�Isma enjoys yoga therapy at Haven House which supports her mobility and co-ordination. She loves to play in the sensory room and in the beautiful grounds.Every Hour Counts. Our frontline nurses are a vital support to these families, providing over 24,000 hours of care all year round. Take part in our 24/7 Challenge and help our nurses care.Every Hour Counts. Our frontline nurses are a vital support to these families, providing over 24,000 hours of care all year round. Take part in our 24/7 Challenge and help our nurses care.

Every Hour Counts. Our frontline nurses are a vital support to these families, providing over 24,000 hours of care all year round. Take part in our 24/7 Challenge and help our nurses care.

Six-year-old Isma was born with Ventriculomegaly, a condition resulting in the brain failing to develop and caused by a lack of oxygen. The diagnosis came as a devastating shock to mum, Mehnaz Patel, at 27 weeks into her pregnancy.

When Isma was two she began to have seizures. The hospital admissions became increasingly frequent, with long recovery periods. We were struggling to almost breaking point when a social worker intervened and referred us to Haven House. When I initially heard the word ‘hospice’ I was so upset and went to visit with a very heavy heart.

I was completely wrong and was blown away. For the first time I felt that Isma had somewhere she would be understood. The staff are incredibly kind, loving and helpful. They understand the struggle and always go the extra mile to ensure Isma and our family are taken care of.

The care package they offer is highly professional and enjoyable for the child – which gives parents confidence in their competency. Haven House has seen us through the darkest of times and has been there to offer a helping hand especially in emergencies. To know that your child is taken care of so well beings a peace of mind that is invaluable, especially for a child who has such complex needs and is 100 percent dependent on you.

Their coffee mornings for mums are a godsend. It allows us to not feel so isolated, and build friendships and a support network which has been immensely helpful in times of confusion and despair.

As a mum of four life is hectic. Our days out must be very carefully considered around Isma’s needs and more often than not we have to split up. But at Haven House we can all enjoy being together, while my Isma’s siblings play, Isma is enjoying the adapted equipment in the garden or sensory room.

At Haven House Isma enjoys yoga therapy which supports her mobility and co-ordination.  She loves to play in the sensory room and in the beautiful grounds.

There is truly something magical about Haven House, for me now, it represents hope.

When Isma comes to Haven House for respite care it means Mehnaz and Yasin can have a short break from the demands of caring for an unwell child with complex needs. Isma requires a lot of medication and her health can deteriorate rapidly.

Mehnaz says:

The staff at Haven House are amazing. To know they will care for your child in the same way as you is just the best feeling.

"When Isma is well she is a very happy girl. She has a cheeky side and likes to interact with the world around her. At Haven House she has been able to go on trips. We love the family days in the summer."

Isma’s older brother has started attending ‘Buddies’, Haven House’s sibling support group for brothers and sisters of children with life-limiting conditions and those who have experienced bereavement. 

Mehnaz concludes:

Azaan recently took part in a Buddies day out at a drama school with unlimited pizza. He absolutely loved it. Haven House is for the whole family, not just the child who needs care.

Read more of our family stories. 

When a child has a serious illness, family life is turned upside down and time becomes more precious than ever. Haven House enables families to make the most of their time together, giving them practical and emotional support, whenever they need it, for as long as is needed.

Every Hour Counts. Our frontline nurses are a vital support to these families, providing over 24,000 hours of care all year round. Take part in our 24/7 Challenge and help our nurses care.