That human Connection binds us all together

Gillian Harvey learns about Rainbow Trust, a vital charity providing invaluable support to families of ill children.

THERE are few things more challenging for parents than caring for a sick child, especially if that child has a life-limiting or life threatening condition.

Alongside the emotional toll of caring for an ill child, families often struggle to cope with some of the practicalities: caring for other siblings, continuing to work and coping with the day-to-day minutiae of family life.

This is where Rainbow Trust comes in providing invaluable support to help families in crisis.

With an estimated 86,625 children with life-limiting or threatening conditions in England alone, there is a high level of need.

As needs vary greatly between families, Rainbow

Trust begins by listening.

A family support worker will be assigned and it’s their job to get to know a family.

“The family support worker will talk to the family and find out how best they can be supported,” Oonagh Goodman, one of the charity’s directors, says.

“They might help by babysitting siblings, providing transport to a medical appointment, supporting during a difficult hospital appointment or being someone to listen to.”

While these actions in themselves might seem small, they make a huge difference to supported families.