Demelza Hospice Care for Children
| Demelza Hospice Care for Children | |
|---|---|
 Demelza House Children's Hospice | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Kent, England |
| Organisation | |
| Funding | Non-profit hospital |
| Type | Community |
| Patron | Countess Mountbatten of Burma |
| Services | |
| Emergency department | No |
| Beds | 10 |
| History | |
| Opened | 1998 |
| Links | |
| Lists | Hospitals in England |
Demelza Hospice Care for Children, more commonly referred to as simply Demelza, is a children's hospice and a registered charity (no. 1039561) based in Kent, England, delivering clinical care and emotional support to babies, children and young people facing serious or life-limiting conditions, throughout Kent, South-East London and East Sussex. [1] The charity is named after Demelza Phillips, daughter of founders Derek (c. 1941–2024)[2] and Jennifer Phillips (c. 1940–2001),[3] who died of a brain tumour at the age of 24 and subsequently inspired the creation of the first hospice in Sittingbourne in 1998.[4] Demelza continues to be dedicated to reaching more children and families who need support across the South East of England.
Services
[edit]With two residential hospices in Sittingbourne, Kent and Eltham, South East London, and a community hub in East Sussex, Demelza provides clinical care, symptom and medication management, step-down care and end of life care. Support services include: day care, short breaks, community care, support during pregnancy, family liaison support, sibling support, creative therapies, bereavement services, practical support, transition and memory making. [5]
Supporters
[edit]Demelza is supported by a number of Vice Presidents - celebrity ambassadors who help raise awareness of and funds for Demelza.
These include: actors Daniel Radcliffe and Sally Lindsay, Olympic Gold Medallists Robin Cousins and Jayne Torvill, former England footballer and BBC presenter Gary Lineker, Absolute Radio host Dave Berry), TV presenter and singer Cheryl Baker and broadcast journalist Sir Martyn Lewis.
The holder of the post of Archbishop of Canterbury is also a Vice President. [6][7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Charity overview". Charity Commission.
- ^ "Founder of Demelza children's charity dies at age 83". Civil Society Media. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ "Our History". Demelza. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ "FEATURE: Life-affirming work at an Eltham hospice ahead of 5th birthday". News Shopper.
- ^ "SERVICES:Demelza delivers extraordinary care to extraordinary children who are facing serious or life-limiting conditions, throughout Kent, South East London and East Sussex". Demelza.
- ^ "Annual Accounts 2021-2". Charity Commission.
- ^ "High Profile Supporters". www.demelza.org.uk.