Hospital support

Our friendly Family Support Workers work on the paediatric haematology and oncology wards and day unit at Leeds Children's Hospital and in radiotherapy at St James’ Hospital.

They provide practical and emotional support to families six days a week from 7:30am-7:30pm Monday-Friday and 8:30am-4pm on Saturdays at Leeds Children’s Hospital and visit St James’ regularly. Our Family Support Workers take the time to get to know patients and families and help however they can. From entertaining children so parents and carers can get a shower or fresh air to offering a brew and a listening ear, our team are there for you. The team also work closely alongside medical professionals to design activities to support a child’s treatment or well-being, like games to encourage movement if a patient has spent a long time in their bed.

They also have lots of information on the other support we offer so if you have any questions about additional support, the people in pink will be happy to help.

Our Youth Activity Coordinator, Chelsey, works on the teenage haematology and oncology ward at the hospital, supporting young people aged 13-19. She helps organise tailored activities for teenagers staying in hospital who have different needs and interests to younger children. This helps keep young people entertained and engaged, reducing isolation and taking care of their wellbeing. You can spot Chelsey around the hospital in her bright green t-shirt!

Dinner Supervisor Elaine is on hand to encourage children to eat and ensure they can get the food they want, even outside standard hospital mealtimes. Elaine has fun and creative ways to help patients get the nourishment they need especially if treatment has affected their tastebuds or eating habits.

Outside the hospital, we fund other roles to help families, like outreach play specialists and researchers.

The Candlelighters Pavilion is a building located outside Ward 31 at Leeds Children’s Hospital. It has a much homelier feel than the typical clinical environment and is a space where children and families can come to get away from the hustle and bustle of the ward.

The Pavilion helps families get a break from the ward without leaving the safety of the hospital. Relax on the sofas and watch a movie, play games, or take part in the events and activities regularly hosted by our Family Support Workers. Children and families staying on Ward 31, 32 and 33 are welcome to use the pavilion, providing they are able to move around freely and aren’t currently in isolation. The Pavilion also has an outdoor space for activities and fresh air!

Children in hospital shouldn’t miss out on seasonal fun so we make sure important holidays, awareness days and celebrations are all marked with entertaining activities and events. From Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to World Chocolate Day, there’s always something exciting to look forward to.

We regularly host our own activities to bring some fun and excitement to the hospital too. We’ve had spa days, tea parties, and movie nights to name just a few! Activities like these provide a welcome distraction to hospital life and allow patients and their parents and carers some time to enjoy themselves.

Travelling to hospital from places further afield can add extra strain. We can provide emergency accommodation close to the hospital to save on fuel, keep families together, and remove one additional worry. The Candlelighters Cottage is just a short walk from Leeds Children's Hospital and can house up to four families while their child receives treatment for up to eight weeks. We also provide funding to Eckersley House opposite the hospital, who provide accommodation for the entire children's hospital, to ensure our families always have somewhere to stay if they need it.

Eating nutritious food while staying in hospital can be challenging and expensive. Champ’s pantry at The Square is stocked with healthy ready meals, dried and tinned foods, fresh fruit and lots more. Parents and carers of children receiving inpatient treatment for cancer at Leeds Children’s Hospital can take what they need. Stock is limited so please only take what you need for the day. You can visit Champ’s pantry daily if needed during your hospital stay.

Some families may be in hospital for a significant amount of time, and we want to make that difficult time a little easier. We help with the day-to-day running of the wards and clinic, providing refreshments for parents and play materials for patients and siblings – small things which make a big difference.

And we also help with additional resources, big and small. We’ve funded everything from recliner chairs and bedside TVs to an interactive projector and décor for the walls to improve the hospital experience and allow families to focus on the important things.

From birthday boxes to new family bags the list of little extras is long and varied!