Latest blogs
Collaborating, learning and growing together: highlights from our clinical respiratory training day
At Helen & Douglas House continuous learning is a vital part of our care culture. Our recent Clinical Respiratory Training Day ... Read more
From marathons to meaning
Have you ever wondered how far one person can go for a cause they truly believe in? For John, a teacher, opera singer and actor, the ... Read more
An unforgettable morning at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
On Saturday 7th June, four families who come to Helen & Douglas House were welcomed to Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons for a ... Read more
Creating magical moments: Stay & Play days
At Helen & Douglas House we understand how important it is for families to enjoy special moments together, especially when they’re ... Read more
Father’s Day after the loss of a child: Daryl’s story
Father’s Day is often a time filled with joy and celebration. But for many, it can carry a heavy emotional weight, especially for ... Read more
Why volunteering might be the change you need – Gavin’s story
Meet Gavin, a self-employed graphic designer from Carterton who has found new connections by volunteering at the Helen & Douglas ... Read more
Celebrating inclusivity and support at Helen & Douglas House
It’s Pride Month, and at Helen & Douglas House, we proudly embrace diversity and foster an inclusive environment for all. As an ... Read more
From student to senior nurse: my Helen & Douglas House journey
This International Nurses Day, meet Hannah, one of our wonderful nurses who shares how Helen & Douglas House shaped her career and ... Read more
Dying Matters Awareness Week: How we talk about Dying Matters
Parenthood is full of ideals, expectations and hopes as well as some trepidation as to what’s to come. How will life change, what kind ... Read more
The benefits of walking for grief
Losing a loved one affects every aspect of life - emotionally, physically, socially, financially and spiritually. Many describe grief ... Read more
Your gift, their future – leave a gift in your Will
The kindness you show today can have a lasting impact, even after you’re gone. By leaving a gift in your Will to Helen & Douglas ... Read more
Helen & Douglas House’s 1st apprentice: Sophie’s Story
In February every year, National Apprenticeship Week recognises and celebrates the achievements and successes of apprentices, and the ... Read more
World Cancer Day
Every year on 4th February, people around the world come together to celebrate World Cancer Day- a day dedicated to raising awareness ... Read more
John’s story: celebrating 20 years of volunteering
John Sansome has been volunteering with us for 20 years and is currently volunteering in catering at the hospice. We are so grateful ... Read more
How to write a Will: a simple guide
Writing a Will ensures your wishes are followed when it comes to distributing your assets. Whether you want to provide for your loved ... Read more
Meet Sally – Director of Nursing & Care at Helen & Douglas House
Meet Sally, our Director of Nursing & Care at Helen & Douglas House. Sally started at the hospice in September and we met up ... Read more
Leaving a gift in your will: Janet’s story
Leave a gift in your Will to Helen & Douglas House and help support families with children who have terminal or life-limiting illnesses. Read more
Six ways we bring joy and support at Christmas
Christmas at Helen & Douglas House is a truly magical time, filled with excitement as children and staff embrace the holiday ... Read more
Step right up: join our circus themed summer party
This summer, we brought magic and wonder to our Helen & Douglas House families. For the first time ever, our annual summer party ... Read more
The importance of photography at Helen & Douglas House
In honour of World Photo Day (19th August 2024), we are sharing the inspiring story of Helen, a talented photographer who volunteers ... Read more
The Keepsake Circle: Using music to navigate grief
Supporting bereaved families At Helen & Douglas House, we care for the entire family, from diagnosis to symptom control and pain ... Read more
The Hospice Garden: A sanctuary of sensory delight
Helen & House children’s hospice is located in the heart of Oxford, but we are very fortunate to have outside space so we can spread our care and support into the outdoors.. Read more
A buzzing day out for the siblings at Westbury
In June, a group of the siblings joined Rosa and Laura from the Siblings Team, and Westbury Bee Group at Westbury Arts Centre in ... Read more
National Grief Awareness Week: A Reflection with Michaela
It's National Grief Awareness Week, a time to recognise and raise awareness about grief. At Helen & Douglas House, we understand ... Read more
Celebrating Father’s Day with Love and Reflection
This Father’s Day, if you're celebrating with the important father figure/s in your life, we hope you have a wonderful day ... Read more
Weekend fun with the Network Saturday youth group
Last weekend, we joined the Youth & Transition team and some of our amazing volunteers for an action-packed Network Saturday youth ... Read more
Meet Ellen, a Helen & Douglas House Nurse
Help us fund a nurse for a year In honour of International Nurses Day on 12th May, we’re hosting an exclusive first look at our Summer ... Read more
A unforgettable day out at Millets with the Elephant Club
Earlier this month, we spent the day with the siblings team and the Elephant Club as they celebrated National Siblings Day at Millets ... Read more
A journey of charity and adventure
