Support for families: May 2026

“The support was amazing and the team got me through the hardest time of my life. Amazing support” — heart mum

During the month of May…

• 39 families worked with overall

• 23 families received a tailored packaged of Family Support

• 8 families engaged with

  —

• 6 young people and their families worked with and supported

• 13 Travel Grants given
• 7 attended Cardiac Cafe
• 27 Supermarket Vouchers given
• 0 Exceptional Grants given

Moments this month

Chylothorax Snacks
Sometimes the smallest ideas can make the biggest difference. This month, through conversations with the play team and dietitian, we identified a new way to support children on Ward 51 who are following a Chylothorax diet as part of their recovery.

A Chylothorax diet is a special low-fat diet used to help some children recover after heart surgery by reducing strain on the body while it heals. We recognised that many of the snacks typically offered through the wellbeing trolley were not suitable for these patients, meaning some children were unable to fully take part when the trolley visited the ward.

In response, we created a dedicated snack box filled with “Chylothorax safe” options for children and families to choose from. This simple initiative has helped ensure children on restricted diets can still be included in wellbeing activities, offering them greater choice, independence and a sense of normality during their hospital stay.

“Thank you to all the supporters that have allowed us to provide some tasty snacks for our patients on the specialist MCT diet! The diet is needed in some cases after surgery to stop drains flowing. It is really hard to stick to and very limited, meaning meals can be boring, and snacks can be repetitive. Having some different options available is exciting and brightens up a boring day on the ward. It will also help children struggling with weight loss to get some extra energy on board. This will really help so many children moving forward.” – Alix, Dietitian

Being able to choose a snack alongside other children may seem small, but for families navigating long inpatient stays and recovery, these moments of inclusion and autonomy can have a meaningful impact on emotional wellbeing.

Family Support on the Road
Leeds Cardiac Cafe

This month we hosted our Cardiac Café at Café 21 Co, a lovely coffee shop run by our friends at Sunshine and Smiles. We always value opportunities to work alongside organisations whose values align so closely with our own, and it was incredibly special to bring families together in a space built on inclusion and understanding.

The Cardiac Café provided a safe and social environment where families could connect with others who simply “get it”, without needing to explain their story, justify their emotions or feel like they need to hide their experiences.

These informal community spaces continue to be so valued by the families we support. They offer opportunities for peer connection and create moments of understanding away from the hospital environment. For many parents, simply being able to sit with others who understand their journey can be incredibly powerful.

One parent shared:
“Thank you to the ladies at the Cardiac Cafe in Leeds today, enjoyed a coffee with some lovely company. Highly recommend for families to come along to these in the future, a great space to share all sorts of emotions and stories with a team who have been with us from the very start.”

Feedback like this this highlights the importance of creating compassionate spaces where families feel listened to, supported and part of a wider community throughout their heart journey.

How is Family Support making a tangible difference to families?

Celebrating Siblings

This month, we continued to recognise the importance of supporting not only our patients and parents, but the wider family unit too. One family has now been on the ward for over six weeks, with mum staying alongside baby throughout this time. During the month, the patient’s older sister was able to visit the hospital for a special sibling visit. To help celebrate this important moment, we presented her with a personalised “Super Sister” certificate, including her name and the date of her visit.

Although a small gesture, the impact was significant. The visit allowed the sibling to feel included in her sister’s journey and recognised for the important role she plays within her family. Her time on the ward was filled with cuddles, play and quality time together, helping to maintain family bonds during a prolonged hospital admission. Alongside ongoing practical support through travel grants and weekly Tesco vouchers, this moment highlighted the importance of emotional wellbeing and ensuring siblings feel seen, valued and connected during challenging times.

Taking a break

Long-term hospital admissions can be a hard time, particularly when families are balancing life between the ward and hospital accommodation. This month, we supported one family who have been in hospital for over two months with a Deliveroo voucher for mum and dad.

Following conversations around wellbeing support, the family shared that what would help them most was the opportunity to enjoy a hot meal together without the pressure of cooking or leaving the hospital. By providing a takeaway voucher, parents were able to spend intentional time together in the Brotherton Wing accommodation while remaining close to the ward and their child. This offered both comfort and peace of mind.

While practical in nature, this support created space for parents to pause, reconnect and feel cared for themselves, something that can often be overlooked during lengthy inpatient stays.

Youth Event
Boxing with Tommy Frank

This month we teamed up with our ambassador, Tommy Frank, to deliver a ‘Boxing for Wellbeing’ workshop for young people. Tommy Frank is a professional boxer from Sheffield who was born with congenital heart disease and underwent open heart surgery at the age of five. He went on to build a successful career in boxing, becoming a champion and using his platform to inspire others.

The session gave young people the opportunity to learn basic boxing techniques in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment, while also hearing Tommy’s powerful personal story. His journey offered a clear message that a health condition does not define potential, and that goals and ambitions can still be achieved, even if the path looks different.

Young people were fully engaged throughout, working collaboratively to learn boxing combinations, try something new, and build confidence through movement and activity. The workshop also provided a valuable space for focus, self-expression and wellbeing, with both young people and staff actively participating and enjoying the session together.

Tommy’s encouragement and openness had a lasting impact, helping young people reflect on resilience, identity and what they can achieve.

Find out more about our work with young people here.

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.