Support for families For many families, their lives are dominated by supporting a child with a life-limiting condition, particularly where that child also has physical and/or learning disabilities. On top of this they face the same day to day challenges as others – looking after other children, getting to work, managing the home. Families often find that there is a ‘last straw’– a pile of ironing or a weed-filled garden. Small, frequent help from a volunteer can have a big impact.

Befriending for young adults Like families, young adults can be overwhelmed by their situations, but instead of being overloaded with things to do, they are more often socially isolated, physically dependent and lacking things to do. Volunteer befrienders seem symbolically important because they aren’t paid to be with the young adults, nor are they there to perform a functional task for them. They simply spend time with them.

Though these two strands look very different in practice, we have observed a similar impact, with parents and young adults alike experiencing reduced stress, increased confidence and – perhaps most crucially – a level of control in their lives, no matter how small. Both strands provide a crucial link between hospice support and life outside.