Seven-year-old Ellis lives in Rayleigh with his mum Heather, Dad Michael and older sister Freya. Although he attends school full-time and has a love of life, he is living with Tricuspid Atresia, a life-limiting heart condition. At just seven, Ellis has already undergone multiple open-heart surgeries and many hospital admissions.

Because he hasn’t been able to walk typical distances throughout his development, his feet haven’t formed correctly, and his walking gait has been progressively affected.

Before being supported by Little Havens’ Physiotherapist, Ellis was receiving NHS physio support. But then he was discharged, leaving the family unsure of how to best support him.

When Marie, Little Havens Physiotherapist, started her role at the hospice, Heather was keen to explore how she could help Ellis.

“I would have had a fight on my hands with the NHS to get any support, but to get the level of support we have from Marie, I know I just wouldn’t have got that.”

After Ellis came home from his last heart surgery, Marie supported him through a structured post-surgery programme to help rebuild his strength.

“The familiarity of being at Little Havens, and the clinical knowledge you get here, is so reassuring after major surgery.”

Marie also supports Ellis through hydrotherapy sessions and by delivering a tailored exercise programme at school, working with his teaching
assistants and teachers to ensure it is carried out regularly.

“We’ve learnt it’s better for Ellis to be doing this little and often, because he can’t do intense workouts, so Marie’s gone into his school to show them his exercise programme.”

“We just wouldn’t have got this from the NHS — I know that for a fact. Physio is one of the most important things we’re able to access at Little Havens.”

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Published in 2026