Impact of Treetop House in Sheffield made clear as it celebrates 25 years of keeping families together
Treetop House is celebrating 25 years of keeping families together - and families have been quick to highlight the massive impact the facility had in their times of need.
For many who arrive in Sheffield during a time of crisis, it offers a vital sanctuary, easing the emotional and financial strain of having a seriously ill child in hospital.
The team that supports families with a seriously ill child receiving treatment at Sheffield Children’s Hospital has helped countless people over the years. One example of this is Laura Bamborough and her partner Jak.
Their newborn baby Theo needed urgent care after being born with myelomeningocele, one of the most severe forms of spina bifida.
He underwent the first of a series of major surgeries at just 16-hours-old.
Throughout the whole process he was supported by The Sick Children’s Trust in Sheffield having stayed at both Treetop House and its sister ‘Home from Home’, Magnolia House.
While he will remain under the care of hospital consultants until he turns 18, Theo is doing excellently and the family remain eternally grateful to the charity for being there to support them at such a crucial time.
Reflecting on their experience, Laura said: “Staying at Treetop House and Magnolia House just made things so much easier for us. It meant that one of us could rest while the other stayed with Theo, ensuring he always had a parent by his side. The charity’s support also meant we avoided the unfeasible daily drive to and from the hospital, as we live over an hour away in Worksop.
“Thanks to the support of The Sick Children’s Trust, the whole situation was much more bearable and made sure we could give Theo the best possible care.”
Treetop House – run by The Sick Children’s Trust – has provided more than 8,600 families, including Lauras from across Yorkshire and beyond with a warm and welcoming place to stay, free of charge, just minutes from their child’s hospital bedside.
Purpose-built to meet the needs of families facing long and often uncertain hospital stays, Treetop House – officially opened on 30 March 2001 by stage and screen legend Michael Crawford CBE, President of The Sick Children’s Trust since 1987 - features 13 family bedrooms, shared and en-suite facilities, and a range of communal spaces including a kitchen, living area, playroom and laundry room.
Each bedroom also has a direct telephone line to the hospital wards, ensuring parents are always within immediate reach of their child.
Treetop House manager Ann Wyatt, who has worked at the ‘Home from Home’ for 23 of those 25 years, said:
“It’s wonderful to celebrate 25 years of this very special ‘Home from Home’. Over the years, I’ve seen first-hand just how much Treetop House means to the families who stay here. Many arrive feeling frightened and overwhelmed, not knowing what lies ahead, but having somewhere welcoming to come back to at the end of the day can make such a difference.
“We’ve supported thousands of families all facing incredibly difficult circumstances, and it’s a privilege to be able to offer them a place where they can rest, gather their thoughts, and stay close to their child. Treetop House really is a lifeline, and I’m so proud of the care and compassion our team shows them every single day.”
The Sick Children’s Trust currently has three ‘Homes from Home’ in Yorkshire, with Eckersley House supporting families at Leeds Children’s Hospital.
Yorkshire’s fourth ‘Home from Home’ will serve the neonatal intensive care unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary, with planning permission granted and construction set to begin in the coming months.
To learn more about their fundraising appeal in Bradford please visit: https://www.sickchildrenstrust.org/fundraise/bradfordappeal/.