The view inside Julia’s House Children’s Hospice

In April, local charity Julia’s House completed a seven-month-long refurbishment project at its children’s hospice based in Corfe Mullen. To mark the occasion, the charity held an open day and invited people, including myself, to come on a tour of the newly improved facilities.

Julia’s House provides care for children with life-limiting, life-threatening and terminal conditions, as well as dedicated support to their families. It is named after Julia Perks, a dedicated paediatric nurse whose dream was to develop a support network for families struggling to care for a life-limited child without any help or respite.

Sadly, Julia died from cancer in 1997 before her dream became a reality. Her friend Mike Wise founded the charity in 2003 in her memory.

The Corfe Mullen hospice opened in 2006, providing care and play sessions to children, as well as home care and overnight stays for children, to give families a respite break. The hospice also provides end-of-life care.

In September last year, the charity began a major upgrade project, including an extension, to provide more space and additional facilities to meet the growing need for its specialist care.

The upgrades include a new play activity room, full of arts, crafts, technology and a sensory room.

The first major addition is a new, larger bathroom upstairs, complete with hi-tech bathing facilities. The brand-new bathtub is self-cleaning, has coloured lights, plays music via Bluetooth and a range of jets and vibration options to provide a relaxing experience for children. The button-controlled sink and toilet are accessible and adjustable, offering children more independence. An upgraded hoist system enables access between rooms for those with impair mobility.