Hear from Janet, who participated in the London to Paris Bike Ride in September 2021, raising an incredible £15,000 for Helen & ... Read more
Running for a cause: inspiring stories from our 2024 London Marathon runners
As the London Marathon approaches, the excitement isn't just about the race itself; it's about the incredible individuals who are ... Read more
A Day in the Life of a Siblings Worker
We primarily care for children living with life-shortening and terminal conditions. But, we also provide support for siblings too. ... Read more
Meet Carissa – Assistant Catering Manager at Helen & Douglas House
We'd like to introduce you to Carissa, our assistant catering manager here at Helen & Douglas House. She's been with us for 9 ... Read more
An Egg-cellent Easter party at the hospice
Last Sunday, the hospice hosted a sunshine-filled day of festive fun for the children and their families. There were lots of laughter, ... Read more
Meet Harry – a physiotherapist at Helen & Douglas House
Harry is a physiotherapist at Helen & Douglas House. For the last nine years, Harry has specialised in paediatric physiotherapy ... Read more
Conquer the Peaks: 7 Reasons to take on the Brecon Beacons 10 Peaks Challenge
Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure amidst the stunning landscapes of the Brecon Beacons? If you're pondering ... Read more
The magic of Sensory Play
A massive thank you to Claire from Embracing Arts for putting on an incredible sensory show at the hospice last week. We were joined by children and their families who use Helen & Douglas House services. It was a sensory-tastic afternoon! Read more
Meet Lucy – a nurse at Helen & Douglas House
Lucy Butters is nurse on our care team here at Helen & Douglas House. As no day is ever the same, we asked her to talk us through ... Read more
Home Volunteers of Helen & Douglas House
We care for terminally ill children and their families at our hospice in Oxford, in hospital, the community and at home. The families ... Read more
Outreach Nursing – Caring for children at home
One of the special things about our care at Helen & Douglas House is that we’re able to offer it to children in the place they ... Read more
Makaton – using signs, symbols and speech at the hospice
Communication is an essential life skill and, because speech is not always possible for many of the children who we care for, it is ... Read more
Running the Oxford Half: Emily’s Story
Emily, whose daughter Neve has brain cancer comes to the hospice for short supportive stays, ran the Oxford Half Marathon in 2021 and ... Read more
Hospice school: Back to school
Did you know that we have a school at Helen & Douglas House? Some of you might as we did an update a few years ago on our blog. If ... Read more
From volunteer to member of staff
‘Volunteering enhanced my skills and reminded me why I went originally went into nursing before I had my children. I loved being back in the care environment. So, when I found myself with more time, I joined the care team as a member of staff, which I am so pleased about.’ Read more
Christmas celebrations at Helen & Douglas House
We’ve been looking forward to celebrating Christmas this year with our families this year as we weren't able to celebrate in person last year. Find out what special activities we got up to at our Christmas parties and which member of the royal family we visited. Read more
Opening the Helen & Douglas House Garden
Her Royal Highness, the former Duchess of Cornwall visited Helen & Douglas House on Tuesday 13th July to meet families supported by the hospice in the garden to learn how they have been coping with the pandemic. Read more
Her Majesty The Queen Visits Helen & Douglas House
Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall visited Helen & Douglas House on Tuesday 13th July to meet families supported by the hospice in the garden to learn how they have been coping with the pandemic. Read more
How Oli celebrate’s Father’s Day
‘Helen & Douglas House has given us the opportunity and space to create special memories to treasure during the most difficult of times. As they are a charity, we felt it was so important to raise funds for them to ensure they can continue to care for children like Patrick, and to support families like ours’. Read more
How we support siblings
‘Helen & Douglas House has given us the opportunity and space to create special memories to treasure during the most difficult of times. As they are a charity, we felt it was so important to raise funds for them to ensure they can continue to care for children like Patrick, and to support families like ours’. Read more
Spring fashion trends: Fresh spring finds from Helen & Douglas House charity shops
We’re delighted to introduce you to our Helen & Douglas House seasonal trend picks which is a round-up of the top items selected ... Read more
How we’re ‘Showing a Little Love’ throughout February
‘Helen & Douglas House has given us the opportunity and space to create special memories to treasure during the most difficult of times. As they are a charity, we felt it was so important to raise funds for them to ensure they can continue to care for children like Patrick, and to support families like ours’. Read more
The therapeutic value of cuddling and stroking a therapy cat at our children’s hospice
At Helen & Douglas House we love to welcome animals into the hospice to complement and support the palliative care we provide, ... Read more
No New Clothes For A Year
Guest blog from sustainable personal styling expert Victoria Lochhead from Frankie & Ruby. No New Clothes For A Year? Here are ... Read more
