I gave birth to identical twin girls at Wolverhampton hospital....

On 2 December 2012 at just 25 weeks pregnant I gave birth to identical twin girls at Wolverhampton hospital - Angel Stewart who was 1lb13 ounces and Maisy Stewart, who was 1lb 3 ounces. Sadly our baby Angel passed away shortly after birth. This was the start of Maisy’s long journey to get home. On 11 December Maisy was transferred to the Rosie Maternity Hospital in Cambridge as it was the closest specialised hospital to us. It was here that my partner, Sean, and I were told about Chestnut House, a ‘Home from Home’ facility that provides free accommodation to the families of sick babies being treated at the hospital. The room was just downstairs from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and I was so pleased to be able to stay there as we were still in shock from the birth of our girls and losing Angel that neither Sean nor myself could not bear the thought of leaving Maisy. The morning after we had arrived Alan Booth Chestnut House Manager showed us around Chestnut House. It was great to know there is a friendly face around if we need anything or have any questions.

We could not face speaking to anyone after what we had been through but living in the house with others around us who are also in the same situation made it a lot easier to start talking about our journey’s together. We found some great friendships in the house that I’m sure will continue when we return home. It’s now the start of February and we have now been in Chestnut House for eight weeks. We feel so privileged to be staying so close to Maisy for her time in hospital. We have been able to spend more time with her than we could ever imagine with than if we were commuting from our home in North London. It is great to be able to go upstairs any time of the day but also to be able to come back to the house and have some normality, especially when we have visitors up, to sit and have a cup of tea in the living room as if we were at home is lovely. Maisy still has a long journey home ahead but thanks to Alan and The Sick Children’s Trust we have had somewhere safe, friendly and homely to stay and will be forever grateful for your kindness and hard work. Kirsty and Sean, Maisy’s parents

When our son Dylan was diagnosed with an infection of the bloodstream we were devestated...

In September 2011 our son Dylan was taken to Sheffield Children’s Hospital. He was diagnosed with an infection of the bloodstream, Streptococcal A septicemia. With Dylan being only four years old at the time of diagnosis, we were devastated. We spent all our time by his bedside and didn’t want to leave, we could think of nothing else but his recovery, we didn’t eat or sleep the whole time Dylan was in the intensive care unit. We are from Chesterfield so we wouldn’t have been able to travel the distance everyday. He remained in the intensive care unit for 11 days. When Dylan began to recover, we were able to leave his bedside and were informed about The Sick Children’s Trust and the accommodation that they provide. We immediately put our names down and were offered a room at Treetop House. It was great, not only could we stay close to Dylan but our daughter Ellie Mae, only aged two at the time, could also stay with us. Dylan and Ellie are really close, so it meant a lot that we could all stay together and be close to Dylan. With the accommodation being situated on the top floor of the hospital, we could shower, sleep and eat proper meals again. We also had the comfort of knowing that while we were away from the ward, we had a direct line to Dylan’s bedside as well as being only one lift ride away from him. The accommodation The Sick Children’s Trust provided was incredibly helpful. It was a weight off our minds in practical terms as we knew that we wouldn’t have been able to travel home to Chesterfield everyday. It was also really supportive emotionally as it was good to talk to other parents and families who were going through a similar journey as us. Also, the staff at Treetop House were amazing, they were so caring and were always there as a shoulder to cry on when we needed them. We cannot thank The Sick Children’s Trust enough for all they have done for us. Dylan has now recovered really well and we are so pleased. He is enjoying and doing well at school and also has become a keen swimmer. He is so happy and is always smiling. As much as we would like to forget Dylan’s hospital stay and the time we spent in Sheffield Children’s Hospital, we will never forget and will always appreciate the accommodation The Sick Children’s Trust provides. Colleen Beer, Dylan’s Mum

Lola was born on 7 July 2012 and it was the happiest day of my life...

We were lucky enough to stay in The Sick Children’s Trust’s Eckersley House for four weeks last July when our daughter, Lola, was born with Gastroschisis – a condition which affects 1 in 5000 unborn babies. Lola was born on 7 July 2012 and it was the happiest day of my life, but that happiness soon turned to panic when we were told by the doctors that because of her condition and her bowels being on the outside of her body she would require urgent care – she was booked in to undergo surgery the next day to try and repair her bowels. Lola was our primary concern but at that point we also had to face the issue of where we could stay. Our home was in Huddersfield and neither myself nor my partner, Michael, wanted to leave her side. That was when one of the midwives at Leeds General Infirmary told me about The Sick Children’s Trust’s ‘Home from Home’ Eckersley House. She kindly spoke to the house manager, Jane, and arranged everything. Having this respite just across from the hospital helped Lola and I to bond when she was born. As a first time mum I was worried that we might not be able to establish a strong relationship, but thanks to the close location of Eckersley House I could be there with Lola all the time. I genuinely believe that having Michael and I around also helped her recovery. The doctors had told me Lola would have to stay in 6-12 weeks but amazingly she was allowed home after just 4 weeks. The Sick Children’s Trust helped me more than words can say. I was so scared that I wouldn’t have money to travel every day and that I might miss the beginning of her life. But because of this amazing charity I could go and see her whenever I liked, which put my mind at rest. Two days before Lola was discharged she was allowed out of the hospital for the day and I took her to Eckersley House. All we did was sit down and relax, and for the first time we felt like a proper family. All the staff there were so helpful and I can’t thank them enough for allowing me to be with my daughter. Paige Wood, Lola’s mum.