Julia's House

Julia's House is a children's hospice located in Corfe Mullen, Dorset, England and Devizes, Wiltshire It is a hospice for children with life-limiting, life-threatening or terminal conditions.[2][3] The majority of the children who are cared for by Julia's House are unlikely to live beyond the age of 18.[1] The hospice costs £1.9 million to be maintained. Only 3% of this cost is provided by the government.[4]

Julia's House
Founded2003
FounderMichael Wise
TypeRegistered charity
Location
OriginsNamed after Julia Perks
Area served
Dorset, England
Employees
65 (2008) [1]
Websitejuliashouse.org

History

Julia's House is named after Julia Perks, a paediatric nurse who died from cancer in 1997.[5] Julia highlighted the need for facilities and services for children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses in the Dorset area. She particularly wanted to raise awareness of the need for more respite for the families of these children.[6] Julia's House was founded by Michael Wise, who was the local councillor of Julia Perks.[7] Wise helped the hospice to raise £15,000 in 2008.[7]

The charity began in 2003, when Julia's House appointed two children's community nurses, who started working in home care for terminally ill children. Julia's House began with its main effort on providing care in the families' own homes.[8]

Before being converted into a hospice, Julia's House was once a family home.[9] In March 2006, it became a hospice that is an area for children to play and relax during the day. It also provides an occasional overnight service for 3 children and home care for 50 children.[6][10] The chief executive of the hospice is Martin Edwards.[9]

Shirt controversy

In July 2008, Julia's House replaced Park Engineering as the logo on Weymouth F.C.'s shirts. This deal was made to raise the profile of both the charity and the football club. It was a free sponsorship deal. However, a number of people became concerned that Julia's House was paying Weymouth F.C. for the shirt deal so that the charity could have more publicity. When the charity began losing fundraising money due to this controversy, it denied these beliefs, and Mike Bartlett, the development director at Julia's House, issued the following statement:[11]

[...] The charity is extremely cautious with expenditure and does not pay for any advertising or sponsorship. I would like to categorically state that Julia's House has not paid a penny to Weymouth FC.

References
  1. "Qualcomm Donates £30,000 to Julia's House Hospice". Qualcomm. Press Release Point. 2008-12-09. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  2. "House party as new kids' hospice opens". Western Gazette. Factiva. 2006-04-06. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  3. "2009 — a celebration for Dorset Lettings will benefit Julia's House". Blackmore Vale Magazine. 2008-11-21. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  4. "About Julia's House". Weymouth F.C. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  5. "A Dorset hospice for children with life-limiting illnesses has been left reeling after being burgled". BBC. 2008-07-06. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  6. "'Dream' hospice opens its doors". BBC. 2006-03-30. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  7. "Man tells Queen of Royal stumble". BBC. 2008-02-13. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  8. "Julia's House". Somerfield-Smith. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  9. "Hospice 'dream' set to be reality". BBC. 2006-01-31. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  10. "Sensory garden for sick children". BBC. 2007-04-07. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  11. Hendy, Arron (2008-10-03). "Charity voices fears at Terras cash deal 'myth'". Dorset Echo. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
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