SUPPORT FOR PARENTS AND CARERS
Who is There for the Parent Carers? Supporting families impacted by disabilities Harry’s Pals is a small charity with a big ambition to provide emotional support to parents throughout the country who have just received the heartbreaking news that their child has a lifethreatening or lifelimiting condition. When Hayley Charlesworth’s son Harry was just three days old, she was given the devastating news that her baby boy had suffered two strokes, leaving him with significant brain damage, and that he would likely have very complex needs for the rest of his shortened life. As you can imagine, this was devastating news for the family overnight they found themselves navigating a whole new world of appointments, medicines, care and treatment that they had never anticipated, whilst trying to deal with the untenable amount of grief, trauma and fear that overcame them. Hayley needed to speak to a professional who could help her to navigate the overwhelming feelings she was grappling with
and find coping mechanisms for what would surely be a rocky road ahead. However, to her surprise, there was no professional emotional support available to families like hers. In 2022, Hayley decided to set up Harry’s Pals and began work to prevent more parents from feeling abandoned upon receiving heartbreaking diagnoses. Harry’s Pals provides support to families across England who have been told that their child has a severe illness or disability. Parents are referred through schools, hospitals, hospices and other charities so that they can
benefit from their much-needed services, which include: bespoke counselling and therapy, which meets each family’s needs and short breaks so that lowincome families can have the opportunity to take time out, get away and make precious positive memories together. It is the charity’s long-term goal that all parents who are eligible for our support know about us, so that they can get the support that they need with their mental health to provide for a happier and healthier future. Emma, a parent supported by Harry’s Pals, commented: “Harry’s Pals have been a great support to my family. There is very little emotional support out there for families like mine to access, so it was great to find Harry’s Pals. Through Harry’s Pals, my family has felt more supported during some really tough times. Through their emotional support and respite breaks, we were able to find coping strategies and enjoy quality time away together as a family. Harry’s Pals are making a big difference to families like mine and helping people in heartbreaking situations get stronger and find a way through some very challenging times.” If you would like to find out more about Harry’s Pals and the ways in which you can support or make a donation, please visit our website. HAYLEY CHARLESWORTH Founder www.harryspals.org
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