More help is at hand for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses with the launch of new hospice services.

The Hospice in the Weald, based at Pembury, has been caring for terminally-ill adults and their loved ones, since it was first established as a home-care service in 1980.

Now, for the first time, it is extending its services to include home-care visits for children.

Chief executive Nick Farthing said: "We are delighted that Hospice in the Weald for Children is now up and running.

"We are here to work collaboratively with other providers to make a difference to the lives of those who need us most.”

The hospice's children's service will be headed by Tracy Smith, a paediatric nurse with 20 years' experience.

She said: “We are delighted to now have home visits service under way and are enjoying getting to know some of the amazing children and their families in our community.

"We are here to offer respite care to families, so children can stay in the comfort of their own home.

"To ensure children can be children, we have an array of specialist and sensory toys and activities to help each child have fun and make memories.”

Counselling is available for siblings and the whole family to help them cope with the emotional impact of a child’s diagnosis.

Mrs Smith said: "Families need respite so that parents or carers have some breathing space to cope.

"A few hours just to do some shopping, spend time with another sibling, or to be able to do something as a couple, can make the world of difference to a parent who is otherwise caring for their child around the clock.

"Being able to become ‘mum’ or ‘dad’ and not ‘carer’ even for a few hours can help parents regain a sense of identity.

“We are welcoming referrals as we fully establish our new service and are happy to speak to families who may wish to find out if we can support them.”

Families can ask their health professional to be referred to Hospice in the Weald for Children or can just refer themselves.

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The hospice also has 25 beds for adult in-patient care.