The charity operates three hospices; Little Bridge House, Charlton Farm and Little Harbour – delivering a comprehensive range of services that extend far beyond clinical support to embrace entire families during their most challenging moments.
The organisation’s purpose centres on making the most of short and precious lives, offering everything from resilience stays and emergency care to end-of-life and bereavement support. Care teams provide symptom management, therapeutic interventions, and practical family assistance 365 days a year, entirely free of charge. This holistic approach ensures that medical care works hand-in-hand with emotional and psychological support, creating an environment where families can build cherished memories together.
Children’s Hospice South West currently supports more than 500 families throughout the South West, requiring close to £14 million annually to maintain its three hospice sites and fund ongoing services. Despite the scale of operations, the charity maintains a deeply personal touch. As one volunteer reflected about their experience at Charlton Farm:
“Everybody wants to make that child's life as happy as they can while they spend time at Charlton Farm, always leaving a positive mark!”
Founded in 1991 by Eddie and Jill Farwell after their own journey with life-limited children revealed the urgent need for local services, the charity has grown from a £1 million fundraising appeal into a cornerstone of regional paediatric palliative care.
Through three decades of dedicated service, Children’s Hospice South West continues to ensure that no family in the region faces their journey alone.
Learn more about their work
here.
