Martin Clunes backs Julia’s House Fund a Nurse campaign

Julia’s House, the Dorset and Wiltshire children’s hospice charity is hoping to raise £400,000, enough to fund 12 nurses for a whole year. It is sharing stories from nurses and the families on its website to inspire fundraisers.

Actor and Patron Martin Clunes, who is a regular visitor to the Dorset hospice in Corfe Mullen and will open the new Wiltshire hospice in Devizes next month said, “Julia’s House nurses are amazing. I have witnessed first-hand the difference they make to families struggling to cope.

“In the hospice and out in the community, they are the trusted extra pair of skilled hands that not only provide parents with respite, but with the confidence to enjoy that time out knowing their precious child is getting the very best of care.

“They are also friendly and fun – a lovely bunch! Fund a nurse is a great way for the public to get behind the people that make Julia’s House so special. “

Julia’s House looks after children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions many of whom are not expected to reach adulthood. It provides flexible, frequent respite care, both at home and in its bright and welcoming hospice.
Regular support from Julia’s House nurses is a lifeline for mums and dads struggling to cope.

Kayleigh, mum to Leo and Elliott, two little boys with a rare metabolic disorder, said, “The only support we have is from Julia’s House and our lives have been transformed by it.

“Having experienced nurses doing the sits gives us the confidence to enjoy our freedom, knowing nothing is going to happen that they can’t handle. Julia’s House has made an unbelievable difference in how we are able to cope. Those breaks mean so much to us.”

Nurse Natalie Sheehy added, “Many people do not realise the level of stress these families are under. We’ll have a child at the hospice for six hours on a busy care session; feeding, playing, administering medication, monitoring. Imagine having to provide that intense level of care all the time, round the clock, day in, day out. It’s no wonder families reach breaking point without the right support.”

A visit by a Julia’s House nurse is sometimes the only thing that keeps parents going. They use these precious hours to sleep, catch up on chores, spend time as a couple or play with their other children. The nurses also encourage families to attend Julia’s House social events, helping them to build friendships and support networks with other mums and dads in the same situation.