INSIDE THIS ISSUE
4 Where Sophie Shines
Meet parents Pearl and Mark, who share how Claire House is a playground of independence and a safe place for their daughter Sophie.
8 Coping with grief through play
For the siblings of children who could soon be, or are, receiving end of life care, navigating feelings you’ve never had before is difficult and scary. Find out how Claire House is able to offer them emotional support through play.
10 Continuing care for Keely
See how a new partnership between Claire House and Wirral Hospice St John’s is changing how young adults like Keely make the move from a children’s hospice to adult services.
14 Our House News
Catch up on the latest news from your local children’s hospice.
16 Mother Butter Chicken
Founder of Mowgli Street Food and Claire House supporter, Nisha Katona, shares one of her favourite Indian dishes with Our House readers.
18 Fun & games
Grab a cuppa and challenge yourself with our fun-filled games and riddle!
20 A lottery played, a legacy left
Claire House Lottery player Tom shares the heartfelt reason he’s including a charity gift in his Will.
22 Leave a lasting legacy
Read how you can provide peace of mind for your family and the families of local children.
WELCOME TO OUR HOUSE
Hi everyone,
I’m Sharon, and I’m delighted to welcome you to the Autumn 2025 edition of Our House magazine.
This issue is extra special because my daughter Keely is on the front cover. Keely is a beacon of joy and positivity, living life to the fullest despite her complex needs. Thanks to the incredible support from people like you, the hospice has been there for our family for over 15 years. Through every high and low, they’ve stood by our side. Now, as Keely transitions to adult care at 24, Claire House continues to guide us.
Over the past few months, there’s been so much happening at Claire House, and it’s all because of your support. The hospice couldn’t provide love and care to families like mine without your help. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Our House.
With love, Sharon
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this edition of Our House. In particular, the Claire House families featured.
Editor Jessica Arnell
Jessica.arnell@clairehouse.org.uk
Contributors
Tina Miles, Laura Kelly, Megan Oldham and Hannah Shannon
Photography: Kc-Imaging, Playmaker.Studio
Design and layout
creativedesignwork.co.uk
Claire House Children’s Hospice Clatterbridge Road, Bebington, CH63 4JD 0151 343 0883 clairehhouse.org.uk
Registered charity number 1004058 Company number 02620240
where sophie shines
For
nine-year-old Sophie,
Claire
House Children’s Hospice is her playground of independence. For her mum Pearl and dad Mark, it’s a safe place where their sassy daughter can be herself.
“Claire House is a place I get to come and cause a lot of trouble,” shares Sophie, from West Derby, Liverpool. “You get to do things you can’t do at home because your parents say no!”
“Sophie is such a sassy little girl,” says mum Pearl. “But she has a lot of physical and medical challenges.”
Sophie was born with Infantile Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic condition that causes muscle weakness. This means Sophie is unable to walk and uses a wheelchair, as well as requiring 24hour care.
“For the first couple of years, Sophie spent a lot of time in hospital,” says Pearl. “She would get very poorly.
“And we found we didn’t have much support. Sophie couldn’t go to nursery like other children, so she was always with us.”
As Sophie grew, she spent time at Zoe’s Place Liverpool before coming to Claire House after she reached their age limit.
At Claire House, Sophie enjoys day care sessions filled with activities and trips, all under the care of a dedicated team. Her family also receives support and help understanding her condition.
“When people hear the word ‘hospice’, they quite often think the worst,” shares dad Mark, “but Claire House is a home, it’s a safe place for us all.
“When Sophie is there, she gets to be independent from us, while we know that all of her medical needs are being taken care of.
“Sophie doesn’t like to be told no, so she can get really frustrated when she can’t do something.”
Sophie’s condition means that she requires monitoring and supervision and requires extra support to move around safely.
“All Sophie wants is to be included,” says Mark. “And we know that when she comes to Claire House it is a break away from our normal family routine for her. Here, she is safe and accepted, and it is somewhere fun for her.”
“I love getting up to arts and crafts when I come to Claire House and getting to play hide and seek,” says Sophie. “I get to choose what I want to do.”
