“Claire House Children’s Hospice helps seriously and terminally ill children live life to the full by creating wonderful experiences and bringing back a sense of normality to family life. By providing specialist nursing and end of life care, as well as emotional support, Claire House helps families through some of
the toughest times of their lives. Claire House has a team of trained professionals… including nurses, physiotherapists, play specialists, counsellors and doctors who visit the hospice.” Claire House “offers places for children to relax and enjoy themselves…” Emma, from Claire House, also took the time to teach students a little bit of Makaton – a form of sign language that is used by many people, but especially the children attending Claire House. This form of communication is one that students will write about in assignment and exams, so it was exciting for us to be able to learn and experience if first hand. What was especially important was that Emma showed students how frustrating it is to try to communicate without language – asking the students to pass messages to each other without them being able to talk at all. This showed to us the important of language and enabling those without language skills to communicate their wants and needs to each
other.

We are hoping for many more visits from Claire House in the future, including introducing KS3 students to the hospice and show them how they can support this important charity.