We’re excited to announce that we have been awarded £79,810 by BBC Children in Need to help provide support to children and young people.

The funding from BBC Children in Need has enabled us to welcome a new Children and Young Person’s Support Worker, Lusia Coombes, who provides creative, fun and engaging wellbeing activities for youngsters visiting their loved ones on the Inpatient Unit at Compton Hall. After a successful launch event in February, which saw 15 young people use the service, more sessions and activities are planned.

This includes new Time Out sessions at Compton Care’s Living Well Centre, which gives young people the opportunity to manage their thoughts and feelings while connecting with others who are going through a similar experience.

Lusia has over 25 years’ experience in supporting young people and their families as a youth and community worker for Children’s Services and local charities. As well as supporting children’s emotional and social education, Lusia also has a qualification in counselling support services and has provided counselling for young people in school and via local charities.

Lusia said: “Compton Care has a very special place in my heart following direct experience of my family receiving support from their wonderful staff and volunteers. When I saw the vacancy, I jumped at the opportunity to give something back and offer my skills and experience to supporting children, young people and families engaged in the services offered by Compton Care.

“The charity has always welcomed children and I am looking forward to improving experiences for younger members of patients’ families and offering activities and opportunities to meet other children who are affected by having loved ones needing palliative or end of life care.”

Jenny Warren, Compton Care’s Associate Director of Nursing, said: “With their help, we will achieve our vision to improve family wellbeing by providing children’s activities and individual support, adding to our existing child counselling services.

 

“We’re very excited to welcome Lusia to the team to fulfil this initiative and continue expanding Compton Care’s free services to support those in the local community facing an incurable condition diagnosis and their loved ones.”