Who We Are
Welcome

Haven House is a happy place that deals with hard events and realities in people's lives. We are not a place where a child simply comes to die, but a 'home from home' in which we care for children and families throughout their lives.

A children's hospice is a place where a child comes to live life as fully as they are able and we are privileged to be a part of this experience.

A life limited child may live for a number of years and our intention is to recognise the value and preciousness of this time together as we support the family over the child's life time. Please look at Our Services to get a fuller picture of all that we do.
Haven House was founded on the vision and passion of Sue Irwin (see The Founder). Since 2003 we have been supporting children with life-limiting illnesses and their families in Central and North East London and West Essex.

Vision
To ensure that all children who are life-threatened or who have a range of disabilities and complex health needs together with their families in our area are offered a range of caring, competent and high quality services which respond to their needs.

Mission
We aim to identify all of the children (0-19) who meet our criteria and work with their families to advocate for services which could be located either in the community or in the hospice.

The multi-disciplinary team take the lead in ensuring that each child and family receives safe and timely high-quality care which is chosen to meet the child's individual needs delivered by a caring, compassionate and competent team.

We aim to take every opportunity to network, collaborate and learn from the contribution of all local and external partners.

Values
Children and their families are at the centre of everything we do.

We aim to be an employer of choice for staff by offering continuing professional development to meet their full potential.

Integrity is of the upmost importance in all that we strive for at Haven House. Our aim is to be open, transparent and respectful in all our working practices by creating a culture that is both diverse and inclusive of all.
The Patrons

still Diversity Dance Group
Spurred on by their motto "Dream, Believe, Achieve", Diversity took the UK by storm by winning Britain's Got Talent. Ranging in age from 13 to 26 they have eleven members from the East London and Essex area and include Ashley and Jordan Banjo, Ian, Jamie and Matthew McNaughton, Sam and Mitchell Craske as well as Terry Smith, Ike Ezekwugo, Warren Russell and Perri Luc Kiely.

After an exclusive performance at our Christmas Village Event in 2009 the group agreed to become patrons of Haven House.
still Gary Lucy
Gary Lucy is known for his roles in Hollyoaks, Footballer's Wives and The Bill and he has also competed in Dancing on Ice. He has made an art of appearing on game shows in aid of Haven House and this includes Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, winning £25,000, Celebrity Mr & Mrs with partner Natasha, where they won £5,000 and Family Fortunes where he scooped the jackpot of £30,000 for the Hospice.
still Glen Murphy M.B.E
Glen Murphy is well known for his charity work and received his MBE in 2007. He has had many TV and film roles but is most famous for playing George in the well loved series London's Burning, which ran for 15 years.
still Patsy Palmer
still Ray Winstone
Ray Winstone is one of Britain's most prolific, charismatic and acclaimed international actors. His career, which spans three decades, has seen him tackle such diverse and complex roles from King Henry VIIIth to gangster bosses and from Beowulf to The Chronicles of Narnia. He has won two international Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, three British Independent Film Awards and has been nominated for two BAFTA's.
still Vicki Michelle M.B.E
Best known as the iconic Yvette in nine seasons of the BBC series ‘Allo ‘Allo, Vicki Michelle has had an extensive acting career in TV, films and the theatre. She is President of the Lady Taverners – Essex Branch and is an active and committed charity worker. Vicki first became a patron of Haven House when her young nephew was a visitor to the Hospice.
still Rabbi Maurice Michaels
Rabbi Michaels is based at the South West and Settlement Reform Synagogue in Redbridge. He is very involved in interfaith work and is a member of the Redbridge Faith Forum. Rabbi Michaels has also served on the Board of Deputies, The Zionist Federation Council and the National Council for Soviet Jewry.
still The Rt Revd David Hawkins, Bishop of Barking
Bishop David began his public ministry as Anglican Bishop of Barking in the Diocese of Chelmsford in January 2003. Prior to that he held post in Leeds and Oxford and worked with the Church Mission Society in Nigeria. He enjoys many outdoor activities and is also an accomplished artist. Bishop David and his wife Carole live in Walthamstow, living and working amongst the people they serve.
still Eleanor Laing M.P.
Eleanor Laing is the Member of Parliament for the Epping Forest constituency and is currently Shadow Minister for Justice. She lives near Epping with her son.
still Cyril Dennis M.B.E
Cyril Dennis is retired from business and lives overseas. However, he remains active in his charity work and continues to support numerous charities. He was awarded the MBE in 2002 for his many years of service to the Jewish community in Essex.
Colonel Alan Hall M.B.E.
As Deputy Lieutenant for Redbridge, Col. Hall represents The Lord Mayor of London in the Borough and is involved in organising royal visits for the benefit of the area. He was awarded an MBE in the 2010 New Year honours list in recognition of over 20 years of service to the local community.
Mike Gapes M.P.
Mike Gapes is the Member of Parliament for Ilford South. He was born in Wanstead and is a fanatical supporter of West Ham United. Mr Gapes is Chairman of the influential Foreign Affairs Select Committee in the House of Commons and also chairs the Crossrail all party group.
still Rt. Hon Iain Duncan Smith M.P.
Iain Duncan Smith is the Member of Parliament for Chingford and Woodford. A former leader of the Conservative Party, he also established the Centre for Social Justice as part of his commitment to improving the lives of Britain's most vulnerable people.