“Here, she is safe and accepted, and it is somewhere fun for her.”
For Pearl and Mark, when Sophie comes to Claire House’s West Derby site it means they can spend time with Sophie’s older sister, Amelia.
“It can feel like a lot of our time is given to Sophie,” shares Pearl. “She has a lot of hospital appointments and if she gets unwell, we cannot do much with Amelia.
“But when Sophie comes to Claire House, we can go and do the things and activities that Amelia usually wouldn’t get to do. Without the hospice, we would not get that opportunity.”
Alongside coming for day care, Sophie and her family enjoy family splash sessions in the hydrotherapy pool at the hospice’s Wirral site.
“Sophie loves being in the hydrotherapy pool,” says Pearl.
“Some days Sophie wakes up and says ‘When can I walk, Mummy?’. Although Sophie cannot walk, the pool at Claire House is the one place where she feels like she can.
“It’s great to go as a family, as we can’t take Sophie to normal swimming pools, they are just too cold.”
“I love going to family splash,” shares Sophie. “I get to splash, play on the net raft and just spend time with mum, dad and Amelia.”
“The hydrotherapy pool is somewhere we can just spend time together as a family and Sophie can feel like any other child,” says Pearl.
Claire House has been there for the family since Sophie was six years old and will
continue to support them for as long as they need.
“Thank you is not enough,” shares Mark.
“People use thank you all the time and it’s not big enough for what Claire House have done for us, it doesn’t capture what it means to be as thankful as we are to them.
“The admiration we have for the people who support these places, it really is a gift that they give us.”
£60 could pay for sessions in our hydrotherapy pool
sophie with dad mark and mum pearl
Coping with grief through play
Meet Sophie Jenkins, our Palliative Care Activities and Family Support Worker…
In my role, I do everything from planning Christmas and birthday parties, to arranging sibling events and helping with memory and memento making.
I work with families who could soon be, or are, receiving end of life care, helping them to understand the grieving process.
Initially, we offer siblings six sessions, then hopefully they feel confident to move on to one of our groups, such as Sibling Connect. But every case is different. I’m also hoping to start a Mini Siblings group.
When I meet children before their sibling dies, I help prepare them for what’s ahead and the changes at home. I offer coping strategies, a toolbox they can turn to when they need support. And they can ask questions.
I stay in touch after meeting a child – I don’t just disappear. The relationships are precious.
Sessions are adapted for different ages. With children aged nought to three, they are based around play. We also do visits out. From four onwards, it is still playbased, while thinking about losing a loved one. We look at stories and help parents learn ways to support their children.
From age seven, we teach self-regulation. Exploring emotions, they learn to understand their feelings and know who they can turn to.
It’s harder with children and young adults over 14. So again, it’s about being there for them.
I sometimes work in hospitals, like Arrowe Park. But I do most of my work in schools because it's where children feel comfortable. For home visits, I try to take them out.
I took one girl who lost two siblings to Nanny Sharon’s Alpaca Farm. She wanted to see the alpacas, and animals are therapeutic. She smiled all day!
Navigating feelings you’ve never had before is difficult and scary. It’s taken me years since my mum died to be able to support other people going through loss.
You can use your grief to support others and move you forward. But it takes time and that’s okay. We’ll be there for them along the way.
£156 could fund six 1:1 play sessions for a child
For Keely’s family, the move from children’s hospice to adult services feels daunting. But a new partnership between Claire House and Wirral Hospice St John’s is changing how young adults make that transition.
For families supported by Claire House, moving from a children’s hospice to adult care at the age of 25 can be daunting. It often means new doctors in unfamiliar settings who don’t fully know the young person’s history and needs.
“Thanks to medical advances, we are now seeing that some of the children Claire House cares for are living longer. To ensure they continue receiving the care and support they need when they are discharged from Claire House at 25, we now collaborate with adult services,” explains Louise Smith, Young Adult Palliative Care Nurse Specialist at Claire House.
Lou works as part of a dedicated team to ensure young adults needing ongoing palliative care are referred to their local adult hospice. Claire House and Wirral Hospice St John’s have partnered to provide guidance, support, and advocacy.
