A HOME FROM HOME
Derian House has been helping seriously ill children and their families from across Lancashire for more than 25 years
The charity helps children with life-limiting illnesses and their families to create happy memories that last a lifetime. It was founded by the Haydock family from Leyland, whose son Derek was suffering from a life-threatening condition and the charity is named after a combination of the names of the Haydock family’s sons – Derek and Ian.
Every year, the hospice gives 400 children and young people respite stays in a fun environment, giving families a much-needed rest. When families come to Derian for respite stays, its nurses take the strain of the medical side of the care, giving them the time and space to just be a family.
At Derian, the staff pride themselves on getting to know the unique needs of every single child and their family, so their individual support needs can be met. Families also love coming to use the hydrotherapy pool, music therapy sessions, playgroup, coffee mornings and pet therapy.
Despite the nature of the work, Derian House is not a sad place, the corridors are full of joy and laughter, as dedicated staff do everything in their power to make sure the children and their families make precious memories together. The charity also provides end-of-life-care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It never closes to those who need it.
More than 50 local families receive bereavement support available for as long as they need it. Last year the charity opened two accessible holiday lodges at Ribby Hall in Wrea Green, to give more than 1,000 people a free week’s holiday every year. Families who would not usually get to holiday together are now able to do so.
In 2019 the hospice underwent a £1.2 million refurbishment to install cutting-edge technology and to make sure the building keeps up with the changing needs of its users now and in the future. The improved building includes a new £100,000 accessible cinema donated by charity Together for Cinema, a huge sensory room and a dedicated play zone.
It costs more than £4 million to run services at Derian House every year and yet less than 10 per cent of this comes from government funding. For the rest, the charity relies on the generous donations of its supporters.
To find out more please visit:
www.derianhouse.co.uk
or check out:
Facebook @derianhouse
Twitter @derianhouse
Instagram @derianhousechildrenshospice
