Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the event start time to sign in and complete COVID-19 declarations, have your temperature taken etc. Unfortunately, we are unable to host families earlier/later than the specified event times due to current COVID-19 restrictions and limits to numbers of attendees at each remembrance event.

The event will be held at the Kent Hospice, Demelza House, Rook Lane, Sittingbourne ME9 8DZ.

Car parking will be available for families and will be situated close by the hospice buildings. Please look out for our parking stewards when you arrive and they will direct you to parking area.

Simple refreshments will be available for families during the event (tea, coffee, squash, cakes etc. Please provide allergy/dietary requirements in your RSVP or in advance of your visit.

There will not be childcare available at the event, parent/carers present have full responsibility for any children present.

All rooms and spaces used for candlelight will all be accessible for wheelchair users.

All events are COVID-19 permitting and subject to change, Demelza will give as much notice to families of any cancelations or changes to timings/event delivery as possible.

If you need to cancel your place at the event, please email familysupportdepartment@demelza.org.uk with your family details and the time and date the event that you can no longer attend.

There will be a virtual event held Monday 29 November from 6:30-8:30pm, which all families are very welcome to attend, please email Family Support on the email address above for Zoom details.

Limit on group size

Please ensure that you only bring with you the number of guests included on your event confirmation, as we will need to adhere to capacity limits within the hospice.

We ask families to carry out a lateral flow test prior to visit and present evidence of the negative result on arrival.

• All lateral flow test should be taken on the day of the event (or up to 24 hours before if remaining at home during this period).
• Please take your tests before you arrive at the hospice site and register your results on the government website, which you can access by clicking here. Once your result is registered online, you will receive an email or text which evidences your test result. You will be asked to show this evidence when you sign in on the day of the event
• Please only come to the hospice site if all members of your family group have negative test results, aren’t waiting on a PCR test result and are showing no COVID-19 symptoms
• If any member of your family group has a positive lateral flow test result, is awaiting a PCR test result or are displaying COVID-19 symptoms, please do not come to the hospice and email familysupportdepartment@demelza.org.uk to confirm that you are no longer able to attend
• We ask family members of 11 years old and over to provide evidence of a negative test (unless medically exempt), if you are unsure (or have a member of your group that is medically exempt) please email familysupportdepartment@demelza.org.uk ahead of the event so that we can make your sign in as smooth as possible
• If you have any queries regarding the testing requirements please email familysupportdepartment@demelza.org.uk.

• Upon arrival, all members of your group over the age of 11, will be asked for evidence of your negative COVID-19 test (unless we are notified in advance of medical exemptions)
• You will be asked to take your temperature, sign a COVID-19 declaration and sign in
• You will be provided with a new, medical grade facemask that should be worn inside when moving about and not socially distanced from other families, except when eating/drinking
• Please note face coverings, cloth masks etc. are not permitted.

• All families are also being asked to provide evidence of negative lateral flow tests (see above).
• Facemasks must be worn by all those over the age of 11 years old when moving about the hospice buildings, (unless medically exempt).  
• Masks may be removed when seated and socially distanced from other family groups/during light refreshments. 
• Please also follow instructions on handwashing and sanitising regularly, signs will be up around the hospice and in toilet facilities. 
• Demelza staff and volunteers wherever possible will maintain a social distance from your family; they will also keep their medical grade face masks on throughout your visit.
• Demelza staff carry out regular COVID testing and we support and encourage all our staff to access vaccines.
• The event space and table set up will allow for lots of ventilation and social distancing from other families.
• Families will be provided with their own crafting bag containing the majority of the materials for the craft activities
• Hand sanitiser will be available for staff and families during the grotto.
• There will be regular cleaning and sanitation of all high traffic/high touch points during and between events, and a further clean at the beginning of each day.

If any member of your family group tests positive for COVID-19 or develop symptoms within 48 hours of their visit please let us know by emailing familysupportdepartment@demelza.org.uk