Very Special Kids - Glen Eira
Malvern, VIC
Young People
Ph: (03) 9804 6222
Fax: (03) 9822 1252
www.vsk.org.au
About Very Special Kids - Glen Eira
Very Special Kids cares for children with life-threatening conditions by providing a children's hospice and professional support services to families.
They help more than 900 families across Victoria with ongoing support that starts from the diagnosis of a child's condition all the way through to recovery or bereavement. The free-of-charge family support services provided are unique to each family according to their personal needs and include:
* Emotional support and counselling from a dedicated Family Support Worker. An experienced clinician listens to families and assists with strategies and resources to help manage the many adjustments in their life
* Access to planned and emergency respite care at Victoria's only children's hospice, Very Special Kids Hospice, with specialised 24 hour nursing care for children with life-threatening conditions
* Sibling support program that helps children who have a brother or sister with a life-threatening condition. The activity-based program provides the opportunity to meet other siblings for peer support, explore their own emotions and enhance self-esteem
* Trained volunteers to support families with the practical and emotional demands of caring for a child with a life-threatening condition. Volunteers provide support in the family home and during admissions at Very Special Kids Hospice or Royal Children's Hospital.
* Family activities where parents and children can take time out and meet other families experiencing similar challenges. Activities include camps, family fun days, coffee mornings and the annual Christmas Party
* Bereavement program including counselling, parent evenings, annual parents retreat, peer activities, sibling days, annual Remembrance Day, anniversary cards and the Continuing Links newsletter.