Luke Myer MP recently visited Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice in Normanby, the only baby specific hospice in the UK. He was joined by fellow MPs Anna Turley, Chris McDonald and Andy McDonald. During the visit, they toured the facilities including the art sensory and soft play rooms and met key staff members, including Executive Trustee Joan Stainsby, Ashleigh Rickards Deputy Head of Care and Head of Fundraising Tommy Harrington.
Zoe’s Place provides palliative and respite care for babies and young children aged 0 to 5 with complex care needs, as well as counselling and support for families. With locations in Middlesbrough, Liverpool and Coventry, the hospice supports children with life limiting or life threatening conditions such as cerebral palsy, genetic disorders and severe neurological conditions. The service offers families a much needed break from the full time demands of caregiving, in addition to therapeutic support through sensory play, physiotherapy and tailored developmental activities. It also provides end of life care that upholds dignity and compassionate support during challenging times.
Despite its vital role, Zoe’s Place faces significant financial challenges. Around 70% of its income comes from public donations and fundraising, with the remaining 30% provided by government sources. Rising costs and workforce shortages mean that the hospice is not operating at full capacity, resulting in some families missing out on the care they desperately need.
The recent government commitment of £100 million for capital expenditure over two years to improve end of life care, together with an additional £26 million for children’s and young people’s hospices, is a welcome step. However, further support is needed to ensure that hospices like Zoe’s Place can continue their vital work. Luke has committed to writing to the Secretary of State to explore what more can be done to secure long term, sustainable funding for children’s hospices.
Joan Stainsby, Executive Trustee at Zoe’s Place, said:
“At Zoe’s Place, we are dedicated to creating a warm, loving environment for babies and young children with complex medical needs. We know how much our care means to the families we support, and we want to ensure we can continue providing this essential service for years to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to welcome local MPs and discuss how we can work together to strengthen and improve hospice care for the future.”
Luke Myer MP commented, “The work carried out at Zoe’s Place is truly inspiring and fundamental to the well being of families in our community. Their dedication ensures that some of the most vulnerable children receive the care and support they need. All of Teesside has a stake in Zoe’s Place in one way or another, and we must ensure that this vital service is supported and enhanced for years to come.”
He and his colleagues have called on both corporate supporters and members of the public to engage in fundraising efforts and to advocate for fairer funding models so that this essential service continues to provide comfort, strength and hope to the families it serves.
