WellChild Community Helping Hands Project – LCAC

UPDATE: This project has been postponed. WellChild are working with the hospital to rearrange the project and will confirm the dates as soon as possible.

Thank you for your support!

Helping Hands

Many children supported by WellChild cannot access local recreational spaces due to their complex health conditions. WellChild created the Helping Hands programme in 2006, with the goal of working with volunteer teams to deliver life changing garden improvement projects in the homes of seriously ill children, allowing them to access an outdoor space that is accessible, sensory and safe. These projects are hugely beneficial for the children we help. We create an area that is especially designed for their ability, helping to improve independence, confidence and physical development. We are proud to say that over 450 Helping Hands projects have now been completed.

WellChild Helping Hands Project Managers organise all elements of the project, including design, procurement, equipment, environmental disposal and Health and Safety. Following this our Project Managers will guide teams of volunteers to construct these life-changing gardens for our beneficiaries.

Community Projects

Through the efforts of larger volunteer teams, WellChild also completes scaled-up versions of individual Helping Hands projects. As the name suggests, these Community Projects support a cohort of children who are experiencing medical complexities by improving community spaces.

For example, in August of 2024, WellChild undertook a Community Project at the Mary Rose Academy (MRA) in Portsmouth, a school for pupils with profound, severe and complex learning difficulties. Over a 4-day period, this initiative revitalised the MRA’s outdoor space, making it more accessible, engaging, and enjoyable for its students. Previously, this area was overgrown and inaccessible to wheelchair users, limiting its use for many of the students. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of 60 volunteers from corporate partners Propp and Firmitas, the garden has now been completely transformed. The finished garden is fully wheelchair accessible and features several fun sensory elements, including a blackboard, coloured panels, a mirrored wall, flowers, and more. Please follow the link below to view a short video, documenting this amazing project.

Llandough Childrens Assessment Centre - our next mission!

We are delighted to announce that WellChild’s next Community Helping Hands Project will be delivered at the Llandough Children’s Assessment Centre (LCAC), which is part of the University Hospital Llandough. This centre specialises in providing comprehensive assessments and care for children with various developmental, behavioural and medical needs. The centre offers a range of services, including diagnostic evaluations, therapeutic interventions and support for children and their families. The goal of the LCAC is to ensure that children receive the appropriate care and resources to support their development and wellbeing.

At the rear of the LCAC building, there is an unused and unsafe area of approximately 140m². This space, which includes an old patio, safety matting, and a grass area, has deteriorated over time. Currently, it is in a poor state of repair and is inaccessible to the children who visit the centre. Through the help of volunteers, our aim is to overhaul this space into a safe and accessible environment. This will involve the installation of ramps, level flooring and sensory equipment, benefiting up to 650 children every year.

Through the support of donations and volunteer teams, the project is scheduled to be delivered over five days, date to be confirmed. Please reach out to [email protected] if you or your company would like to volunteer.

Anticipated Costs

Materials & planting = £10,020

Services (skip hire, machinery hire etc.) = £1,675

Travel, accommodation and subsistence = £1,292

Staffing, project design and management = £4,500

Additional labour (5 days) = £1,250

WellChild overheads = £1,870 (at 10% of the above project costs)

Total cost = £20,607

WellChild will cover/contribute the following to help bring down the costs:

50% staffing costs = £2,250

Organisational overheads = £1,870

Approx. savings on charitable rates/negotiations on materials/services etc. = £2,500

Approximate savings = £6,620

Remaining balance = £13,987

More about WellChild...

WellChild is the national charity for children with serious illnesses and their families.

Thousands of children and young people are living across the UK with serious health needs. Many spend months, even years in hospital because there is no support enabling them to leave. WellChild exists to give these children the best chance to thrive, properly supported at home with their families.

We strive to shape a society in which every child, or young person with complex medical needs…

• Is cared for at home wherever possible.
• Has the right care and support around them.
• Has a stimulating, rich and happy family life.
• Is recognised, empowered and celebrated.

Through a nationwide network of specialist nurses, practical and emotional family support services and training campaigns, WellChild ensures these children are given the best possible chance to thrive.