Meet the team behind Sandcastles
Top row: Darragh Leonard, Olivia Smith, Chantelle Rattray, Jo Chidlow, Sarah Jerome, Neeltje Couwenberg. Bottom row: Rachel Forbes, Jo Chidlow, Lauren O'Brief, Sue Kearney, Lisa Cuddeford and Trish Coniglio.
As Sandcastles (Boodja Mia) Children's Hospice prepares to open its doors in October, an experienced team of nurses, allied health professionals and family support specialists are coming together with a shared commitment to supporting children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
Drawing on decades of experience across children's hospitals, hospices, community services and palliative care programs in Australia and overseas, the inaugural team is united by a vision of creating a place where families feel welcomed, supported and understood.
For Clinical Nurse Darragh Leonard, the opportunity to help establish WA's first children's hospice was particularly meaningful.
"I was really drawn to the opportunity to be part of something new and to help shape a service that will have such an important role for children and families in WA," he said.
"Most of all, I hope families feel that their child is seen as a whole person, not defined by their illness or care needs."
For Registered Nurse Olivia Smith, who recently moved to Australia from Canada to join the team, hospice care has been part of her life since childhood.
"From a young age, I went with my mum to hospice while she volunteered to cut hair and make people feel beautiful and at ease during such a vulnerable time in their lives," she said.
Looking ahead to welcoming families, Olivia hopes they experience "the chance to exhale" and "feel at ease and truly heard as we get to know one another and make the best possible memories."
Clinical Nurse Specialist Chantelle Rattray has followed the Sandcastles project for years and sees the service as a significant opportunity for Western Australia.
"I was inspired to join the inaugural Sandcastles team because I saw an opportunity to be involved in a service with a clear purpose and the potential for real impact," she said.
"I was particularly drawn to the team's commitment to supporting children and families and wanted to be part of building something that could make a lasting difference."
A wealth of nursing experience
Many of the team's nurses have spent years caring for children with complex and life-limiting conditions across WA's health system.
Clinical Nurse Jo Childlow said she has always been passionate about supporting children with complex care needs and had watched the development of the hospice project with interest.
"When I discovered that a Children's Hospice was being planned and constructed it encouraged me to think more about palliative and end of life care," she said.
She hopes Sandcastles will become "a home away from home where families can stay on site and be close to their child whilst having a valuable rest from the day-to-day cares."
Registered Nurse Sarah Jerome, who trained in Sweden before moving to Australia, described Sandcastles as "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help start up an incredibly important and much needed service to WA children and their families."
She hopes children and families will experience "support, truly personalised care and improved quality of life" and that Sandcastles will become "a place where kids and their families can relax, have fun and create special memories."
Acting Clinical Nurse Neeltje 'Nelly' Couwenberg has brought her children's hospice experience from the Netherlands to Australia to help establish the service.
"I believe a children's hospice can be a magical place where the focus is on the quality of life of the child and their family," she said.
"I hope Sandcastles gives families a chance to regain a little sense of control in their lives, create beautiful memories together, and, most importantly, find their laughter again."
Supporting the whole family
Beyond nursing care, a multidisciplinary team will support children and families during their stay at Sandcastles, and throughout their journey.
Senior Physiotherapist Rachel Forbes, who has worked in paediatric healthcare since 2001, is looking forward to seeing families experience the new facility.
"I just can't wait for the children and families to be able to enjoy this amazing new facility, especially the hydrotherapy pool," she said.
"I hope we can bring lots of special moments for everyone who spends time at Sandcastles."
For Heidi Barker, Service Coordinator of the Family Support and Outreach Team, the focus will be on helping families feel connected, informed and supported.
"What excites me most is seeing children and families come through the doors for the first time and experience everything Sandcastles has to offer," she said.
"I am looking forward to being involved at the beginning of a new service and watching relationships, trust, and a sense of community grow over time."
Senior Occupational Therapist Lauren O'Brien said the opportunity to join WA's first children's hospice was "incredibly special".
"I was drawn to the vision of creating a place where families can focus on making memories, spending quality time together and feeling genuinely supported," she said.
"I'm most looking forward to seeing children and families come through the doors and make Sandcastles their own during their time there."
A shared vision for care
Leading the clinical team is Clinical Nurse Manager Sue Kearney, who has spent more than 25 years building, designing and managing children's hospices across the UK and Australia.
"I'm most looking forward to seeing the space come alive with the very people it was designed for," she said.
"I can't wait for families to walk through the doors and feel immediately held, to see children exploring spaces created just for them and to watch our team deliver care in an environmentthat truly supports the depth and complexity of paediatric palliative needs."
Helping shape the clinical vision for Sandcastles is Dr Lisa Cuddeford, Head of Department, Paediatric Palliative Care and Hospice Service.
"There is a common misconception that palliative care is only about end-of-life care, but in reality it is about helping children and families live as well as possible for as long as possible," she said.
As opening day approaches, the Sandcastles team look forward to helping children and families will find respite and meaningful moments in a place designed especially for them.