Emma is one of the Youth and Transition workers at Helen & Douglas House. She told us about her role at the hospice and how she supports the older children we care for with youth and transition support. She meets them from the age of 13-19 until they move on and transition into to adult clinical and social care with other healthcare providers.

Emma works with our teenagers of Helen & Douglas House that are cognitive and able, and who want to engage with the service. She supports our young people by arranging social activities such as a regular youth groups to boost their confidence, self-esteem and independence, and she also undertakes 1-2-1 support. Emma’s role is all about empowerment and enabling people to achieve their goals, as big or little as they may be, with the right amount of support for the individual. The activities enable development of social and life skills, raises awareness around social inclusion, and ensures they are aware of what they can do beyond their teenage years by helping them look to a positive future. Emma told us they often play board games or do an art activity together to enable a relaxed and comfortable environment which allows space to talk and share any worries or anxieties.​ Emma meets with our teenagers either at the hospice, at home, at school, or in the community to talk about all sorts of things going on in their lives. Long term and trusted relationships are built up and can be relied on for times when they may need another adult on their team. Our young people feel better prepared and have learnt skills to be more independent and confident about their to achieve their dreams and goals, and providing a safe social space allows for a less isolated and lonely life and helps prepare for a full and positive future. 

As well as youth work, Emma also supports the older teenagers of the hospice and their parents/carers in preparation of the changes from the children’s services to adult services; advising them how things would change and on the support that will be available to them post 19; housing, education, work to social and even health. As they move from the safety of Helen & Douglas House, into the big wide world, her role will help the young people feel less alone and isolated and more prepared for their future. Emma also refers to social workers and other services who could offer support with life beyond Helen & Douglas House.

The variety of Emma’s role means that every day is different. One day she could be answering emails and phone calls, then the next day she might be visiting a teenager at home or school, or she could be talking to her clinical peers to find future respite or help for one of our teenagers. One thing she has developed as part of her role was starting the #networksaturday youth group which gives the teenagers with capacity a chance to meet with others in a similar situation to them on a regular basis.

The #networksaturday group, which Emma, and consequently the youth work team has been running since January 2019, meet at the hospice on a Saturday every month. Our teenagers are invited to come along where they can take part in activities and games, have a group family lunch and have the chance to talk to other teenagers of the hospice, and staff and volunteers. They get to meet special guests, such as Leo the PAT cat (featured below), other external groups, and undertake lots of different and new activities. Emma can also use these sessions to recognise what support is needed on an individual basis.

All the young people are keen to meet new people, hang out, share life experiences and learn new things and they have the opportunity to make lasting friendships along the way. It’s a bonus to be in a space which is so accessible and appropriate for them and to have activities which they can partake in with the support they need. Seeing friendships grow and develop has been a highlight for me and seeing the difference it makes in our young people’s confidence is just so wonderful.

Jasper, who has been attending #NetworkSaturdays for a while said,

Network Saturday has been a great way to spend a day and a nice change from being at home. I like the social activities they do and making friends

Emma finished her chat with us by telling us about an experience of seeing the transformation of a young person who transitioned into their new life after Helen & Douglas House and went to University; they had the right support and became more independent and this was fantastic to see.

Help us continue to support children of the hospice by making a donation towards one of our youth club sessions.