In September 2020, we said goodbye to our eldest daughter, who had bravely held on to life for eleven years.  This was a sad, lonely time but what followed, transformed our early bereavement.

As I stood in a hospital ward, explaining Ella’s worsening condition to a lovely nurse from Charlton Farm Children’s hospice, who I had recently been in contact with about post-hospital recovery support, she then asked me if I had considered the possibility of Ella spending her last hours at the hospice.

Within a few hours, with the support of a wonderful ambulance team - some of whom had transported Ella to intensive care on previous occasions - we descended towards the hospice.  The journey was made even more special by the sunlight that poured through the side of the ambulance when entering the drive to the hospice, whilst our child lay quietly, intervention keeping her with us for a little longer.

Over the next few days, we were supported as a family and helped with discussions about official documents and funeral arrangements.  We were also given space to reflect, as a family, in the beautiful tranquil surroundings.

We received so much when we most needed it and would like to acknowledge the lasting gift we were given over a week in September, three years ago, the gift of a meaningful ending to a fragile life.

My husband graduated a month before Ella’s death and wrote a poem in her memory for the funeral -  he says that he will probably never finish the poem because it is too painful, but we have put the most recent draft up on my Wellbeing website, in the hope that it gives some comfort to other parents who have lost children and to say thank you to Charlton Farm Childrens Hospice.

These are difficult times for people, however, if you are looking for a good cause, perhaps our experience will help you to understand how Charlton Farm Children’s hospice has supported families like ours.

Thank you.

If you require bereavement or wellbeing support, please reach out and I will be happy to talk through the services I can offer.

 Love

Louise Dicks xx