Creating magical moments at the Demelza Christmas grotto

Christmas is a time of year filled with magical moments, whether it's visiting Father Christmas and opening presents, or indulging in Christmas dinner. However, for families with children that have serious or life-limiting conditions, Christmas will be an uncertain time and finding opportunities to experience the magic is challenging. 

For the families we support who celebrate the festive season and want to visit Father Christmas, it can often be difficult to go to a public grotto - they can be too noisy or crowded, tricky to access with wheelchairs or medical apparatus and the risk of catching easily transferred viruses, like colds, is much greater. 

Registered Nursing Associate Beth knows just how much of a worry it can be. She said: “A lot of families can be anxious about going out in public with their children, especially when they need medical interventions. One of the biggest things about Demelza is that we like to encourage making memories for the children we support and having access to our grotto gives them the opportunity to do this with the knowledge that they are not on their own.” 

The grotto is completely accessible so everyone supported by Demelza has the option to attend. Father Christmas and some of the healthcare assistants even have training in sign language so they can understand the young people who have alternative communication needs. 

“The entrance has double doors so that wide wheelchairs can get through with no problem. We can fit beds through as well, so if children are in for the day or symptom management, they can come in too. There is parking nearby and changing facilities. The families know they have medical professionals around - there are always nurses on site and very specialised healthcare assistants. If they arrive and care needs to be provided, we are there to help.” 

Not only is Beth an experienced healthcare professional, she also doubles up as Evie the elf to help create those magical moments for the children to experience at the grotto. “I absolutely love being an elf. I am the queen of Christmas and would have my tree up all year round if I could. At the grotto it is really important for families to see familiar faces, they really appreciate seeing people they know and the people that care for their children. 

“I think so many aspects of their life are different, just having that moment of going to see Father Christmas is just perfect.” 

At Demelza we not only make Christmas special for the families we support, we also want to make every day of the year just as joyful. Our sites are special places and this is made even more apparent during the festive season. 

Beth said: “A misconception is that Demelza will be a sad place however, it is a happy home with staff trying their hardest to give children the best day possible, regardless of what else is happening. 

“Seeing Demelza at Christmas confirms how magical it is, not just at Christmas, but all year round. You see that magic; you see their faces and you see the staff and children having a nice time and that is what Christmas is all about.”