Mum Ellie becomes a fundraising inspiration on social media
‘Helen & Douglas House has given us the opportunity and space to create special memories to treasure during the most difficult of times. As they are a charity, we felt it was so important to raise funds for them to ensure they can continue to care for children like Patrick, and to support families like ours’. Read more
How we support older children at the hospice and beyond
Emma is our Youth and Transition worker at Helen & Douglas House. She told us about her role at the hospice and how she supports the older children we care for, from the ages of 13-19, until they move on to adult care with other healthcare providers. Read more
How young fundraisers used ‘pedal power’ to raise vital funds
This summer a group of school friends from The Blake Primary School in Witney took part in a sponsored cycle challenge to raise funds ... Read more
How we have continued to care during a pandemic
This is Dr Emily Harrop, our Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Care & Medical Director at the hospice. We found out more about ... Read more
Wardrobe Detox: Your 5 point plan to re-organising your wardrobe
Try detoxing your wardrobe and you’ll find the rewards are liberating and utterly worth it. By donating your discarded items to your ... Read more
Make a virtual gift this Father’s Day to help children like Toby
‘Helen & Douglas House has given us the opportunity and space to create special memories to treasure during the most difficult of times. As they are a charity, we felt it was so important to raise funds for them to ensure they can continue to care for children like Patrick, and to support families like ours’. Read more
How Patrick’s family raised over £10,000 in just six months
‘Helen & Douglas House has given us the opportunity and space to create special memories to treasure during the most difficult of times. As they are a charity, we felt it was so important to raise funds for them to ensure they can continue to care for children like Patrick, and to support families like ours’. Read more
Tandem skydive: how it feels to fly whilst raising vital funds for a charity
Imagine standing on the edge of an open doorway in an aircraft flying at 13,000 feet. As you experience the noise of the engines and ... Read more
Non-verbal communication: ‘My boys cannot talk but they communicate to me with their eyes’
As a children’s hospice, we welcome a variety of children of differing ages, abilities and living with a range of conditions through ... Read more
Hospice school: How we help the children keep up with their schoolwork
You might be surprised to discover a schoolroom at our children’s hospice. Here, every day, we have a teaching assistant to help our ... Read more
8 reasons why our summer pirate party rocked (the boat!)
As fun, laughter and creating special memories is at the heart of what we do at Helen & Douglas House, we never miss an excuse for ... Read more
Furniture trends: How to bring style to your home with second-hand treasures from our furniture shops
This year the public consciousness has turned firmly to helping the planet, so it’s only natural that sustainability is one of the ... Read more
When play therapy turns into a river adventure
Helen & Douglas House is well-known for the respite care we provide to babies, children and teenagers and the support we give to ... Read more
Spare a thought for Dad’s like Jason this Father’s Day
Here at Helen & Douglas House we’re asking local families who are celebrating Father’s Day on 16 June to spare a thought for local ... Read more
Meet Rhian, our learning disability nurse
For Rhian, one of our learning disability nurses, no shift is ever the same which is due to the nature of the care and the ... Read more
What does Mother’s Day mean to Helen & Douglas House mums?
Mother's Day can be a precious time to celebrate the relationship between mother and child. On the morning of Mother’s Day many ... Read more
Meet Dr Emily Harrop
Meet Dr Emily, our Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Care and Lead Doctor. A few years ago, she told us about her career in medicine ... Read more
The benefits of hydrotherapy: How splishy-splashy moments ease a wide range of symptoms
One of the things Helen & Douglas House is known for is the respite care we provide for local terminally ill children. When the ... Read more
How our hospice uses outdoor sensory experiences to help terminally ill children
Helen & Douglas House charity is known for the care we provide to babies, children and teenagers inside the hospice, but our ... Read more
How our children’s parties create memorable moments for their families
We love to throw a good party to create magical moments that really lift our children's spirits and live long in the memory of their ... Read more
The role of music therapy at children’s hospices: We love music and so does Nathan
Music positively affects us all physically, psychologically and emotionally and the health benefits of music are ... Read more
How furry friends bring comfort and joy to Helen & Douglas House
Amate Animalia, a charity based in the Cotswolds who educate people about exotic animals & their specialist needs, recently bought ... Read more
How we celebrate Easter at the local children’s hospice
Easter at a children’s hospice is quite different to other children’s Easter celebrations. Terminally ill children who come to stay at ... Read more
Donate now
We need to raise £3.6 million each year to care for local terminally ill children at the hospice and at home.