Virtual hospice tour created by supported teens
To celebrate Children’s Hospice Week, we unveiled a special virtual tour of our hospice that had been created by two young people we support.
The video aims to highlight the fun and adventures that Alexander Devine brings to so many local children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families.
19 year old Aaron Sennick and 14 year old Habibah Tariq, who are both supported by Alexander Devine, filmed and created the video themselves. They both have forms of muscular dystrophy, causing them to have significant muscle weakness that is deteriorating over time.
They enjoy their visits to the hospice, as well as being supported in their own homes.
Aaron, who lives in Slough, explained how he was able undertake the filming independently and why it was so important for him to create this special tour video:
“Alexander Devine has supported me and my family since I was 12 years old and I wanted to do something to give back to the charity for all the amazing care they have given me as well as my mother over the years.
Working in media has always been a passion of mine, so it has been an absolute pleasure to use my skills to help the charity. We wanted to show supporters as well as families that may have need of the hospice, just what it is really like at a children’s hospice. Many people think of a hospice as a sad and depressing place, but as you can see the reality is quite the opposite!
I recorded the entire video on my iPhone independently. I am unable to raise my arms due to my condition, so I use the voice control feature which is implemented into my phone‘s operating software to control it. I am so thrilled with how the video came out and I hope it demonstrates how uplifting and fun it really is at Alexander Devine.”
Habibah, who lives in Maidenhead, also shared how much fun she had filming the video:
“I had great fun filming the hospice tour with Aaron and the amazing hospice staff; it’s definitely an experience I will never forget.
My visits to the hospice are always magical and filled with fun. The hospice has really supported me with my baking and now I am ready to participate in the junior bake-off!
Due to my condition I am unable to travel far or go on any holidays hence the reason I spend a lot of my time at the hospice. Having the Alexander team support me is the best thing that I have experienced and no words can express the place the team have in my heart!”
Fiona Devine, CEO and Co-Founder thanked and praised the teenagers for creating such a special video:
“This is such a special video that truly gives an insight into our world and the reality of what our children’s hospice service is all about. We absolutely love it and are so grateful to Habibah and Aaron for taking the time to create this virtual tour. We know it is already making an impact from all the wonderful messages from families and supporters.”
To watch the hospice tour video, please visit A virtual tour of our children’s hospice
Need our help?
The word hospice should not seem scary and getting support from us doesn’t have to mean a child’s death is imminent. Helping to enrich the lives of the children and their families is at the heart of our service, our end of life and bereavement support is just a part of what we do.
Our children’s hospice service covers the whole of Berkshire and into surrounding counties. If you think your child may be eligible for our services, please do get in touch.
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Remember our very special Christmas gift from Volvo? 🚗🎁
It’s a gift that really has been making a huge difference to us at Alexander Devine, especially in helping us provide additional support for families like Huzaifah's.
Huzaifah, who is not yet two years old, up until earlier this year had spent just 7 weeks of his life out of hospital. Our team have been supporting the family in trying to keep him safe at home as much as possible, and now we can also help the family with taking him to his hospital appointments for vital treatment.
Using the car meant our Alexander's Nurses and Carers could safely transport Huzaifah along with his wheelchair, additional oxygen cylinders, suction machine and the extra team members we need to keep him safe during the journey.
Thank you Volvo for helping us make even more of a difference to children and families that we support.
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…and relax!
With its mesmerising lights and rainbow of colours, our sensory room is a wonderfully calm environment for the babies, children and young people that we support to explore.
After a busy morning splashing in the pool, getting messy in the creative zone or playing outside in the gardens, it’s the perfect place to unwind (for Alexander’s Nurses and Carers too!)
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Glitz, glamour, delicious food, fabulous entertainment, music and dancing – all wrapped up into one sparkling evening!
For this year's Heaven Sent Ball on Friday 12th May, we are heading to the stunning De Vere Wokefield Estate, near Reading.
For more information and to book your tickets, visit: alexanderdevine.org/heavensentball
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