“The thought of not having Claire House was scary,” says Sharon, Keely’s mum. “We felt lost until Lou from Claire House explained the transition service and introduced us to Dr Claire.”
Dr Claire McNamee, a Palliative Medicine Doctor at Wirral Hospice St John’s, explains: “In children’s services, care is usually overseen by one consultant. In adult care, families meet a whole new team, which can be overwhelming.”
Claire House prepares young adults and their families for the transition between children’s and adult services over a period of three to five years.
“We help families get to know their adult team while having the security of their
“We felt lost until Lou from Claire House explained the transition service and introduced us to Dr Claire.”
children’s team too. It means when they are discharged from Claire House, they have a relationship with their local adult hospice, which can support and advise them,” says Lou.
Keely, now 23, has been supported by Claire House for more than 15 years. Diagnosed with Rett syndrome at age six, she is nonverbal and requires 24-hour care.
“Despite her complex needs, Keely is happy and lives life to the full. She enjoys respite stays at Claire House. When she’s not there, the team is always a phone call away. So, we have worried about losing them,” says Sharon.
For the past four years, Keely’s family has also built a relationship with Wirral Hospice St John’s.
To support families during the transition, the two hospices offer joint clinics. “These clinics offer the knowledge, skills and experience from adult palliative care, with the skills that we bring from a children’s palliative care point of view. We often bring knowledge around childhood conditions,
“We open the doors to families who may have previously had a different understanding of what adult hospices offer.”
which we are now seeing more commonly in adult services thanks to medical intervention,” explains Lou.
For Sharon, the joint clinics, held at Wirral Hospice St John’s, came at a time when Keely’s health declined.
“Without both hospices, I wouldn’t have known what to do. We went through Keely’s symptoms and collaboratively put together a plan to manage her condition,” says Sharon.
“Initially, I didn’t understand what an adult hospice did. I knew they provided end of life care, but they offer so much more, like the clinics, therapies and parent support groups.”
Dr Claire says the clinics help break down misconceptions. “We open the doors to families who may have previously had a different understanding of what adult hospices offer and make the setting comfortable. For example, Keely likes to
move around, so we use a spacious room for longer appointments.”
Sharon adds: “We know we are in safe hands. I feel Dr Claire knows us as good as anyone ever has. For now, Keely enjoys her stays at Claire House, but I’m not worried anymore. I know when Keely is discharged, we have adult services to take care of us.”
£29 could fund an hour of specialist nursing care
keely with dr claire (left) and lou (right)
Celebrating 320 years of dedication
In May, Claire House celebrated an incredible milestone in volunteering.
We recognised 39 amazing volunteers who have reached five, 10, 15, 20 or 25 years of service, contributing a combined total of 320 years of dedication.
These individuals play a vital role across Claire House, helping with everything from our shops and fundraising to our gardens and events. To honour their commitment, we hosted a special celebration at the hospice. The event was filled with laughter, heartfelt stories, and well-deserved appreciation for those who give their time so generously.
One of our volunteers, Michelle, said “Volunteering has given me purpose, connection, and a way to use my skills for good. It’s a reminder that small acts of kindness can make a difference.”
If you’re interested in volunteering at Claire House, please visit clairehouse.org.uk to see the roles we have available.
Garden of hope
For the past seven years, Anne and Mike Haynes have welcomed neighbours, family and friends into their back garden for their annual party.
Each year, around 150 guests attend the ticketed event to enjoy food, drinks and musical performances all while supporting Claire House.
The parties have raised over £37,000 for the hospice in memory of their baby granddaughter, Millie. "When Millie passed away, it came as a complete shock. We didn’t know what to do, but the Butterfly Team at Claire House picked us up and wrapped their arms around us," Anne recalls. Millie was cared for in the Butterfly Suite, surrounded by her family. "For us, they took what was a tragic time and made it beautiful. That’s why we’ve done our garden parties, so that any other family that needs Claire House can get the same care and support we did," says Anne.
Marathon marvels raise over £50,000
Twenty-two amazing supporters pulled on their running shoes and took on the London Marathon for Claire House.
