Dublin family launches Children’s Hospice Week

LauraLynn, Ireland’s only Children’s Hospice, has revealed that 1 in 3 people in Ireland believe children’s hospice care is only for end-of-life, highlighting a significant misunderstanding of the vital role children’s palliative care plays in supporting families throughout a child’s life.

This misunderstanding matters because for families, it shapes not just what hospice care is, but what it feels like to accept it.

When most people hear the word “hospice”, they think of the end.

For parents already living with the reality of a child’s serious illness, that association carries weight.

By the time LauraLynn is first mentioned, families are often managing complex physical and medical needs, trying to protect a sense of normality for siblings, and living with constant uncertainty. In that context, the idea of hospice care can feel overwhelming.

The findings, from market research conducted by NFP on the charity’s behalf, are being shared as LauraLynn launches Children’s Hospice Week 2026, which takes place this week (17 to 23 May) the only week of the year dedicated to raising awareness of children’s hospice and palliative care in Ireland.

This year’s theme, “Every Minute Matters, Every Child Counts – because every little life deserves big moments,” reflects the precious nature of time for families living with a child who has a life?limiting condition.

When a child has a life?limiting condition, every minute together is precious, and at LauraLynn, families are supported to fill those minutes with joy, comfort and laughter.

Children’s palliative care is not just about end?of?life; it is about helping children live their childhood as fully as possible, from diagnosis and often for many years.

Seven year old Cillian Behan’s family, from Dublin, knows first-hand the difference early access to LauraLynn can make.

Cillian lives with his mother Pauline and father Keith and began his journey with LauraLynn when he became unwell at just 16 months old.

Like many parents, Pauline and Keith say they didn’t even realise help was available – or that they needed it.

“Having LauraLynn in our lives takes a huge amount of stress and worry away,” said Cillian’s father, Keith.

“Knowing we have that support makes such a difference, and every time Cillian comes back from LauraLynn, he’s happy – you can really see the difference in him.”

“At LauraLynn, we help families be just that – a family,” said Kerry McLaverty, CEO at LauraLynn (pictured above).

“By easing the worry and stress of complex medical care, parents, siblings and grandparents can enjoy time together, rest, recharge and make memories that last a lifetime.”

LauraLynn strives to create meaningful and magical moments for children and families in its care.

These can be everyday moments such as movie nights, playtime or a picnic in the garden, or larger celebrations like the LauraLynn Oscars, trips to the Abbey Theatre, or taking part in the St Patrick’s Day Parade.

These experiences give children a chance to shine and provide families with a space to celebrate their child – moments that are especially meaningful for children with life?limiting conditions.

“Children are children,” added McLaverty, CEO, “Their childhood should be just that – a childhood filled with play, laughter and joy. LauraLynn is a place where everyone can enjoy play together, regardless of ability.”

As Ireland’s only children’s hospice, LauraLynn provides specialist care at its purpose built hospice in Leopardstown and in family homes nationwide, LauraLynn cares for the whole family, not just the child with a life-limiting condition.

Support extends to parents, siblings, grandparents and extended family members.

LauraLynn’s goal is to ensure that there is equity and access for all children and families; that they have choice in the type and location of care when they need; and that they have magical, ordinary family experiences, enjoying moments that in time become memories that live forever.

LauraLynn is experiencing a significant period of growth and expansion.

Since opening over 14 years ago, the Hospice has cared for and supported more than 1000 children and families, but nearly half of these families were referred in the last 5 years, with the charity predicting that this level of need for their service will be sustained.

Increasing equity and access to care are key themes LauraLynn’s Advancing our Vision Extending our Community of Care Strategic Plan 2024-2028.

This hassled to the expansion of their three Community Teams, which are now in Mallow serving the Munster region and Ballinasloe, serving the West, Northwest and Midlands. Our community service represents a huge part of the service’s growth in recent years.

A significant part of LauraLynn’s work focuses on siblings, who can often feel overlooked as they navigate their own emotions and experiences.

This support includes targeted sibling camps, one-to-one play therapy sessions and other therapeutic interventions, helping siblings connect with children in similar situations and build strong, validating support networks.

The misconception that hospice care is only for the end of life can prevent families from accessing support early, when it can make the greatest difference.

“This Children’s Hospice Week, we want people to understand that hospice care is about living,” said Kerry McLaverty, CEO, “It’s about ensuring every child counts, every minute matters, and every family feels supported – no matter where they are on their journey.”

Every child’s life, however long, is made up of moments.

The role of LauraLynn as Ireland’s children’s hospice care provider is not simply to be present at the end of that life, but to walk with children and their families along every step of their journey and to help make more of those precious moments possible.