Coronavirus and keeping our Houses open for families

As I’m sure you’re aware, coronavirus (COVID-19) is having a considerable impact on us as individuals, families and organisations and is challenging our ability to provide our core purpose of free accommodation for families with sick children in hospital.

The staff in our 11 Houses across the UK continue to provide support to all families currently staying with us. Each House has a robust process in place to manage health, safety and sanitation, and we are in contact with our partner hospitals for advice on infection control. We continue to work with our hospital and health partners to prepare in the event of further changes to the ever-evolving coronavirus situation.

That said, we now have to make the difficult decision to suspend new intakes of families coming to stay with us at this time. This decision has been made on the basis of minimising the risk of contracting the virus. Consequently we must now deliver our core purpose with restrictions.

Please be assured that this temporary measure is being made to strengthen the care for the families currently in our Houses, and to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our staff whose tireless efforts keep our Houses running. Once we come out of this difficult time, we will return to providing our usual service.

If you would like up to date information on how to manage Coronavirus, current guidelines, as well as an online NHS symptom checker, please visit: www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

We thank you for your support.

Jon Haward