Rainbow helps seriously ill children and their families. They provide support at home and in the community. Families with a young person up to age 18 with a life threatening or terminal condition are eligible. Such conditions could include cancer, neurological conditions and babies in neonatal intensive care. Anyone can make a referral.
What does the service provide?
The trust helps families manage everyday life while caring for a sick child. This helps them to make the most of their time together.
They provide expert, practical and emotional support via a Family Support Worker. Families can choose the type of support they receive, wherever and whenever they need it.
Support
Each family get paired with a dedicated expert Family Support Worker. Services are tailored to the individual needs of each family member. This includes the sick child, parents, siblings, grandparents and extended family. Support includes:
- short breaks for the sick child and siblings
- spending time with the child at hospital or home
- accompanying and supporting parents and their child during hospital visits
- transport for hospital visits
- working with and caring for siblings, to ensure usual activities are continued
- one-to-one sibling support sessions. Help to get to school or with homework. Regular sibling groups and school holiday events and activities.
- practical support with household chores
- emotional support
- end-of-life care and bereavement support
Support is generally available from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm. The frequency and duration depends on family choice and needs. Rainbow Trust operates a 24-hour service for families in crisis. It includes a 24-hour contact number, and the possibility of extended hours of family support during weekdays and weekends.
How do I access the service?
Please simply phone, email or write to us if you or someone you know would like support
Anyone can refer themselves, or be referred once consent from the family is granted. It can be by a family member, friend, health, education or social care professional.
- Tel: 01372 220111
- Email: tom.czarnecki@rainbowtrust.org.uk
Following a referral, a family support manager makes an assessment visit. They will discuss the family's needs, eligibility and provide information. A family support worker will then visit the family to offer the agreed support. At times of crisis, we can arrange for support to be introduced to a family within 24 hours. Assessment visits are normally arranged within two weeks of a referral. It depends on family circumstances.
Venues
Support is provided in family homes and in the community, with drop-in groups at various times and venues.