Together, they’ve raised an incredible £54,975! That put us in the top 10% of fundraising charities taking part!
Some ran in memory of loved ones, others for their children or grandchildren who we support. But every one of them gave their all.
anne and mike haynes
celebrating our volunteers
Yoga teacher Katie Frain, who fundraised in memory of her baby boy, said: “I was honoured to be a part of Claire House’s London Marathon team.
"It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to be a part of an iconic event and do it all for Aubrey.”
Student Olivia Ruston, 20, also took on the 26.2 mile challenge for our hospice, which supports her sister Jess, 19.
A Day to Remember
When Esther and John renewed their wedding vows on 1 June, it was made extra special by Claire House.
Their seriously ill son Ronnie, two, was able to be there, smiling beside them, thanks to members of our care team.
They managed Ronnie’s care on the big day, allowing mum Esther and dad John to soak in every moment, worry-free.
“Having Ronnie there meant the world to us,” said Esther from Thornton. “We’re
forever grateful to Siobhan and Amy for bringing Ronnie to the ceremony.”
The happy couple celebrated at The Lake House in Waterloo, Liverpool in front of 70 guests including Ronnie and big brother Eddie, 10, who was best man.
It was a day of laughter, happy tears, and unforgettable memories.
Claire House Cocktail
A group of bereaved Claire House mums were invited to El Gato Negro Tapas on Castle Street in Liverpool to celebrate the launch of a new cocktail in aid of the hospice.
The mums spent the afternoon recreating classic cocktails in a Cocktail Masterclass before creating the 'Claire House Cocktail'.
The cocktail, which launched in June, is made with the colours of Claire House; pink and blue, and features their signature rice paper topper in the shape of a butterfly.
For every cocktail sold £1, will be donated to the hospice, helping to support seriously and terminally ill babies, children and young adults and their families.
Mum, Tia, shared: “My favourite part was toasting the new Claire House cocktail to my little boy Dennis and the other angels of the other mums."
The Claire House Cocktail will be available at El Gato Negro Tapas until the end of summer.
claire house mum katie
esther and john with sons ronnie and eddie
Tia, katie and emma
mother butter chicken
Founder of Mowgli Street Food and Claire House supporter Nisha Katona shares one of her favourite Indian dishes with Our House readers.
“This is a Mowgli favourite. What makes it so addictive is the tang of the tandoori dressing marinade. I only make this when we have guests, otherwise the uncompromising aromas waft up the drive and can frighten the neighbours” shares Nisha. Here, we share the simple steps to making this delicious dish.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Serves: 4-6
5 tbsp vegetable oil
2 large white onions, cut in half and thinly sliced
5cm/2 inch piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and grated
6 garlic cloves, grated
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
½ tsp ground cardamom
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground fenugreek
½ tsp ground turmeric
¼ tsp chilli powder
2 tbsp tomato puree / paste
400g canned chopped tomatoes
5 tbsp Greek-style yogurt
2 tbsp tandoori masala
500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into 5cm/2 inch cubes
2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
80g butter
1. Put the oil in a large heavy pan and set over a medium-high heat. When hot add diced onions, ginger and garlic, and fry for 8 minutes or until the onions have softened and turned golden brown.
2. Turn the heat down to low and add the cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, fenugreek, turmeric, chilli powder, tomato puree, canned tomatoes and Greek-style yogurt. Stir well and cook for a further 5 minutes. Blend the mixture with a handheld blender until it turns into a smooth sauce then set aside.
3. Rub the tandoori masala into the chicken pieces then, in a separate non-stick frying pan set over a medium-high heat, fry for 6 minutes or until the chicken starts to change colour and brown at the edges.
4. Add the browned chicken to the blended sauce. Return to a low heat and slowly add up to 500ml of water to achieve the consistency of sauce that you like. Add the salt and sugar and simmer gently for 1520 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Finish by stirring the butter through to create a thick and creamy sauce. Don’t be afraid to add a little more water to loosen the sauce to your taste.
fun and games
WIN!
