Five-year-old Eli has been visiting Little Havens since shortly after he was born in 2016. He visits for respite as well as receiving support from the Little Havens Community Team.

Paida, Eli’s Mum, says, “Little Havens was first mentioned in our discharge meeting at the hospital after Eli was born. I was initially hesitant about the idea and was worried to trust anyone else to look after him with his complex needs but looking back, I’m so glad I didn’t go with my assumptions as I was completely wrong.

“Little Havens is amazing, it has made it possible for Eli to experience things he might otherwise miss out on. From music therapy, the hydrotherapy pool, the sensory room, and the soft play area to the adapted garden where he can access all the play equipment – it’s just everything a child could want in one place.

“Little Havens has the most caring staff who really learn and understand everything about your child.

“Coming to the hospice for respite is an invaluable part of our life, it gives us the break that we really need. When Eli stays at Little Havens it provides us with peace of mind that he is safe, having fun and being well cared for, allowing us to spend time together as a couple.

“It’s so important to our family that we have somewhere to come that’s suited to Eli’s needs because – outside of Little Havens – not many places are. He loves swimming but would struggle with the public swimming setting so having the hydrotherapy pool at the hospice is perfect. Similarly, he loves soft play but going to a public soft play centre is often too busy for him to be safe, yet at Little Havens, we know he can play safely without us having to worry.

“It’s hard to put into words what Little Havens means to us but you just have to see the smile on Eli’s face every time we mention that we are going – it’s utterly priceless.”

To find out more about how you or someone you know would benefit from the care at Little Havens, click here.

If you would like to donate to Little Havens please click here.

Published in 2022