Our care
Caring for the child and supporting the familyWe understand that having a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition can impact on everything you do. At Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service our approach is personal and we work closely with families to provide their child with the best possible quality of care as well as the support that is needed for their family.
Our services
Getting support from us doesn’t have to mean a child’s death is imminent as our end of life care and bereavement support is just a part of what we do. Our service areas include:
Respite care
Specialist play
Symptom management
Family support
End of life care
Bereavement support
Alexander’s Care Team
Alexander’s Care Team includes nurses and nursery nurses, play and music specialists, counsellors and a doctor.
Using their clinical knowledge, skills, compassion and expertise, the team can offer support to families to meet their individual needs.
They also work in close partnership with other health and social care professionals in the NHS to provide flexible and joined-up support that is personal to each child and their family.
In the community
A significant amount of our hospice service is carried out in the community. This might be in the family home, in hospital or in schools. Wherever the child and family need us.
For these families our visits provide much needed respite and we can bring support and services to their home.
We understand that good quality respite care is absolutely essential for the health and wellbeing of families caring for children with complex healthcare needs. Therefore we want to give families regular opportunities to take precious time for themselves and have the peace of mind that the clinical needs of their child are being met.
At the hospice
Our purpose-built hospice, located just off the M4 near Maidenhead, was opened in 2018.
It was designed to complement the existing community service with state-of-the-art-facilities for all the family to enjoy. It has six children’s bedrooms, two self-contained flats for families, a large dining area, open plan family sitting room and Dolphin Suite, dedicated to end of life and bereavement care.
Sensory room
A fully-equipped sensory room which is a wonderful safe space to engage all children in stimulating play and to make special memories together.
Creative learning zone
The messiest room in the house and where masterpieces are created that are completely priceless to families. It is also a place for children to maximise their learning capacity.
Music room
A dedicated room with an array of musical instruments for children to express themselves and stimulate their senses.
Hydrotherapy pool
A specially designed space for the children to splash around, relax and spend precious time together with their family. For a child confined to a wheelchair, the freedom of movement in water is a priceless gift.
Outdoor adventures at the hospice
Outside, our woodland-themed sensory garden offers an interactive and safe environment with wheelchair-friendly winding pathways, a mud kitchen, musical play pieces, scented plants and raised flower beds. Nestled amongst the plants and flowers are a host of LEGO models built by the talented team of LEGOLAND Model Makers.
We are currently building an exciting adventure playground that has been designed with special equipment to enable the children of all abilities we care for and their siblings to play together.
Take a look around
Who we support
We are here to help children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions from birth until they are 19 years old. We support families from all faiths, cultures and ethnic groups.
We cover the whole of Berkshire and many of the surrounding counties and our support is provided free of charge and available all year round.
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 the surrounding counties. Anyone can make a referral to Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service and if you think your child may be eligible for our services, please do get in touch.
Alexander Devine on Facebook
We wanted to pay tribute to a very special young man who has been part of our Alexander Devine family for the past six years. A few weeks ago we had our final home visit with him before he transitions to an adult hospice.
This extraordinary young man has has brought so much joy, laughter and love to us all Alexander Devine. Amongst many things, we will miss his cheeky sense of humour and love of singing!
Here's to you Tomi, our superhero!
Thank you so much to Naomi from Wild Heart Yoga for helping to raise money for us. Naomi is streaming live yoga sessions for free and asking students to make a donation to Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service. Head to her page for details of all her classes.First live stream class done! That was really scary for me but so glad I did it. Was wonderful to see all my lovely students, Miss you all so much! Shoved everything out of the way, had a big roll of carpet in front of me, a step ladder, paint and my dog moaning but it was lovely all the same 😂
I’ll be teaching more classes next week - details to follow. Classes will free but I’m asking people to donate money to charities. My suggested is @alexanderdevinehospice but the choice is yours.
Let’s use this as a chance to give something back! Much love ♥️💫🤪🙌🏻 #yogaonline #zoom #wildheartyoga #charityyoga #stayhome #yoga #spreadlove
Ps. Message me to book onto classes
On this day 13 years ago, Fiona Devine established Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service after her son Alexander tragically passed away.
Today Fiona has published an Open Letter in response to the Covid-19 crisis, urging our supporters and local community to help us. You can read the letter in full here.
alexanderdevine.org/2020/03/open-letter-from-our-ceo-fiona-devine/
To each and every one of you, please give what you can to help us maintain our much-needed and valued service. We need your help now more than ever.
Copyright © 2019 Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service. UK Registered Charity No. 1118947.