FINALIST 2025
Charlotte is a spirited ten-year-old who lives life to the full. Fun-loving, chatty and confident, she has the rare genetic muscle disorder Nemaline Myopathy and receives care from EACH. The condition causes muscle weakness throughout the body, but is typically most severe in the muscles of the face, neck and limbs and Charlotte spent the first four months of her life in hospital.
At The Treehouse, our hospice based in Suffolk, Charlotte particularly enjoys music therapy, arts and crafts, baking, playing board games and using the swing in the hospice garden. "The staff are really nice and I enjoy chatting to them. I also like baking – especially breaking eggs – and making cookies for the carers and nurses. My favourite thing is music therapy and I like using different instruments, especially the keyboard. It makes me happy," said Charlotte.
Mum Nova says, “In terms of her health, it’s a continuous cycle of ups and downs. She’s been through so much and winter is especially hard, but she’s so accepting of her condition. She’s so resilient, pragmatic and robust. She continues to defy the odds but is an absolute trooper and fights with all her might.”
At East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) we ensure the best possible quality of life and make every moment count for children and families. Our supportive care for babies, children, young people and their families is all-encompassing. If required, this life-long
support includes specialist nursing, therapies and ongoing wellbeing care through all the ups and downs. Depending on a family’s needs and wishes, we can provide care in one of our hospices, in the family home, in hospital or in the wider community. This ensures every family receives care somewhere they feel safe and comfortable.
Our planned, coordinated end-of-life care ensures children are as comfortable as possible, and that families have everything they need to feel prepared. Our specialist bereavement support is offered to the whole family, individually and in groups, and includes memory days for families to come together to remember their loved ones.
All our hospices are rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission and we pride ourselves on delivering world-class care.
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
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