Helping Zoe’s Place
Posted By: Helen Tuesday 21st May 2019 Tags: charity, Corporate Responsibility, it support, middlesbrough, Teesside, Zoe's Place
At LaneSystems we take corporate responsibility very seriously and this is woven into the core running of our company. Over our almost 25 years in business we have supported a number of charities across the North East in a variety of ways. Today’s we are looking at what it takes for a charity to survive and investigating the daily struggle many face in working to achieve this.
This formidable charity offers palliative, respite and end of life care to babies and infants from birth to 5 years of age. Babies and children involved with services are suffering with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. Zoe’s Place has three hospices based across Coventry, Liverpool and closer to home in Middlesbrough. The support, advice and guidance offered by the team is invaluable to parents, carers and children.
It’s no secret that devastatingly, Zoe’s Place is facing uncertain times. Coming directly from the charity itself and presented across the media, Zoe’s Place is now fighting hard against a change in funding for respite care.
So what does this mean exactly?
A huge part of the work Zoe’s Place do surrounds respite care. Through the provision of a 24 hour service in a 6 bed hospice, parents and carers are given the chance to recharge, safe in the knowledge their children are fully cared for by highly trained professionals. This respite is so important and cannot be underestimated. For the children it gives them a change of scenery with activities and dedicated care based upon their specific needs. For parents and carers, they are given the chance to unwind and recharge whilst knowing those most dear to them are in the very best of hands and fully cared for.
Due to altered funding, Zoe’s Place is facing a closure of the Middlesbrough hospice of up to two nights per week. The devastating potential attached to this is mammoth and will filter negatively across to Teesside families who are already bearing the unthinkable impact of caring for a severely poorly child.
What will be lost?
Emergency respite for up to two nights per week will no longer be available to families in the local area. It is yet uncertain but it is possible that further cuts may be required.
How much is neededto keep the charity going each year?
£1.5 million is required simply to keep the doors open.
How can we help towards this?
The simplest way to offer support is through a direct debit set at £10 per month. It’s easy to do with more information found here. If you fancy being a little more creative you could of course encourage your workforce to get behind a quirky incentive.
Can you give us an example?
At LaneSystems we decided to invest in lots of chocolate. Smarties to be precise! Tubes were handed out to staff members who readily enjoyed a chocolate snack with a warm drink! From here, team members have been filling their smartie tubes with 20 pence pieces. Once full they will be handed across to Zoe’s Place as a donation.
Fundraisers, sponsored runs and charity dinners are also wonderful ways to offer support.
Zoe’s Place is a highly unique charity and one which we hope, as parents and carers we never have to use. That said, during such difficult and often tragic times, we would hope someone out their could help and this is what the hospice does. The team work extremely hard to ensure no baby or small child is turned away.
Take a look at the recent Urgent Appeal made by Zoe’s Place. Keep up with the charities latest news via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
How could you help?
