Francis House Children’s Hospice celebrates 30 years

FRANCIS House children’s hospice, which has seen thousands of sick children and their families come through its doors as well as countless celebrities, footballers and royal visitors, turns 30 on November 25.

Over the past three decades the hospice has delivered much needed care and support to the families of children and young adults with life-limiting conditions including those from Oldham and Saddleworth.

The charity relies heavily on voluntary donations to fund much of the £4.7 million it needs to run each year, providing highly skilled nursing care in a homely environment.

Hospice CEO Revd David Ireland, from Dobcross, joined Francis House as a trustee in 1993 and became CEO in 2005.

David Ireland, Francis House CEO

He said: “Since 1991 thousands of families have come through the doors and we have supported them through the most difficult times ensuring they receive the best possible care.

“The last thirty years have seen a significant change in the attitude to paediatric palliative care both in Britain and throughout the world and Francis House has been the forefront of expansion and development of the children’s hospice service.

“The last few years have seen huge steps forward in the way in which we support and care for young adults.

“Independent Research commissioned by Manchester University into the needs of young adults informed the building and establishment of Francis Lodge our teenage and young adult unit.”

Founded by Sister Aloysius and Father Thomas Mulheran, the hospice was officially opened in 1991 by Diana, Princess of Wales.

Sr Aloysius, Bishop Kelly and Princess Diana at Francis House in 1991

The late Kirsty Howard, born with a rare heart and lung condition, made Francis House a household name in the late 1990s, raising millions in donations and enabling the hospice to expand and develop its services to meet the needs of older children.

In 2016, 25 years after Diana’s visit, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge officially opened the £3.5 million Francis Lodge – a seven bedroomed unit for teenagers and young adults.

A memorable visit to the hospice in 2019 by Marcus Rashford put a smile on the faces of the children including 19-year-old Faizan Sheikh.

He said:  It was a dream come true meeting Marcus Rashford. I was so nervous meeting him, but he is very nice and very caring.”

Faizan Sheikh with Marcus Rashford at Francis House in 2019

Following the outbreak of Covid-19 the hospice provided emergency respite for families desperate for a break, re-opening for planned respite in April this year.

David, a partner in a national firm of architects, designed and supervised the construction of Francis House which was awarded the Care Home Design Award in 1993.

As a result of being at Francis House, David trained in religious studies and was ordained as a Minister in the United Reformed Church in 1995.

He said: “In this 30 year, we are expanding the homecare and emotional support teams and continue to recruit more nurses.

“Throughout our history we have been fortunate in the support we receive from the people of the North West, who think of us year on year and who give us the confidence to continue to welcome more and more families, as they turn to us for help.

“For the 500 families who use Francis House they live for the moment, and our role is to make every moment count. We help them experience things that provide good memories that will help them in the future.”

Among the families supported by the Didsbury-based hospice are Sibusiso Keabetswe, mum to Thabani, 9, who has a rare chromosome imbalance, and requires round the clock care. The family have been coming to Francis House for approximately three years.

Sibusiso and Thabani Keabetswe at Francis House

Sibusiso said: “When we first came to Francis House, I can honestly say it was amazing.

“We came together as a family, and I can’t begin to tell you how Francis House has made possible what we could only have dreamed of. Francis House has become our lifeline.

“The reality of looking after a disabled child with complex needs – if you haven’t walked in those shoes, you may not understand what it’s like. I don’t know what I would do without Francis House.”

For 30 years, Francis House has been caring for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and wants to hear from supporters, families and anyone involved with the hospice past and present, to share their favourite memories.

Anyone can share their photographs and memories by uploading them along with a donation to the hospice website during the celebratory year by visiting www.francishouse.org.uk/30th-anniversary/memories

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