Complete this crossword to find and solve the anagram hidden in the shaded boxes. Write your answer on the donation form you received with this magazine and send it to us for your chance to win a copy of Mowgli Street Food, the book our delicious Mother Butter Chicken recipe was taken from.
across
3. Occasions or activities planned for a specific purpose (6)
7. A gift given to support a cause (8)
8. The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate (8)
9. Recollections of past experience (8)
11. Displaying kindness and concern for others (6)
12. A person who offers their time to help without expecting payment (9)
down
1. Providing encouragement or emotional help (10)
2. A short period of rest or relief (7)
4. Expression of gratitude (5,3)
5. The Claire House mascot is this animal (4)
6. Saturday night gameshow ______ fortunes (6)
10. Brothers and sisters in a family (8)
13. A healthcare professional who cares for patients (5)
Fill in the puzzle so that every row across, every column down and every 9 by 9 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.
Leave a lasting legacy: Why everyone over 18 needs a Will
How to provide peace of mind for your family and the families of local children.
When it comes to securing the future of those you love, one of the most important steps you can take is having a Will. Your legacy could also help babies, children and young adults cared for by your local children’s hospice. Here our team shares why everyone should have a Will.
3 out of 10 children we care for are funded by gifts in wills
emma, janet and vicky
Why should everyone have a Will?
A Will is a legal document that lets others know your wishes after you have died. It’s a way of allocating your possessions and money and a place where you can record any funeral wishes and gifts to charities. However, around 56% of British adults do not have a Will.
If you die without a Will, you can create extra work for those you leave behind and could cause upset or hardship for loved ones. If you have no surviving relatives, the whole estate will be allocated to the government which takes away your choice.
Do I need to update my Will?
It’s a good idea to review your Will every five years and after any major life changes, such as:
• Marriage or divorce
• Birth of a child or grandchild
• Moving house
• Death of a loved one
• If your executor is no longer suitable
• If the value of your estate has changed.
How do I update my Will?
Writing or updating your Will doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. We have partnered with trusted Will writing providers the National Free Wills Network and Octopus Legacy to make writing or updating a simple Will even easier and free of charge. There is no obligation to leave a gift to Claire House if you use these services.
Why Claire House?
If you decide to include a gift for Claire House in your Will, thank you. You can make sure that we are always here for families that need us in the future. It is a special way to support other families after you have provided for your own family and friends.
To find out more about the free Will writing service and how a gift in your Will can make a difference, please scan the QR code or call 0151 343 0883.
A lottery played, a legacy left
Claire House Lottery player Tom shares the heartfelt reason his will includes a charity gift.
When Tom Smith heard the difference his local children’s hospice was making, he felt determined to help.
The former RAF sergeant signed up to play the charity’s lottery. But after a friend’s relative was supported when their child died, Tom wanted to help in the future too.
He says: “A friend told me his sister-in-law used the Butterfly Suite [a private room which enables families to stay together as an alternative to a funeral directors].
“She couldn’t speak highly enough of Claire House. This cemented my idea to make them a beneficiary of my Will.”
Civil servant Tom, 40, went on to use the charity’s free Will writing service.
He explains: “I was 37 and thinking I wouldn’t need it for many years. But it was
a comfort knowing I could help children and their families in the future.
“Sadly, a year later, I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and told my prognosis was six months to two years. This came out of the blue, but it was a comfort knowing that my legacy would support Claire House’s amazing work.
“Since becoming ill myself, the idea of giving children and their families support in their final days seems much more important than money.”
Tom decided to sell his house and bought a canal boat for him and his dog Blue.
He says: “I’m doing well, but whatever happens, I am grateful that I’ve made my Will and that my wishes will be followed.
“I’m still playing the Lottery. It’s a great way to help the charity with a small, monthly donation now, and a gift in my Will for the future.”
To find out more about the free Will writing service and how a gift in your Will can make a difference, please visit: clairehouse.org.uk/wills or call 0151 343 0883.
For more about the Claire House Lottery, go to lottery.clairehouse.org.uk
“You
Clare, Hospice Nurse and Parker hospice nurse clare and parker