CRASH creates a much-needed family apartment for a children’s hospice in Oxford

CRASH helped Helen & Douglas House children’s hospice refurbish one of their family flats. This will allow children with life-limiting conditions to receive specialist end of life care, whilst remaining close to their parents and families.

Helen & Douglas House care for terminally ill children, young adults and their families in Oxford and the surrounding counties, supporting them through the toughest of times. At the hospice, dedicated staff help families to make the most of their time together and create loving memories during their children’s short lives.

The need

The hospice applied to CRASH to help refurbish their two-bedroom family flat which had not been renovated since Helen House opened in 1982. Works included enclosing the staircase to provide additional privacy for families coming in and out of the flat, renovating the dated lounge and two double bedrooms and installing two brand new bathroom suites.

Kay Honner, Major Partnerships Manager at the hospice said:

‘‘The décor, fixtures and fittings were very dated and the flat was not very private. We want families to have both the space and time to themselves in a comfortable environment but also be immediately available for their terminally ill child at the worst of times.’’

How CRASH Patrons helped

CRASH Patron Partners AECOM, Arcadis, BAM Construct UK, Ben Adams Architects, Dulux Trade, Geberit and Masterson Holdings came together and generously donated their professional skills and building materials