Care at Christmas: Dedicated Acorns Children's Hospice nurses journey alongside families in times of sadness and help them create cherished memories

Acorns Children's Hospice nurse Katie Webb is part the team of dedicated specialist nurses who journey alongside grieving parents and siblings when the unthinkable happens, helping them to create memories amid difficult times.

She recalls helping Walsall couple Karen and Johnathan Ritchie to spend as much family time as possible with their poorly newborn baby daughter Thea before they said saying goodbye to her at just 23-days-old following her birth in August last year. 

Little Thea defied the odds to stay with her mum, dad and big brother Rupert for a little while longer she was diagnosed with a rare metabolic glycine which resulted in catastrophic seizures. 

Acorns nurse Katie Webb, who has been a nurse for 14 years,  explains: "I remember walking in and seeing this tiny beautiful little baby; her little features were absolutely perfect. Her family were soaking up every minute they could with her.

"Thea’s family needed the precious gift of time. Time to process the whirlwind they had just been through. They needed time as a family of four, time to cuddle Thea, time to cry and time to laugh. Most importantly to be able to do all these things knowing they were being well cared for.

"They didn't need to fear what they may need to do or not do when by themselves at 3am. They didn't need to think of the day-to-day mundane jobs of figuring out what to eat or when to wash clothes, because it was done for them. They knew Rupert was happy and could be watched if they needed some time alone with Thea.

"They just got to be parents. The family wanted to spend time to create memories with Thea in a calm and caring place and that's what they got. 

"We embraced them into the Acorns family and gave them the support they needed. They knew we were keeping a close eye on Thea and were ready to intervene to keep her as comfortable as possible. The most important thing we did was accept where they are at.

"We try our hardest to see a family’s needs and meet them there. Some families want to know we are there but need space, others want us to be involved as much as possible. Thea's family fully embraced all we offered and from that experienced lots of beautiful memories.  Johnny and Karen wanted as many memory making activities as we could offer. 

"We had such a lovely time thinking of different crafts we could do. Hand and foot casts were one of the first we did. Thea had the tiniest little toes. I think I held my breath when I peeled away the casting.

"We involved Rupert in some canvas painting so that he will also have something to look back on and know he was a part of.  When a family is going through end-of-life care with their child, so many moments can become a blur. There is so much to take in and try to understand, so many different emotions. But in these moments, these keepsakes, time has stood still. That handprint, footprint, photo, will always remain and bring back a memory. Keepsakes and memories like these are irreplaceable."

Katie, who grew up in Walsall, adds: "I knew I always wanted to work with children, but didn't really know in what capacity. I saw Acorns as an option for a placement in my nurse training and went for it. A year into my nursing career a job came up, and the rest is history.

 "So many of our shifts are rewarding and I go home with a full heart knowing we have done a good job and helped a deserving family out. After difficult or sad shifts, I go home and give my children extra cuddles. I never want to take that for granted." 

The Express & Star has launched it's Care at Christmas appeal in support of the trust whose dedicated staff and volunteers support families from the Black Country, Wyre Forest and Birmingham where children have life-limiting conditions.

To support Acorns visit: acorns.org.uk/Star-Appeal