Supporting families through life-limiting illness and loss

Published on 2nd October 2025
Christmas Hospice Care Children

When people think of hospices, they often picture care for the elderly. But at Keech Hospice, we know that serious illness and loss can touch families of all ages—especially those caring for a child with a life-limiting condition.

As one of only 40 children’s hospice services in England, we walk alongside families facing the unimaginable: navigating a child’s diagnosis, managing complex care, and finding strength in the darkest of times.

Robin Gray 6005 aspect ratio 790 400
Keech Hospice Nurse, Christmas

This Christmas, help us wrap a family in care

At Keech, our care goes far beyond the clinical. We offer sanctuary—a place where joy and grief can sit side by side, and where no one walks alone.

We hear it time and again—from parents of young children to the sons, daughters, and partners of adults in our care:

Keech feels like a warm hug. It’s the relief of knowing your loved one is safe. It’s being able to close your eyes—just for a moment—because you trust the hands they’re in.”

Nurse Supporting Baby Hand in Hand

Emotional and bereavement support for every step of the journey

We’re here for families emotionally, offering love, presence, and a safe space to process grief and sorrow whenever it arises. Our services include:

  • One-to-one counselling and emotional support
  • Group sessions connecting parents who truly understand
  • Memory-making activities and keepsakes to honour every child’s story
  • Safe, welcoming spaces to talk, grieve, cry, and remember

Whether at our bright and peaceful hospice or at home with our community nursing team, we provide palliative care tailored to the whole family—from diagnosis through every stage of illness and beyond.

Zakariah El Fathi, Keech Hospice Child Patient

Vital care made possible by supporters like you

Running Keech costs more than £22,000 a day. While the government provides around 30% of our funding, the rest comes from generous donations, fundraising, our shops, and people who believe that every family deserves compassionate care—no matter how short a life may be.

This Christmas, we’re inviting you to help us do something extraordinary:
Wrap a family in care—not just for the festive season, but for every moment that matters.

You can help today:

  • Donate — make a one-off or regular gift
  • Fundraise in memory — celebrate a life by raising money in their name
  • Volunteer — help in our shops, at the hospice, or support our events

Because while Christmas brings sparkle, it also invites compassion. And with your help, we can keep that comfort, safety, and love going—long after the decorations come down.