Stevenson House was so important to my breastfeeding journey
Mum Alice shares how our Stevenson House 'Home from Home' helped her breastfeed both her twin boys when one fell seriously ill.
Family stories
We believe every family with a seriously ill child in hospital should be able to stay together. Here you can read inspiring, first-hand accounts from families who have stayed in one of our ‘Homes from Home’.
Magnolia House was a sanctuary at the toughest of times
When baby Riley was rushed to Sheffield Children's Hospital in November 2024, our Magnolia House 'Home from Home' helped keep his family together
Our baby boy needed open heart surgery over Christmas
Billy spent his first Christmas recovering from the first of two open heart surgeries. Eckersley House kept his parents by his side
We were on the other side of the hospital, rather than the other side of the country
Over the last three years we have supported Louise and Sam while their daughter has undergone treatment for her heart in Freeman Hospital, which now is a day's journey from their home.
From Grandad’s point of view
Dave Mercer tells us how knowing his daughter and son-in-law had a place to stay at Scott House impacted the whole family when his granddaughter was in Freeman Hospital
Our long weekend getaway turned into an eight week stay in hospital
Sarah and her husband Paul were spending the weekend away in London when she gave birth 12 weeks prematurely, 270 miles away from home. Stevenson House made sure they had somewhere stay close to their son Brandon.
I burst into tears of relief at Chestnut House as we had somewhere to stay close to our poorly baby
During a 16 week scan Lily and Ashley found out their daughter, Ruby's, kidneys were dilated which made it unlikely she would survive. Chestnut House kept them together while she received specialist treatment.
Being able to make Michael’s favourite meals like Shepherd’s Pie and Lasagne made it special
Michael passed away in 2019 at just 15 years old and spent a lot of time in hospital. His mum, Laura, shares with us how Acorn House helped make his time in hospital a bit easier
We couldn’t be together by her bedside, but at least one of us could always be there without the other being far away
During lockdown, Stacey gave birth to her daughter Esme who was diagnosed with a rare heart condition who needed treatment at Freeman Hospital, which is where we supported her and husband Karl at Scott House
At Crawford House we saw our daughter coming back from all she had been through
Sophie was suddenly diagnosed with a brain tumour and admitted to Newcastles RVI for surgery. During this time and throughout her recovery Crawford House became a 'Home from Home' to her parents
Speaking to a parent going through a similar situation really helped
Sophie and Daniel suddenly found themselves at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge when their local hospital said there was nothing more that they could do. Find out how our support at Acorn House made a difference to them
If we couldn’t stay at Rainbow House I don’t know what we would’ve have done
After Florence suffered a cardiac arrest due to a heart condition Acorn and Rainbow Houses made sure her parents were always be her side.
Everyone was so friendly, despite all of us being worried for our little ones
At three months old Declan was rushed to Newcastle when he was struggling to breathe. He then underwent major surgery to save his life. Read how we kept his family together.