Demelza to open new specialist residential home

As part of Demelza’s long-term planning, the charity has been looking at how it can make the best use of resources and facilities while strengthening its financial sustainability. As part of this review, it has identified an unmet and growing need for children who require consistent, round-the-clock care in a stable, long-term setting.

The charity will turn its existing Hill Farm building, opposite the hospice in Rook Lane, Sittingbourne, into a new home which will provide long-term care for up to three children who are unable to live with their parents or foster carers.

This service will be different from the hospice care Demelza is known for but something the organisation has the clinical expertise, compassion and experience to provide.

This new service will be called Oastview by Demelza and is expected to open next year with its own dedicated staff, creating jobs locally. A new Lead Nurse has been appointed already to oversee the setting up of the service.

Oastview by Demelza will be funded separately through local authority placements and other sources, rather than through the donations that fund most of Demelza’s charitable work.

Once running costs are covered, the surplus income from Oastview by Demelza will be used to help fund its charitable care and support services.

The additional income will help strengthen Demelza’s financial resilience and support its ability to provide care and support to families, both now and in the future.

Demelza’s CEO, Lavinia Jarrett, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to build on the expertise that already exists within Demelza and expand the ways in which we support children with complex needs.

“While this new paid-for service will help diversify our income and raise vital funds, it will not replace the need for charitable support. We still rely on our incredible supporters for 84% of our income and with children's hospices facing increasing financial pressures, the generosity of our communities is more important than ever.

“We are hugely grateful for their support, which helps us continue providing specialist care and support for children with serious or life-limiting conditions and their families.”