Game for Life Grant to be awarded at Palace of Cards

On Saturday 25th March at the P4C / Palace of Cards tournament in Didcot, Oxon at least one Game for Life Grant will be awarded to local charities caring for sick kids. The first to be confirmed is a grant of equipment for the therapy room at Helen House. Most of the equipment is for general use with some for use by the complementary therapy team. Here is a little bit about their work.

About Helen & Douglas House

Helen & Douglas House provide respite and hospice care for children and young adults from birth to 40 with life-shortening conditions, as well as care for their families. The two Houses, Helen House (for children) and Douglas House (for young adults) are bright, vibrant and positive places, focused on bringing some depth and enjoyment to life in often difficult circumstances.

Helen House was the world’s first children’s hospice, built in 1982; Douglas House is the world’s first hospice for young adults, and opened in 2004. Together they add ‘life to years’ through rest and recuperation, treatment of distressing symptoms, end of life care, family support and education.

Helen & Douglas House aims to help those children and young adults who stay with us by providing professional care, practical support and friendship.

Complementary Therapies at Helen House

Helen House offers Clinical Aromatherapy and Therapeutic Massage to all children, parents and siblings who stay with us. Treatment is also offered to bereaved parents and siblings of children who have visited Helen House. It is available during stays at Helen House and also on day visits. A high level of demand exists for this service, with over 300 individuals benefitting from treatment each year.

Aromatherapy is the systematic use of essential oils in treatments to improve physical and emotional wellbeing. The benefits of Aromatherapy for a child with complex special needs are great; the healing properties of the oils help relieve symptoms of their conditions and the aroma of the oils and sensation of touch aid in communication and relaxation. Aromatherapy is highly effective in alleviating physical symptoms, together with stress, anxiety and depression, experienced by many of the children and families who visit Helen House. It is also beneficial for bereaved parents and siblings who are experiencing feelings of grief and loss. After treatment the recipient is relaxed, contented and energised.

Complementary therapy is provided as part of a holistic treatment approach which addresses the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of the children and families. It is offered alongside other medical treatments, in consultation with hospice physicians to ensure that it does not contra-indicate medical treatment.

Treatment is administered in a therapy room or in the child’s room where appropriate. It is delivered by a qualified complementary therapy practitioner with a paediatric nursing qualification and experience in palliative care, or by trained staff under the practitioner’s supervision. This year Helen House is planning to expand the services currently offered by introducing other therapies such as Reiki and reflexology.

Once again we are able to make a real difference to the lives of those facing real challenges in life. I would like to once again thank and applaud all those in the poker community (especially BLONDITES) for all their efforts and genorosity in making this happen