Little Havens is a hospice set in beautiful meadowland in Rayleigh, Essex. We are a nursing-led hospice with a mixture of qualified paediatric nurses, healthcare support staff and trained volunteers
We care for children and young people up to the age of 25 from Essex and the surrounding boroughs who have been diagnosed with a complex or incurable condition. Support is also offered to the family.
We offer overnight respite breaks, emergency stays and care at the end of a child’s life.
There are also ‘Day Stay’ sessions and the opportunity to attend specific groups and activities relevant to you and your child’s needs.
Our Wellbeing Team offers support including counselling for adults and children, support and therapeutic groups, social work, complementary and creative therapies and spiritual care.
There is a range of specialist facilities and equipment at Little Havens including:
Initial contact may be made either by a child or young person, parent or carer, or any professional directly involved in the child’s care. Anyone making a referral must have the consent or the parent/guardian or young person themselves. More details are here.
The Caseload Liaison Nurse will come out and visit you at home or if you are in hospital on the ward if this is easier. We will then gather information from your doctors and hold a multi-disciplinary panel meeting to support our decision on whether your child meets our criteria.
This usually takes a month but can be done more quickly in an emergency. If you are accepted for care you will be invited for an introductory visit for about an hour to meet the team, see the hospice and ask questions before your first stay.
You can call 01702 552 200 with details about the child’s condition.
The Caseload Liaison Nurse will come out and visit you at home or if you are in hospital on the ward if this is easier. We will then gather information from your doctors and hold a multi-disciplinary panel meeting to support our decision on whether your child meets our criteria.
This usually takes a month but can be done more quickly in an emergency. If you are accepted for care you will be invited for an introductory visit for about an hour to meet the team, see the hospice and ask questions before your first stay.
All our care is provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of our supporters who make kind donations through fundraising events, gifts in wills and our lottery.
Little Havens is part of Havens Hospices, which includes Fair Havens and The J’s – community hospice care across Essex. If your child is approaching the age of transition into adult care, we can discuss whether these would be appropriate for your child.
Find out more about how our specialist Care Teams can support children living with complex or incurable conditions, as well as their families.
