A child’s health is perhaps the primary goal and concern for any loving family. After all, nothing is more important than a child’s wellbeing. Only in these circumstances can a child’s loved ones be at ease and continue to build plans and a future together. Read more on edinburgh1.one.
It is another matter entirely when children fall ill. This immediately affects the atmosphere at home and the parents’ own wellbeing. The only thing the entire family thinks about relentlessly is how to ease the child’s condition and what can be done to restore their health.
Unfortunately, situations vary. Sometimes, the condition or illness is so serious that the child’s relatives can no longer cope with the burden alone. This is when special organisations become the best assistants. Their main goal is to support families with sick children and, of course, to offer them a spectrum of necessary services.
Essential Support
It is worth noting that a huge number of different charitable societies working with children operate in Scotland. Having defined a key focus for themselves, each one tries to make every effort to realise its mission. This makes the social role and significance of such bodies increasingly tangible.
One such society is Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). This is a children’s charity that provides palliative care. It is an indispensable assistant for families at various stages of their difficult journey. In essence, any child helped by this community could pass away at any moment. Therefore, hospitals, hospices, and children’s homes are all part of the routine for CHAS staff.
Founding the Community
The history of this charity began in 1992. It was founded by a group of professionals, as well as parents whose children had life-shortening conditions.
Initially, however, the community had a slightly different name: the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland.
It is important to note that from the very beginning of the organisation’s existence, its role and significance began to grow rapidly. Sadly, seriously ill children are far from a rare phenomenon, and they all require constant support.
Indeed, in the 2018-2019 period alone, CHAS helped 465 children with serious illnesses.
Multi-faceted Support
Regarding what CHAS’s help entails and the spectrum of services it provides, it is fair to note the following: this support is interdisciplinary. Therefore, it involves doctors, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, entertainment specialists, and more.
A Broad Reach
Furthermore, it should be noted that CHAS manages two hospices: Rachel House and Robin House. The organisation also provides an at-home care service.
It is also important to highlight another significant factor. The organisation’s services and help are so comprehensive that they allow specialised CHAS teams to cover various areas. This means expanding activities to include supporting families even after the death of a child. As mentioned earlier, most of the children the charity works with have life-shortening conditions.
Expanding Knowledge
Another highly valuable area of CHAS’s work is its educational sessions. The organisation, along with like-minded partners, develops special programmes aimed at deepening the knowledge of staff who provide palliative care to children and adolescents.
These educational resources provide healthcare workers, even from remote areas, with the opportunity to attend important classes. The training materials are available to them, in part, in video format.
A First-hand Account
Of course, it is hard to imagine any charity existing without its people. In other words, we are talking about the creators and staff who ensure the community’s full functionality and, naturally, the completion of its main tasks.
Regarding the history of CHAS, Fiona Hunter from Edinburgh played a key role. She not only took a direct part in the organisation’s creation but has also remained part of its volunteer team for many years.
According to Fiona, she is truly amazed at how CHAS has grown and changed. Two hospices, teams working in hospitals, and, of course, mobile teams for at-home support and care! Moreover, even when the coronavirus pandemic began, the organisation showed its very best.
At the same time, its principles have remained as relevant as they were at its creation. They are family-focused. And that is the main thing.
Fiona herself notes that she is sincerely proud of her opportunity to contribute to the formation and realisation of such an important cause.
Thus, CHAS plays a very important role in society. This organisation makes every effort to ensure that children with serious illnesses receive comprehensive help. They are provided not only with treatment but also with engaging leisure activities. Even though these children have had to face such difficult trials, every one of them deserves a happy childhood. Even if, for some, it will not last very long.