Charity Overview
Momentum Children’s Charity supports families across Surrey, West Sussex and South West London whose children are facing cancer or a life-challenging condition. Working in partnership with local hospitals who refer families following a child’s diagnosis, the charity works with those families to understand their individual needs, offering them personally tailored support both in hospital and at home.
These support services include counselling and a range of creative therapy services - such as play, art and music - as well as special experiences and respite breaks to ease some of the stresses that come with a grueling treatment plan. If the unthinkable happens, and a child dies, they offer bereavement support and stand by families for as long as they need. They also improve the environment for children treated in local hospitals with our children's ward refurbishments, transforming bare, clinical areas into bright, child-friendly spaces.
At any one time Momentum support around 200 families whose child is in active treatment and a further 75 bereaved families. They are there whatever the outcome, for as long as we’re needed, so that no family has to cope alone.
Project Summary
A donation from ICAP Charity Day London in 2019 enabled Momentum Children’s Charity to partner with a new hospital, the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford. This vital partnership allows the charity to reach out and support even more families who are navigating life with a childhood cancer diagnosis or life-challenging condition.
The funding has allowed Momentum to hit the ground running at the hospital, where they now have a dedicated Family Support Worker there, meaning they can support another 40 families whose children are undergoing treatment for cancer or another life-challenging condition.
The benefit of having Family Support Worker, Gemma, on the unit is the availability of support for the children, families and the staff. Her first day back after lockdown was spent with one of her families who just needed someone who wasn’t medical to talk to.Senal, Paediatric Matron at Royal Surrey County Hospital
ICAP's donation has also allowed Momentum to complete a colourful, sea-life themed refurbishment to areas of the paediatric department - uplifting the space and, by doing so, transforming what can be an extremely scary and overwhelming experience, to a much more welcoming and child-friendly one.
Hospital can be a frightening and intimidating place for anyone, but especially for young patients. The beautiful murals that they can now enjoy will be a great distraction and help to make the hospital feel warmer and less like a scary clinical space.Senal, Paediatric Matron at Royal Surrey County Hospital
Momentum Children’s Charity came into our lives halfway through Jenson’s treatment. It’s been wonderful to know that someone is there, seeing what help and support they can offer you. They’ve also looked after my daughter and made sure that she feels special and is focused on too during this tough time.Parent supported by Momentum Children's Charity
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