It’s about living: an evening that changed how we see palliative care
Posted on: 29 Apr 2026
Nottingham Hospitals Charity was proud to host its very first Impact Evening at Hipps Cafe in Queen’s Medical Centre on Thursday 23 April, welcoming representatives from local businesses, partners and supporters keen to learn more about Nottingham Children’s Hospital and the vital role charitable support plays in enhancing patient care.
The evening shone a spotlight on specialist teams and services that often go unseen until they are needed most, and on the powerful difference they make for children and families across our hospitals.
Guests also heard reflections from Charity Ambassadors, including Rob Jones, who spoke about what our local NHS means to him and why supporting it matters. His words set the tone for an evening rooted in compassion and resilience.
A central feature of the evening was a panel discussion with the Nottingham Children’s Hospital Palliative Care Team, joined by the parents of a current service user. Together, they shared honest and deeply moving insights into living with a life‑limiting condition and the vital support available to families along the way.
When asked what they would want other parents to know about palliative care, the family’s response was simple and reassuring: “It’s not scary.” They spoke about their journey with the team over the past four years and how they have been supported through some incredibly difficult decisions with both emotional and practical care — including being supported to learn very complicated new skills to care for their child at home.
Despite the challenges they have faced, the parents also shared a joyful insight into their son’s life. They spoke proudly about how he loves visiting his grandparents’ farm and helping to milk the cows — a powerful reminder of what quality of life truly means, and the moments that matter most to families.
The Palliative Care Team echoed this message, addressing a common misconception head‑on. “Palliative care is about living and quality of life,” they explained. “It’s about caring for children and young people with life‑limiting and life‑threatening conditions — not just end‑of‑life care.” Their work focuses on helping children live as well as possible, for as long as possible, while supporting the whole family.
Reflecting on the evening, Sam Paterson, Corporate Partnerships Lead at Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said:
“Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first Impact Evening. It was an evening rooted in compassion, care and honesty, and a powerful reminder of why this work matters so much. Even for those of us who work closely with clinical teams, we gained new insights into the incredible role of the Children’s Palliative Care Team and the depth of support they provide to families. Hearing directly from parents about their journey was both humbling and inspiring.”
Nottingham Hospitals Charity is actively seeking to support and help expand the important work of the Palliative Care Team at Nottingham Children’s Hospital, ensuring even more families can benefit from this life‑changing care in the future.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such a meaningful evening. Our first Impact Evening marked the beginning of a new way to share stories, build awareness and celebrate the extraordinary care made possible through support.
Our next Impact Evening will take place in October, supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month — watch this space for more details.
If you or your organisation would like to find out how to get involved, support our work or become a corporate partner, please get in touch.