One of the main features of Francis House is that it supports the family as a whole and not just the child at the time of its death. Families are looked after both emotionally and physically for many months before, and are equally supported in the same manner afterwards. Two staff are allocated to each family so there is a personal link between the hospice, the children and their families, and there is always someone to call on should the need arise. We offer a 24-hour lifeline to families as well as counselling, day-care and home-care, all tailored to suit the individual’s needs.

Francis House was opened in 1991 by HRH the Princess of Wales to fill an enormous gap in the provision of care for terminally ill children in the North West, and children from all over the UK have benefited from its services. In the fourteenth years of its operation, Francis House has provided vital care for over 600 children and their families, care that would have been impossible to provide had Francis House not existed.

Francis House is free of charge to all who stay, as financial problems are the last thing on parents mind at this sad time. We are, however, entirely reliant upon voluntary funding. We do not receive any support from the government and less than 5% from local health authorities. The running costs alone are over £1.6 million a year which is causing Francis House to currently exist ‘hand to mouth’.

Referrals are made directly by parents themselves, the child’s doctor or consultant, or a district nurse – in fact, anyone can ask for a child to be taken into the hospice if their needs fit our criteria of being diagnosed as ‘no cure’. Francis House is completely non-denominational.

We have many reasons for saying ‘Thank You’ – the inspiration and courage of the children and their families, the devotedness of the staff and the generosity and steadfastness of the volunteers, friends and supporters of Francis House are all pearls beyond price and this has helped us become a much valued part of the community.

When one takes on a project in support of the Hospice, the finishing line still seems some way off. However, one would do well to remember that famous Chinese proverb:

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step