Rainbow Trust supports families who have a child aged 0-18 years with a life threatening or terminal illness and need the bespoke support we offer.

Today there are an estimated 49,000 children and young people in the UK living with a life limiting or life threatening condition who may require palliative care (University of Leeds, 2011). Many of these children and their families are able to cope or are not in a ‘crisis situation’. However, thousands of families have to face the very real possibility that their child may die and struggle to cope on a day to day basis.

Who they support

They support these families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness and are in the greatest need. Their Family Support Workers provide a life line to these families and children. They support the whole family including parents, carers, the unwell child, brothers, sisters and grandparents. They bring support and help to families who so desperately need it at home, in hospital and in the community. Any family can receive support from the moment of their child or young person’s diagnosis.

Their support is hugely varied and depends on the needs of the family. Support may include all or some of the following:

Families supported

They have nine teams of Family Support Workers around the country from Southampton to County Durham supporting the whole family.

Sibling support

Maintaining school attendance, arts & crafts, cinema trips, days out at the zoo, fun and laughter

Home support

This includes emotional support, respite, countless meals cooked, baths run and storybooks read.

Hospital support

Helping to organise appointments, explaining illnesses and treatment, looking after siblings and staying with sick children. They also support families in the neonatal unit.

Bereavement support

For the entire family: parents, grandparents and siblings, face-to-face and over the phone, at any time of the night or day.