Information on Covid 19 (Coronavirus)

When the pandemic was declared, routine respite breaks and day care services were immediately cancelled in accordance with government guidelines. Some of the care team were redeployed to our sister hospice St Barnabas House or to support local hospitals. The remaining team continued providing respite care for exceptional circumstances, end of life care and bereavement support throughout the initial phase. We have remained in contact with the children and families we care for and offered regular telephone support and community visits (in full PPE and fully risk-assessed) to those who were still happy to receive them. As constraints have started to ease, we have been able to welcome families back to the House for daycare sessions and have started to book routine respite stays for families who need them. We have continued to provide telephone support and are increasing the number of home visits and counselling sessions.

On Wednesday 18 March we temporarily stopped all door-to-door canvassing with immediate effect. As the constraints are easing, we have reintroduced face-to-face fundraising for a trial period starting from 25 August with small teams of canvassers that will be fundraising door-to-door and in supermarkets in the local community. We will closely monitor and regulate the work of our canvassers. The Chestnut Tree House Lottery provides a significant, regular income to support the children and families that need vital hospice care.