FINALIST 2023
"It's somewhere where you can come and remember what it's like to be a mum or a dad or a parent, rather than a nurse doing medical interventions." Tina – Jack’s mum
Francis House Children’s Hospice is a home from home where families of children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions receive professional care, support and friendship.
The parents, carers, children and young people describe their day to day struggles and the crucial role that Francis House plays in supporting them in ways that the viewer may not realise. By using a filming technique that enables the parents and young people to talk directly to camera, the viewer feels an added connection to them, their story, and their situation, prompting them to think how they might cope in a similar situation.
The film is launched at the annual Christmas ball in front of an audience of over 200 people. The music track plays an important role, helping to move the audience to respond in a positive way by choosing to support the charity. Although launched at the ball, the film has a much longer shelf life beyond the festive period and is used throughout the year to raise funds, raise awareness and to inform and educate.
Francis House would like to thank the children, young people and families who took part in the making of this film.
Directed by Karen Flower of Francis House, filmed and produced by Gareth Harrison Productions.
At Francis House Children’s Hospice we welcome children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions who need our support, care and friendship. We also welcome their families, not just mums and dads, but brothers and sisters too. The children in our care remain with us for as long as we are needed, some well into adulthood. Every child and young person has individual requirements, and our role is to work closely with them, their parents, and healthcare professionals to make sure that we give them the support that is right for them.
When we opened in 1991, we were only the fifth children’s hospice in the country, and our doors remain open to families from across Greater Manchester and the North West of England.
You won’t see any of our care team in uniforms, because we want Francis House to feel like a home from home. But the doctors, nurses, and other specialists who work here have all the skills needed to make sure that each child enjoys life. It’s an extended family, a place full of laughter, love and inspirational people of all ages and backgrounds.
We understand how difficult it is for families to make that first step into our care. But that’s why we are here. To understand, to listen, and to be here through their good days, their tough days, and their last days.
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
