We’ve been on a rollercoaster, but Eckersley House was there every step of the way
When twins Riley and Noah were diagnosed with rare moyamoya disease years apart, Eckersley House gave the Watkins family vital comfort and support.
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’.
My newborn daughter was diagnosed with an incredibly rare heart defect
Baby Ophelia needed open heart surgery at just three weeks to correct a rare heart defect. Eckersley House made sure her parents, Olivia and Sebastian, were always with her.
Crawford House was more than a place to stay; it was a sanctuary
When teenager Keisha needed urgent treatment 200 miles from home, her family faced unimaginable challenges. Crawford House provided a lifeline, as mum Laura explains.
We were living day by day, hour by hour, and Chestnut House meant we could be there all the time.
Oscar was born three months early and spent seven weeks on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. His parents, Edward and Louise, were supported by Chestnut House and were always just a stone's throw away from his side
Boy who was born 15 weeks early and spent 125 days in hospital now thriving
Freddie was born 15 weeks early and spent 125 days in hospital, 90 minutes away from home. Chestnut House kept his parents Lewis and Emma by his side
Our son was born ten weeks early and needed specialist care miles from home, Crawford House made sure we never missed a moment
Sonny was born ten weeks and needed specialist treatment the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Crawford House made sure his parents could always be by his side
Crawford House has supported my family on two occasions, 25 years apart. We’ll never forget their support.
Andrea was one of the first families to stay at Crawford House. 25 years later her son, Carl, would also be supported by our 'Home from Home'.
The support Scott and Crawford Houses gave us was invaluable, you can’t put it into words what it meant
Archie needed surgery at just a day old in Newcastle, Scott and Crawford House made sure his parents were always by his side
Guilford Street House gave the me the privacy and support I needed to process everything my daughter was going through
Natania was rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital to have emergency surgery to relieve pressure on her brain. Guildford Street House kept her mum Evarine by her side
Scott House was our ‘Home from Home’ for eight months, and we will never forget that
Max's family stayed with us four years ago when he was waiting eight months for a heart transplant. Since then they have inspired a huge change in the laws around organ donation in England. Read how they have been getting on since leaving Scott House
Three year old girl who was born 13 weeks premature excited to start nursery
Jessica was born at 27 weeks weighing just 760g in 2018 but now she is excited to be starting nursery in September after hitting all of her milestones
Our stay at Crawford House – August 1996
Chris and Paul were on a family holiday in Northumberland when their daughter became seriously ill. They were one of the first families to stay at Crawford House
I had so much anxiety about leaving Neive and this was how Scott House helped me
When Neive was three months old she was diagnosed with ALCAPA syndrome and needed open heart surgery. Her parents, Laura and Scot, were supported at Scott House.