We have already achieved a tremendous amount, supporting many families and their children by working closely with the Bristol Children’s Hospital cardiac team and The CHD Network Southwest.

JULY 2021

Over the last few years the relationship between Heart Heroes and Dolphin Ward at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children has continued to grow and develop. The support HH provides to children and families with events, online resources and Hubs (just a few examples) when they are at home is fantastic. However, this network of support has gradually been growing so that parents and children in hospital are able to benefit from it too. This support has come in so many forms such as online activities, ride on trike games & electronic devices, Christmas gift boxes, support packs and vouchers for parents who literally arrive in the clothes they are wearing, books containing amazing first hand advice, tips and sharing of experiences from heart families. 

These are just a few as there have been so many but on top of this I have noticed the name Heart Heroes is mentioned by so many families who come to Dolphin Ward. Whether it’s because they see some of the resources, get to use them, pick up a leaflet or are part of the HH family. The positivity that comes with these conversations is lovely to hear and even more so when I hear families chatting about it amongst themselves. It can be lonely sat with your poorly child away from your family and friends so parents get chatting. Some parents are new cardiac mums & dads and others have been through the journey many times but HH is often mentioned and shared as a great place to get support, a friendly ear who many just understand a little of what your going through, fun activities focusing on all the things families can do together and essentially some help when you may really need it. From my perspective this is the best way to get this information shared with new families as there are so many internet sites out there it can be so scary knowing which ones to trust and use. A recommendation from real experience is priceless I think. We have resources and posters up on the ward in a small area for families to see, take away information, scan a link on their phones as well as the HH newsletter to read in those quiet moments and we keep it up to date with any activities we are aware of that are planned.

With families coming from all over the South West it’s great to be able to tell them that activities and the support Hubs are now happening more locally to them. This makes such a difference to families who can’t travel too far, so I will often chat about HH when I wander around and chat to parents. It’s great to be able to point the older children and teenagers towards to groups HH have set up for them as well.

The relationship with HH for our parents and children in hospital will continue to grow and in the future we hope to bring that support more physically into the hospital with the opportunity to catch up with a HH member and have a coffee and chat if a mum or dad would like too. Kelly did this recently for one of our mums and it made such a difference as what would have been a long anxious morning turned into one of support, chat, cake and the finding of some much wanted chop sticks for a very happy little girl.
Finally the fab HH team care about the staff looking after these amazing children and families so we get a little treat now and then too.

Thank you

Zoe Trotman

Ward Sister – Dolphin Ward