“Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice is a ‘home-from-home’ for special babies.” At the regional Programme Action meeting South Lancashire’s Soroptimists heard about this local charity from Natasha Kinsey, Corporate & Events Fundraiser.
One of only 3 hospices in the UK for babies and infants aged from birth to five years, the Liverpool centre provides palliative, respite and end of life care. ‘Zoë’ means ‘gift of life’.
Natasha’s range of photos gave a vivid impression of the homely, welcoming accommodation and facilities provided. The babies can experience play (and messy play!), sensory stimulation, singing and listening to music.
Babies, their parents and siblings are all supported, physically and emotionally. This holistic approach acknowledges that life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses can be hard for everyone involved.
The charity’s costs are extensive: annually it needs £1.6m to be able to offer free services to all the families. (There is only modest financial support via the NHS and central government.) For example, it can cost £7,000 or more for a specialist bed to suit children with specific care needs.
Natasha therefore touched on the many and varied ways in which Zoë’s Place attracts donations. The impact of the fundraising ‘recycling banks’ was of particular interest to many of the Soroptimists.
Natasha’s presentation prompted many questions from the floor, as well as extended conversations afterwards. It had made quite an impact.
At the afternoon’s Council Meeting Linda Beddows, Chief Steward for the 2018 Federation Conference in Liverpool, gave an update on progress. In particular, Linda is hoping to encourage many more Soroptimists from South Lancashire’s clubs to volunteer as stewards, and help uphold the city’s reputation as a welcoming and friendly destination.
Three clubs set out their fundraising stalls for the day – SI Wigan (Easter chicks for Wigan and Leigh Hospice), SI Bolton (mystery gift bags for the club’s education project in Nepal) and SI Crosby (bags-and-more for Sefton Women’s and Children’s Aid).
