly personal story of her daughter Ava. After initially developing normally, Ava was diagnosed with the rare condition metachromatic leukodystrophy shortly after turning two. Katie talks openly about how quickly life changed for their family, the support Claire House provided and the way its team helped them continue to create experiences and precious memories together.

She also speaks movingly about Ava’s final days and the care Claire House continued to provide after her death — allowing Katie to concentrate on simply being Ava’s mum at a time when her family needed support the most.

The episode also looks towards the future of Claire House Liverpool.

Plans are underway to transform the charity’s West Derby site into a full 24/7 children’s hospice, bringing specialist care closer to families across Liverpool and the surrounding area. Plans include overnight respite care, end-of-life care, private Butterfly Suites, a hydrotherapy pool, therapeutic spaces and support for the whole family.

But making those plans a reality requires significant ongoing fundraising.

Whether it's making a donation, organising a sponsored walk or bake sale, taking on a challenge, fundraising at work, volunteering or simply sharing the work of Claire House with others, every bit of support can make a difference.

Katie and her family continue to fundraise in Ava’s memory, including an annual walk around the first May bank holiday, raising money to support Claire House and its Butterfly Suite.

Find out more and support Claire House Children’s Hospice:

Claire House website:
https://www.clairehouse.org.uk/

Donate to Claire House:
https://www.clairehouse.org.uk/get-involved/support-us/set-up-a-regular-donation/

Follow Claire House on social media and find out about upcoming fundraising events, volunteering opportunities and ways you can get involved.

Topics in this episode: Claire House Children’s Hospice, Claire House Liverpool, children's hospice care, Liverpool charities, West Derby, palliative care, bereavement support, family support, therapies and wellbeing, metachromatic leukodystrophy, Butterfly Suites, hydrotherapy, respite care, end-of-life care, children's charities and fundraising.