He ran the London Marathon for Haven House in 1994 and raised over £32,000.

Children’s Hospices UK

"Children’s Hospices UK is the national voice for children's hospice services and the children and families they care for. We strive to ensure that the estimated 20,000 life-limited children in the UK, and their families, have access to the unique range of services children's hospices provide."

http://www.childhospice.org.uk


 


Association for Children with a Life-Threatening or Terminal Conditions

"ACT is the first and only organisation in the UK concerned with the needs of all children with life-shortening conditions and their families, regardless of the particular diseases involved. Haven House, along with other hospices for children, is a member of ACT. ACT, in consultation with the membership, publicly launched the Charter for Children with Life-Threatening Conditions and Their Families in June 1993."

http://www.act.org.uk


 


Hospice Information

"Hospice Information is a joint venture between St. Christopher's Hospice and Help the Hospices. It brings together the experience and established reputation for high quality of the Hospice Information Service at St. Christopher's and the national remit and innovative information developments of Help the Hospices. Together, we want to provide a world-class information service for health professionals and members of
the public, on UK and international hospice and palliative care."

http://www.hospiceinformation.info


 


Help the Hospices

"Help the Hospices is the national charity for the hospice movement, founded in 1984 by Anne, Duchess of Norfolk."

http://www.helpthehospices.org.uk


 


Lifelites

This web-based resource provides information on the lifelites project, which aims to improve the quality of life for children with life-limiting illnesses, through the use of information technology.

http://www.lifelites.org


 


CHARITIES AND SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARTICULAR CONDITIONS


Cancerbackup

Europe's leading cancer information charity, with over 4,500 pages of up-to-date cancer information, practical advice and support for cancer patients, their families and carers.

http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk


 


Kids Health

KidsHealth provides families with accurate, up-to-date, and jargon-free health information they can use.

http://www.kidshealth.org


 


Clic Sargent

Clic Sargent supports families with children suffering from cancer or leukaemia.

http://www.clic.org.uk/


 


The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the only UK charity focusing on all muscular dystrophies and allied disorders. It has pioneered the search for treatments and cures for over 40 years and provides practical, medical and emotional support to people affected by the condition.

http://www.muscular-dystrophy.org/


 


The Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy

The Mission of the Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (JTSMA) is to be there for everyone affected by or involved with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), providing support and information, and investing in research. The JTSMA is the only British organisation dedicated to providing support, care, information and the funding of research into SMA.

http://www.jtsma.org.uk/


 


Batten Disease Family Association

The Batten Disease Family Association (BDFA) was created in 1998 to support and help families, carers and professionals, who have contact with a child with Batten disease.

http://www.bdfa-uk.org.uk/index.htm


 


British Heart Foundation

For help and support with conditions relating to the heart.

http://www.bhf.org.uk/index.asp


 


Contact a Family - Directory of Specific Conditions and Rare Disorders

The Contact a Family Directory Online has lots of information on specific conditions and rare disorders in children and young people.

http://www.cafamily.org.uk/Idx/m.html


 


HEALTH AND PUBLIC SERVICES


Caring About Carers

This website from the Department of Health provides details about services or benefits affecting carers.

http://www.carers.gov.uk/


 


DirectGov

This government site brings together information on public services, and includes sections health services, caring for a child or adult and disability.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/CaringForSomeone/fs/en


 


The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation

RADAR is an organisation campaigning for better lifestyles for disabled people and their families.

http://www.radar.org.uk/RANE/Templates/frontpage.asp?lHeaderID=2


 


NHS Direct

NHS Direct has a wealth of information about illnesses and conditions and also links to other organisations.

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk


 


OTHER CHARITIES


Contact a Family

Contact a Family is the only UK-wide charity providing advice, information and support to the parents of all disabled children - no matter what their health condition. They also enable parents to get in contact with other families, both on a local and national basis.

http://www.cafamily.org.uk/index.html


 


Whizz-Kidz

Whizz-Kidz provides specialised mobility transport for children, as well as training, information and advice to change the lives of disabled children.

http://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/Page.asp


 


The Child Bereavement Trust

This organisation works to help bereaved families.

http://www.childbereavement.org.uk


 
Haven House Children's Hospice. Charity Number: 1044296      © 2008 designed by verb.