Talking Photo Albums by Talking Products Ltd who were kind enough to provide us with one of these albums for free so we could undertake a trial of using it as part of our wider approach to a smooth transition. We believe the benefits of this are many; putting the album together with pictures and recordings of special messages from staff, friends and family should bring a lot of fun over the coming months and then ultimately it is a unique keep-sake for the young person to take forward with them, giving them a visual and audible method of re-calling fond memories.
Claire House Children’s Hospice provides respite and care to children and young people up to the age of 23, as well as support for the entire family. The hospice currently cares for over 160 families from Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, West Lancashire and the Isle of Man, both in the hospice building and through the Hospice to Home service, taking the same high level of care out into the local community and the familiar surroundings of the family home.
In the field of health care, we use the term ‘transition’ to describe the process of planning, developing and moving from children’s health care services into adult health care services. Transition is a measured process of change, the aim of which is to ensure that young people and their families are well prepared and feel ready to make the transfer into adult health care.
This means that this process of change and movement into adult services has to be skilfully and carefully handled. With this in mind, we have looked for practical ways of creating memories that young people can take away with them, as a reminder of the precious times spent with Claire House.