The funding announced yesterday (Thursday 25 September) will allow CHAS to support young people from the age of 17 and 18 years old through a three year process as they move from children’s hospice services to adult care provision that is more appropriate to their individual needs.
Maria McGill, Chief Executive of Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), said:
“We are delighted to have been awarded this funding. It will allow us to put in a place a dedicated team that will work with and support young people and their families on an individualised basis, looking at their needs, as well as their ambitions as they move from CHAS to new care provision more suited to adults.
“The team will ensure that each young person has an individual care package that best supports them and their needs, as well as their families and ensure they experience a positive transition.
“The funding allows CHAS to be with the young people during the process, helping to explain changes to care provision and supporting them as appropriate.”
‘A specially tailored package of support’
CHAS is the only charity providing hospice services in Scotland for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions. The charity cares for over 350 families every year through its dedicated CHAS at Home teams in Aberdeen and Inverness and at its two hospices Rachel House and Robin House.
The funding will support a transition manager, two transition workers (one based at Rachel House and one at Robin House) and a part-time admin support assistant. The team will work alongside each young person and their families, as well as relevant statutory and voluntary agencies, on an individualised basis, to help them find an individual care package that best supports their needs, whether that is continued access to respite care or attending further education.
Announcing today’s funding, Big Lottery Fund, Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn, said: “Our Investing in Communities programme aims to bring real improvements to people and communities most in need. With this award, CHAS will provide a specially tailored package of support to young people and their families.
“The support, which can be made available for up to three years, will assist with making decisions about their care and also addressing their aspirations and goals. This is a wonderful example of a project making a positive difference to people at important points in their lives. And it is one which we are proud to support.”
Robert Watson, 29 years old from Renfrew, has received support from CHAS for 17 years. He said:
“Whilst the start of the Transition Team’s work means the beginning of the countdown to the deadline when we will no longer be able to use CHAS’s services, I am hopeful they will be able to help support us in finding somewhere suitable to move on to.”
Watch a recent ehospice interview with CHAS Chief Executive, Maria McGill.
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