Extraordinary care for extraordinary children
What we do
Demelza delivers extraordinary care to extraordinary children who are facing serious or life-limiting conditions throughout Kent, South East London and East Sussex.
Demelza is here to support them and their families at every step, from first diagnosis and for as long as we’re needed.
Our history
The life and work of Demelza Phillips inspired the creation of our charity and our hospices. Our care and support model is built on more than 25 years’ experience and founded on Demelza’s legacy.
When we’re needed most, Demelza is here with care that doesn’t back down. By their side when they feel isolated, helping to celebrate the joy in family life and making precious memories during challenging times.
Our mission
To deliver care that doesn’t back down to children and young people with serious or life-limiting conditions, and their families, across Kent, South East London and East Sussex – from first diagnosis and for as long as we’re needed.
Our vision
We want to see a world where children and young people with serious or life-limiting conditions, and their families, have access to personalised, expert care – enabling them to live their best lives.
Our values
At Demelza our values are the foundation of everything we do: guiding our care, how we deliver our services and how we communicate with our families, each other and our wider community.
Impact Report
With today’s medical advances, the number of children and young people living with a serious or life-limiting condition is increasing every year. Take a look at our past year and the impact you have helped make to the lives of children with serious or life-limiting conditions.
Strategy
It’s more than 25 years since Demelza was founded. This five-year strategy outlines our key objectives to help us continue to support children and families, adapt our care and services to meet their needs and extend our reach in the years to come.
Annual Accounts
“It is with great pride and achievement that I look back on the last year. In the face of significant ongoing challenges, common to many hospices and charities, we have made enormous progress on some of the key objectives we published in our five-year strategy in 2022." Lavinia Jarrett, CEO
Quality Account
We are delighted to share our latest Quality Account, which we hope brings alive the true variety of services Demelza is able to provide for children with serious or life-limiting conditions and their families.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is everyone’s business. Safeguarding children, young people and adults is paramount at Demelza and is integral to our work as a children’s hospice. We have designated safeguarding and Prevent leads who are available to staff and volunteers for advice and support.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Demelza understands that celebrating and embracing the unique differences people bring will engender a creative, forward-thinking organisation. We are striving to continually improve our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion and have been awarded for our commitment to FREDIE (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement).