How We Help Families

At TLC for Kids, we believe that a strong and cared-for family is critical to a sick child’s wellbeing. By supporting a sick child’s parents, guardians or siblings, you’re strengthening the safety net that catches that child when they fall.

Our Rapid TLC and other smaller support services provide the care that families need. Here’s an overview of ways we help:

Relaxation or bonding time for parents

Having a sick child, especially a child who is an in-patient, can be emotionally tough on parents. As part of our Rapid Requests, we often organise for parents to be treated to a date night, a pamper session, or even something as simple as a massage. These small acts of bonding and rest can be vital to help parents face what’s ahead.

A self-care package for emergency hospital visits

Emergency hospital admissions are sudden and scary. As an extension of our core services, we have organised for care packages of toiletries and essentials to be sent to hospitals for those world-shattering times of rushing a child to hospital.

Family days out or holidays

When a child is sick, it can take a toll on the entire family – the child, guardians/parents and siblings alike. We commonly organise days out for families to bond and connect in an environment outside of the hospital.

Inclusion of siblings

It’s important for siblings of sick children to feel that they are thought about and cared for. Often, as part of our Rapid Requests, we include little bonus toys and gifts for the siblings of a sick child, to make them feel included.

End-of-year celebrations

End-of-year celebrations such as our Family Fun Day can be the light at the end of the tunnel for many families. Sometimes these families aren’t able to partake in common festivities and traditions (such as shopping centre Santa photos or Christmas parties) for medical reasons. We provide a safe and welcoming space for them to celebrate the end of the year, at no cost to them.

At the end of the day, it really does take a village to raise a child.

If you’d like to support the families of sick children, please consider getting involved to help fund our vital services.