Steve Brine MP hosted a Reception at the Houses of Parliament in celebration of the region’s children and young adults’ hospice charity’s 21st birthday.
More than 130 of the charity’s supporters, along with families who have benefitted from the services offered at the specialist hospices, attended the Reception which was held in the Terrace Pavillion at the House of Commons.
Mr Brine’s Parliamentary colleagues, Kit Malthouse MP, Mims Davies MP, Penny Mordaunt MP, Suella Braverman MP, Julian Lewis MP and others also attended the event. Guests enjoyed the unique views over the Thames before hearing from Steve Brine MP, the charity’s Patron, Alastair Stewart OBE, and hospice Chairman, David Holmes CBE.
The Reception gave Members of Parliament the opportunity to learn more about the history of one of the UK’s leading children’s hospices and to hear the charity’s ambitious plans for the future.
In his speech, Steve Brine, MP for Winchester & Chandlers Ford and Minister at the Department of Health, said: “I first visited Naomi House in 2007 and we have been through a lot together since then. The charity is continually expanding its service, delivering excellence and offering families comfort and compassion at the darkest of times. I’m delighted to call myself a supporter of Naomi House & Jacksplace and proud that the Winchester and Chandlers Ford constituency is home to a hospice charity of national and international acclaim.”
The importance of the work undertaken at Naomi House & Jacksplace was highlighted by a moving speech from Val Dowd. Val’s daughter, Catherine, was cared for at Naomi House throughout her short life. Val, from Basingstoke, told guests that “Naomi House & Jacksplace gave the family exactly the right kind of support just when it was needed the most. They never lose sight of the fact that they are looking after children, and when Catherine had moments of feeling better, she was taken to the lounge for stories, singing and other activities. It was wonderful to see how they made her last days fun.”
Mark Smith, Chief Executive at Naomi House & Jacksplace said: “We are extremely grateful to Steve Brine MP for hosting this reception and allowing us a unique opportunity to tell the Naomi House & Jacksplace story to his colleagues in Parliament as well as our supporters from across the South. Our charity is delivering an exceptionally high standard of care to more medically complex children and young adults than ever before.
"We are developing innovative methods and services to ensure we truly meet the need of families now and long into the future. It is right and proper that we pause to recognise this during our birthday year and share with supporters and politicians our future plans.”
Naomi House & Jacksplace care for life limited and life threatened children and young adults. The charity offers respite, community, emergency, end of life and post-bereavement care to more than 325 children and young adults across the Wessex region. Since opening in 1997 the charity has cared for 1,144 children and young people with increasing medical complexity on good days, difficult days and last days.
Pictured; Steve Brine MP with the Naomi House team at the event in the House of Commons.
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