We are delighted to be able to support the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation through our Community Initiative Fund. The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation provide in home respite care for children with severe neurological conditions and End of life care for children aged 0-5 years.
Staff of Bon Secours Hospital Tralee had the opportunity to nominate their not-for-profit organisation of choice to receive the fund. ‘We have a collection box on the ward where parents can leave a donation as requested to the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. We can see the great work that they do and realise the benefit and support they offer to sick children and their families’ said Colette McHale, CNM1 Children’s Ward at Bon Secours Hospital Tralee.
Sheila Hayes, Specialist Children’s Liaison Nurse with the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation covering Kerry and the surrounding counties, accepted the cheque of €2000 on behalf of the organisation on Tuesday 15th in the Paediatric Ward at Bon Secours Hospital Tralee.
Sheila’s role within the foundation is to assess the child and family’s individual needs and set up or service as soon as possible within the home. This may involve setting up nursing support hours or carer hours for the family depending on the child’s care needs. Once the service is established and supports are in place, Sheila will continue to liaise with the child and family and the nurse/carer until such time that the Jack and Jill hours cease. A major part of Sheila’s role is advocating on behalf of the child and family which includes linking with the local hospital, PHN, G.P, Disability Services, Schools, Homecare/Hospice and other voluntary organisations.
“On a day to day basis my role can vary from providing ‘’hands on ‘’ in-home care, organising respite breaks for the siblings, attending multidisciplinary team meetings to providing emotional and bereavement support to families. It is a very rewarding job because no two days are the same and I feel very privileged to visit the children and families in their home and to gain insight into their world. The monies raised by the Bon Secours Community Initiative fund will help provide approximately 125 hours home support nursing hours for families in Kerry which is fantastic” –Sheila Hayes, Kerry Liaison Nurse at Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.
