What we do
In a nutshell
Rainbow Trust supports families who have a child aged 0-18 years with a life threatening or terminal illness and need the bespoke support we offer.
Today there are an estimated 49,000 children and young people in the UK living with a life limiting or life threatening condition who may require palliative care (University of Leeds, 2011). Many of these children and their families are able to cope or are not in a ‘crisis situation’. However, 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.
Who we support
We support these families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness and are in the greatest need. Our Family Support Workers provide a life line to these families and children. We support the whole family including parents, carers, the unwell child, brothers, sisters and grandparents. They bring support and help to families who so desperately need it at home, in hospital and in the community. Any family can receive support from the moment of their child or young person’s diagnosis.
Our support is hugely varied and depends on the needs of the family. Support may include all or some of the following:
How we support
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Families supported across the UK
We have eight teams of Family Support Workers around the country from Southampton to County Durham supporting the whole family.
Where we work -
Sibling support
Maintaining school attendance, arts & crafts, cinema trips, days out at the zoo, fun and laughter
Read how we support siblings like Ollie -
Home support
This includes emotional support, respite, countless meals cooked, baths run and storybooks read.
Read how we support Lia's family -
Hospital support
Helping to organise appointments, explaining illnesses and treatment, looking after siblings and staying with sick children. We also support families in the neonatal unit.
Read how we support Hope's family -
Bereavement support
For the entire family: parents, grandparents and siblings, face-to-face and over the phone, at any time of the night or day.
Read how we support Jack's family