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Why we’re here for families, not just the child

Many of the parents we support (and sometimes grandparents and siblings too) are also round-the-clock carers for their seriously-ill children. Which is exhausting, stressful and can have a devastating impact on their own health, wellbeing and relationships. That’s why, at Forget Me Not, we don’t just care for the child, we’re here for the whole family too. 

Like the couple who went out for a meal when their daughter came to stay with us for the night – the first time they’d been able to spend time together, just the two of them, for over 8 years. 

Or the mum and dad who worried their other child was missing out because their daughter needed all their attention. So when she stayed at Russell House, they took their son to the cinema. 

Or the mum who, when her son’s at Russell House, gets some well-deserved time off for herself. “I can read my book for half an hour. It sounds like such a little thing, but it means so much! And I don’t have to think about getting up in the middle of the night to turn him over. I know he’s being looked after and he’s safe. It takes the pressure off. I can breathe, relax for a bit.”

We want to help parents be parents, not just carers. So we’re always looking for ways to make life a little easier.

For example, right now we’re arranging yoga sessions for our parents and carers to help them find a little time for themselves and learn some breathing, movement and relaxation techniques to help build the resilience they need to cope with the daily challenges they face. 

But we can’t do any of this without your help. Only a small amount of the funding we need comes from the government, so without people like you fundraising and supporting us, we wouldn’t be able to help families and the children they care for live the best lives they can.

Inspired to help? Click here for lots of fundraising ideas.