Our History

Our History

Since we were founded in 1982 we have opened ten 'Homes from Home'.

Founded in 1982

The Sick Children’s Trust was founded in 1982 by Dr Jon Pritchard, working at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Professor James Malpas, from St Bart’s Hospital. They saw first-hand the families who weren’t able to stay near their sick children. Some were sleeping on mattresses on the floor or in chairs as there was nowhere for them to stay.

In 1984 we opened our first ‘Home from Home’, Rainbow House in London. Since then we have opened another nine houses in Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, Cambridge and London.

 

Growing year by year

Since we were founded in 1982 we have opened ten 'Homes from Home' and now help almost 3,800 families each year.

  • 80's

    First 'Home from Home'

    In 1984 our first ‘Home from Home’ Rainbow House was opened in London. It supported the families of sick children at Great Ormond Street Hospital. It was fully refurbished in 2019 and is now a welcoming and comfortable place to stay.

  • 90's

    Four new Homes are opened

    We opened four new 'Homes from Home' across the country during the 1990's including a second Home to support Great Ormond Street Hospital as well as new 'Homes from Home' in Newcastle and Leeds.

  • 00's

    Helping more families

    We were able to support even more families with sick children in hospital around the country by opening three new 'Homes from Home' and our Big Move fundraising appeal raised an incredible £1.8 million

  • 10's

    Celebrating Anniversaries

    In 2012 we celebrated our 30th birthday, having helped over 40,000 families and we opened our tenth and most recent ‘Home from Home’ Scott House in Newcastle with 18 rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

Donate Today

It costs The Sick Children’s Trust £40 to support a family for one night. £40 gives a family so much more than just a roof over their heads when their child is in hospital.

Donate

More about The Sick Children's Trust

About us

About us

We are the charity that gives families with a seriously ill child in hospital a warm and comfortable place to stay when they need it most

Our people

Our people

Our team is dedicated to achieving a future where every family with a sick child in hospital can be together

Email Newsletter

Every year we help families by giving them somewhere to stay near their seriously ill child’s hospital bedside. Sign up to receive our email newsletters to stay up to date with how your support is helping to keep families together.

Subscribe