Helen & Douglas House

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Helen & Douglas House is a registered charity caring for terminally ill children. We provide round-the-clock care in a warm, loving environment.

Registered Charity Number :1085951

Helen & Douglas House is a home from home for local terminally ill children and their families. We’re a comforting cocoon filled with laughter, a peaceful place where families can create happy memories in their last days, weeks, months or years together. It is a special place that feels like home from home, where families can make the most of their time together and create happy memories during their children’s short lives. When a child dies, we are there to support the whole family at this really tragic time. Based in Oxford, but supporting families from surrounding counties and as far as London, we care for terminally ill children at the hospice and through our outreach service. At Helen & Douglas House, the world’s first children’s hospice, we care for babies and children up to the age of 18. Parents, brothers, sisters, and grandparents are all part of the Helen & Douglas House family. At the toughest time of their lives, we give families the time and space to enjoy the precious moments they have left with each other. In the midst of exhaustion and grief, we help them cope with their child’s final days. Find out more about Helen & Douglas House. The families who come to us at Helen & Douglas House depend on us to help them – either – face challenges every day during their children’s short lives or deal with living with a child with a terminal illness. But without your help, we can’t give them the expert care and support they need as they are living with a terminal illness. It costs £6 million a year to provide care for local families and we receive 11% of this from the government - the remainder comes from people like you. As a charity, we rely on your support to keep our doors open. Every donation makes a big difference to the help we can offer terminally ill children and families facing the devastating loss of a child. Make a donation today and help bring comfort and support to families going through every parent’s worst nightmare.

02/11/2026

When a child is seriously unwell, a family needs support built around them. Too many face exhaustion, limited emotional support, and a feeling of isolation at a time when they need connection the most. You can help to change that this Christmas.

For mum Michaela, every day was a struggle juggling Finley’s many medical needs and it felt like she was constantly on high alert which felt so exhausting and isolating.

But from the moment Finley and the family first stepped foot through the big red door of Helen & Douglas House, and for the next 10 years until he died in 2023, things looked very different. Mum Michaela says “From our first visit, through Finley’s death and in the years since, they’ve provided amazing care built around us, never once letting us down or leaving us to cope on our own.”

Whether a family is experiencing a child’s first Christmas, their last, or every precious one in between, no one should face this alone.

Donate now to help fund care, built for every Christmas - hdh.org.uk/every-christmas

02/11/2026

Congratulations to Andrea Kimi Antonelli Official on becoming the 2026 FIA Formula One Drivers' Champion!

What an incredible achievement, especially taking the title as the youngest Formula One World Champion.

We have loved watching Kimi’s journey and feel so proud to have shared special moments along the way, including when some of the children from the hospice met Kimi at Silverstone.

As the Official Team Charity of Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team we’re incredibly grateful for the continued generous support of the whole team.

Congratulations Kimi!

01/11/2026

Calling all families supported by Helen & Douglas House, or those eligible for our care. Our next Community Hub is back this November!

Our first Community Hub day took place last year, and we’re delighted to be back again at the PACE Centre, Aylesbury on Thursday 26th November from 10am to 1pm.

Our Community Hub brings Helen & Douglas House support closer to home, making it easier for families to access specialist advice, guidance and emotional support within their local community. You'll have the opportunity to meet members of our nursing, family support, social work, youth and transition, bereavement and siblings teams, all in one place. Whether you're already receiving support from Helen & Douglas House or would like to find out more about how we can help, we'd love to welcome you.

On the day you can:
🧡Take part in activities for children and siblings
🧡Meet other local families
🧡Speak to our specialist teams
🧡Learn about the support available to your family
🧡Discover services and opportunities in your local area
🧡Meet the Pepper Play Service and learn about play sessions

Event details: Please RSVP https://hdh.org.uk/hdhcommunityhub, or just pop in on the day.

📆PACE Centre, Aylesbury
⏰ 26th November 2026 from 10am to 1pm.

We can’t wait to see familiar faces and welcome new ones in your community!

