Support for families: March 2026

During the month of March…

• 27 families worked with overall

• 19 families received a tailored packaged of Family Support

• 8 families engaged with

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• 13 young people and their families worked with and supported

• 17 Travel Grants given
• 4 attended Cardiac Cafe
• 12 Supermarket Vouchers given
• 0 Exceptional Grants given

“I honestly can’t thank you and the charity enough for all the support we received. It meant so much to us during such a difficult time.“ — heart mum on the ward

Moments last month

The importance of Katie Bear
“We know it’s just a bear but it has sufficient value, showing how much determination and courage she has and all the battles she keeps fighting” — Heart Mum

Celebrating Eid on the children’s heart ward
The Family Support team purchased decorations for a young person and her family to decorate their bedspace and make it their own. The young person helped decorate buns for all families on the ward to celebrate Eid.

Family Support on the Road
Bradford Cardiac Cafe

This month we hosted our Cardiac Cafe in Bradford. Families were able to meet each other, chat about their experiences and have a break in their day with people who understand.

After the success of 2025’s event, we hosted the cafe at Bradford West Family Hub again and enjoyed using the space and all the toys!

The ball bit was a group favourite!

How is Family Support making a tangible difference to families?

Breastfeeding Comfort & Care

This month CHSF have provided breastfeeding packs – including sanitary items, bonding square and nappies – for the new parents at the beginning of their heart journey.

Youth Voice

In March we launched CHSF’s youth voice panel, getting feedback from young people about what they want to see from CHSF support as they get older. We met with young people online and in person to get their feedback on what we had to offer and we are exploring other ways of working with young people to develop the service – watch this space to see what they had to say!

Young person feedback

“I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me it’s really cheered me up that there’s people around outside of my little nuclear family that care about me and want me to get well.

“Since growing up in care, my faith in society and the systems in place to look after children or even adults like myself was pretty damn well compromised and this experience has really put some faith in the system back in me. I really, really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.

“[CHSF’s support has] made such a huge difference to my stay. Normally I’m a self discharger after 24 hours or whatever. But I’ve managed to stay in, and actually reasonably enjoy myself (as much as you can whilst your admitted on an ICU ward).”

Working together

There is something so special about charities coming together to support a family in need and this month we saw first hand how this can have such an impact.

A massive thank you to From the Heart Charity, Retford Lions Club and Baby Bank Alliance for helping secure some very important and much needed items for a lovely heart family following their discharge from hospital.

It’s only with the help of our incredible supporters that we can continue to be there for every family that needs us. Thank you.