Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice: A happy place where sad things happen

Recently, I had the privilege of visiting Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice to present a cheque for £1,000 on behalf of Sheffield Mutual after they finished in third place in our 2024 Charity Award. The experience was both humbling and inspiring.

The dream of Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice began in 1998, with the vision to help families in this area who wanted an alternative to hospital care. Fundraising started when 11-year-old Richard and his mum wanted him to die at home.

In 2004, the dream started to become reality when building on the hospice began. On 19^th September 2008 they opened their doors to the first families who needed them. They provide support for babies, children, young people and their families with life-threatening conditions. They offer services such as respite care, counselling/bereavement support, sibling support and therapeutic activities such as music therapy, art sessions and play therapy.

For a place that might carry the expectation of sadness, Bluebell Wood offers something entirely different: hope, warmth, and positivity. One of the parents who uses the hospice described it perfectly as “a happy place where sad things happen.” It’s a testament to the incredible work the team does—not only supporting children with life-shortening conditions but also caring for their entire families during the most difficult times.

The dedication of the staff was almost infectious. Their passion for what they do shone through in every conversation. They provide not just practical support but also emotional care, acknowledging that grief doesn’t come with an instruction manual. From respite care and sibling support to end-of-life care and bereavement counselling, the hospice goes above and beyond to help families navigate their unique journeys.

Of course, providing such vital services comes at a significant cost. Government funding only covers a small portion of what’s needed, leaving Bluebell Wood reliant on fundraising and donations to keep their doors open. It was an honour to contribute to their mission, knowing the money will help continue their life-changing work.

Paul Hawkins, Individual Giving Fundraiser at Bluebell Wood said:

“We are so pleased to receive the £1,000 charity award and would like to say a big thank you to Sheffield Mutual and all the fantastic supporters who voted for us.

We need to raise around £6.5m each year to keep our doors open and the hospice only receives 16% statutory funding. Awards like this mean so much to everyone at Bluebell Wood, especially the families we support in Sheffield and beyond.”

If you’d like to learn more about Bluebell Wood or support them, I encourage you to visit their website here. It’s a place where compassion, resilience, and love truly make a difference every day.