31/10/2026

🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 🎃

To celebrate this very spooky occasion, the children got their hands messy baking! Here is Rupert with his mum and little brother making monster cookies together🍪

Baking is a great way for children to learn new skills, build confidence and more importantly, make the best memories together as a family 🧡

30/10/2026

We’re amazed at the support we’ve received during our campaign to highlight just what a gift in your Will to Helen & Douglas House could do for local children and their families.

So many of you kindly made the decision to find out more about this special way of giving. Gifts from Wills fund care for 1 in every 5 children we support locally. That’s 1 family who can continue to rely on us not just now, but long into the future too.

You can still write or update your Will for free using our free service.

Find out more here - https://hdh.org.uk/Write-your-Will

29/10/2026

It’s that time of year again - we’re so excited to announce this year’s Christmas Concert!

On 9th December, be among the first to experience Oxford’s newest and most acoustically advanced auditorium – the Sohmen Concert Hall at the Schwarzman Centre – filled with the sound and spirit of Christmas. This year’s festive evening of song and celebration will be hosted by broadcaster Geraldine Peers, with special readings, and musical performances to get you feeling all cosy and Christmassy.

Keep your eyes peeled as more music acts and guest speakers will be announced very soon!👀

All proceeds from ticket sales and donations on the night will be going directly to supporting hospice care for local children and their families

Get your tickets now - https://hdh.org.uk/christmas-concert-tickets-2026

25/10/2026

We're pleased to share details of a six-week yoga course, starting on Monday 9th November 2026, designed specifically for bereaved parents and primary caregivers. 🧘‍♀️

This course is provided by Helen & Douglas House and is available to those known to Helen & Douglas House and is now also open to those not currently known to us, provided they live within our support area (Thames Valley and the surrounding counties). Places are limited. To sign up, email [email protected].

This course forms part of our bereavement support service and includes gentle accessible yoga, breathing techniques and guided relaxation. Each session will be followed by the opportunity to stay for refreshments and conversations. All levels of experience and all genders are welcome.

The six-week course begins on Monday 9th November and runs until 14th December 2026 and is being held at The Hummingbird Centre, Bicester.

Please help us share this opportunity with eligible families who may benefit from this support.

23/10/2026

Twelve years ago, Janet met a little boy called Nathan. His joy despite his life-shortening condition and complex symptoms both inspired and motivated her to fundraise for the hospice. In 2021, she took on the London to Paris bike ride, and it was Nathan’s cheeky smile and resilience that kept her going through the tough parts of her challenge. Having seen Nathan’s joy throughout his ten years with the hospice, Janet decided to leave a gift in her Will to make sure that this joy can live on.

Janet said: “The hospice is a place of laughter and warmth, even for families navigating incredibly challenging times. Nathan’s spirit motivated me during the toughest parts of my ride and inspired me to leave a gift in my Will. I hope my gift will help Helen & Douglas House continue to provide the vital care and support for families facing the unimaginable.”

Join Janet and ensure hospice care lives on. For now, for everyone, forever.

Download our guide here - https://hdh.org.uk/Request-Wills-Guide

22/10/2026

We're hiring in our shops!

Want to make a difference to local families and children from your doorstep? Apply today join our friendly retail team and discover a career that's exciting and rewarding.

Apply now: https://hdh.org.uk/job-roles

21/10/2026

We'd like to say a massive thank you to all the amazing people who volunteered at Oxford Half last weekend! Whether it was cheering on our runners, helping us over at the Helen & Douglas House tent and everything in between, we couldn't do it without dedicated volunteers helping to make events like Oxford Half a success.

One of those volunteers who amazed us last weekend was John Stobbs who took on the 13.1 mile course speed walking! He completed the course in under 3 hours and raised an impressive £1400 for the hospice. He's been volunteering for us for 10 years and says “Volunteering at Helen & Douglas House is incredibly rewarding. I've always been struck by the warmth and professionalism of everyone at the hospice, and it's a privilege to play a small part in supporting local families facing some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable.”

Address

14A Magdalen Road
Oxford
OX41RW

Telephone

+441865794749

Website

http://www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/

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