Very Special Kids 321 Glenferrie Road Malvern Vic 3144 Phone 03 9804 6222 Fax 03 9822 1252 ABN: 86 109 832 091 ww.vsk.org.au

Welcome to Very Special Kids HouseCome inside and have a look…

eopH

Very Special Kids relies on the generous support of caring individuals and corporate and community groups to keep the doors of the House open.

Please donate today and help continue the amazing work of Very Special Kids House.

Visit www.vsk.org.au/donate or free call 1800 888 875.

Your donation will make a huge difference in the lives of families caring for children with life-threatening illnesses.

All donations of $2 and over are tax deductible.

Very Special Kids House, Victoria’s only children’s hospice opened in 1996.

Today Very Special Kids House provides around 1800 bed nights a year of respite for children with life-threatening illnesses.

For many children with complex care and medical needs Very Special Kids House is the only overnight respite facility providing 24 hour specialised nursing care and on call doctors. Importantly, all services at the House are provided free-of-charge to families including:

● Planned and emergency respite care

● Music therapy program

● School holiday program

● End-of-life care

“ Bath time is a wonderful experience for children. It can be filled with fun and bubbles or be a time to just lay back and relax.”

Gail, Hospice Manager.

Playing with Zoe in the sparkly room is fun! Its so pretty and bright. I think it must be MAGICAL!

Very Special Kids House is not what you may expect when you hear the words “hospice” or “respite care”. It is colourful and filled with natural light. There is music, cooking, art and craft activities and laughter. The staff at the House really make it feel like a home.

The bathroom at the House has lifting devices and a hydrotherapy bath for children with painful and uncomfortable conditions. For many taking a bath is something they can only experience at the House.

The House staff arrange plenty of exciting activities for children during their stay such as music therapy sessions and visits from the petting zoo!

I love story time at the House.

The drums are my favourite.

Animals on the Move even comes to visit and Matilda got a kiss from a WOMBAT!

When Mum and Dad pick me up I give them a big hug and tell them all the fun things I did on my holiday.Because I LOVE VERY SPECIAL KIDS HOUSE.

Caring for a child with a life-threatening illness can be both physically and emotionally exhausting for a family. That’s really what makes the House so special. For parents knowing their child will be professionally cared for means they can take a much needed break, rest and recharge.

There is a special bath I can use, it makes really BIG BUBBLES! But the best bit about bath time is the MERMAID!