A Teesside baby hospice is reassuring families about its financial stability, even as its sister branch in Liverpool faces potential closure.
Zoe’s Place in Middlesbrough, one of only three baby hospices in the UK, currently cares for 40 children, with seven more on a waiting list. Despite the challenges at the Liverpool site, staff emphasize that it is “business as usual” in Middlesbrough.
Summa Gill, a representative from the charity, stated, “This year marks our 20th anniversary of providing care, and we are committed to continuing our services. We are constantly fundraising, and every week, we support 40 families who rely on us for essential care.”
Maintaining the hospice requires significant financial resources, with an average annual cost of around £1.4 million. Gill highlighted that the charity must raise 75% of this amount to sustain its services.
“As a small, local charity in Middlesbrough, we do not have large budgets for advertising. Our funds go directly into caring for the children we serve. Families describe us as a lifeline,” Gill explained.
Zoe’s Place supports families facing various challenges, including genetic disorders, birth injuries, and developmental disabilities. The hospice provides essential respite services for families during difficult times.
“Family members often struggle to care for babies with no health conditions. Asking them to look after a child who may stop breathing or needs tube feeding is a significant challenge,” Gill added.
The dedicated team at Zoe’s Place includes medical nurses and caregivers specially trained to meet the needs of infants aged 0-5. It is the only hospice in the UK that focuses exclusively on baby care.
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