Following an initial pilot at nine hospitals last year, the Trust received £5,000 funding from Sophie’s Legacy to introduce a hot meal initiative as part of the national parents to be fed campaign.
Sophie’s Legacy was created in memorial of Sophie Fairall, who passed away after being diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer rhabdomyosarcoma. While unwell, Sophie created a bucket list which included improving access to meals for parents staying with their children in hospital.
The funding has enabled a microwave, crockery and freezer filled with meals to be installed in the family room on the children’s ward. Parents staying on the ward are now able to access hot food 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Tracy Fennell, deputy chief nurse and director of governance at WHH, said: “Having a child in hospital can be one of the most difficult times for a parent to go through, and thinking about food for themselves is not a priority. By ensuring parents’ basic needs are met, we can support them to be more actively involved and engaged in discussions and decisions with clinicians around their child’s care plan.
“We are extremely grateful to have received the funding from Sophie’s Legacy to initiate the programme, and for the ongoing support from our WHH Charity to continue this longer term. I am delighted to see this up and running and know it will make such a difference to families receiving care at WHH.”
More than 1,000 meals will be provided by the charity, helping parents to easily access a balanced and nutritious meal and ease any financial costs that can inevitably add up when staying in hospital with their child.
Charlotte Fairall, founder and chief executive of Sophie’s Legacy, added: “Meeting this fundamental need recognises the vital role that parents play in looking after a child in hospital. I am delighted that WHH Charity has also pledged funds to lengthen the pilot by funding a further stock of meals which will no doubt help to relieve the stress and financial burden experienced by many parents with a child in hospital.”