Children with cancer
Cancer support starts earlier than you think. Because even when the future is unclear, no family should wish they'd come soonerChildren with cancer
Cancer support starts earlier than you think at Helen & Douglas House. Because even when the future is unclear, no family should wish they'd come sooner
If your child has been diagnosed with cancer, you may be facing a lot of uncertainty, questions and emotions. Alongside treatment and appointments, family life can change quickly, and those close to you may be affected in different ways.
At Helen & Douglas House, we're here to support you, your child and the people who matter most to them. You can access our holistic care and support, from diagnosis onwards, throughout treatment and at any point when you feel it would be helpful.
Cancer support starts earlier than you think. Because even when the future is unclear, no family should wish they'd come sooner.
"I hated the idea of a hospice, but when walking into Helen & Douglas House I was just amazed! We were welcomed so graciously and it was so much brighter than I expected...and when Josiah said, 'it's not really like a hospital, it's more like somebody's house’, I just thought, okay, we're going to be fine."
First impressions of Helen & Douglas House from Kathy, mum to Josiah.
“We found out about Helen & Douglas House whilst Ella was undergoing cancer treatment at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. We were referred by a doctor on her team, and when we came for a look around, it felt so peaceful and relaxing, with the beautiful gardens.”
Chris, Ella's dad who currently uses Helen & Douglas House services
“It’s like being at home with all your aunties around you to take care of your child. Helen & Douglas House was both life changing and death changing for Nicole. They are the fairy godmother taking care of everyday chores. Giving us quality time with Nicole. It’s like being in a bubble of love.”
Bethan, Nicole's mum who used Helen & Douglas House services
Care and support at Helen & Douglas House
We know that every family's experience following a cancer diagnosis is different. There is no right or wrong way to feel, and no expectation about the support you should need. We will work with you to understand what matters most to your family and provide support that fits you. This might include emotional support, help with managing symptoms, support for siblings, practical advice, opportunities to spend time together, or simply offering someone to listen.
Who is this support for?
- Children and young people with cancer
- Their parents and/or carers
- Their brothers and sisters
- Their grandparents and other close family members
- For families from diagnosis onwards, throughout treatment and during times of uncertainty
How we can help
Every family’s experience is different, and our focus is on supporting your child and whole family with:
- Extra support when your child is unwell
- A place where your whole family can stay
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Time to rest, recharge, and enjoy a comforting meal
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Support at the hospice, at home (outreach) or in the community
- Activities and support for siblings
- Guidance for young people as they grow older
- Someone to talk to when you need advice
- Care and support through difficult times
What makes us different
We work closely with your child's hospital team, but our role is different. We're here to support your child, but also parents, carers and siblings too. Support can be tailored to what matters most to your family and can begin at any stage of your journey.
Whether it's one-to-one care, play sessions, music therapy, visits from a PAT dog, support for siblings or creating special moments together as a family, we're here to help in ways that work for you. And if there's something your child or family wants or needs, we'll always do our best to make it happen.
Where we support you
Our care and support is available for families living in the Thames Valley and surrounding counties. We are able to provide our services at our hospice in Oxford, in your home, in the community or in other settings where your family feels most comfortable.
If you need support beyond what we can offer, we will work alongside you and your healthcare team to help connect you with the right services.
Next steps
If you’ve recently been referred, a member of our team will be in touch to talk through the next steps and answer any questions you may have.
If you have any queries or questions and would like to speak to a member of the team, we’re here to help:
- Telephone: 01865 794749
- General: [email protected]
- Clinical: [email protected]
Further support available
Alongside Helen & Douglas House, there are other cancer specific organisations that can offer information, practical advice and emotional support to children, young people, parents, carers and siblings.
- Supershoes - Empowering children fighting cancer in the UK
- Blue Skye Thinking - Children's brain tumour charity
- Young Lives Vs Cancer
- Together For Short Lives - Leading UK-wide charity for children living with serious illness, their families and the people who support them
Share your feedback on the information on this page
Working with the CIC (Cancer Improvement Collaborative)
This page has been developed by Helen & Douglas House as part of our work with the NHS Cancer Improvement Collaborative (CIC), alongside families, healthcare professionals and oncology colleagues. The CIC is a national initiative supporting quality improvement projects in cancer care. It helps organisations improve care by bringing together clinical expertise and lived experience to ensure children, young people and their families can access the right support at the right time.
Helen & Douglas House was selected to take part in CIC7. As part of this work, we listened to bereaved families who told us they wished they had known about our support sooner. In response, we have worked closely with oncology teams to engage families earlier and highlight the support available during periods of uncertainty, treatment and beyond. This has included education events for healthcare professionals, with regular oncology ward rounds planned as the project develops. Early feedback has been positive, and we look forward to continuing this work.
Read some of our family stories
Ella's story
Ella was born with complex medical needs, including a hormone deficiency and developmental delay. When she was two years old, she was diagnosed with a brain tumour and has since undergone surgery and chemotherapy.
Cara Jo's story
When Cara-Jo was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer at just 13, her mum Donna wanted life to stay as normal as possible. Here, she shares how Helen & Douglas House helped them make the most of their time together and why she wishes they had come sooner.
Olivia's story
Olivia was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour at 13 years old. Donna, Olivia's mum made the decision to bring her daughter to Helen & Douglas House for end-of-life care where they could create happy memories together.
Learn more: Watch our film 'A Place You Didn't Expect'
Many families tell us they didn't know what to expect from a children's hospice. In this short film, families share their stories of coming to Helen & Douglas House, the support they received, and what being part of our community means to them. Whilst the film features a variety of families from the hospice, not just those with cancer, we hope it helps you feel more informed about the care and support available for your child and family.
Watch whenever you feel ready and discover what Helen & Douglas House is really like.
FAQs
Doesn't hospice mean end of life?
Helen & Douglas House Children’s Hospice supports children and young people from diagnosis, through treatment, and into what happens next. We support families living with uncertainty, and our goal is to support children to be children and to live as well as possible.
Will I have my own room?
Yes, you will have your own bedroom. There are lots of communal spaces, but your bedroom is yours, which we can help you personalise and make your own.
Is there a TV in my room/can I use my ipad?
We do have televisions in rooms, but you are also welcome to bring devices with appropriate firewalls.
Is there parking and do we have to pay?
Yes, there is parking available for families. Oxford now has a congestion charge, but it is possible to get to the hospice without entering the congestion zone. We can also visit you at home.
What do we do for food?
All food at Helen & Douglas House is prepared on site and is free for families visiting us. We understand your taste buds may change due to treatment, and we will always do our best to accommodate special requests.
Can we bring our pets to Helen & Douglas House?
We have therapy dogs who come to visit regularly. We will also manage requests for individual pet visits on a case-by-case basis.
Can siblings come to stay and for how long?
You can come as a family for a stay, as we have family flats on-site. There are no restrictions on visiting for your family. We also have a siblings support group available.
Can they have their bloods done at Helen & Douglas House?
At the moment, bloods need to be done at Kamrans Day Care, but we are looking into the possibility of supporting bloods and line care in the community.
Can we still go to Kamrans/use our oncology team too?
Of course, we work really closely with your other teams. In fact, some of them work for us too.