What we do

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity supports families who have a child aged 0-18 years with a life-threatening or terminal illness.
Why?
There are an estimated 86,625* children in England with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. This number has trebled over the last 17 years and is rising. Thousands of families have to face the very real possibility that their child may die and struggle to cope on a day to day basis. Our Family Support Workers provide a lifeline to these families and children.
How?
When a child has a serious illness, family life is turned upside down and time becomes more precious than ever. Rainbow Trust pairs each family with an expert Family Support Worker who enables them to make the most of time together, giving them practical and emotional support, whenever they need it, for as long as is needed.
We support the whole family including parents, carers, the unwell child, brothers, sisters and grandparents. Support is hugely varied and depends on the needs of the family. It can include:
- listening to a family’s fears and anxieties
- helping to explain illnesses, diagnoses and treatments
- keeping a seriously ill child company during hospital stays
- driving families to medical appointments to help save time and money
- organising fun activities to help sick children, their brothers and sisters
- support through bereavement and grief.
Watch our video to learn more:
Learn more about what we do
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A week in the life of a Family Support Worker
Follow Angie, from our London and South East team, as she talks you through a week in the life of a Rainbow Trust Family Support Worker.
Meet Angie -
Meet Anna and her family
Anna, mum to Oliver and Lucy (who has a rare life-threatening condition) explains how their Family Support Worker helps with vital practical and emotional support.
Read Anna's story -
Our response to COVID-19
Our latest report describes how we have innovated the delivery of our services, to ensure that as many families as possible can continue to receive the tailored support that they need.
Read the report