Rainbow Trust Children's Charity
A Charity supporting seriously ill children and their families.
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Contents
Overview
Rainbow Trust Children's Charity supports seriously ill children and their families, providing expert, practical and emotional support.
The charity supports families to manage everyday life while caring for a sick child, and to make the most of time together.
Families have complete choice about the type of support they receive - wherever and whenever they need it.
Support available
Each family is given a dedicated expert Family Support Worker.
Services are tailored to the individual needs of each family member, including:
- the sick child
- parents
- siblings
- grandparents
- extended family
Support includes:
- Providing short breaks for the sick child and siblings, which may include drop-in groups, family days, trips out or fun activities at home
- Spending time with the ill child at hospital or home
- Accompanying and supporting parents and their child during clinic and hospital visits, providing transport to hospital
- Helping maintain normality in the home by working with and caring for siblings, to make sure usual activities are continued
- Siblings may be supported through one-to-one sessions, help getting to school or with homework, regular sibling groups and school holiday events and activities
- Providing practical support with household chores to help families manage day to day life
- Providing emotional support
- Providing end-of-life care and bereavement support
Support is available from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm.
Rainbow Trust operates a 24-hour service for families in crisis, which includes a 24-hour dedicated on call number.
Who can access the service
The service offers support to children with a life threatening / terminal illness from birth to 18 years.
How to access the service
Phone, email or write to the Rainbow Trust if you or someone you know would like support.
Anyone can refer themselves or be referred with consent from the family.
A Family Support Manager will make an assessment and discuss the family's needs, eligibility and provide information.
A Family Support Worker will then visit the family to offer the agreed support.
At times of crisis, support can be introduced within 24 hours. Otherwise, an assessment is made within 2 weeks of referral.